Patent ID: 6908228

Claim:
A linear motion bearing assembly for movement along a guide way, a rail or a splined shaft, comprising: a ball retainer structure formed of a plurality of self-contained ball retainer segments, each of said ball retainer segments including an inner portion defining at least one ball track having an open load bearing portion, an open return portion, and turnarounds interconnecting said load bearing and return portions, and an outer lid portion defining a load bearing plate aperture formed therein; a load bearing plate positioned at least partially in said load bearing plate aperture of each outer lid portion such that said load bearing plate is positioned adjacent said load bearing portion of said ball track; a plurality of bearing balls disposed in said ball tracks for transmitting a load from said shaft to said load bearing plate and for facilitating a movement of said linear motion bearing assembly along said rail; an extended housing retainer structure enclosing substantially all of an exposed exterior surface of said ball retainer structure and having an inner surface in direct contact with said outer lid portions, said extended housing retainer structure being configured and dimensioned to maintain said outer lid portions in position and for receiving said load either directly or indirectly from said load bearing plates; and biasing means disposed between said bearing plate and said inner surface of said extended housing retainer structure, wherein said biasing means extends through said aperture in at least one of said outer lid portions, and wherein each biasing means applies a pre-load to the plurality of bearing balls disposed in said ball tracks.