A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with
an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long
life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction
and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending
from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a
load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface.
Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of
motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move
independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support
member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to
the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to
allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing
surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.