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.

Abstract: Dust boot assemblies for providing grease relief while preventing or minimizing infiltration of contaminants into a cavity in the dust boot and between the surfaces of a greased joint coupled to the dust boot. Some such dust boot assemblies include two-piece grease relief inserts having a body and a shield, wherein the body includes grease relief route(s) and the shield prevents or minimizes infiltration of contaminants into the grease relief route(s). Other dust boot assemblies include one-piece grease relief inserts with integral body and shield components. Some grease relief routes include axial and radial channels. Grease relief inserts are inserted under an edge of a dust boot. A dust boot skirt covers grease relief ports through which excess grease is relieved to the external environment. The grease relief insert is located to in a portion of the dust boot experiencing limited or zero movement.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a gas delivery mask is provided. The system may include a first housing portion, a first rim flexibly coupled to the first housing portion by a flexible member, a second housing portion coupled to the first housing portion, a second rim associated with the second housing portion, and a ball rotatably disposed between the first and second rims and having a gas passageway extending therethrough. The ball may be maintained in contact with both the first and second rims by a resiliency of the flexible member.

Abstract: A firewall sealing assembly is provided for use between a firewall and a penetrating member. The assembly comprises a flexible coupling and a secondary seal. The flexible coupling is configured to provide a primary seal between the firewall and the penetrating member. The secondary seal is configured to provide a secondary seal between the firewall and the penetrating member. The secondary seal is positioned spaced apart from the flexible coupling to define a seal cavity there between.

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.

Abstract: A dust boot with enhanced protection from contaminants and improved lubrication characteristic includes a dust boot body having a housing opening on one end and on an opposing end a stud opening in an upper boot wall. The boot also includes a wiping lip located on an inner face of the upper boot wall in the stud opening, a grease channel on an outer surface of the upper boot wall bounded circumferentially by a rim seal, an offset opening hole through the upper boot wall into the grease channel which is offset from the wiping lip, and a flexible flap portion of said rim seal which is spaced away from said offset opening hole. The dust boot may also include an insert made from a plastic such as nylon housed in the upper boot wall such that the offset opening hole extends through the insert. The insert may also form a portion of the grease channel. The offset opening is preferably spaced opposite the flexible flap to promote the flow of grease around the outer surface of the stud.

Abstract: A joint enclosure apparatus includes a dust boot having an opening and a rim located adjacent to the opening, a flexible flap formed as a portion of the rim, and at least one grease relief passage located on an outer surface of the dust boot adjacent to the flexible flap. The dust boot is useful for use in a ball joint assembly which includes a ball stud having a shank portion and a ball portion; a housing adapted to receive the ball portion in articulatable engagement in a ball stud exit end; a dust boot having a shank opening in sealing engagement with the shank portion and a housing opening in sealing engagement with the housing at the ball stud exit end and a rim adjacent to the shank opening; a flexible flap formed as a portion of the rim; and at least one grease relief passage located on an outer surface of the dust boot adjacent to the flexible flap. The grease relief passage may comprise a rib or a recessed channel.

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.

Abstract: Sealing for ball-and-socket joints, where ball-and-socket joint is defined as the joint between a swivel sphere and a fixed part, and said fixed part is anchored to a structure on which the ball-and-socket joint is mounted. The sealing comprises a frame arranged around the circumference where the swivel sphere is joined to the fixed part, and a brush. The brush is made up of a set of threads or hair of a material that is natural or synthetic, and flexible. And frame and brush are stuck to the fixed part by means of an adhesive of the type that cures with the local application of heat.

Abstract: A sealed spherical bearing having a bearing housing (1), a ball (2) located therein and a ring-like seal (4) having an inner edge (6) and an outer edge (5) located between the bearing housing (1) and the ball (2), one of the edges (5, 6) having a head (7) and a skirt (12) depending therefrom, the head (7) lying in an annular groove (8) formed in one of the ball (2) or the housing (1) and the skirt (12) lying on a lip (9) upstanding from the groove (8) to define at least two sealing lines between the seal (4) and the one of the ball (2) or the housing (1), the other edge of the seal being fixedly mounted to the other of the ball (2) or the housing (1).

Abstract: In order to protect a hinge, an elastomer confinement structure is provided presenting: upstream and downstream openings; a static cap; an upstream collar; and a hinge bellows. Each opening has a ring for rigidly anchoring to a downstream member of the hinge, and each opening has a ring acting as a rigid receiver. The collar is movable and releasably secured by resilient fastening inspection means.

Abstract: A fastening member is integrated with a boot body, at least one of a fastening leading end portion or a fastening tail end portion expands or reduces the diameter by elastic deformation, and when the fastening leading end portion or the fastening tail end portion expands the diameter, the fastening member forms the shape of a trumpet. Since the fastening member is integrated with the boot body, a cylindrical small-diameter portion can be readily built in the other part.

Abstract: A flexible boot for a constant velocity universal joint (CVJ) includes a smaller-diameter mounting portion provided at one end, a larger-diameter mounting portion provided at the other end, and a bellows portion provided between both of the mounting portions. The larger-diameter mounting portion and the bellows portion are connected to each other by a straight portion, and the smaller-diameter mounting portion and the bellows portion are connected to each other by a straight portion. An axial distance of each of the straight portions is equal to or larger than 20% of an entire axial distance from a boundary between the larger-diameter mounting portion and the adjacent straight portion to a boundary between the smaller-diameter mounting portion and the adjacent straight portion, and an axial distance of the bellows portion is in a range of 20% to 60% of the entire axial distance, so that the bellows portion is located substantially centrally in an axial direction between both of the straight portions.

Abstract: A column hole cover is interposed between a circumferential portion of an aperture of a column hole of an instrument panel and a steering gear box capable of being displaced in a predetermined direction. The column hole cover includes a cylindrical main body extended in the predetermined direction. The main body includes a first annular end portion directly or indirectly fixed to the steering gear box, and a second annular end portion. The second end portion is provided with an annular seal. An intermediate portion between the first and second end portions is provided with a expandable/contractible portion capable of being elastically expanded or contracted in the predetermined direction. Irrespective of the displacement of the steering gear box, the annular seal is maintained in an elastic pressure contact against the circumferential portion of the aperture of the instrument panel by a reaction force of the compressed expandable/contractible portion.

Abstract: A steering shaft boot of a molded elastic material comprises an inner boot portion including a first cylindrical portion that is adapted to cover a steering shaft, a first flange portion that extend radially outward from one axial end of the first cylindrical portion and is adapted to be secured to a panel member and a first upper wall portion that extends radially inward from the other axial end of the first cylindrical portion and is adapted to be put on an outer surface of the steering shaft; and an outer boot portion including a second cylindrical portion that covers the first cylindrical portion while keeping a certain clearance therebetween, a second flange portion that extends radially outward from one axis end of the second cylindrical portion and is adapted to be secured to the panel member and a second upper wall that extends radially inward from the other axial end of the second cylindrical portion to the other axial end of the first cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A convoluted boot for constant velocity joints and a constant velocity joint lubricant for use in such a convoluted boot. An additive which is added to the constant velocity joint lubricant and/or to the convoluted boot material is provided. The additive comprises amide waxes and also may include hydrocarbon oils. Use is made, in particular, of monoamides and/or diamides of carboxylic acids with 8 to 50 carbon atoms to form, by diffusion, a lubricating film on the surface of a convoluted boot. Furthermore, oleic acid amide and/or ethylenediamine distearate result in a particularly early formation of a lubricating film on the outer boot surface and thus to a long-term prevention of noise.

Abstract: A recessed luminaire having a moisture barrier is disclosed. The recessed luminiare has a socket cup which receives a removable and deformable moisture barrier gasket, the moisture barrier gasket forming a seal along an inner diameter of an aperture which receives a lamp. The recessed luminaire has a moisture barrier which isolates the electronic compartment area of the socket cup of a luminaire and prevents moisture access therein.

Abstract: In a joint boot to be mounted on an outer housing having a non-circular outer contour, intended to axial positioning without impairing the mountability to the outer housing. The joint boot (10) comprises a boot body (18) including a large-diameter attachment part (12), a small-diameter attachment part (14) and a bellows part (16), and a bushing (20) interposed between the outer housing and the large-diameter attachment part. The bushing assumes on its outer peripheral surface a circular form in cross-section and is provided, on its inner peripheral part to be externally fitted and fixed to the outer housing, with plural lobe portions (26) in a circumferentially distributed manner. On the inner peripheral surface of the bushing, protrusions (56) mating with circumferentially extending grooves (54) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer casing are provided in a position deviating from an external fitting area (Q) by the large-diameter attachment part in the axial direction of the bushing.

Abstract: A boot is made of a resin for covering a ball joint interposed between a larger diameter mating member and a small diameter mating member, including a large diameter attachment portion fixed to the large diameter mating member, a first bellows portion continuous to the large diameter attachment portion, a second bellows portion which is continuous to the first bellows portion and in which at least a bottom inner peripheral diameter thereof is not larger than that of the first bellows portion and a rigidity in a radial direction thereof is lower than that of the first bellows portion, a taper bellows portion continuous to the second bellows portion, and a small diameter attachment portion continuous to the taper bellows portion and fixed to the small diameter mating member.

Abstract: A boot includes a major-diameter fastener, a first bellows, a second bellows, a minor-diameter-side bellows, and a minor-diameter fastener. The major-diameter fastener is to be fastened to a mating major-diameter member. The first bellows is disposed continuously from the major-diameter fastener. The second bellows is disposed continuously from the first bellows. The minor-diameter-side bellows is disposed continuously from the second bellows. The minor-diameter fastener is disposed continuously from the minor-diameter-side bellows, and is to be fastened to a mating minor-diameter member. The first bellows exhibits an averaged first axial rigidity. The second bellows exhibits an averaged second axial rigidity. The minor-diameter-side bellows exhibits an averaged third axial rigidity. The averaged first axial rigidity and the averaged third axial rigidity are lower than the averaged second axial rigidity.

Abstract: A ball socket ring seal for use with a ball joint assembly eliminates the need for a boot or bellows to protect the ball joint against the environment. The ball socket ring seal of the invention is positioned between the ball and the socket at the point of contact between the ball and socket. The ball socket ring seal not only provides a seal against the environment, it further functions as a wiper for the ball during articulation of the ball stud. The ball socket ring seal of the present invention reduces the weight and complexity of the ball joint assembly through the elimination of several parts, including the known boots or bellows, retainer rings, bands and clips.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint (1) is provided, for example, for a chassis bearing, with a ball (2), a pivot (3) originating from the ball (2), a housing (4) accommodating the ball, and a sealing bellows (5), which extends between the housing (4) and the pivot (3) and has a housing-side opening (6) and a pivot-side opening (7). The sealing bellows (5) has a circumferential sealing lip (8) for sealing at the pivot-side opening (7). The ball and socket joint (1) has a first guide ring (9), which guides the sealing bellows (5). The first guide ring (9) is arranged at the pivot (3). An especially favorable functional separation is achieved as a result between the guiding function and the sealing function.

Abstract: A boot for a joint is provided having an aperture and at least one protrusion and at least one indentation disposed about an inside diameter of the aperture.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint bellows seal is provided with a ball pivot pin with a connection piece, a bellows with an annular engagement surface with a sliding ring groove and a bellows seal element. The bellows seal element has a connection piece sealing face statically engaged with said connection piece, a radially extending sealing portion and a sliding ring portion connected to said radially extending sealing portion and extending into the sliding ring groove.

Abstract: A process for forming the ball and socket joint with bellows seal (10), a bellows seal (10) and a ball and socket joint with bellows seal (10) is provided including a ball pivot pin (36, 38) with a connection piece (40). The sealing bellows is provided with an annular engagement surface (16) with a cavity (20). The connection piece with a sealing face is connected to the ball pivot pin. Lubricant (22) is disposed in the cavity prior to assembly of the ball and socket joint. The annular engagement surface (16) is provided in contact with the sealing face upon assembly to cause an amount of lubricant (22) to be squeezed out of the cavity (20).

Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly having a cylindrical sealing cap (1) housing (6, 6A) connected to the external case (4) of the joint assembly. The housing (6, 6A) may be comprised of plastic, aluminum, rubber, or other malleable material. The housing (6, 6A) has a ring shape, with a groove molded into the housing's external surface for receiving the larger diameter end of a sealing cap (1), the smaller diameter end of the sealing cap (1) is directly attached to the shaft of the ball and socket joint's spherical pin (2). The preferred embodiment of the housing (6) has a general “L” shape, and an alternative embodiment (6A) has a more linear shape. The sealing cap (1) ensures that the ball and socket are not contaminated during operation of the joint assembly. The ball and socket joint of the invention is primarily designed for motor vehicle applications, specifically, in automotive steering and suspension systems.

Abstract: A boot with O-ring seal for sealing around an article such as a universal joint housing includes a boot having a hollow body adapted to tightly receive the article. An O-ring extends lengthwise within an internal annular groove in the body. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has a radial dimension which is greater than the depth of the groove so that when the article is received in the body the O-ring is deformed and makes sealing contact with the article. The O-ring, in its natural free state condition, has an axial dimension which is less than the width of the groove by an amount such that when the article is received in the body and the O-ring makes sealing contact with the article, the O-ring is deformed into the space between the side walls of the groove.

Abstract: A joint (1) with a joint housing (2) and with a joint shell (3) is arranged therein with a ball (4) having a pivot pin (5) protruding from the joint housing (2) and surrounded by a rubber bellows (6) with a protective cap (7). A ring (8) for holding the protective cap (7) is connected to the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The edge area (6a) concentrically surrounds the pivot pin (5). The ring (8) has a circular bead (8b, 8c) on its annular outer side (8a) and is vulcanized into the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The protective cap (7) is provided on its inner side (7a) with a plurality of projections (9), which can be bent from the outside through openings (10) in the protective cap (7) by means of a tool (11) radially (arrow 12) in relation to the pivot pin (5) against the bead (8b, 8c) of the ring (8) in a non-positive and positive locking manner.

Abstract: A method of installing a gaiter (10) around a joint defined between joint members of joints of vehicles, such as steering joints and constant velocity joints. The method provides a range of gaiters for use with a range of joints of different dimensions, the range of joints being greater than the range of gaiters and at least some of the gaiters (10) in the said gaiter range being stretchable to fit two or more joints of the said joint range so the said joint range can be accommodated by the range of gaiters wherein a gaiter is selected from the gaiter range to fit a particular joint.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: A compartment seal is disposed about an automotive tube or hose at the automotive firewall to prevent leakage of smoke and fumes generally from an engine compartment to an occupant compartment. The compartment seal comprises a rigid washer body member having a plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged around an opening therethrough. The plurality of apertures is receptive to fasteners for attachment of the body member to the automotive firewall to provide a seal between the engine compartment and the occupant compartment. The tube or hose passes through the opening in the body member. The body member includes a seal component within the opening configured to form a seal between a periphery of the tubular structure and the seal component. The seal component is disposed within the opening of the body member.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket and a stud having a ball end portion received in the socket and a shank projecting from the socket. An annular seal has an intermediate portion extending between first and second end portions. The second end portion of the seal has an engagement portion in sealing engagement with the shank portion of the stud. A spring is molded in the second end portion of the seal and extends for 360 degrees around the circumference of the shank portion at a location radially outward of the engagement portion. The spring has a circular array of spring fingers that extend radially inward from a main body portion and exert a radially inward directed force on the engagement portion to maintain it in sealing engagement with the shank portion.

Abstract: An overmolded diaphragm pump for applying pumping force to a fluid such as liquid ink for ink-jet printing. The pump structure includes a rigid substrate having at least one chamber opening, and an elastomeric diaphragm and sealing structure fabricated of an elastomeric material. This diaphragm and sealing structure is overmolded over a portion of the rigid substrate and includes at least one diaphragm portion extending over a corresponding chamber opening. A gland seal portion makes a seal between the elastomeric diaphragm and sealing structure and a mating part.

Abstract: A convoluted boot for sealing an annular chamber filled with a lubricant between an outer joint part of a universal joint and a shaft connected to an inner joint part of a universal joint. The convoluted boot includes a first collar (2) to be fixed to the shaft, a second collar (3) to be fixed to an outer part of a universal joint as well as a boot portion (4) with a plurality of annular folds, which boot portion connects the two collars. Each of the annular folds (5) has a first annular flank facing the first collar (2) and a second annular flank facing the second collar (3), wherein the surface of at least one of the two annular flanks of at least one of the annular folds (5) comprises a plurality of raised portions which project from a uniform annular face or a plurality of recesses.

Abstract: A sealing bellows is provided having a jacket (1b) arranged between first and second edges (1a, 1c) of the sealing bellows. The edges (1a, 1c) of the sealing bellows are sealingly in contact with components in the assembled state of the sealing bellows (1). At least a first edge (1a) of the sealing bellows has radially inwardly pointing teeth (3a), which engage a contour of a component or a housing (2) of a ball and socket joint to form a snap connection.

Abstract: A boot for a universal joint is constructed by a boot body and a boot adapter. The one end of the boot is fitted on a propeller inner shaft via its one-end fitting portion and the other end of the boot is fitted on the outer race of the universal joint via its other-end fitting portion, thereby substantially covering the universal joint. The foregoing one-end fitting portion has an annular lip portion at its end portion. Passages for flowing air are formed on the one-end fitting portion and its annular lip portion, respectively. The passages communicate with each other through an annular partial passage between both passages. The existence of the annular partial passage increases the flowing resistance of air between the inside and the outside of the boot to reduce the pressure fluctuation in the boot and to improve the effectiveness in preventing splashed water or muddy water from intruding into the boot along with the suction of air.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a retaining ring fitted to a shank of a ball stud, and a boot having first and second annular beads fitted to the retaining ring and a ball socket. The first mounting bead is formed with an end face seal portion and an inner periphery seal portion, which are adapted to come into close contact with a cylindrical portion and a large flange of the retaining ring, respectively. In such a ball joint, a clearance is provided between the first mounting bead and the small flange for permitting the movement of the first mounting bead toward the small flange. Thus, even when the ball stud and the ball socket are swung relative to each other in a state in which the boot has been hardened due to the freezing of snow deposited to the boot and the like, the generation of an excessive stress in the mounting bead of the boot can be avoided.

Abstract: A gasket and heat shield for sealing and insulating a flanged joint has a first body portion, which contains a gasket member and a second body portion disposed at an angle relative to the first body portion. The first body portion incorporates two openings to accommodate the fasteners, which will be utilized to secure members of a flanged joint together with the first body portion secured therebetween.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for use at a building penetration to seal against airflow and the spread of fire includes a gasket (5) and a retaining plate (6). The gasket seals with a sealing contact against both the penetrating member (3) and the wall surfaces (4) adjacent to the penetration (2). The gasket is resiliently flexible and is positioned in a compressed state to ensure that a seal will be maintained, notwithstanding shifting of the penetrating member with respect to the penetration by frictional slippage between the seal and the adjacent wall surfaces. The compressed state of the gasket is maintained by the retaining plate, which is fastened to the penetrating member.

Abstract: A boot for a constant velocity universal joint includes a minor-diameter cylindrical member, a major-diameter cylindrical member, and a bellows member. At least the bellows member is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer exhibiting a kinetic friction coefficient of less than 0.6 when water intervenes in-between, and including crests. In the cross section of the bellows member involving the central axis, the peaks of the crests, excepting the crest neighboring the major-diameter cylindrical member as well as the crest neighboring the minor-diameter cylindrical member, are disposed on an inner diametric side with respect to a line connecting the peak of the crest neighboring the major-diameter cylindrical member with the peak of the crest neighboring the minor-diameter cylindrical member. Not only it is possible to downsize the boot, but also it is possible to inhibit abnormal noises from generating when water intervenes in-between.

Abstract: A boot for a universal joint is constructed by a boot body and a boot adapter. The one end of the boot is fitted on a propeller inner shaft via its one-end fitting portion and the other end of the boot is fitted on the outer race of the universal joint via its other-end fitting portion, thereby substantially covering the universal joint. The foregoing one-end fitting portion has an annular lip portion at its end portion. Passages for flowing air are formed on the one-end fitting portion and its annular lip portion, respectively. The passages communicate with each other through an annular partial passage between both passages. The existence of the annular partial passage increases the flowing resistance of air between the inside and the outside of the boot to reduce the pressure fluctuation in the boot and to improve the effectiveness in preventing splashed water or muddy water from intruding into the boot along with the suction of air.

Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.

Abstract: This invention refers to a sealing cap for a ball joint assembly comprising a ball rod having a ball member at its one end and an elongated shank member at its other end, a casing housing the ball member, and a sealing cap having a first end secured to the casing and a second end mounted about the shank member. The shank member is provided with an annular sealing seat receiving the second end of the sealing cap. The second end of the sealing cap is provided with a sealing bulge and a flexible sealing lip extending from said sealing edge, so that when the second end of the sealing cap is mounted over said sealing seat of said shank member, the sealing lip deforms and bends over towards the sealing edge, thus forming an enclosed channel therebetween.

Abstract: An improved dust boot accommodates a ball and socket joint subject to high articulation under harsh environmental conditions of moisture and corrosive contaminants. The improved boot is capable of accommodating articulation of an associated ball stud up to 60 degrees from the rotational center of the joint, as well as twisting motions of the stud of at least 45 degrees. The dust boot includes multiple undulations that feature a series of convolutions or deep folds. In one example, the boot contains at least one undulation that includes two pairs of radially extending ribs so as to present a fully convoluted bulbous loop, complete with reverse bends to maximize amount of material available for stretching when the stud is articulated to high angles. The bulbous loop not only provides for up to 60 degrees of stud articulation but also provides at least 45 degrees of twisting motion without potential deleterious effects.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a tie rod (151) for a vehicle steering system. The tie rod (151) has an axis (159), a first cylindrical portion (251) with a first outer surface (261) of a first diameter (271), and a second cylindrical portion (252) coaxial with the first cylindrical portion (251). The second cylindrical portion (252) has a second outer surface (262) of a second diameter (272) smaller than the first diameter (271). The tie rod (151) has a ring portion (281) projecting radially from the second outer surface (262) of the second cylindrical portion (252). The ring portion (281) has a third outer surface (362) extending axially along the second cylindrical portion (252). A boot seal (32) encircles the second cylindrical portion (252). The boot seal (32) has a sealing surface (325) in sealing contact with the third outer surface (362) of the ring portion (281). The sealing surface (325) defines a groove (327) in the boot seal (32). The ring portion (281) is located in the groove (327).

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved dust cover a ball and socket joint. The dust cover includes an elongated sleeved body portion and a hinged portion. The sleeved body portion is constructed of a flexible, elastomeric material and is sized such that the sleeved body portion must be stretched over a joint housing to frictionally engage an exterior side wall of the joint housing without requiring any additional fasteners. The hinged portion includes a sealing lip that seals around a shank of a ball stud and a plurality of hinges that provide additional surface material for the dust cover for increased flexibility. The dust cover includes at least three hinges, a first upper hinge, a second upper hinge and a lower hinge positioned therebetween. The first upper hinge is offset from the second upper hinge such that the first upper hinge is positioned higher than the second upper hinge.

Abstract: A ball joint for different applications in special car suspension is disclosed. The ball joint includes a pin (1) with a first end for fixing in a counterpart, and a second spherical end (2),that is encased in a bearing (3) of consequently spherical internal profile, that by its turn is mounted in the internal area of a housing (4), whose external area is intended for fixing in a second counterpart. The housing (4) is closed over a retaining ring (5), that by its turn presses the bearing (3) and the pin (1), in such a way as to prevent axial or radial moving between the parts, including the dismounting of the assembly, but allowing rotational and oscillatory movements required for the operation of the assembly. Further, the retaining ring (5) supports the external (6) and the internal (7) sealings, preferably vulcanized, both of the area between the retaining ring (5) and the housing (4) and of the area between the retaining ring (5) and the pin (1).

Abstract: A ball joint (10) for interconnecting first and second vehicle portions (12, 14) for relative movement comprises a socket (30) for connection with the first vehicle portion and a ball stud (40) for connection with the second vehicle portion. The ball stud (40) has a ball end portion (42) received in the socket (30) to support the ball stud for movement relative to the socket. The ball stud (40) also has a shank portion (50) centered on an axis (56) and projecting from the socket (30). The ball joint (10) includes an annular seal (70) having a first end portion (72) connected with the socket (30) and a second end portion (74) connected with the shank portion (50) of the ball stud (40) to seal between the socket and the ball stud. The seal (70) includes a first seal member (80) and a second seal member (90). The first seal member (80) extends between and interconnects the first and second end portions (72, 74) and is made from a first elastomeric material.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint boot includes a bellowed portion and the first crest portion of the bellowed portion is formed to have the same outer diameter as the first cylindrical portion, and the length of the membrane extending from the first crest portion through the second root portion to the second crest portion is set to be almost the same as that extending from the second crest portion through the third root portion to the third crest portion, and the depth of the second root portion h and the depth of the third root portion H satisfy a relational expression H/1.3≦h≦H/1.1.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus 20 is provided with an annular elastic member 21 and a reinforcing member 23 to which the elastic member 21 is securely fixed, and is attached to an annular stepped portion 12b of a cylindrical member 12. The elastic member 21 has a sealing portion coming into contact with the inner surface of the stepped portion 12b of the cylindrical member 12 and the inner periphery surface of a large cylinder portion 12c in an airtight manner. Further, the sealing apparatus 20 has a holding portion including a cylinder portion 24 press-inserted into the inner periphery of the small cylinder portion 12a of the cylindrical member 12; and an elastic outer cylinder portion 25.