Ball guiding device for an apparatus for lapping and/or grinding balls

Abstract

A ball guiding device configured for use with an apparatus for lapping and/or grinding balls that includes a first disc and a second disc with first and second continuous grooves separated by a wall. The ball guiding device includes a body having a guide groove with a first end insertable into the first continuous groove and a second end insertable into the second continuous groove and a raised central portion configured to overly the first wall. The guide groove including a first ramp extending from the first end to the raised central configured to guide the balls out of the first continuous groove and a second ramp extending from the raised central portion to the second end configured to guide the balls into the second continuous groove.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ball guiding device configured for use with an apparatus for lapping and/or grinding balls, the apparatus including a first disc and a second disc, the second disc having a first continuous groove and a second continuous groove for guiding the balls and a first wall separating the first continuous groove from the second continuous groove and the first disc having a recess exposing the first continuous groove and the second continuous groove, the ball guiding device comprising:
 a body having a first guide groove having a first end insertable through the recess into the first continuous groove and a second end insertable through the recess into the second continuous groove and a raised central portion connecting the first end of the first guide groove to the second end of the first guide groove and configured to overlie the first wall, the first guide groove including a first ramp extending from the first end of the first guide groove to the raised central portion of the first guide groove and configured to guide the balls out of the first continuous groove and a second ramp extending from the raised central portion of the first guide groove to the second end of the first guide groove and configured to guide the balls into the second continuous groove.   
     
     
         2 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the raised central portion of the first guide groove is not sloped relative to the first disk.   
     
     
         3 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first and/or the second ramp of the first guide groove are/is formed on a bottom of the first guide groove.   
     
     
         4 . The ball guiding device  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first guide groove includes a first portion configured to guide the balls and a channel portion running along the first portion of the first guide groove, the channel portion of the first guide groove being configured to guide a spacer element surrounding each of the balls.   
     
     
         5 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the second disk includes a third continuous groove and a second wall separating the third continuous groove from the first continuous groove,   wherein the body has a second guide groove having a first end insertable through the recess into the second continuous groove and a second end insertable through the recess into the third continuous groove and a raised central portion connecting the first end of the second guide groove to the second end of the second guide groove and configured to overlie the second wall, the second guide groove including a first ramp extending from the first end of the second guide groove to the raised central portion of the second guide groove and configured to guide the balls out of the second continuous groove and a second ramp extending from the raised central portion of the second guide groove to the second end of the second guide groove and configured to guide the balls into the second continuous groove.   
     
     
         6 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the raised central portion of the second guide groove is not sloped relative to the first disk.   
     
     
         7 . The ball guiding device  claim 6 ,
 wherein the second guide groove includes a first portion configured to guide the balls and a channel portion running along the first portion of the second guide groove, the channel portion of the second guide groove being configured to guide a spacer element surrounding each of the balls.   
     
     
         8 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 1 ,
 including a return channel configured to guide the balls from the second continuous groove to the first continuous groove.   
     
     
         9 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body includes a bearing element configured to contact the second disk and support the body on the second disk   
     
     
         10 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the bearing element comprises a rolling-element bearing.   
     
     
         11 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the body includes a bearing element configured to contact the second disk and support the body on the second disk   
     
     
         12 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the bearing element comprises a rolling-element bearing.   
     
     
         13 . The ball guiding device according to  claim 1  including at least one holding element configured to hold the ball guiding device in the apparatus.