Linear rail system having preload adjustment apparatus
First Claim
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1. A sliding rail assembly, comprising:
- an elongated channel having upper and lower parallel raceways, the channel defining an elongated axis;
a slide adapted to linearly translate across the channel;
a first roller attached to the slide and engaging the lower raceway and a second roller attached to the slide, the second roller vertically adjustable and engaging the upper raceway to facilitate the linear translation of the slide means for adjusting the position of the second roller relative to the raceways, the adjusting means fixing the position of the second roller relative to the slide as the second roller is adjusted.
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Abstract
A linear rail system for adjusting the preload no the individual rollers of the slider body provides a linear rail of the type having upper and lower parallel raceways through which a slider body having a number of rollers attached thereto is adapted to axially translate. The rollers are assured contact with the upper and lower raceways while also providing the ability to absorb shocks placed on the slider body. At least one of the rollers is mechanically biased against one of the raceways while at least one other roller is adjustable and fixable in position using an adjustment block.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sliding rail assembly, comprising:
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an elongated channel having upper and lower parallel raceways, the channel defining an elongated axis; a slide adapted to linearly translate across the channel; a first roller attached to the slide and engaging the lower raceway and a second roller attached to the slide, the second roller vertically adjustable and engaging the upper raceway to facilitate the linear translation of the slide means for adjusting the position of the second roller relative to the raceways, the adjusting means fixing the position of the second roller relative to the slide as the second roller is adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sliding rail assembly, comprising:
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an elongated channel having upper and lower parallel raceways, the channel defining an elongated axis; a slide adapted to linearly translate across the channel; a plurality of rollers attached to the slide and engaging the upper and lower raceways to facilitate the linear translation of the slide, the plurality of rollers including three rollers, wherein first and third rollers are mechanically linked to the slide and directed against the lower raceway of the channel, and a second roller is provided between the first and third rollers and mechanically linked to the slide, the second roller directed against the upper raceway and wherein the first and third rollers are substantially fixed in position and attached to the slide using mechanical springs, and the second roller is positioned and attached to the slide using an adjustment block adapted to move in a direction orthogonal to the elongated axis of the channel; and means for adjusting the position of the rollers relative to the raceways to ensure engagement with the upper and lower raceways across the length of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mechanism for adjusting the position of a roller relative to a linear rail having first and second opposed raceways, the linear rail defining a longitudinal axis, the mechanism comprising:
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a slider body adapted to move relative to the linear rail along the longitudinal axis; a first roller pivotally attached to the slider body by a biasing arm, the biasing arm adapted to generate a force toward the first opposed raceway of the linear rail; a second roller pivotally attached to the slider body by a block fitted within a groove of the slider body, the groove extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, the block adapted to slide within the groove; and means for securing the block in the slider body groove, the means for securing the block enabling the roller attached to the slider body by the block to be selectively positioned relative to the second opposed raceway. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification