Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gowling Lafleur Henderson Strathy
  • Patent number: 6220969
    Abstract: A universal joint such as a constant velocity (CV) joint in a drive assembly of a front wheel drive vehicle can require a boot to seal the joint from environmental contaminants found on a highway or other vehicle driving surface. Typically, such boots are attached using a clamp, however it has been found that the crimps extending from the clamp can interfere with a vehicle's ABS sensor. The present invention provides a clampless means of attaching the boot to the CV joint, by providing a continuous rib projecting from inner surface of an end of the boot, and a coincident groove on the end of the universal joint, wherein the rib has a means for cooperating with the groove to retain said rib within the groove. It is contemplated that the present invention can be used on other types of universal joint and boot assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: St. Louis Stamping Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Lilley