Abstract: A protective bellows (24) covers over the end of, and protects the mechanism within, the casing (6) of a universal or articulated joint (5). The universal joint (5) is of normal construction, its casing (6) being drivingly connected to an output shaft (10) by ball or rollers (14) mounted in grooves (16) on an inner element (12) fixed to the output shaft (10) and in grooves (18) on the inner face of the casing (6). The balls or rollers (14) permit the desired angular movement of the axis of the output shaft (10) relative to the axis of the casing (6). In addition, a certain amount of axial movement (L) is permitted. In order to resist any tendency of this axial movement to dislodge the balls or rollers (14) from the casing (6), a rigid zone (40) is integrally molded onto the inside of the bellows (24) adjacent its large diameter end. This rigid zone (40) extends in a radial direction part way across the open end of the casing (6) to resist dislodgement of the balls or rollers (14).

Abstract: A clamping ring, for clamping an end collar of a protective bellows to one end of a universal joint in a vehicle transmission, is made of resilient material having two overlapping end portions. One end portion has a tongue extending through a slot defined in the other end portion. In its relaxed state, the material of the ring holds the tongue in an initial position in the slot. When the ring is placed over the end collar of the bellows, the ring expands slightly to permit this, the tongue moving towards a "high" stop at one end of the slot. The ring then resiles slightly so as to hold itself on the bellows. When the bellows, with the ring in position, is placed over the end of the universal joint, the ring once more expands slightly to permit this. The ring is then tightened by moving the end portion until a hook engages a shoulder on the other end portion, the tongue moving towards a "low" stop at the other end of the slot.

Abstract: A protective bellows protects a universal joint driven by a shaft, such as forming part of the front wheel drive mechanism of a motor vehicle. The bellows has a collar with an interior annular rib which, on completion of the fitting process, locates in an annular groove in the shaft. During the fitting process, a tube is forced between the interior peripheral surface of the collar and the outer surface of the shaft, via a channel in the rib and a channel in the material of the inner end of the collar which grips the surface of the shaft. Grease is pumped into the interior of the bellows through this tube. Further channels extend through the rib and the adjacent material of the collar, and allow excess air Pressure to be vented to atmosphere during and after the grease-filling operation.