Linear motion bearing with interlock structure

Abstract

A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a ball retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein. The ball tracks including an open load bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing balls are disposed in the ball tracks. A plurality of load bearing plates are axially positioned adjacent the ball retainer structure for receiving load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. A first outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the ball retainer structure. The first outer housing sleeve includes a first interlock structure. A second outer housing sleeve is effective to hold the ball retainer structure, the second outer housing sleeve including a second interlock structure. The first interlock structure is effective to mate with the second interlock structure.

1 . A linear motion bearing assembly comprising:
 a ball retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein, the ball tracks including an open load bearing portion, a return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions;   a plurality of bearing balls disposed in the ball tracks;   a plurality of load bearing plates axially positioned adjacent the ball retainer structure, the load bearing plates configured to receive a load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks;   a first outer housing sleeve configured to hold the ball retainer structure, the first outer housing sleeve including a first interlock structure; and   a second outer housing sleeve configured to hold the ball retainer structure, the second outer housing sleeve including a second interlock structure; wherein   the first interlock structure is configured to effectively mate with the second interlock structure when the first interlock structure is placed over the second interlock structure and the first and second interlock structures are effective to resist a force extending longitudinally outward from the linear motion bearing assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second interlock structures are hermaphroditic. 
     
     
         3 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second interlock structures have complementary configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second interlock structures each include a respective tab, cylindrical protrusion, and walls defining a recess. 
     
     
         5 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the tabs are rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the respective tabs overlap when first interlock structure is mated with second interlock structure. 
     
     
         7 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the cylindrical protrusion of the first interlock structure extends away from the tab of the first interlock structure and is configured to mate with the recess of the second interlock structure. 
     
     
         8 . The linear motion bearing assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a third interlock structure and a fourth interlock structure, wherein:
 the third interlock structure is configured to mate with the fourth interlock structure;   the first and second interlock structures are hermaphroditic; and   the third and fourth interlock structures each include a respective tab, cylindrical protrusion, and walls defining a recess.   
     
     
         9 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling a linear motion bearing assembly, comprising:
 mating a first outer housing sleeve and a second outer housing sleeve over a ball retainer structure, the first outer housing sleeve including a first interlock structure, the second outer housing sleeve including a second interlock structure, the ball retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein, the ball tracks including an open load bearing portion, a return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions;   placing a plurality of bearing balls in the ball tracks; and   placing a plurality of load bearing plates axially positioned adjacent the ball retainer structure and the first and second outer housing sleeves, the load bearing plates configured to receive a load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks; wherein   the first and second interlock structures effectively structure resist a force extending longitudinally outward from the linear motion bearing assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second interlock structures are hermaphroditic. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second interlock structures have complementary configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second interlock structures each include a respective tab, cylindrical protrusion, and walls defining a recess. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the tabs are rectangular in cross-section and the respective tabs overlap when the first interlock structure is mated with the second interlock structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the cylindrical protrusion of the first interlock structure extends away from the tab of the first interlock structure and is configured to mate with the recess of the second interlock structure.