Abstract: A tie rod boot includes a minimally thick accordion shaped bellows section. One terminal end of the boot is secured to a steering mechanism and the other is secured to a tie rod. Protuberances are provided and are strategically located on the bellows walls for resisting impacts from rocks and other debris and minimizing holes through the tie rod. When the bellows is retracted and pairs of opposing bellows walls collapse towards each other, the protuberances of adjacent opposing walls nest with each other and contact the opposing wall. The protuberances can be step shaped rings or a ring of discrete protuberances which are step shaped or both. The step shaped protuberances are defined by a riser surface extending along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boot and a tread annular surface which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tie rod boot includes a minimally thick accordion shaped bellows section. One terminal end of the boot is secured to a steering mechanism and the other is secured to a tie rod. Protuberances are provided and are strategically located on the bellows walls for resisting impacts from rocks and other debris and minimizing holes through the tie rod. When the bellows is retracted and pairs of opposing bellows walls collapse towards each other, the protuberances of adjacent opposing walls nest with each other and contact the opposing wall. The protuberances can be step shaped rings or a ring of discrete protuberances which are step shaped or both. The step shaped protuberances are defined by a riser surface extending along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boot and a tread annular surface which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A plurality of self-contained feline litter boxes is housed in stacked relation within a container having peripheral upright walls. Each litter box includes a removable top cover which, when withdrawn, exposes the contained litter material. As each litter box becomes soiled, the box is removed from the container and disposed of. The cover of the subjacent box is then removed, making fresh litter material available. The upstanding walls prevent any litter material from being scattered outside the container by the feline user.