Rail arrangement for a linear bearing and method for assembling the rail arrangement

Abstract

Rail arrangement (1) for a linear bearing with a guide rail (2), wherein the guide rail (2) has a continuous longitudinal groove (5) on a rail top side and a plurality of bores distributed along the longitudinal groove (5), which extend from the longitudinal groove (5) to a rail bottom side, with a cover strip (6) for covering the bores, wherein the cover strip (6) is inserted into the longitudinal groove (5) and held captively and / or positively in the longitudinal groove (5) in the axial direction with respect to a bore axis (BA), wherein the cover strip (6) has at least one receiving opening (12), with at least one locking device (7), wherein the locking device (7) has a screw means (9) and a fastening body (8),wherein the fastening body (8) is arranged in the bore in a rotationally secure manner, and wherein the screw means (9) is screwed into the fastening body (8) with a first end region (9a) and is arranged at least partially in the receiving opening (12) of the cover strip (6) with a second end region (9b), so that the cover strip (6) is secured against displacement, characterized in that the cover strip (6) is supported in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis (BA) with an inner side on the second end region (9b) of the screw means (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rail arrangement for a linear bearing having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling the rail arrangement.

[0002] Guide rails are used, for example, on machine tools and are usually attached to the machine frame by screws. The mounting holes through which the screws are inserted are usually covered by cover strips. These cover strips are typically mounted onto the rail from above or into a rail groove from above. In other cases, the cover strip is inserted into a groove along the length of the guide rail and held in place by undercuts. To prevent the cover strip from shifting in the groove, the cover strip is often screwed to the rail.

[0003] The document DE 94 20 428 U1 describes a guide rail for a linear bearing with a plurality of stepped bores arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the rail and extending from the top of the rail for receiving fastening screws, with a longitudinal groove open to the top of the rail and extending over the entire length of the guide rail and with a cover plate which is inserted and fastened in the longitudinal groove and closes the stepped bores to the outside, wherein in order to fasten the cover plate to the guide rail against lifting off, the cover plate and the guide rail are designed within the longitudinal groove with bevelled side surfaces corresponding to a dovetail guide.

[0004] Furthermore, the applicant's document DE 10 2017 127 898 A1 discloses a guide rail for a linear bearing with a plurality of through openings arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the rail and extending from the top of the rail for receiving fastening elements, with a longitudinal groove open to the top of the rail and extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail, and with a cover strip covering the longitudinal groove and the through openings to the outside, which cover strip is partially or completely inserted into the longitudinal groove, wherein means for fixing the cover strip are arranged on the guide rail.The means for securing the cover strip comprise a fastening base body which is arranged between the fastening element and the cover strip in the through-opening, and at least one fastening screw which has a head and a screw shaft, wherein the head rests on the outer side of the cover strip and the screw shaft passes through the cover strip and is anchored in the fastening base body.

[0005] From DE 10 2013 206 351 A1 a device for fixing a cover strip (112) in a longitudinal groove (104) of a guide rail (102) has become known, wherein the cover strip (112) serves to cover bores (108) ending in the longitudinal groove (104) which run in a first direction (110) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide rail (102), wherein the cover strip (112) has angled side sections (114) which point in the direction of the longitudinal groove when the cover strip (112) is inserted into the longitudinal groove (104).A holding element (118; 318; 718) has, at an end facing a bore (108), a pin (120; 320; 620; 720) for engaging in the bore (108), wherein the holding element (118; 318; 718) has a holding section (122; 322; 622; 722) facing the cover strip (112), which is designed to exert a holding force on the angled side sections (114) of the cover strip (112) in a second direction (124) when the cover strip (112) is introduced into the longitudinal groove (104), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail (102) and perpendicular to the first direction (110).

[0006] DE 10 2015 209 311 A1 discloses a guide rail (1) for a linear bearing, comprising through-openings (5) for fastening elements and a cover strip (2) covering the through-openings (5) and inserted into an undercut groove running in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (1). An end cap (3, 9, 12, 15) is arranged at each end of the guide rail (1) to prevent displacement of the cover strip (2). The outer contour of the end cap (3, 9, 12, 15) and the outer contour of the guide rail (1) correspond. The end cap (3, 9, 12, 15) has a fastening projection (7) that is inserted into a recess, preferably designed as a longitudinal groove (8), on the underside of the guide rail (1). The end cap (9) has an internal thread or a threaded nut (10) into which a screw (11) passing through the cover strip (2) can be screwed or is screwed.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating a rail assembly characterized by improved assembly and simple securing of an associated cover strip. This object is achieved by a rail assembly having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims of the following description and / or the accompanying figures.

[0008] The invention relates to a rail arrangement designed and / or suitable for a linear bearing. The rail arrangement serves, in particular, to guide at least one or precisely one guide carriage, wherein the guide carriage is mounted on the rail arrangement via the linear bearing. The rail arrangement preferably implements a profiled rail guide.

[0009] The rail arrangement comprises a guide rail, which is particularly designed and / or suitable for guiding the linear bearing, preferably the guide carriage. In particular, the guide rail is designed as a, preferably straight, profiled rail. The guide rail is mounted and / or mountable, in particular, on a machine frame, preferably a machine bed, of a machine tool.

[0010] The guide rail has a continuous longitudinal groove on the top side of the rail. In particular, the longitudinal groove extends in an axial direction relative to a longitudinal axis over the entire axial length of the guide rail. The longitudinal groove is bounded on both sides by a groove wall in an axial direction relative to a transverse axis, in particular transverse to the longitudinal axis. In the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal groove is open at least on one or both sides.

[0011] Furthermore, the guide rail has a plurality of bores distributed along the longitudinal groove. The bores are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, preferably evenly spaced from one another. In the axial direction relative to the transverse axis, the bores can each be arranged centrally between the two groove walls. The bores extend from the longitudinal groove, in particular a groove bottom, to a rail underside. In particular, the bores are designed as through-bores, preferably as countersunk and / or stepped through-bores.

[0012] The rail arrangement has a cover strip that is designed and / or suitable for covering the bores. In particular, the cover strip and the guide rail have at least approximately the same length, with the cover strip extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis at least over all bores. The cover strip is designed, in particular, as a flexible sheet metal strip, e.g., made of sheet steel, or a plastic strip.

[0013] The cover strip is inserted into the longitudinal groove and held captively and / or positively in the longitudinal groove at least in the axial direction with respect to a bore axis. The cover strip is preferably inserted and / or can be inserted into the longitudinal groove in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal groove, in particular the two groove walls, preferably has an undercut over its entire length, so that two guide grooves running parallel to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis are formed. In particular, the longitudinal groove can be designed at least approximately as a T-slot when viewed in cross-section. The cover strip is inserted into the guide grooves formed by the undercut and held positively in the respective guide groove in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis and / or the transverse axis.In particular, each of the holes defines its own hole axis, wherein the hole axes intersect the longitudinal axis perpendicularly and / or are aligned parallel to each other.

[0014] The cover strip has at least one receiving opening. The receiving opening can be formed, for example, as a through-hole or a through-hole.

[0015] The rail arrangement has at least one or precisely one locking device, which is particularly designed and / or suitable for locking the cover strip in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. Specifically, the rail arrangement can have at least two of the locking devices, wherein one of the locking devices can be arranged at each axial end region of the guide rail. In particular, each locking device is assigned precisely one receiving opening.

[0016] The locking device comprises a screw means and a fastening body, wherein the fastening body is arranged in the bore(s) in a rotationally secure manner. For example, the fastening body is designed in a rough form as an annular disc-shaped or hollow cylindrical insert or plug. In particular, the fastening body is arranged in the bore in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner and / or is secured against rotation.

[0017] The screwing means is screwed into the fastening body with a first end region and arranged at least partially in the receiving opening of the cover strip with a second end region, so that the cover strip is secured against displacement. In particular, the two end regions are each to be understood as an axial end of the screwing means with respect to the bore axis.

[0018] Preferably, the screwing means is arranged coaxially and / or concentrically with the fastening body and / or the receiving opening with respect to the bore axis. In particular, in the simplest representation, the screwing means is designed as an at least approximately cylindrical threaded pin, the second end region of which extends at least partially or completely into the receiving opening.

[0019] Within the scope of the invention, it is proposed that the cover strip is supported with an inner side on the second end region of the screw means in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis. In particular, the screw means can be unscrewed and / or is unscrewed to a limited extent in the axial direction by the cover strip, so that an end stop for the screw means is defined, in particular, by the cover strip. In this case, the screw means is arranged with the second end region at least far enough in the receiving opening so that the cover strip is secured against displacement and the screw means is countersunk or flush in the receiving opening at its end, in particular in the axial direction with respect to the main axis.

[0020] The advantage of the invention is that the screw means provides simple and effective protection against accidental displacement of the cover strip, with the screw means also being countersunk relative to the cover strip. This ensures that the screw means does not protrude beyond the cover strip, so that the guide carriage can move over the screw means unhindered. By supporting the cover strip on the screw means, unscrewing the screw means from the fastening body is also advantageously prevented and the screw means is held correctly positioned and / or securely in the receiving opening. Due to the simple design, the locking device is also cost-effective to manufacture and is characterized by simple and quick assembly.In particular, the receiving opening can at least approximately form a contour partner to the second end region of the screw means, wherein the second end region is received and / or can be received in the receiving opening in a form-fitting manner in the radial and / or axial direction with respect to the bore axis.

[0021] In a first possible embodiment, the second end region has a conically tapered end contour in the direction of the receiving opening. In particular, the conical end contour is formed by a chamfered end of the screw means.

[0022] The receiving opening has a free opening cross-section whose inner diameter is smaller than the largest outer diameter of the end contour, such that the screwing means can be screwed and / or screwed into the receiving opening to a limited extent. In particular, the screwing means is arranged in sections in the receiving opening with its conical end contour and at the same time rests against the inner diameter of the receiving opening in the axial and / or radial direction with respect to the bore axis. The guide opening can, for example, have a straight or conical cross-sectional profile. Preferably, the screwing means is designed as a standardized threaded pin, wherein the threaded pin is supported in the receiving opening with the chamfer, as the conical end contour, of its outer end, in particular the end facing the cover strip.

[0023] This allows, for example, a standard screw to be used to lock the cover strip, making the guide plug particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the receiving opening makes it particularly easy to define an axial end stop for the screw.

[0024] In an alternative or optionally supplementary embodiment of the invention, the second end region comprises a plate-shaped contact section and an adjoining cylindrical section. The contact section preferably extends in a radial plane with respect to the bore axis and / or is directed radially outward. The plate-shaped contact section is designed, in particular, as a flange-like widening.

[0025] In an assembled state, the screw means rests with the contact section, preferably flat, against the inside of the cover strip. The cylinder section is designed as a cylindrical projection that directly adjoins the contact section in the direction of the receiving opening. In the assembled state, the screw means is received and / or can be received with the cylinder section, preferably with a precise fit, in the receiving opening. In particular, the cylinder section has a height in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis that is less than or equal to a thickness of the cover strip.

[0026] This design is based on the idea of ​​creating a screwing means which provides particularly stable support between the cover strip and the screwing means and is at the same time characterized by a particularly secure locking of the cover strip.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, the second end region has a driving profile for a drive means on its front side, so that the screw means can be driven by the drive means via the receiving opening. In particular, the drive means can be inserted into the driving profile via the receiving opening, so that the screw means can be screwed into or out of the fastening body. The driving profile can be designed, for example, as a hexagon socket or a slot, etc., with the drive means having a corresponding counter-profile. Preferably, the receiving opening is dimensioned such that the driving profile is freely accessible and the drive means can be passed through the receiving opening unhindered.

[0028] This ensures that the screw is particularly easily accessible from the outside and can be driven by the drive mechanism. Furthermore, the screw can be easily screwed into or out of the fastening body, allowing for quick and easy locking of the cover strip.

[0029] In a further specific embodiment, the first end region has an external thread and the fastening body has an internal thread, wherein the screwing means with the external thread can be screwed into the internal thread of the fastening body to such an extent that the screwing means is at least flush with the bore. In particular, when screwed in, the screwing means is at least flush with the groove bottom or is countersunk into the bore. This ensures that the cover strip can be inserted unhindered into the longitudinal groove during installation.

[0030] Alternatively, or optionally in addition, the screw with the external thread can be unscrewed from the internal thread of the fastening body to such an extent that the screw is at least flush with the receiving opening. In particular, when unscrewed, the screw is at least flush with the outer side of the cover strip or is recessed into the receiving opening. This ensures that the guide carriage can be moved freely along the guide rail when installed.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the fastening body has a threaded bore, preferably centrally arranged, wherein the internal thread can be created before or during a screwing-in process of the screwing means. In particular, the external thread is designed as a self-tapping or metric thread, wherein the internal thread is cut into the material of the fastening body when the screwing means is screwed in. Alternatively, the external thread is designed as a metric thread, wherein the internal thread is cut into the material of the fastening body by thread cutting before the screwing means is screwed in. The fastening body is preferably made of plastic.

[0032] The idea behind this design is to create a fastening element that can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the screw can be anchored in the fastening element in a simple manner.

[0033] In an alternative implementation, it is proposed that the locking device comprise an insert part having the internal thread, wherein the insert part is inserted into the fastening body in a rotationally secure manner. The insert part can be secured in the fastening body in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. In particular, the insert part is firmly connected to the fastening body. Alternatively, however, the insert part can also be movably arranged in the fastening body to compensate for tolerances.

[0034] For example, the insert part is designed as a threaded insert or as a nut, in particular a square or hexagon nut. The threaded insert can, for example, be integrated into the fastening body during production of the fastening body, in particular during a plastic injection molding process. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the threaded insert is screwed, for example in a self-tapping manner, into an existing bore in the fastening body. For example, the nut can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into a corresponding recess in the fastening body forming a contour partner. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the nut is slidably received in the recess. In this case, two opposing walls can be formed in the fastening base body, which form a guide track for the nut, along which the nut can be moved in a translational direction.

[0035] Thus, a fastening element is proposed that is characterized by a particularly robust and stable anchoring of the screw element. Depending on the design of the insert, it can also function as a tolerance compensation element.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least or exactly one of the bores is designed as a fastener receptacle, which is designed and / or suitable for receiving a fastener. The fastener serves to fasten the guide rail to a component, in particular the machine frame. For example, the fastener is designed as a screw, in particular a cylinder head screw.

[0037] The fastening body is arranged in the fastening means receptacle, preferably in a rotationally secure and / or captive manner, and is supported and / or secured to the fastening means arranged in the fastening means receptacle. In particular, the fastening body bears against the fastening means in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis. Preferably, the fastening means and the fastening body supported thereon are received in the fastening means receptacle in a completely countersunk manner in an assembled state. In particular, the fastening means has a positive-locking contour, wherein the fastening body with the positive-locking contour is arranged in a positive-locking manner on or in the fastening means, such that the fastening body is secured against rotation.

[0038] Thus, a locking device is proposed which is characterized by a simple securing of the cover strip using an already existing fastening hole (fastener receptacle) of the guide rail.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening body has a plurality of clamping contours on its radial outer side relative to the bore axis, wherein the fastening body is held in the bore via the clamping contours in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The clamping contours serve to guide the fastening body in the bore without play and / or to form a press fit. The clamping contours can be arranged at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction. The clamping contours can be formed by clamping lugs or clamping webs or thickened portions that protrude radially outward on the outer side of the fastening body.

[0040] The idea behind this design is to create a locking device characterized by improved and particularly stable grip. Furthermore, the clamping contours can be plastically deformed, for example, to form a press fit, thus promoting a frictional connection.

[0041] Another object of the invention relates to a method for assembling the rail arrangement as already described above. In one method step, the locking device or the fastening body with the screw means is inserted into the bore, in particular the fastening means receptacle. In particular, the screw means can be pre-assembled in the fastening body beforehand. The locking device is thus preferably designed as a fully assembled insert which is inserted into the bore. Alternatively, however, the screw means can also be screwed into the fastening body already inserted in the bore. In particular, the fastening body is held in the bore in a rotationally secure manner, for example by means of a positive or non-positive fit. For this purpose, the fastening body can be secured in or on the fastening means, for example, by means of the positive locking contour.In particular, the screwing means with the external thread is screwed into the internal thread, in particular the threaded bore or the insert part, of the fastening body.

[0042] In a further process step, the cover strip is inserted into the longitudinal groove, particularly in the axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. In particular, the cover strip is inserted between the two groove walls into the respective guide groove. Specifically, the cover strip can be inserted into the longitudinal groove through the at least one already installed guide carriage. During insertion, the screw is screwed into the fastening body until it is countersunk into the bore, allowing the cover strip to be inserted unhindered.

[0043] When the locking receptacle is covered by the screw, the screw is unscrewed from the fastening body in the direction of the receiving opening until the cover strip rests on the screw with its inner side in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis. In particular, for this purpose the drive means is guided via the receiving opening into the driving profile of the screw and the screw is unscrewed via the drive means. The screw is unscrewed until the conical outer contour or the plate-shaped contact section rests on the inside of the cover strip. In the unscrewed state the second end area projects far enough into the receiving opening to ensure that the cover strip is locked and at the same time prevents it from projecting beyond the cover strip. By screwing in the screw, the cover strip can be unlocked again and moved further or removed.

[0044] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1a,b a sectional view of a rail arrangement with a locking device in a screwed-in and a screwed-out state as a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2a,b a sectional view of the rail arrangement with an alternative embodiment of the locking device in a screwed-in and unscrewed state as a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 a three-dimensional representation of a fastening means of the rail arrangement with the locking device.

[0045] The Fig. 1a and 1b each show a rail assembly 1 in longitudinal section as a first embodiment of the invention. The rail assembly 1 is suitable for a linear bearing and is designed as a profile rail guide. The rail assembly 1 can be arranged, for example, on a machine tool for guiding a guide carriage.

[0046] For this purpose, the rail arrangement 1 has a guide rail 2, which is designed, for example, as a straight profile rail. The guide rail 2 has, for example, a plurality of fastening means receptacles 3 (only one is shown), for receiving a fastening means 4, wherein the guide rail 2 can be fastened via the fastening means 4. The fastening means receptacles 3 can be introduced into the guide rail 2 at a distance from one another in a longitudinal direction, wherein each of the fastening means receptacles 3 is designed as a stepped through-bore. The fastening means 4 are designed as cylinder head screws and are arranged countersunk in the respective fastening means receptacle 3.

[0047] The guide rail 2 has a longitudinal groove 5 on its upper side, which extends over the entire length of the guide rail 2 and is designed, for example, as a continuous T-slot. Each of the fastener receptacles 3 extends from the longitudinal groove 5 to a rail underside along a separate bore axis BA.

[0048] The rail arrangement 1 has a cover strip 6 for covering the fastening means receptacles 3. The cover strip 6 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 5 and held in the longitudinal groove 5 in a form-fitting manner in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis BA. For this purpose, the two opposite groove walls of the longitudinal groove 5 can, for example, be undercut, so that a guide groove running in the longitudinal direction is formed for guiding the cover strip 6 in the longitudinal direction and for fixing the cover strip 6 in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis BA. For example, the cover strip 6 is designed as a flexible sheet metal strip.

[0049] The rail arrangement 1 has a locking device 7 for locking the cover strip 6 in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cover strip 6 is secured by the locking device 7 against displacement in the longitudinal groove 5. The locking device 7 has a plug-like fastening body 8 and a screw means 9, which is inserted into the Fig. 1a,b according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0050] The fastening body 8 is arranged in the fastening means receptacle 3 in a rotationally secure manner and is supported on the fastening means 4 in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis BA. The fastening body 8 is received in sections in a form-fitting manner in a hexagon socket 10 of the fastening means 4, so that the fastening body 8 is secured against rotation about the bore axis BA. For example, the locking device 7 is inserted into the last fastening means receptacle 3, for example at the beginning or end of the guide rail, wherein the screw head countersink of the fastening means receptacle 3 is designed so deep that the fastening body 8 rests on the screw head of the fastening means 4 and does not protrude beyond the bore.

[0051] The screwing means 9 serves to secure the cover strip 6 relative to the guide rail 2 and can be screwed into and out of the fastening body 8. For this purpose, the screwing means 9 is screwed with a first end region 9a having an external thread into a threaded bore 11 of the fastening body 8 having an internal thread. For example, the fastening body 8 is designed as a plastic injection-molded part, wherein the internal thread of the threaded bore 11 can be formed, for example, by self-forming when the screwing means 9 is screwed in or by thread cutting before the screwing means 9 is screwed in. A second end region 9b of the screwing means 9 is arranged or can be arranged in sections in a receiving opening 12 of the cover strip 6 to lock the cover strip 6.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the screwing means 9 is designed as a standardized threaded pin, for example, a threaded pin with a pin according to ISO 4028 (DIN 915). On its end face, the screwing means 9 has a drive profile 13 for receiving a drive means, wherein the screwing means 9 can be screwed out of or into the fastening body 8 via the drive means. For this purpose, the drive means can be inserted into the drive profile 13 via the receiving opening 12, and a torque can be applied to the screwing means 9. For example, the drive profile 13 is designed as a hexagon socket, and the drive means as an Allen key.

[0053] Fig. 1a shows the screwing means 9 in a screwed-in state. The screwing means 9 is screwed in far enough that it does not protrude beyond the screw head recess of the fastener receptacle 3, thus allowing unhindered insertion of the cover strip 6.

[0054] Fig. 1b shows the screwing means 9 in an unscrewed state. The second end region 9b of the screwing means 9 has an end contour 14 that tapers conically in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis BA in the direction of the receiving opening 12, wherein the screwing means 9 is supported by the end contour 14 in the receiving opening 12. The receiving opening 12 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the largest outer diameter of the end contour 14, such that the screwing means 9 can be screwed into the receiving opening 12 to a limited extent in the axial direction. The end contour 14 and the receiving opening 12 are dimensioned such that the screwing means 9 is countersunk relative to an outer side of the cover strip 6 but is arranged in sections in the receiving opening 12. The cover strip 6 is thus secured against displacement, while at the same time ensuring that the screwing means 9 does not protrude beyond the surface of the cover strip 6.

[0055] The Fig. 2a,b each show the rail assembly 1 in a cross-section as a second embodiment of the invention. The locking device 7 comprises the plug-like fastening body 8 and the screw means 9, which is inserted into the Fig. 2a,b according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0056] The screw means 9 is designed as a special screw, with the second end region 9a having a plate-shaped contact section 15 and an overlying cylindrical section 16. The contact section 15 extends radially outward in a radial plane relative to the bore axis BA. The cylindrical section 16 is designed as a cylindrical projection, which directly adjoins the contact section 15 and extends toward the receiving opening 12.

[0057] The screwing means 9 can be screwed in or out of the threaded bore 11 with the first end portion 9a to secure the cover strip 6. For this purpose, the cylindrical section 13 of the screwing means 9 has a drive profile 13 on its end face for receiving the drive means. As previously described, the drive means can be inserted into the drive profile 13 via the receiving opening 12, and a torque can be applied to the screwing means 9.

[0058] Fig. Figure 2a shows the screwing means 9 in a screwed-in state. The screwing means 9 is screwed in far enough that it does not protrude beyond the screw head recess of the fastener receptacle 3, thus allowing unhindered insertion of the cover strip 6.

[0059] Fig. Figure 2b shows the screwing means 9 in an unscrewed state. The screwing means 9 is unscrewed from the fastening body 8 to such an extent that the plate-shaped contact section 15 rests against an inner side of the cover strip 6 and the cylindrical section 16 simultaneously enters the receiving opening 12. The height of the cylindrical section 16 is not greater than the thickness of the cover strip 6, so that the cylindrical section 16 does not protrude beyond the surface of the cover strip 6. Thus, the cover strip 6 is secured against displacement, while simultaneously ensuring that the screwing means 9 does not protrude beyond the surface of the cover strip 6.

[0060] In an assembly process for assembling the rail arrangement of the Fig. 1a,b and Fig. 2a,b, the guide rail 2 is fastened to a component (not shown), e.g. the machine tool, via the fastening means 4 arranged in the fastening means receptacles 3. Subsequently, the pre-assembled locking device 7 - fastening body 8 with pre-assembled screw means 9 - is inserted into the fastening means receptacle 3. The cover strip 6 is then inserted into the longitudinal groove 5 provided on the upper side of the guide rail 2. The cover strip 6 is held in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis BA by the undercut of the longitudinal groove 5. The screw means 9 is in the screwed-in state, as shown in the Fig. 1b, Fig. 2b, arranged in the fastening body 8 so that the cover strip 6 can be moved freely in the longitudinal groove 5.

[0061] After the final assembly of the cover strip 6, the receiving opening 12 is arranged centrally to the screw means 9, wherein the screw means 9 is driven through the receiving opening 12 with a suitable drive element to lock the cover strip 6 and is rotated out of the fastening body 8 in the direction of the cover strip 6. The screw means 9 is unscrewed until the final contour 14 or the contact section 15 rests against the cover strip 6, preventing further unscrewing of the screw means 9.

[0062] Fig.Figure 3 shows the fastening element 4 and the locking device 7 in an exploded view. The fastening element 8 used in both embodiments has a positive-locking contour 17 on its underside, e.g., a hexagon, which engages the hexagon socket 10 of the fastening element 4 and forms a positive lock in the circumferential direction around the bore axis BA. This prevents rotation of the fastening element 8 when screwing in or unscrewing the screw element 9.

[0063] Furthermore, the fastening body 8 can have a plurality of clamping contours 18 on its outer circumference. These serve to ensure that the fastening body 18 can be guided and / or pressed into the fastening means receptacle 10 without play. The clamping contours 18 are designed, for example, as clamping lugs evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. List of reference symbols 1 Rail arrangement 2 guide rails 3 Fastener holder 4 fasteners 5 Longitudinal groove 6 masking tape 7 Locking device 8 fastening bodies 9 Screwing tools 9a first end area 9b second end area 10 hexagon socket 11 threaded hole 12 Receiving opening 13 Carry-along profile 14 Final contour 15 Plant section 16 cylinder section 17 Form-fitting contour 18 clamping contour BA bore axis

Claims

[1] Rail arrangement (1) for a linear bearing with a guide rail (2), wherein the guide rail (2) has a continuous longitudinal groove (5) on a rail top side and a plurality of bores distributed along the longitudinal groove (5) which extend from the longitudinal groove (5) to a rail bottom side, with a cover strip (6) to cover the holes, wherein the cover strip (6) is inserted into the longitudinal groove (5) and is held captively and / or positively in the longitudinal groove (5) in the axial direction with respect to a bore axis (BA), wherein the cover strip (6) has at least one receiving opening (12), with at least one locking device (7), wherein the locking device (7) comprises a screw means (9) and a fastening body (8), wherein the fastening body (8) is arranged in the bore in a rotationally secure manner and wherein the screw means (9) is screwed into the fastening body (8) with a first end region (9a) and is arranged at least in sections in the receiving opening (12) of the cover strip (6) with a second end region (9b), so that the cover strip (6) is secured against displacement, characterized by , that the cover strip (6) is supported in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis (BA) with an inner side on the second end region (9b) of the screw means (9). [2] Rail arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the second end region (9b) has a conically tapered end contour (14) in the direction of the receiving opening (12), wherein the receiving opening (12) has a free opening cross-section whose inner diameter is smaller than the largest outer diameter of the end contour (14), so that the second end region (9b) can be accommodated to a limited extent in the receiving opening (12). [3] Rail arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that the second end region (9b) has a plate-shaped contact section (15) and an adjoining cylinder section (16), wherein the screw means (9) rests with the contact section (15) in the axial direction with respect to the bore axis (BA) on the inside of the cover strip (6) and is received with the cylinder section (16) in the receiving opening (12). [4] Rail arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second end region (9b) has a driving profile (13) for a drive means on the front side, so that the drive means for driving the screw means (9) can be brought into engagement with the driving profile (13) via the receiving opening (12). [5] Rail arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the first end region (9a) has an external thread and the fastening body (8) has an internal thread, wherein the screw means (9) with the external thread can be screwed into the internal thread of the fastening body (8) to such an extent that the screw means (9) is at least flush with the bore, and / or wherein the screw means (9) with the external thread can be unscrewed from the internal thread of the fastening body (8) to such an extent that the screw means (9) is at least flush with the receiving opening (12). [6] Rail arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the fastening body (8) has a threaded bore (11) with the internal thread, wherein the internal thread can be produced before or during a screwing-in process of the screwing means (9). [7] Rail arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the locking device (7) has an insert part having the internal thread, wherein the insert part is inserted in the fastening body (8) in a rotationally secure manner. [8] Rail arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one of the bores is designed as a fastening means receptacle (3) for receiving a fastening means (4), wherein the fastening body (8) is arranged in the fastening means receptacle (3) and is supported and / or fixed on a fastening means (4) arranged in the fastening means receptacle (3). [9] Rail arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the fastening body (8) has a plurality of clamping contours (18) on its radial outer side with respect to the bore axis (BA), wherein the fastening body (8) is held in the bore in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via the clamping contours (18). [10] Method for assembling the rail arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the fastening body (8) and the screw means (9) are inserted into the bore; - the cover strip (6) is inserted into the longitudinal groove (5); - the screw means (9) is unscrewed from the fastening body (8) in the direction of the receiving opening (12) when it overlaps with the receiving opening (12) until the cover strip (6) is supported with its inner side on the screw means (9).

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