Abstract: A sealing assembly having a seal casing. A decreased diameter portion extends inboard from at least a portion of a first end portion of the substantially cylindrical portion and an axially extending portion extends inboard from at least a portion of a second end portion of the decreased diameter portion of the casing. One or more first sealing portions having one or more static sealing ribs extend from at least a portion of an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical portion. One or more second sealing portions are integrally connected to at least a portion of the decreased diameter portion, the axially extending portion and/or an inner surface of the substantially cylindrical portion. The one or more second sealing portions have a retaining member sealing surface with one or more sealing member retention ribs extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of the retaining member sealing surface.

Abstract: A sealing assembly having a seal casing. A decreased diameter portion extends inboard from at least a portion of a first end portion of the substantially cylindrical portion and an axially extending portion extends inboard from at least a portion of a second end portion of the decreased diameter portion of the casing. One or more first sealing portions having one or more static sealing ribs extend from at least a portion of an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical portion. One or more second sealing portions are integrally connected to at least a portion of the decreased diameter portion, the axially extending portion and/or an inner surface of the substantially cylindrical portion. The one or more second sealing portions have a retaining member sealing surface with one or more sealing member retention ribs extending from at least a portion of an outer surface of the retaining member sealing surface.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid seal for sealing a relatively rotatable member, wherein the fluid seal has an elastomeric sealing member bonded to a PTFE insert. A wafer of PTFE material has a body portion and an end portion of a greater thickness than the body portion. The wafer is placed in a mold cavity with one side of the wafer opposed to a surface portion of the mold cavity. Elastomeric material is forced into the mold cavity to form a molded preform of the elastomeric sealing member and bond the preform to an opposite side of the wafer. The molded preform and bonded wafer are removed from the mold cavity. The end portion of the wafer and an end portion of the preform are trimmed to form the fluid seal.

Abstract: A lip-type fluid seal (10) for a shaft includes a composite sealing lip (26) having an elastomeric portion (32) and a PTFE portion (36). The elastomeric portion (32) includes a lip edge (33) that extends circumferentially continuously to seal the adjacent lip edge (37) of the PTFE portion (36) from any contaminants on the elastomeric side (28) of the seal (10). The PTFE portion (32) has a greater hardness and modulus of elasticity which serves to limit the wear of the elastomeric portion (32) and to induce hydrodynamic surface deformations on the elastomeric lip portion (32) during operation to enhance the exclusion of contaminants. The PTFE lip edge (37) performs well under low temperature and/or low lubricity conditions and its relative hardness protects the elastomeric lip edge from excessive wear.

Abstract: A bracket mounts against a rigid support surface for pivotally supporting an end of a tubular element of a frame for a folding awning or canopy. The pivot pin that engages the frame element is supported by a pivot pin support member that is in turn supported by two end elements that fasten to the support surface. The pivot pin support member and the two end elements are so constructed that they are free to rotate relative to one another about an axis transverse to the axis of the pivot pin. This provides greater flexibility in the folding motion of the frame element and facilitates mounting of the bracket on a non-planar surface.