Linear motion guide unit having a synchronized retainer

Abstract

A linear motion guide unit includes a pair of guide members each formed with a guide groove and provided to be relatively movable parallel with a longitudinal axis of the unit. A plurality of rolling members are provided in rolling contact with the guide grooves of the guide members. A retainer assembly, including a retainer plate formed with a plurality of windows and at least one grooved wheel mounted at one end of the retainer plate, is disposed in a space defined between the guide grooves. A wire is passed around the grooved wheel and fixedly attached to the guide members. The total length of the retainer assembly is shorter than either of the guide members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A linear motion guide unit, comprising: a pair of elongated guide members, which are provided to be relatively movable in parallel with a longitudinal axis of said unit, each of said pair of guide members being formed with a guide groove having a predetermined cross sectional shape;   a plurality of rolling members disposed in a space defined by and in rolling contact with the guide grooves of said pair of guide members;   a retainer assembly movably disposed in said space for retaining said plurality of rolling members spaced apart from one another and in position, said retainer assembly including an elongated retainer member and a pair of grooved rotating members rotatably provided at opposite ends of said retainer member, a total length of said retainer assembly being less than each of said pair of guide members;   an endless wire extended around and between said pair of rotating members;   first connecting means for connecting a first point on said endless wire to one of said pair of guide members; and   second connecting means for connecting a second point on said endless wire to the other of said pair of guide members.   
     
     
       2. The guide unit of claim 1, wherein said pair of guide members are equal in length. 
     
     
       3. The guide unit of claim 1, wherein said retainer members is a flat plate formed with a plurality of windows for receiving therein partly said plurality of rolling members, respectively. 
     
     
       4. The guide unit of claim 3, wherein said plurality of rolling members are rollers which are provided such that any two of said plurality of rollers are arranged to extend their rotating axes perpendicular to each other when viewed in a direction of the longitudinal axis of said unit. 
     
     
       5. The guide unit of claim 1, wherein said pair of guide members may be arranged spaced apart from each other horizontally or vertically.