Patent ID: 7204036

Claim:
A linear guide apparatus comprising: a rail ( 2 ) having a right lateral face and a left lateral face; a slider ( 3 ) having end caps ( 13 ) at opposite ends thereof and slider-side track faces ( 9 , 10 ) facing first rail-side track faces ( 6 ) and second rail-side track faces ( 7 ) respectively formed on the right and left lateral faces of the rail; a plurality of rollers ( 4 ) that roll on the rail-side track faces and the slider-side track faces along with linear movement of the slider relative to the rail; holding pieces ( 17 ) interposed between adjacent rollers ( 4 ); and rolling element holding members ( 5 ) that provide holding windows ( 51 , 52 ), which guide the rollers ( 4 ) in a rolling direction and each of which is formed into an elongate shape along the rail; wherein the rolling element holding members ( 5 ) are disposed between the end caps by engagement of retaining portions ( 18 ) formed on the end caps and opposite ends ( 511 , 521 ) of the windows ( 51 , 52 ); wherein the rolling element holding members ( 5 ) have slopes ( 21 ) formed on the opposite ends ( 511 , 521 ) of the windows ( 51 , 52 ) with all portions of the slopes ( 21 ) protruding from opposite end surfaces of the slider ( 3 ) to the end caps ( 13 ) in order to detach the rollers ( 4 ) from the windows ( 51 , 52 ); and wherein the rolling element holding members ( 5 ) have engaging grooves ( 19 ) provided adjacent the windows ( 51 , 52 ) and opposite axial end faces of the rollers ( 4 ) for engagement with arms ( 171 ) which guide the holding pieces ( 17 ) in the rolling direction.