Patent ID: 7584839

Claim:
A linear band guide device for supporting and defining a path for a band, comprising: an elongate band support element, the band support element having a cross-section with a uniform outer shape, a first band end support at a first end of said elongate band support element, a second band end support at a second end of said elongate band support element, and said elongate band support element having a substantially flat top surface capable of functioning as a slide bed for the band, the elongate band support element comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, each of the said side walls having a guiding track for guiding a slider having complementary guiding tracks, the band support element and the band end supports adapted to alternatively support an endless band alone and a band including a slider, one of the first and second band end supports being connected to the band support element by a connecting element, the connecting element having a spring element acting on the band end support to bias the elongate band, the spring element being situated within the connecting element, the connecting element having a cross-section with the same outer shape as the band support element, and the connecting element being adapted to connect to the band support element in an end to end relationship so that the connecting element forms a continuous flush continuation of the outer shape of the support element, including the guiding tracks for the slider.