Patent ID: 8757024

Claim:
A linear motion assembly, comprising: a screw having a helical external groove extending over a plurality of turns with a radially outwardly extending helical land formed between adjacent turns; a ball nut having a through bore extending between opposite ends of said ball nut, said through bore being configured for receipt of said screw and having a helical internal groove extending over a plurality of turns with a radially inwardly extending helical land formed between adjacent turns, said helical land of said ball nut being radially aligned with said external groove of said screw and said helical land of said screw being radially aligned with said internal groove of said ball nut; at least one recirculation insert having a circuitous recirculation groove, said recirculation insert being configured in radial alignment with one of said radially inwardly extending helical land of said ball nut and said external groove of said screw or said radially outwardly extending helical land of said screw and said internal groove of said ball nut; and a plurality of balls received in said circuitous recirculation groove and contacting said helical external groove of said screw, said helical internal groove of said ball nut, and said circuitous recirculation groove of said at least one recirculation insert.