Abstract: A ball joint having a ball stud provided with an integral spherical portion at one end thereof. A unitary molded synthetic resin body forms a molded holder having a concavity in which the spherical ball portion is tightly held disposed rotatable omnidirectionally and tiltable therein. The concavity has an opening of a lesser diameter than a maximum diameter of the concavity so that the spherical portion of the ball stud can be pressure-fitted into the concavity with the ball stud extending axially laterally of the molded holder. A link rod having a circular annular end held by the molded holder extends laterally of the holder defining in assembly with the ball stud a ball joint. The annular end is embedded in the synthetic resin of the molded holder and has an internal diameter substantially coaxial with the ball stud and greater than the diameter of ball stud spherical portion so that the synthetic resin concavity and the spherical ball portion have opposed smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A ball joint (10) for interconnection between relatively movable parts (12, 14/16) includes a ball stud (70) having a central ball portion (24) and a pair of stud portions (40, 42) extending in diametrically opposite directions from the central ball portion. The stud portions (40, 42) and the central ball portion (24) have a central passage (54) extending axially through the stud portions and the central ball portion. A fastener (260) extends through the central passage (54) for attaching the ball stud (20) to the movable parts (12, 14/16). A housing (60) encloses the central ball portion (24) and has opposite openings (74, 88) through which the respective stud portions (40, 42) extend. First and second bearings (100 and 130) for the central ball portion (24) support the central ball portion in the housing (60) for movement relative to the housing. First and second seals (170 and 200) close the opposite openings (74, 88) in the housing (60).

Abstract: A ball joint with a ball (1a) that is arranged on a gudgeon (1) and situated in a ball socket in a rotatable and tiltable fashion. The ball socket consists of plastic and is closed on one side. The ball socket is arranged in a housing (3). The ball socket is sealed at its opening, which faces the gudgeon (1), by a sealing bellows (4) arranged between the housing (3) and the gudgeon (1). An edge (4a) of the sealing bellows (4) on the side of the ball is clamped in the axial direction between the housing (3) and an extension (2a) of the ball socket (2) on the side of the gudgeon.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly is disclosed which comprises a generally cylindrical housing having a recess at one end thereof with a circumferential lip, a ball element disposed in the housing, and a joint pin connected to the ball element and extending from the housing. The assembly further includes a polymeric bearing disposed over the ball element in the housing and a cover plate for sealing the ball element and bearing in the housing and preventing contaminants from entering the housing.

Abstract: A ball joint link includes a ball stud having a stud and a ball, a cap mounted on the ball, and a rod. The ball defines a raised annular stem which fits inside a tubular portion of the rod such that the ball stud, the cap and the rod form a self-supporting sub-assembly. This sub-assembly is then placed within a mold, and a molded body is formed around the sub-assembly. A strengthening element can be disposed in the molded body around the ball stud to increase pull out resistance.

Abstract: An improved joint assembly includes a housing (12) and movable member (24) having a ball end portion (26) which is disposed in the housing. An annular seal (42) is disposed between an inner side surface (16) of the housing (12) and the ball end portion (26) of the movable member (24). The annular seal (42) has bilateral symmetry about a central plane (46) extending perpendicular to a central axis (38) of the annular seal to enable the annular seal to be positioned in the housing (12) with either one of two sides (50 or 52) of the annular seal (42) facing the ball end portion (26) of the movable member (24). The seal (42) includes an annular metal reinforcing ring (72) and an annular body (74) of polymeric material which encloses the metal reinforcing ring.

Abstract: An annular constant radial load ring is adapted to be received in an end portion of a dust boot for use with a ball and socket assembly. The ring includes an annular central body with a plurality of generally Y-shaped fingers circumferentially spaced about an inner periphery of the central body. The fingers are biased radially outwardly to promote sealing engagement between the dust boot and its mating component.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) having a socket chamber (14) in which a ball end portion (18) of a movable stud member (16) is disposed. A shank portion (22) of the movable stud member (16) extends from the housing (12). An improved boot seal assembly (40) includes a flexible seal wall (48) having an inner end portion (50) which engages the housing (12) and an outer end portion (54) which engages the shank portion (22) of the stud member (16). The seal wall (48) cooperates with the housing (12) and the stud member (16) to form a chamber (42) in which lubricant (44) is disposed. A vent opening (70) is provided in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48). A retainer ring (62) blocks the vent opening (70) in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48) when the lubricant pressure in the chamber (42) is less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A protective cover 12 for a threaded stud 26 of a ball joint 10 includes retaining members 90 for engaging the stud 26 of the ball joint 10. The retaining members 90 apply a retaining force to the stud 26 to prevent removal of the cover 12 from the ball joint 10. A wall 72 of the cover 12 includes a weakened portion 96. The weakened portion 96 of the wall 72 breaks in response to shear forces applied to the cover 12 which lessens the force applied by the retaining members 90 to the stud 26. Therefore, the cover 12 can be easily removed from the ball joint 10.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud and bearing sub-assembly that is economical to manufacture, strong, durable and long-lasting. The bearing is molded directly on the ball surface of the ball, thereby eliminating the need for precise tolerances in machining the ball. Microcavities formed on the ball surface facilitate the introduction of lubricant between the ball and the bearing. A two-piece stud and collar nut adds ease of manufacture.

Abstract: In a ball joint, a ball seat member is fitted into a housing, a ball stud having a spherical head is rotatably received in a cavity of the ball seat member, and a dust cover extends between a stem portion of the ball stud and a peripheral part of the open end of the housing, the end of the dust cover associated with the housing is held between an external flange provided in the ball seat member and the annular end surface of the open end of the housing. Because the end of the dust cover is firmly clamped and pressed over its entire circumference between the annular end surface and the external flange, a reliable clamping action can be produced. Because the securing process can be accomplished at the same time as the process of fitting the ball seat member into the housing without in any way complicating the assembling process, the material and fabrication costs can be reduced, and an economical ball joint can be provided.

Abstract: A boot assembly used with a Joint assembly has an elastomeric boot and an annularly shaped retainer ring. The elastomeric boot is approximately cup shaped and has an axis with a cavity therealong. A substantially coaxial first aperture at a base portion of the boot opens to the cavity. The retainer ring is substantially concentric with the first aperture of the boot and is secured to the boot at the base portion. The retainer ring has a plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers. Each finger has a finger aperture therethrough reducing a bending strength of the finger in response to an axial force thereagainst.

Abstract: An improved ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) which defines a socket chamber (18) having an opening (32). A ball stud (24) has a ball portion which is disposed in the socket chamber and a shank portion (30) which projects through the opening. A seal assembly (40) seals the opening (32) through which the ball stud (24) extends. The seal assembly (40) includes a flexible wall (42) which sealingly engages the shank portion (30) of the ball stud (24) and a retainer ring (50) which is connected with the flexible wall (42) and is disposed in engagement with a flange (16) on the housing (12). The retainer ring (50) extends outwardly of the flange (16) to enable a press-in-tool (66) to press against the retainer ring to press the housing (12) into an opening (68) in a receiving member (70).

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball stud having a ball end, a bearing into which the ball end is inserted, and a socket, the ball stud and bearing being fixedly connected to the socket by radial inward deformation of an upper end of the socket. The bearing is provided at its lower portion with a plurality of slits and a plurality of projections. The projections are pressed against the socket and deformed elastically and compressedly by the radial inward deformation of the socket.

Abstract: The snow discharge spout pipe from a snowblower is conventionally extended by spout extensions commanded by control rod linkages. The present ball and socket joints are used to interconnect each pair of successive link arms to one another, and some link arms to the snowblower casing. These joints are of the universal joint type, including a ball rotatable into a spherical socket. Each end of a link arm has such a joint. Each socket is composed of two ring members in mutual contact at their flat inner radial faces. These faces are precisely machined to obtain the desired clearance between the spherical surfaces of the ball and ring members. Each ball includes an axial bore, rotatably receiving a shoulder bolt. The bolt and ball have lubricating passages opening at the relatively movable bearing surfaces of the bolt, ball and ring members.

Abstract: A synthetic resin connecting rod is disclosed having a ball socket integrally formed with an opening on one side and a concave spherical surface extending from the opening at each end of the rod. In order to increase the strength, the connecting rod has a rib as a reinforcement on the connecting line between the centers of each spherical surface, the connecting line intersecting a transverse cross section of the rib. A ball joint using the preferred synthetic resin connecting rod is lighter than one using a metal rod and is strong enough to be used as a ball joint for a stabilizer in an automobile.

Abstract: A ball joint for chassis parts in motor vehicles is described, in which a hinge pin 1 with a spherical part 2 is mounted in a housing 3 by a bearing box 4. The hinge pin is led through an opening 6 out of the housing 3. The housing 3 is sealed by a lid 7, on the opposite side. In this case, the housing is placed in a rigid external bushing 10 with an elastomer sleeve 9 surrounding the housing. Radial surfaces on the housing 3, as well as on the external bushing 10, limit the axial movement of the housing 3 with respect to the external bushing. The radial surfaces of the housing 3 are formed by the two flat sides of a collecting plate 15, which can be firmly connected to the housing 3 first in the assembly of the joint. The collecting plate 15 engages with an axial moving space between arranged radial surfaces of the external bushing 10.

Abstract: A protective gaiter fits around a lubricated joint, such as a motor vehicle constant velocity joint. The gaiter has a tubular body (10) with a central flexible, folded part (18) and stepped end parts (11, 12) with channels (13, 14) for clamping devices. Folds (20, 21) are provided in the end parts (11, 12) between the channels (13, 14) so that the end parts (11, 12) as well as the central part (18) are flexible.

Abstract: To improve the corrosion protection at the connection site of the sealing cuff and the ball pivot, a ball joint with a sealing cuff (7), made of an elastically deformable material, is proposed, which is connected, with an edge profile (9), to a ball pivot (2) in a positive-locking manner in the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis of the ball pivot (2) and has an elasticity that compensates for the maximum rotary and swiveling movements of the ball pivot (2) relative to the housing (1).

Abstract: A tip member for an exposed pin end on a chain-type power transmission belt. The tip member has a body defining a first surface to be engaged with a cooperating pulley and a pin-receiving opening in the body defined by a surface of the body. The body surface has a concave portion for guiding pivoting of the pin bearing against the concave surface portion, a tapered inlet portion for guiding a pin end into an operative position within the pin-receiving opening, and a transition portion at least partially between the concave surface portion and tapered inlet portion.

Abstract: A synthetic with an opening at the top and a concave spherical surface extending from the opening, where a ball head of a ball stud is fixed, has a circular concave step on the outer surface of the housing surround the opening. A metal ring is fixed on the circular step so that the strength of the opening of the synthetic resin housing in a radial inward direction is greatly increased to resist the pull-out load on the ball stud. Warping of the opening is thereby prevented.

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 spherical rod end assembly includes a seal component in the form of a fastener or a washer, or a combination thereof. The seal component has a flexible, resilient skirt, affixed to a metal body, which skirt overlies and seals the cavity within which the ball of the assembly is seated, to exclude dirt and other foreign matter, and to enhance lubrication.

Abstract: A braided inner cable (10) for a mechanical control cable assembly (36) having a construction which provides for the use of fibers (14), (22) and (24) which are arranged in a three layer construction in which an inner longitudinal fiber core (12) is bound within a second braided fiber layer (16). A final pressure extruded outer jacket layer (30) surrounds the braided fiber layer (16), and permeates any spaces therebetween. The resulting inner control cable (10) is of a size and shape to fit standard commercially available outer cable housings (34). The inventive inner control cable (10) is intended to be used in applications such as for clutch cables on motorcycles and control cables on bicycles. Standard prior art ferrules (40), are installed on the inventive cable (10) by means of an epoxy adhesive (41).

Abstract: A bracket for fixing to a prescribed member a flexible tube, such as the protective boot installed in an automobile suspension device, includes a stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member. A spacer ring is fitted to the stationary ring and provided with resilient supporting arms, and a fastening ring is fitted to the spacer ring for fastening a terminal part of the flexible tube. Alternatively, the stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member is provided with the resilient supporting arms, and the fastening ring is fitted to the stationary ring for fastening the terminal part of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A ball joint or ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a ball unit terminating in a ball at one end and a socket unit terminating in a socket at one end, whereby the ball of the ball unit is movably received in the socket of the socket unit, so that the ball unit may move relative to the socket unit over a predetermined angle in all planes passing through a common center line defined by the socket. The ball unit includes a ball section, a cut-away section, a nut section and a threaded section in the order mentioned from top to bottom, and the ball section includes an extended portion which is formed by plastic deformation when the ball section is subjected to roll rolling and which partly extends into the space defined by the cut-away section to thereby provide an increased spherical contact surface which may be brought into sliding contact with a spherical surface of the socket.

Abstract: A protector for a ball joint comprising a body for protecting a dust cover mounted on the ball joint and means for securely mounting the body on the dust cover.

Abstract: To improve the corrosion protection at the connection site of the sealing cuff and the ball pivot, it is proposed, in a design in which the sealing cuff engages with an edge profile in a complementary profile of a retaining ring rigidly attached to the ball pivot, that at least the part (12) of the retaining ring (10) which is supported by the edge of the bearing lug (6) consists of a material whose value in the electrochemical series is lower than that of the material of the bearing lug (6) and of the ball pivot (2). By this construction the material of the retaining ring acts as an electrolytic sacrificial anode.

Abstract: A spherical rod end assembly includes sealing components, each having a flexible, resilient skirt, integrally formed on a metal body, which overlies and seals the cavity within which the ball of the assembly is seated, to exclude dirt and other foreign matter. The sealing component may take the form of fasteners or washers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A wiper pivot is provided with a pivot arm, a pivot shaft having a spherical convex part, and a pivot holder having a spherical concave part. The pivot shaft is supported rotatably by the pivot holder through the spherical connection, and an opening of the pivot holder is closed with a waterproof member made from elastic material. In this wiper pivot, it is possible to prevent the pivot shaft from rattling and prevent the pivot holder from the penetration of water.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket defining a chamber and having an opening therein. A ball stud has a ball portion in the chamber and a shank portion projecting through the opening. A bearing supports the ball portion in the chamber. A seal member seals the opening between the socket and the ball stud. The seal member includes a shank seal portion for sealing against the ball stud shank, a retaining ring, and a socket seal portion for sealing against the socket. The retaining ring is molded in the socket seal portion of the seal member. The socket seal portion with the retaining ring molded therein is located in the chamber. An axial end portion of the socket holds the socket seal portion in position against the bearing and the inner surface of the socket. The retaining ring blocks movement of the ball portion out of the chamber through the opening.

Abstract: A ball joint has a ball seat fitted in a through hole of a socket. A recessed part of the socket has the same diameter as a receiving part of the ball seat. An attaching part of a dust cover is clamped into the recess formed by the recessed part and the receiving part to seal the interior of the ball joint from the entry of moisture and dirt, and to provide lateral support to the ball seat. A double-ended version is disclosed wherein attaching parts of two dust covers seal and provide lateral support to opposed ends of the ball seat.

Abstract: A ball joint for a stabilizer includes a metal stud ball having a spherical head and a pillow ball seat for swingably supporting the metal stud ball. The pillow ball seat includes a plastic cylindrical seat member, a top wall portion integral with the top of the seat member, a metal cylindrical piece member fitted on the seat member, a plastic disklike cap member fitted on the top wall portion of the seat member, and means for securing the cap member to the top wall portion of the seat member. The seat member has an annular spherical concave surface formed in the inner periphery thereof. The spherical head of the stud ball is pressure-fitted in the seat member and swingably supported on the concave surface.

Abstract: A ball joint includes an inner layer of a fiber-reinforced plastic resin and an outer layer of a self-lubricating plastic resin substantially covering the inner layer. A spherical inner chamber in the outer layer slidably holds a ball portion of a ball stud. A stud portion of the ball stud projects from the spherical inner chamber for connection to an external device. A link rod having first and second ball joints at distal ends of a rod portion is also disclosed. The link rod and housings of the first and second ball joints include inner and outer layers as above. In one embodiment, the link rod includes a metallic rod embedded at each end in the plastic resin of rod portions affixed to respective ball joints.

Abstract: An airspring end member having an improved trough area on its outer periphery for attaching a flexible tubular sleeve to the end member. The trough area has an inner diameter surface of a predetermined height with a first pair of radially, outwardly, diverging wall surfaces extending therefrom, and extending from the first pair of wall surfaces, a second pair of radially, outwardly, more diverging wall surfaces.

Abstract: A lubricant supply assembly for a universal joint comprises a universal joint, two rotation shafts connected via the universal joint and being capable of being bent relative to one another, ball-and-socket joints secured at the two rotation shafts, and a coupling tube provided at the universal joint for introducing a lubricant from one of the two rotation shafts to the other of the two rotation shafts. The coupling tube is a single tube. The end of the coupling tube is fixed to a ball in one of the ball-and-socket joints while the other end of the coupling tube slidably penetrates a ball in the other of the ball-and-socket joints to protrude from it.

Abstract: This invention provides a ball joint and a manufacturing method of the same comprises a holder and a ball and rod which is rotatably and movably secured to this holder and a sealing member which is secured between the spherical body of the ball and rod and a sphere receiving portion of the holder. An oil basin to which a cover member is secured from outside is formed at the bottom portion of the sphere receiving portion of the holder, whereby smooth rotation and movement can be obtained.

Abstract: To seal a ball joint, a sealing bellows (3) with a bead (6) is fastened to the joint housing (1). The bead (6) is located in an L-shaped recess (4) of the joint housing (1) and is partially enclosed by an outer annular portion (8) of a retaining ring (5) deformed radially inward while an inner circular portion (7) of the retaining ring (5) engages an end surface (8) of the recess (4). To fix the sealing bellows (3) to the housing (1) in a single work step, there is machined in a cylindrical surface (12) of the L-shaped recess (4), a ring groove (11) which is engaged by an inner edge portion (10) of the inner circular portion (7) of the retaining ring (5). A tool (14) with a conical surface (15) is used for deforming of the retaining ring (5) which is advanced axially against the retaining ring (5), and the latter encloses the bead (6).

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: The waterproof device includes an elastic seal member for covering a joint section rotatably connecting a pair of rods. On both ends of the seal member are provided covering sections for waterproofing the sides of both rods, between which covering sections are located a displacement offsetting section. This displacement offsetting section includes thick and thin strips formed toward both ends in a manner to alternately locate thick and thin strips. The strips are formed on the peripheral surface of the displacement offsetting section at regular intervals.

Abstract: A cable control system comprising a tubular member, a strand rod extending through the tubular member and adapted to be moved longitudinally and laterally thereof and a sealing member mounted on the tube member. The sealing member includes an outer circumferential wall extending axially outwardly relative to the tube member and an integral inner annular sealing lip surrounded by the axially outwardly extending wall and having a free edge sealingly engaging the strand rod.

Abstract: A joint has a cylindrical socket which is opened at at least one end thereof, an inner joint portion having a ball-shaped portion and at least one shaft portion integral with the ball-shaped portion, a bearing portion fitted in the socket portion and having a recess which has a configuration complementary to the outer configuration of the inner joint portion, the recess rockably and slidably supports the ball portion of the inner joint portion, the bearing portion being supported at an and of the socket opposite to the open end of the socket by a flange portion which projects radially inward from the end of the socket opposite to the open end, a support member disposed within the opening of the open end of the socket at the on end side and capable of cooperating with the flange portion in supporting the bearing portion in the axial direction, and a boot portion disposed between the shaft portion of the inner joint portion and the socket so as to prevent foreign matter from coming into a gap between the slidin

Abstract: A bellows for protecting knuckle joints structured so that a narrower end can be connected to a shaft and a wider end can be connected to a universal joint. Additionally, intermediate sections have graduated diameters such that connections can be made with various size shafts and various size universal joints. The bellows includes a number of T-flanges in oder to connect the bellows to different size disks corresponding to different universal joints.

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 protective cover for a flexible joint having a socket member with a cavity, a stud having a free end projecting from the cavity and a seal engaged with the socket member and the stud includes a first generally tubular section having a frangible plug situated therein with the tubular section and the plug being adapted for encasing the free end of the stud and a second generally tubular section integral with the first tubular section comprising a tubular base with an expandable skirt adapted for encasing the seal.

Abstract: A ball joint sealing bellows (7) made of a plastic material and having a stud-side bellows rim (8) sealingly engaging a ball stud (5) and a housing-side bellows rim (10) fixed by a clamping ring (11) in a circumferential groove (12) in a joint housing (1), the housing-side bellows rim (10) being approximately cylindrical and having an inner diameter which is somewhat greater than the outer diameter of the circumferential groove (12), the housing-side bellows rim being pressed under the preload of the clamping ring (11) which engages the outer surface of the rim, radially into the ring groove (12) and sealingly engaging the joint housing (1) to prevent the sealing bellows (7), from being pulled or pushed out of the ring groove (12), the housing-side bellows rim (10) having one circumferential thickening (15) on the axially outer side thereof which abuts one side surface of the clamping ring (11), and another circumferential thickening (17) on the axially inner side thereof which abuts the other side surface of

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fastening of a sealing bellows (3) to a ball joint housing (1) in motor vehicles wherein the sealing bellows (3) has a housing end rim (16) that engages an approximately cylindrical bellows seat (11) formed on the outer rim of the joint housing defining an opening (10) through which a shank extends, and a retaining ring (5) made of sheet metal and surrounding the housing end bellows rim (16) for sealingly connecting the bellows to the housing, has an outer circumferential recess (17), is slipped onto the housing end bellows rim (16), and is then axially compressed so that its inner diameter is reduced, whereby the housing end bellows rim (16) sealingly engages the bellows seat (11) on the joint housing (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding ring for seal bellows on a track rod or shank of a universal pivot member of motor vehicles. The ring comprises a rubber or another material having comparable properties, and, secured against axial displacement, but rotatably mounted on the track rod. The holding ring is, at least on a surface area in contact with the track rod, supplied with a hardened, smoothed molecular structure. This alteration of the molecular structure is achieved preferentially by chlorination.

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: A pneumatic shock absorber, especially for road vehicles. The rolling bellows of the shock absorber is made of a simple hose body which has no end beads, and is mounted with the aid of metal clamping rings on vehicle parts which are cushioned relative to one another. To simplify mounting, the mounting regions of these parts are provided with reduced-diameter engagement surfaces. To improve this mounting system, the support piston which is associated with the lower end portion of the rolling bellows is provided with circumferential ribs which are disposed in at least one axial portion of the reduced-diameter mounting region thereof. These circumferential ribs preferably have a triangular cross-sectional shape. The frictional mounting is thus supplemented and reinforced in a simple manner by a positive connection, so that the rolling bellows is reliably secured relative to every disadvantageous axial movement.