Dome-, Cup-, Or Bell-shaped, Or For Ball Joint Patents (Class 277/635)
  • Patent number: 11415222
    Abstract: A sealing bellows includes a casing. The casing includes a rubber-elastic material, which includes an edge region at the front side on both sides. A clamping ring for fastening the sealing bellows to a machine element is arranged in at least one of the edge regions. The clamping ring is formed by an annular disk which, viewed in the circumferential direction, has a meander-like configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Nedal Idies, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 11123882
    Abstract: A joint cover is removably attached to a joint of a robot including first and second joint members, and a spherical bearing coupling the first and second joint members, wherein the bearing includes a ball shank including a shaft part fixed to the first joint member and including a ball part at one end of the shaft part, and a holder fixed to an end of the second joint member and including a ball receiver configured to enclose and support the ball part, the joint cover includes a body made of an elastic material and configured to cover the holder and the end of the second joint member, and the body includes two through-holes respectively allowing for insertion of the shaft part and the second joint member, and the joint cover includes a slit configured to open and close and to make the two through-holes continuous with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hyunchul Souk
  • Patent number: 10844899
    Abstract: In a ball joint with a housing, a ball stud which includes a ball head mounted in the housing, and with a sealing bellows which includes a ring-shaped housing-side connecting region, it is provided that at the housing a ring-shaped channel is provided, in which the housing-side connecting region is accommodated, wherein the outer radius of the channel at the channel bottom is greater than the outer radius at the free edge of the channel, and on the housing-side connecting region of the sealing bellows at least one holding element made of a rigid material is provided, which in particular in a top view in longitudinal direction of the ball stud is at least partly covered by the free edge of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Markus Ortmann, Uwe Forthaus
  • Patent number: 10578152
    Abstract: The movable joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and has an outer surface and an open interior. A ball stud is partially disposed in the open interior and projects out of the housing. A flexible and elastic boot is sealed against the outer surface of the housing and against the ball stud. A metal insert is at least partially embedded within the boot adjacent an end of the boot for resisting pull out of the boot from the housing. The boot includes a lip which is at least partially spaced axially from the insert and extends radially inwardly and is in an interference fit engagement with the outer surface of the housing for establishing a fluid tight seal of the housing and for maintaining the fluid tight seal in response to injection of a lubricant into the open interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kopsie, Donald Richard Doherty
  • Patent number: 10578213
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Travis S. Larson, George E. Doerr, Miroslaw Zaloga, John T. Zuzelski, David Juarez
  • Patent number: 10563691
    Abstract: A ball joint (100) to be fitted to a knuckle (200) is provided wherein, a shaft section (11) has an annular projection (11a), a dust cover (30) has a seal main body which is made of an elastic body and which integrally includes: a body section (31); a fixed section (32) which is provided in the body section (31) on one end side; and an inner circumferential seal section (33) and a dust seal section (34) which are provided in the body section (31) on another end side, and the ball joint (100) is provided with a positioning member (40) which is mounted to the shaft section (11) in advance before the ball joint (100) is fitted to the knuckle (200) and which positions an end of the dust cover (30) on the other end side with respect to the shaft section (11) so that the inner circumferential seal section (33) is positioned at an opposite side of the spherical section (12) across the annular projection (11a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuro Hosen
  • Patent number: 10563692
    Abstract: A dust boot for a suspension assembly, particularly a ball joint, includes a side wall with at least one relief opening and a cover that overlies the at least one relief opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RB Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Allan Reiff
  • Patent number: 10473148
    Abstract: The moveable socket assembly which includes a housing that has an inner bore. A stud projects out of the inner bore of the housing, and the stud has a shank portion which is at least partially disposed outside of the inner bore. A boot with a flexible body and an adapter is also provided to seal the housing with the stud. The flexible body and the adapter of the boot are made as separate pieces from one another, and the flexible body extends from a first end portion that is sealed with the housing to a second end portion. The adapter is interposed between the second end portion of the flexible body and the shank portion of the stud, and the adapter holds the second end portion in a predetermined location relative to the shank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventor: Donald R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 10385926
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a variable stiffness joint assembly includes a bushing body. The bushing body is disposed about a shaft assembly. The bushing body has an inner bushing surface, an outer bushing surface that is spaced apart from the inner bushing surface, a first bushing face that extends between a first end of the inner bushing surface and a first end of the outer bushing surface, and a second bushing face that extends between a second end of the inner bushing surface and a second end the outer bushing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Kleinfeld, Jeffrey P. Courville, Jon N. Miller
  • Patent number: 10359071
    Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore and a stud with a first portion and a shank portion. The first portion is disposed in the inner bore of the housing, and the shank portion extends out of the inner bore. The socket assembly further includes a boot with a boot body that extends from a first boot end to a second boot end. The first boot end is received in the inner bore of the housing and is operatively sealed with the housing. The second boot end is operatively sealed with the ball stud. The boot further includes an insert that is in an overmolding engagement with the first boot end. The insert has a plurality of raised sections and a plurality of recessed sections and has a plurality of vertical sections that interconnect adjacent ones of the raised and recessed sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventor: Glen C. Parker
  • Patent number: 10309449
    Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud, a cylindrical bearing, a housing and a retainer. The bearing has an upper end, a lower end, a exterior sidewall, an upper flange located between the upper end and a ring groove formed in the exterior sidewall, a lower flange proximate the lower end and extending outwardly and a socket cavity that opens toward the lower end. A ball portion of the ball stud is retained within the socket cavity. The bearing is secured within a bore within the housing by virtue of the working of the lower flange and the upper flange and retainer located in the ring groove. The ball joint assembly is able to resist a pull-out force of up to 1200 lbs. It may also be sealed by incorporation of a dust boot which extends between the housing and a stud portion of the ball stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: George R. Schmidt, Tom Byrnes, Glen Parker
  • Patent number: 10288173
    Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Chapagain, Sunil I. Mathew, Charles Taylor Hudson
  • Patent number: 10288174
    Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Chapagain, Sunil I. Mathew, Charles Taylor Hudson
  • Patent number: 10156268
    Abstract: A boot assembly for a constant velocity joint includes a boot having a neck portion arranged to be received over a shaft that is coupled to the constant velocity joint, and a retainer or insert which may include a vent. The retainer or insert may be carried by the neck portion and has at least one flex feature to facilitate flexing thereof. The insert may have at least one projection that extends radially inwardly from the neck portion and defines part of an inner surface of the boot, or at least one vent path defined therein to facilitate venting of one or more chambers defined at least in part by the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cassell, Robert Paladichuk, Eric J. LaMothe
  • Patent number: 9958011
    Abstract: A bearing assembly has an outer race, which has an arcuate inner surface and an inner member that is partially disposed in the outer member and which has an arcuate outer surface. The inner member has one or more hubs that extend axially from the inner member. The one or more hubs each have one or more circumferentially extending surface depression that is positioned proximate the arcuate outer surface. The one or more hubs each have one or more circumferentially extending surface protrusion that is positioned axially outward beyond the at least one circumferentially extending surface depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Moises Polanco
  • Patent number: 9926797
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with an inner case and a seal ring each having contact surfaces. The sealing arrangement also has a bearing compartment with a contact surface. A piston seal is positioned between the inner case, the seal ring, and the bearing compartment and is configured to contact the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jonathan Lemoine, Kevin Zacchera
  • Patent number: 9884410
    Abstract: A supplement support system sleeve. Descriptive of the tool part know as a Universal Joint that improves managing the flex when adapting parts are heavier than the resistance of the flex of the Universal Joint. Staying on the smooth surfaces with a directional system design to flex that includes a flex Stop with a per determined adjustment location within the tool part design. Offering limited resistance to the movement to no reduction to the tool part design values or intended use other then increasing the size when installed. Made from flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Ford
  • Patent number: 9863464
    Abstract: A dust cover in which an improvement in sealing performance is achieved. A dust cover 100 used in a ball joint includes a seal main body made of an elastic body and integrally having a body portion 110, a fixed portion 130 that is provided on one end side of the body portion 110, and a seal portion 120 that is provided on the other end side of the body portion 110, and an annular auxiliary seal 150 made of resin and provided in the seal portion 120. The seal portion 120 includes an inner peripheral seal portion and a dust lip 122, and the auxiliary seal 150 includes an auxiliary inner peripheral seal portion 151, an auxiliary dust seal portion, and a supported portion 153 that is supported by a collar fixed to a shaft portion on an opposite side to the auxiliary dust seal portion in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Hosen, Koji Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 9799241
    Abstract: A stop sign brake light for vehicles includes a main body having an octagonal shape, a reflective border and the word STOP that is positioned along the center of the main body. A plurality of lighted elements are along an entirety of the reflective border and the word STOP, and a controller having a wiring harness for connecting to a vehicle power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: William Carl Stockton
  • Patent number: 9790983
    Abstract: The movable joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and has an outer surface and an open interior. A ball stud is partially disposed in the open interior and projects out of the housing. A flexible and elastic boot is sealed against the outer surface of the housing and against the ball stud. A metal insert is at least partially embedded within the boot adjacent an end of the boot for resisting pull out of the boot from the housing. The boot includes a lip which is at least partially spaced axially from the insert and extends radially inwardly and is in an interference fit engagement with the outer surface of the housing for establishing a fluid tight seal of the housing and for maintaining the fluid tight seal in response to injection of a lubricant into the open interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Kopsie, Donald Richard Doherty
  • Patent number: 9771971
    Abstract: An automotive component having an opening through which a ball joint extends, the ball joint comprising: a housing having an exterior substantially cylindrical surface, a seating surface radially extending from the exterior surface for abutting an adjacent first side of the automotive component, and a peripheral groove disposed in the exterior surface spaced axially from the seating surface a predetermined distance; a ball stud having a ball end mounted within the housing and a shank extending axially out of a crown of the housing; a flexible boot having an distal end sealingly engaged on the shank and an opposing proximal base end, the base end including a metal base ring with an inwardly extending flexible detent engaged in the peripheral groove in the housing and a base seal sealing engaged on the exterior surface, the base ring having a radially extending abutment surface for retaining an adjacent second side of the automotive component, and wherein the automotive component is selected from the group cons
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mevotech LP
    Inventors: Simon Winter, Jack McVeigh, Tyler Kearns, Rosan Luiz
  • Patent number: 9644569
    Abstract: Provided is a boot seal for a variable compression ratio engine having an inner layer free from tears or creases. The boot seal comprises a boot body having a cylinder-attaching part, a crankcase-attaching part and a connecting part for connecting these parts, and a rigid plate disposed in at least one of the cylinder-attaching part and the crankcase-attaching part and having a through hole. The boot body comprises an outer layer formed by injection molding a rubber material, and an inner layer formed of fluorine-containing rubber. An injection gate for the outer layer is located at a portion of the outer layer opposing the rigid plate. Both an outer surface and an inner surface of at least a portion of the rigid plate having the through hole are covered with the rubber material supplied from the injection gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Mitsui, Tadanobu Ota, Yoshiki Shimoda, Kaoru Ito
  • Patent number: 9528547
    Abstract: In a dust cover for a ball joint in which a one end large-diameter opening portion is retained to an outer peripheral surface of a socket, the other end small-diameter opening portion is constructed by a tube portion fitted and fixed onto an outer peripheral surface of a shaft, and an outward flange portion extending diametrically outward from an end portion in the socket side of the tube portion, and the dust cover is retained onto a L-shaped hard retainer, a reinforcing ring of the other end small-diameter opening portion is constructed by a cylindrical portion and an inward flange portion extending toward an outer peripheral surface of the retainer from an end portion in the knuckle side of the cylindrical portion, and an end portion in the socket side of the cylindrical portion in the reinforcing ring comes into contact with the outward flange portion of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Hosen, Koji Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 9416818
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a dust cover for a ball joint which can suppress generation of a so-called mouth opening phenomenon in a small-diameter opening portion even under a low-temperature atmosphere, can effectively inhibit a seal performance from being lowered in the small-diameter opening portion and inhibit the sedimentation or the garbage from entering into a dust cover from an external portion, and has a good sealing performance. For this purpose, in a dust cover for a ball joint having a spherical head portion, a shaft, one end large-diameter opening portion, the other end small-diameter portion, and a film portion, concavo-concave engagement is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the rigid ring and an outer peripheral surface of a retainer having a cylindrical portion which is fitted and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Hosen, Takayoshi Iwasaka
  • Patent number: 9221225
    Abstract: A sealing bellows includes a sealing region disposed at a first end on a first end face and an attachment region disposed at a second end on a second end face. The sealing region includes an integrated first clamping element with a first internal diameter. The attachment region includes an integrated second clamping element with a second internal diameter. A casing is disposed in an axial direction of the sealing bellows between the sealing region and the attachment region with a third greatest internal diameter. The casing, the sealing region and the attachment region merge integrally into one another and are composed of a flexible rubber material, and, as a condition of production: the casing is substantially spherical; and the third greatest internal diameter of the casing is larger than the first internal diameter of the first clamping element and the second internal diameter of the second clamping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventor: Nedal Idies
  • Publication number: 20150084287
    Abstract: In a rubber-like elastic dust cover for a ball joint structured such that a spherical head portion formed in one end of a ball stud is retained within a socket, a shaft portion in the other end of the ball stud is fastened and fixed to a knuckle, a one end large-diameter opening portion having a buried metal reinforcement ring is fixed and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the socket, and the other end small-diameter opening portion is retained to the shaft portion, and having a film portion which connects the one end large-diameter opening portion and the other end small-diameter opening portion, protrudes to an outer side and is formed approximately into a hand drum shape, a concave portion is provided in an outer peripheral surface of a joint portion between the one end large-diameter opening portion and the film portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Koji Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 8893368
    Abstract: A pivot joint assembly has a first part with a hole. A pivot pin passes through the hole. A second part is carried by the pivot pin to be rotatable relative to the first part. A bush has an annular sleeve with an inner face engaging the pivot pin and an outer face engaging a bore wall of the first part. A sealing ring between the bush and the first part. The sealing ring has a body attached to the first part, and a sealing member extending away from the body in a radial direction to a sealing lip which engages the bush without being attached thereto. The sealing member is resiliently compressed to urge the sealing lip towards the bush to maintain engagement with the bush in the event that the bush moves away from the body in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Jey Williams, Colin West
  • Publication number: 20140312573
    Abstract: A sealing assembly of a ball joint, in particular for a vehicle, comprises a retaining ring which includes a ring axis and a radial ring flange having a flange upper side and an opposed flange lower side, and a sealing element which rests against the flange upper side and against the flange lower side and is exclusively connected to the retaining ring with an interlocking fit, the interlocking fit being configured such that the retaining ring and the sealing element are fixed to each other free of play in the axial and in the radial direction, and the flange upper side having an exposed contact surface for a sealing bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Bernhardt, Andreas Maier, Ulrich Mette, Cengiz Erdogan
  • Publication number: 20140284885
    Abstract: An elastic dust cover for a ball joint is structured such that a spherical head portion formed in one end of a ball stud is retained within a socket, a shaft in the other end of the ball stud is fastened and fixed to a knuckle, a one end large-diameter opening portion is fixed and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the socket, and the other end small-diameter opening portion is retained to the shaft. An annular step portion is formed in an inner peripheral side end portion coming into contact with the dust cover in the knuckle, a part of the small-diameter opening portion is inserted into a space formed by the annular step portion and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and an outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter opening portion is constrained by an inner peripheral surface of the annular step portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Ishimori
  • Patent number: 8783953
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an annular inner member defining a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a shaft extending therefrom. The bearing assembly includes an annular outer member defining a second outer surface and a second inner surface which is adapted to engage a recess defined in the first outer surface. An annular flexible seal defines a base adapted to engage the outer member, a head adapted to engage a groove defined in one of the inner member or the shaft, and a neck having a curvilinear cross-section which is adapted to bias the base toward the recess and the head toward the groove. The flexible seal is positioned adjacent to one end of the outer member and extends between the inner member and outer member. An annular low-friction liner has a cross-section that defines an interior area adapted to engage the flexible seal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Voisine, Bradley Smith
  • Patent number: 8714861
    Abstract: A sealing assembly of a ball joint, in particular for a vehicle, comprises a retaining ring which includes a ring axis and a radial ring flange having a flange upper side and an opposed flange lower side, and a sealing element which rests against the flange upper side and against the flange lower side and is exclusively connected to the retaining ring with an interlocking fit, the interlocking fit being configured such that the retaining ring and the sealing element are fixed to each other free of play in the axial and in the radial direction, and the flange upper side having an exposed contact surface for a sealing bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bernhardt, Andreas Maier, Ulrich Mette, Cengiz Erdogan
  • Publication number: 20140079465
    Abstract: A sealing bellows includes a sealing region disposed at a first end on a first end face and an attachment region disposed at a second end on a second end face. The sealing region includes an integrated first clamping element with a first internal diameter. The attachment region includes an integrated second clamping element with a second internal diameter. A casing is disposed in an axial direction of the sealing bellows between the sealing region and the attachment region with a third greatest internal diameter. The casing, the sealing region and the attachment region merge integrally into one another and are composed of a flexible rubber material, and, as a condition of production: the casing is substantially spherical; and the third greatest internal diameter of the casing is larger than the first internal diameter of the first clamping element and the second internal diameter of the second clamping element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Nedal Idies
  • Patent number: 8657519
    Abstract: An annular groove, in which a lower end of a boot is fitted, is formed in an outer periphery of an open end of a housing so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the housing. The annular groove is defined by a cylindrical face, an upper inner wall, and a lower inner wall. By fitting a clip onto a cylindrical portion of the lower end of the boot, the cylindrical portion is pushed against the cylindrical face, and an inner end portion and a folded-back portion are pushed against the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall, respectively. The inner end portion has an annular protrusion that is engaged with the upper inner wall and elastically contracted when the lower end of the boot is fitted in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Watanabe, Hideo Shibata
  • Patent number: 8628093
    Abstract: A waterproof sealing lip section is pressed onto a vehicle body panel, thereby enhancing a high waterproof function even if projecting amounts in height of the burrs are random. A conical waterproof flange projects from an outer peripheral surface of a body side cylinder for passing the wire harness so that the waterproof flange is inclined on the outer peripheral surface. An annular bent end extends from the conical waterproof flange. First and second annular sealing lips project from an inner surface of the bent end. The first and second sealing lips of the waterproof flange are pressed onto the vehicle body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8500149
    Abstract: A control arm assembly includes a control arm including a knuckle support member having an upper surface, a lower surface, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The upper surface includes a recessed portion extending from the distal end portion toward the proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes a collar defining an aperture for receiving a housing of a ball joint. The control arm assembly also includes a protective cap attached to the knuckle support member. The protective cap overlies the recessed portion of the upper surface of the knuckle support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James H Nazarian, Jr., Philip S. H. Moir, Peter G. Langseth, III
  • Patent number: 8454026
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for sealing between a rock processing equipment, such as a vibrating screen and a stationary cover or other part. A sealing strip is arranged between the vibrating screen and the stationary cover. The sealing strip is attached to snap profiles fixed to the vibrating screen and the stationary cover, respectively. The sealing strip is fixed to the snap profiles by means of grip strips. The sealing strip is placed slanted in relation to the sides of the vibrating screen and stationary cover, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Mats Malmberg
  • Patent number: 8449275
    Abstract: A pump apparatus includes a first rotor drive mechanism configured to transfer rotation of an input shaft portion to an output shaft portion coupled to an external screw type rotor of a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the input shaft portion being rotated with a central axis thereof kept in a certain position, and a uniaxial eccentric screw pump. The output shaft portion is rotatably provided via a bearing at a position eccentrically located with respect to the input shaft portion. The rotation of the input shaft portion is transferred through a first power transmission mechanism, including an inner gear, to the output shaft portion to cause the output shaft portion to carry out an eccentric rotational movement. The input shaft portion and the output shaft portion are arranged inside a pitch circle of the inner gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Heishin Sobi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Akamatsu, Mikio Yamashita, Nobuhisa Suhara
  • Patent number: 8414215
    Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes an elongated stud, a socket housing, and a boot and seal assembly having a seal lip. A boot and seal assembly for use in a ball joint assembly includes a body and a diaphragm extending therefrom. The diaphragm includes a seal portion having a seal lip that has an elongated profile of a substantially uniform section. The seal portion may be a first seal portion that is adapted to engage an elongated stud of a ball joint assembly. The diaphragm further may include a second seal portion that is adapted to engage a mating component connected to the ball joint assembly. The boot and seal assembly may include a third seal portion that is also adapted to engage the mating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Ken Langendoen
  • Patent number: 8313107
    Abstract: A rolling boot is proposed that has a first fastening region and a fold region with at least a first fold having a first fold peak region and a first fold flank near the first fastening region and, opposite this first fold flank, a second fold flank which is adjoined by a fold trough, wherein a transition region having a base surface is arranged between the first fastening region and fold region, and an angle a having a range from approximately 90° to approximately 140° is formed between the base surface and an outer side of the first fold flank, and the fold trough has a depth T which is, at most, approximately 65 percent of a height H of the first fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Lukas Hoets, Markus Deisinger, Ralf Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8235395
    Abstract: A joint seal of a constant velocity universal joint which has a sealing effect relative to a shaft journal includes an axial securing sleeve which is connected to the inner joint part and which ends in individual axial fingers which radially elastically engage an annular groove in the shaft journal, wherein the ventilation channels for the joint interior of the constant velocity universal joint are formed by axial slots between the individual axial fingers which freely end in the interior of the rolling boot and can be closed towards the outside of the rolling boot by a sealing lip which is formed on to the rolling boot, which, in the position of rest, annularly sealingly contacts the shaft journal and which, at an increased speed, lifts off the shaft journal to expose the ventilation channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 8157657
    Abstract: A barrier membrane assembly for sealing a constant velocity joint assembly includes at least one selectively expandable and contractible barrier membrane body. The barrier membrane body has no openings therethrough and may selectively expand and contract in response to operational pressures acting against the barrier membrane body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric LaMothe, Robert Leslie Cassell
  • Publication number: 20120085120
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body portion having an air supply and an air return, a door hinged to the body portion, and an icemaking unit located on the door and having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are adjacent the air supply and air return, respectively, when the door is closed, to receive and return chilled air therefrom and thereto. At least a first sealing member is located at the air supply, the air return, the air inlet, and/or the air outlet. The at least first sealing member includes a first membrane with a slit formed therein, and a first projecting member. The slit and the first projecting member are configured and dimensioned such that the slit is closed when the door is in an open position and that the slit is opened when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew William DAVIS, Wayne Edward Lawson, Krzysztof Struminski
  • Patent number: 8146930
    Abstract: A bearing cap for a wheel assembly includes a bearing cap seal for sealing against an annular bore of a knuckle. The bearing cap is coupled to an outer ring, which is disposed within an annular bore of a knuckle. The bearing cap includes a face and a collar extending along a longitudinal axis into the annular bore. The bearing cap seal is disposed annularly about the collar, within the annular bore. The bearing cap seal prevents contamination of an engagement interface between the knuckle and the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent R. Sicilia, Todd D. Albertson, Robert G. Sutherlin
  • Patent number: 8136816
    Abstract: A multiple layering means of a protective laminated multiple-layered split boot layer assembly, providing both very important qualities of easy installation and reliable boot sealing performance. Easy installation is easy to achieve but the reliable boot sealing performance of substantially high degree of reliable boot sealing performance is very much needed but has eluded many investors until now. Many different solutions and approaches are used, such as multiple layering, reinforcement with fastener such as glue sealant adhesive, reinforcement encircling rings, and appropriately positioning each split boot layer's cut (53) split line, in relationship to the cut (53) of preceding and adjacent split boot layer, with alternating slit (or seam) facing feature, for maximized sealing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Eddie York-Shin Lou
  • Patent number: 8096889
    Abstract: A boot comprising a fold region and an attachment region is disclosed. The attachment region comprises an outside with at least two circumferential ribs extending from a base surface towards the outside and providing for a binder seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Deisinger, Ludger Wenning, Joachim Wette, Andreas Berndt
  • Patent number: 8028999
    Abstract: An axle boot for joint sealing, in particular on the drive train of motor vehicles, includes a substantially axisymmetric bellows, which is designed as a single piece with a connecting collar. The connecting collar has a plurality of indentations projecting towards the inside that are adapted to radial recesses in the external contour of the joint housing. To the outside of the connecting collar are attached compensating pieces that complete the external contour, forming a cylindrical circumferential surface on which a clamp is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Joachim Wolf, Andreas Kammann
  • Patent number: 8025297
    Abstract: A bellows has a generally tubular elongated bellows body. The bellows body is defined by a wall generally enclosing a volume. The wall has a generally cylindrical inner surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface. The bellows body is formed by alternating layers of low compliance material and high compliance material. The cross sectional shape and dimension of the bellows body are generally constant between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert W.M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7992876
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for providing sealing in a mounting gap on a furnace body where a rotating control member is positioned, is located in a mounting opening and includes a sealing wing, in contact with the wall of the body, a retaining member in contact with the outer surface of the furnace body, and at least one bump form extending towards the control member at the continuity of the retaining member and in the direction of the gasket extension for preventing water from reaching to the control member and furnace body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Naim Aktürk, Sahin Cim, Nizami Es, Kasim Yazan
  • Patent number: 7934732
    Abstract: A knuckle for a vehicle suspension system interconnects portions of a vehicle steering system, a vehicle brake, and a vehicle suspension system, and includes a knuckle body having a hub and bearing opening formed through the body. The hub and bearing opening define a substantially cylindrical inner wall. A cap is disposed within the hub and bearing opening. A recess is formed in the inner wall of the hub and bearing opening, and the cap includes a radially outwardly extending anti-rotation member disposed within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinney, Karthik Radhakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20110020056
    Abstract: A sealing assembly of a ball joint, in particular for a vehicle, comprises a retaining ring which includes a ring axis and a radial ring flange having a flange upper side and an opposed flange lower side, and a sealing element which rests against the flange upper side and against the flange lower side and is exclusively connected to the retaining ring with an interlocking fit, the interlocking fit being configured such that the retaining ring and the sealing element are fixed to each other free of play in the axial and in the radial direction, and the flange upper side having an exposed contact surface for a sealing bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Bernhardt, Andreas Maier, Ulrich Mette, Cengiz Erdogan