Abstract: A rubber seal for vehicular ball joint assemblies located in the vicinity of a source of heat. The seal includes an integrally molded metal heat shield for facing the source of heat to prevent the deterioration of the seal from the heat. Such a seal with integral heat shield is particularly beneficial between a vehicle brake rotor and lower control arm and/or a tie rod operatively connected to a steering knuckle.

Abstract: A sealing cover fitted on a coupling which connects an input shaft (1) and an output shaft (2) to each other for relative movement as in a U-joint including an outer member (3) having an outer spherical surface (3a) and connected to one of said shafts (2), comprises a first spherical shell (4) having an outer part made partly of a low flexibility material and having an inside part spherical surface slidably fitted on the outer spherical surface (3a), and a part spherical channel (7) open at the end of the shell near the other of the shafts (1), a second part spherical shell (8) slidably inserted at one end thereof into the channel (7) and fitted at the other end thereof on the shaft (1), a first sealing portion provided near one end of the first shell (4) in contact with the outer surface (3a) of the outer member (3), and a second sealing portion (10) provided near the other end of the first shell in contact with the outer part spherical surface (8c) of the second shell (8).

Abstract: A rolling or convoluted boot for a constant velocity universal joint has at least one pressure balancing aperture (19, 19a) located in a pressure balancing region (13, 13a). When the shaft (12) is in a stationary position, the pressure balancing region (13) tightly adjoining the shaft (12), during shaft rotation, the pressure balancing region radially lifts off the shaft as a function of the speed or pressure differential. Thus, the boot balances pressure between the joint space and the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant protective cover, in the form of a sock, fitting over a drive axle joint seal of a vehicle. The sock is formed of abrasion-resistant material to extend the operation of the seal by extending the amount of wear and tear that the seal can withstand. The sock may be pre-assembled about the joint seal during assembly of the drive axle shaft and joint. The sock is attached at one end to the drive axle shaft and at the opposite end to the joint. The sock may also be assembled about the joint seal after assembly of the drive axle shaft and joint. The sock is wrapped about the joint seal and held in place by clamps around the drive axle shaft and the joint. The sock may be fabricated with any one of several abrasion-resistant materials and may include a flexible material to allow the sock to be tightly fitted about the joint seal without limiting movement of the joint seal around the drive axle shaft.

Abstract: The joint boot having excellent cold resistance is obtained by compounding the cross-linking components (a), (b) and (c) with chlorinated polyethylene having a chlorine content of 31 to 34% by weight and molding the resulting compound under thermal conditions.(a) A mercaptotriazine compound,(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amines having a boiling point of not lower than 110.degree. C., organic acid salts of the amines or addition products thereof, diarylguanidine, condensation products of aniline and aldehydes, and 2-benzothiazylsulfenamides of primary or secondary amines, and(c) a metal compound as an acid acceptor.

Abstract: A unique boot retainer for use in a constant velocity universal joint includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly extending resilient tabs. The tabs snap into a groove at an outer peripheral surface of an outer race to provide a positive abutment, properly positioning the retainer and the boot relative to the outer race. The unique construction simplifies assembly of the boot and retainer to the outer race.

Abstract: A centering and fixing apparatus for a movable element includes a swing arm that is pivoted on a fixed base member for movement in a vertical plane. A fixing arrangement is mounted on the swing arm. The movable element includes a centering arrangement adapted to engage the fixing arrangement. The centering arrangement includes a pair of centering rollers spaced apart a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the swinging plane of the swing arm. The fixing arrangement includes a single roller with a diameter larger than the distance between the centering rollers. The single roller is supported on the swing arm via a spherical bearing arrangement, and is positioned to simultaneously contact the centering rollers.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) for transmitting motion in a curved path including a liner (12) disposed within a conduit (16) and a motion transmitting core element (14) moveably supported by the liner (12). The liner (12) is made essentially of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The assembly (10) is characterized by the liner (12) further including poly(amide-imide) for increasing the strength and lubricity thereof. Preferably, the liner comprises 97 weight percent polytetrafluoroethylene and 3 weight percent poly(amide-imide).

Abstract: An alignment sleeve for use with an universal joint-type socket wrench which provides for self-alignment of the wrench with the nut or bolt to be turned. The sleeve includes an integral piece of highly resilient rubber molded into a hollow cylindrical shape and sized to fit snugly around the main body of the universal joint. At least one pair of semi-elliptical shaped ribs are molded into the inner surface of the opposed walls of the sleeve and adapted to interlock with the base member of the universal joint. The self-locking ribs eliminate the need for additional securing means such as clamps or adhesive. Thus, the sleeve may be installed and removed without the use of any other tools. In addition, the upper rim of the sleeve is provided with means to prevent pinching of the sleeve between the universal joint and socket where the sleeve is slightly longer than the body of the universal joint to which it is applied.

Abstract: A sealing structure for a ball joint of a wiper link mechanism is provided with a boot. A boot-engaging part is formed on an outer periphery adjacent an opening of said ball retainer and a retainer-engaging part is formed at the end of the boot which includes a flexible part. The boot can seal the opening of the ball retainer in the limited space between the plate-shaped link arm and the plate-shaped link connecting rod in the state in which the ball pin is coupled to the ball retainer. It is able to prevent water, mud or the like from entering into the spherical hollow of the ball retainer even if the link arm and the link connected rod are inclined to each other.

Abstract: A one-piece multiple durometer molded plastic dust and moisture shield for a lubricated assembly comprises a bowl-shaped intermediate part of resiliently deformable plastic material axially spacing and intimately bonded to an annular reinforcing rim and an annular reinforcing base of hard, form-sustaining plastic material. The rim extends coaxially around the bowl mouth of the shield and is bonded to the axially adjacent portion to define one axial end of the shield dimensioned to interfit in sealing engagement with the part to be shielded. The annular base extends coaxially with an annular base liner of the resiliently deformable intermediate portion an defines the opposite axial end of the shield. The annular base liner comprises the base of the bowl-shaped intermediate portion and its central opening is dimensioned to effect an interference sealing fit with another part of the assembly to be shielded.

Abstract: A resilient boot assembly (10) of the type for containing a steering shaft (22) therein includes a tubular body portion (12) having a passageway (14) extending therethrough and first and second end portions (16,18). One end of the boot is adapted to attach to a steering gear housing (20). The assembly (10) is a unitary tubular member and includes at least one end having a resilient portion (24) and stiffened portions (26,28) at each end of the resilient portion for providing the flexible resilient portion (24) to roll up upon the body portion (12) to a retracted position to expose the connection between the steering shaft (22) and steering gear assembly and rolling down to an extended position to contain and perfect a seal with the steering gear housing (20).

Abstract: A self-normalizing compliant drive coupling (10) having a constant-velocity joint (12) attached to a unidirectional clutch (14) to accommodate axial misalignment of a drive shaft attached to the body (16) of the joint (12) and a driven shaft grasped by the clutch (14). A housing (26) has a cylindrical top portion (28) with a top axial bore (30) for receiving a stem (18) of the joint (12) and a bottom axial bore (34) for receiving the clutch (14). A resilient sleeve (42) encloses the joint (12) and rests on a shoulder (40) on the housing (26). A collar (44) slides over the joint body (16) to bear against the top surface (43) of the sleeve (42) to place the sleeve (42) under a compressive load that urges the clutch housing (26) into axial alignment with the body (16) of the joint (12).

Abstract: A nonmetallic boot restraint for restraining and shrouding the flexible boot of an automotive propshaft constant velocity universal joint of the plunging type. The boot restraint is preferably formed from a puncture-resistant, semi-rigid organic material, such as Nylon (polyamide), and it can be repeatedly assembled to and disassembled from the drive joint without damage to either the boot restraint or the associated boot. An end of the boot restraint traps an end of the boot in sealing engagement with the outside surface of the outer joint member of the drive joint, and a removable clamp maintains this relationship between the outer joint member, the boot, and the boot restraint.

Abstract: A sealing bellows for closing an opening in a ball joint housing said sealing bellows having axially extending hose sections continuously folded on each other, at least partially overlapping each other, and connected with each other by circumferential, contiguous, inner and outer folds; said hose sections beginning from the hose section attached to said housing having a progressively smaller diameter, and each outward fold having an axial thickening of material that exceeds that of an inner fold and the wall thickness of a hose section; said axial thickening shielding at least partially a hose section connected to the respective outward fold and having a smaller diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a flexible connecting shaft for an intramedullary reamer. In each embodiment, several short segments or links are attached together to form an elongated flexible shaft which shaft is designed, due to the specific attachment means for the links, to bend along its longitudinal axis while transmitting torque without any lag in such transmission. A link at one end of the flexible shaft as made by a plurality of the links includes means provided for attachment to a torque providing device such as an electric motor. At the opposite end of the shaft, the last link includes structure thereon enabling connection to a drill bit. The various embodiments disclose different ways of interconnecting the links.

Abstract: A boot for a universal joint, which is made of a high-molecular elastomer, in which bellows having three or more ridges are extended between a larger and a smaller ring portion, and in which a valley is formed between the first ridge from the larger side of the bellows and the larger ring portion. In this boot, the crest of the first ridge has its inner circumference located outside of the imaginary circumference of the frustum of a cone, which is formed by joining the end portion of the larger ring portion at the side to be connected to the bellows and the crest of the second ridge. As a result, the wears of the ridges (especially of the first ridge) due to their mutual contacts are not promoted so that the boot can have its durability improved.

Abstract: A sealing boot for sealing a power transmitting mechanical joint of the plunging type, especially a mechanical joint which is subject to angular articulation between its input member and output member. The mechanical joint has an outer member, and the outer member has an external cylindrical surface. The sealing boot has a semi-rigid or non-flexible segment which surrounds a portion of the cylindrical surface and this non-flexible segment has a cylindrical slot that sealingly and slidingly receives the cylindrical end portion of a second boot segment, which is also of semi-rigid or non-flexible character. The sliding action of the second boot segment in the first boot segment results from the plunging action of the joint. The second boot segment also has a slot at its other end and this slot slidingly and sealingly receives an end portion of a third boot segment. The third boot segment, in turn, seals to a member of the mechanical joint.

Abstract: A guard for a power transmission shaft such as a tractor pto shaft 18,20 comprises a flexible convoluted tubing 24 with end couplings 26 which together totally enclose the rotating parts. The tubing 24 can extend and retract axially to suit a variety of shaft lengths, and can flex transversely to accommodate turning of the tractor/implement combination. A tube 34 journalled on bearings 36, or equivalent bearing means, prevents damage to the tubing 24 by the shaft 18,20.

Abstract: A grass trimmer has a support which supports a portion of a control rod on the side thereof which is closer to a prime mover in such a manner that the portion is received inside the support and which rotatably supports the output shaft of a clutch for coupling a transmission shaft received inside the control rod. The support has its outer periphery covered with a tubular elastic cover.

Abstract: A seal for a gear ball joint in a progressing cavity pump. The seal includes a flexible seal member having a depending flange portion including five sealing surfaces for sealing against mating parts of the joint assembly. The seal also includes an annular stiffening wire molded within the flange portion to provide dimensional stability during seal molding, structural support during assembly and increased working life.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a universal joint formed as an annular disc made of resilient material extending in sealing engagement between an inner joint member or a shaft part thereof and an outer joint member with the annular disc being in sealed engagement with the outer joint member and having a central bore formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the shaft of the inner joint member extending therethrough in order to effect sealing engagement with the shaft, the central bore being surrounded by a reinforcing annular portion which is dimensioned with an enlarged thickness for reinforcing purposes thereby to enable large angles of articulation to be endured even when the central bore is under extreme loads thereby to provide a rugged construction for the sealing assembly.

Abstract: A shield for a universal joint having two yokes is disclosed. Each one of a pair of opposed bell elements is journaled upon the yokes and has a hemispherically shaped outer surface. Each one of a pair of frusto-spherically shaped shoes slidably overlaps one of the bell elements so that the shoes are restrained against axial movement but can rotate relative to the bell elements. A boot spans the shoes with each shoe rotatably disposed between its associated bell element and the boot. The shoes float upon the bell elements within the boot to fully enclose the universal joint as the joint is articulated. The small range of motion of the shield makes it especially suited to operate at wide angles in compact spaces.

Abstract: A guard for a universal joint of the type having a yoke pivotally connected by a cross-link to a housing is disclosed. The guard includes a bell element which has a hemispherically shaped outer surface and is mounted coaxially with the yoke. A boot having first and second end portions and a central portion surrounds the housing with the first end portion having a hemispherically shaped inner surface which mates in sliding contact with the hemispherically shaped surface of the bell element. A bearing surface is within the central portion of the boot and the second end portion is opposite from the first end portion. The bearing surface within the central portion is in sliding contact with a spherical surface which is provided on the housing. As the yoke is articulated relative to the housing, the bearing surface slides along the housing spherical surface to allow the boot to tilt relative to the housing.

Abstract: Elastic or flexible protective bellows of a homokinetic transmission joint for a motor vehicle wheel, connected in a sealed manner to a bowl element 2 of the joint, comprising, when mounted on the joint, an active part constituted by two coaxial spherical segments 3, 4, one of which is outside the other, interconnected by a curved trough 5 and defining with the latter a U shape. The active part 3, 4 can extend by a lengthening of the segments, on one side, and a shortening, on the opposite side, when the joint pivots through a given angle. This joint has, in particular, the advantage of completely eliminating wear by abrasion between the inner surfaces of the joint, the active segments 3, 4 being indeed always separated by lubricant. Further, the many folds of conventional bellows are eliminated, which considerably simplifies the manufacture of the bellows.

Abstract: A slip joint seal assembly includes an elastomeric sealing body and an annular metallic cage circumferentially supporting the body. The assembly also includes a relubrication chamber. An auxiliary sealing lip on the elastomeric sealing body is normally out of contact with a shaft, but engages the shaft upon pressurization of the relubrication chamber to prevent lubrication from flowing toward primary sealing lips on the sealing body during relubrication. In a preferred form, the elastomeric sealing body includes a pair of sealing lips disposed for making angular contact with the shaft, while the auxiliary lip is also angularly disposed with respect to the shaft but in an axially opposite direction. In an alternate preferred form, an annular ring provides a reduction in volume of the relubrication chamber between the cage and shaft to enhance pressurization characteristics of the chamber.

Abstract: A rigid connector secured to the front end of the core of the flexible shaft of this invention has a front portion axially receivable in a noncircular well in a driving shaft of a driving device and has a radially projecting circumferential flange rearwardly adjacent to that portion. Secured to the front of its sheath is the rear one of two telescoped tubular parts, each of which has a counterbore that opens to the other and defines an internal annular shoulder. One tubular part is threaded into the counterbore in the other, and the flange is axially slidable in the counterbore in that one, between the shoulders. The front portion of the front tubular part is formed for detachable securement directly to a conventional fixed collar on the driving device.

Abstract: A shaft connecting device for the outboard drive of a marine engine consisting of a pair of shafts having a splined connection. A seal is fixed to one of these shafts for providing a seal to this shaft and has a portion sealingly engaged with the second shaft for protecting the splined connection from the ingress of foreign material.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly having a universal joint which includes a pair of joint yokes and a cross member with an input and an output shaft being connected, respectively, to each of the joint yokes is formed to include a sealing boot of resilient material which is connected at its ends to both the input and the output shafts on opposite sides of the universal joint to completely cover the joint. The sealing boot is particularly constructed to include internal formations intermediate the ends thereof which engage with the joint yokes of the universal joint to provide additional fixing support connecting the sealing boot in sealing engagement over the universal joint.

Abstract: A flexible and deformable transmission device for use in transmitting torsion. The device includes two sets of elements, each including a cardan joint. Each of the element sets is held within a bearing.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly for connecting a drive unit to a rotary tool is disclosed. The drive shaft assembly is especially well suited for use in combination with a rotary tool having an axis of rotation at an angle with respect to the axis of the drive unit. The rotary tool and drive unit are supported on an elongated tubular support housing having substantially straight end sections inclined with respect to each other and an intermediate section forming a curved transition from one straight end to the other. A continuous length of tubular liner received within the housing produces a cylindrical bearing surface through at least the curved transition section. The liner provides a yieldable bearing surface having a coefficient of friction substantially less than that of the housing surface. A flexible drive shaft extends through the liner and support housing and is received in rotary sockets coupled to the rotary tool and drive unit, respectively.

Abstract: A semi-rigid elastomeric cover for a roller chain coupling which comprises a generally cylindrical center portion having its radial interior contoured to relatively tightly fit the contour of the roller chain and two opposed axially extending flanges connected to the center portion each flange terminating in a circular beaded portion dimensioned for a compression fit with the hub of the coupling.

Abstract: A shielding bladder for the venting arrangement of a linear actuator having a housing, a reciprocable member disposed therein for linear reciprocable movement therethrough, and a venting arrangement in the housing for communicative flow of ambient air into and out of the housing during operation. The bladder is a sleeve sealably affixed exteriorly to the housing enclosing the venting arrangement and defining a chamber between the sleeve and housing that contains a volume of air for contractionally expelling the air into the housing in response to increases in its volumetric capacity resulting upon outward reciprocation of the reciprocating member and expansionally receiving air from the housing in response to decreases in its volumetric capacity upon inward reciprocation of the reciprocating member.

Abstract: A housing assembly is disclosed having coacting first and second cover members enclosing a universal joint which drivingly connects drive and driven shafts of a steering drive axle. Each cover member has an inner spherical portion and an outer end portion. The spherical portions overlie and fit within each other while the end portion of one cover member is fixed to a wheel spindle and the end portion of the other cover member is resiliently connected to an axle housing. The resilient connection permits the cover member to float relative to the axle housing during steering to accomodate for runout between the wheel spindle and axle housing axes thus overcoming any tendency for the cover members to bind or become wedged with respect to each other.

Abstract: A driven steering shaft assembly especially for a planetary steering shaft is formed with a universal joint interposed between an axle shaft extending from a differential and a steering shaft for driving a wheel hub or the inner central gear of a planetary set, with the universal joint coupling the axle shaft and the steering shaft together. The universal joint includes an outer joint member coupled with one of the shafts and an inner joint member coupled with the other shaft. A sealing boot is operatively coupled to seal the interior of the universal joint and the sealing boot is releasably attached with the outer joint member of the universal joint. A neck portion of the sealing boot engages the steering shaft in releasable connection therewith but axially slideably movable relative thereto.

Abstract: This invention is a heavy-duty flexible shaft that accommodates for misalignments between an input and output shaft. The flexible shaft is comprised of a multiplicity of hollow, individually fabricated, interfitting members housed in a tubular, bendable shaft. Each segment is intimately engaged, one within the other, yet the segments are so designed to allow for limited longitudinal movement while restricting circumferential movement between segments during torsional transmissions from the input to the output shafts.

Abstract: An elastomeric seal apparatus (16) having an inner annular terminating portion (36) which is attachable to a first (12) member, an outer annular terminating portion (38) which is attachable to a second (14) member, and an annular convoluted flexible portion (40) which is disposed between the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions and has an inner (46) and an outer (48) margin which are respectively joined thereto. The thickness of the convoluted flexible portion (40) decreases from the relatively thicker inner margin (46) to the relatively thinner outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial distance (H) extending from the inner margin (46) to the flexible portion (40). A concentrically inner convolution (42) and a concentrically outer convolution (44) constitute the flexible portion (40) and have a relatively small (R.sub.1) and a relatively large (R.sub.2) radius of curvature.

Abstract: A lawn trimmer has a tubular shaft assembly which structurally and drivingly connects an upper power head to a lower rotary tool head in a lawn-trimming tool. The assembly includes a bent portion to dispose its opposite ends at an angle to each other, and comprises an outer frame shaft of relatively large diameter and structural strength and an inner sheath tube of relatively smaller diameter formed of rigid but bendable tubing extending coaxially of the frame tube. The sheath tube is supported over the bent length of the assembly by a continuous semirigid bushing, and its lower end is held coaxial with the lower end of the frame tube by a substantially rigid bushing. The lower end of the frame tube, beyond such rigid bushing, is expanded to form a sleeve of enlarged diameter and predetermined length, and an arbor assembly is mounted in such sleeve and consists of a pair of ball bearings mounted by their inner races on the arbor and having their outer races supportingly received in the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved coupler cover is provided for preventing foreign matter from contaminating the end surface of a female coupler. This improved coupler cover comprises two diaphragms axially aligned adjacent to each other. Each diaphragm contains a multiplicity of slits which extend outward from the center of the diaphragm to form equal size pie-shaped sections. The multiple slits of the first diaphragm are also offset in position from the multiple slits of the second disphragm. The two diaphragms are secured in a retainer which holds both of the diaphragms relative to the end surface of the coupler.

Abstract: A resilient boot assembly (10) of the type for containing a steering shaft (22) therein includes a tubular body portion (12) having a passageway (14) extending therethrough and first and second end portions (16,18). One end of the boot is adapted to attach to a steering gear housing (20). The assembly (10) is a unitary tubular member and includes at least one end having a resilient portion (24) and stiffened portions (26,28) at each end of the resilient portion for providing the flexible resilient portion (24) to roll up upon the body portion (12) to a retracted position to expose the connection between the steering shaft (22) and steering gear assembly and rolling down to an extended position to contain and perfect a seal with the steering gear housing (20).