Flexible Diaphragm Or Bellows Patents (Class 403/50)
  • Patent number: 12031630
    Abstract: A ring seal and a robot. The ring seal includes an outer circumferential wall and an annular portion. The outer circumferential wall extends in an axial direction of the ring seal. The annular portion extends from a side of the outer circumferential wall toward an interior of the outer circumferential wall in a radial direction of the ring seal. As viewed in a cross section taken along the radial direction, the annular portion and the outer circumferential wall form an L shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Xinguo Fu, Tao Feng, Gongyao Ma
  • Patent number: 11933406
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a steering system comprising a housing in which a steering rack is movably arranged and extends out of the housing on at least one side of the housing, the steering rack being connected with a tie rod via a ball joint, wherein the connection is covered by a protective bellows defining a central axis and the bellows further comprising a first end defining a first opening around the central axis, a second end defining a second opening around the central axis, and several annular folds arranged along the central axis between the first end and second end, and wherein the bellows comprises a plurality of skirts arranged along the central axis and extending away from the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Nicholas LaGana
  • Patent number: 11713783
    Abstract: A ball joint includes a grease boot having a snap ring at least partially embedded in an elastomeric body. The snap ring has a C-shaped body that defines a compressible radial gap in the elastomeric body. The snap ring can be at least partially embedded in a flange of the grease boot, with a radially outermost edge of the flange including a first elastomeric shoulder, a second elastomeric shoulder, and an exposed outer wall of the snap ring located between the first elastomeric shoulder and the second elastomeric shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC
    Inventors: Seth Englebright, Sean Smith
  • Patent number: 11702036
    Abstract: Closure element having two brackets which are substantially perpendicular or transverse with respect to one another. The closure element closes a ball socket, with the result that a pivot therein cannot be removed. To this end, it closes the opening of the ball socket. The ball socket and the pivot with the closure element form a secured ball joint which is used for wiping systems. The securing is carried out by the closure element being pushed onto the ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Deak, Akos Hegyi, Juergen Klein, Tino Boos, Ulrich Metz, Viktor Hackl
  • Patent number: 11466727
    Abstract: A ball socket assembly, dust boot assembly therefor, and method of construction thereof are provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore extending along a central axis. A bearing is disposed in the inner bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing and a shank portion extends outwardly from the housing. A dust boot assembly having a tubular wall extends along the central axis between a distal end disposed about the shank portion and a proximal end in sealed engagement with the housing. The dust boot proximal end has an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the central axis. The annular flange has a cylindrical outer surface, a lower surface and an upper shoulder. An annular metal ring is disposed about and substantially encapsulates the cylindrical outer surface, lower surface and upper shoulder of the annular flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: Andrew L. Auquier, James J. Elterman
  • Patent number: 11009064
    Abstract: A ball joint having a ball stud that has a joint ball fixed at one end; a housing that defines a longitudinal axis and has an interior area which receives the joint ball and a socket that is positioned between the housing and the joint ball. The housing has an open end that includes an opening through which the ball stud extends when the joint ball is received within the interior area of the housing. The open end of the housing is formed such that the opening has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the joint ball. A press-on ring engages with an outer surface of the housing at the open end so as to increase a pull-out performance of the ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
    Inventor: Eric Holmes
  • Patent number: 10879645
    Abstract: An electrical connection device has an electrical connector and a sealing member. The connector has an insulating housing which has an abutting face. The sealing member is provided to the housing and is adapted to be abutted between the face and a panel of an electronic device. The sealing member has an annular body, two first annular ribs, a plurality of second annular ribs and a plurality of positioning posts. The annular body has first and second surfaces and a plurality of penetrating holes penetrating the first and second surfaces. The first annular ribs respectively protrude from the first and second surfaces, and are adapted to respectively abut the panel and the face. The second annular ribs respectively protrude from the first and second surfaces, encircle the penetrating holes respectively, and are adapted to abut the panel and the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Cun-Dong Zhang, Paul Berg, Jun Deng, Cheng-Bing Qiu, Hong-Wei Bai
  • Patent number: 10780756
    Abstract: A boot with a body cavity that protects a moveable joint and retains lubricant associated with the joint is disclosed. The wall of the boot body includes a venting aperture that is protected by a surrounding barrier structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: RB Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Allan Reiff
  • Patent number: 9896904
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly having a secondary seal positioned over the coupling area between the rupture disc and the tool housing. The secondary seal may be, for example, sealing tape, an o-ring, liquid sealant, metallic sealing tape, etc., or a combination of two or more of these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Paul David Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 9416890
    Abstract: A flow control valve (1) and a method for assembling a flow control valve (1) are disclosed. The flow control valve (1) comprises a first housing part (2) and a second housing part (3) attached directly to each other, in such a manner that the first housing part (2) and the second housing part (3) form a substantially closed housing. The first housing part (2) defines a first flow section (4), a second flow section (5), a connecting port (6) fluidly interconnecting the first flow section (4) and the second flow section (5), and a valve seat (7) arranged at the connecting port (6). The flow control valve (1) further comprises a frame part (9) arranged in an interior part of the housing formed by the first housing part (2) and the second housing part (3), the frame part (9) having mounted thereon a valve element (10, 13) arranged movably relative to the valve seat (7), a moving mechanism, e.g. including a spindle (12), for moving the valve element (10, 13), and an actuating mechanism, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Birthe Reese Nissen, John Porland, Ejner Kobberoe Andersen, Johan Van Beek, Michael Birkelund, Marcin Abramowicz
  • Patent number: 9206837
    Abstract: In an elastic ball joint dust cover structured such that a spherical head portion formed in one end of a ball stud is retained within a socket, a shaft in the other end of the ball stud is fastened to a knuckle, a large-diameter opening portion is fixed and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the socket, a small-diameter portion having a reinforcing ring embedded therein is retained to the shaft, the reinforcing ring is constructed by a tubular portion, and a flange portion extending from an end portion of the tubular portion toward the shaft, and is integrated with the small-diameter portion in such a manner that a side surface of the flange portion at a side of the knuckle and an inner peripheral surface of the flange portion facing a peripheral surface of the shaft are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Ishimori, Noriaki Sato, Koji Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 9068591
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bernhardt, Andreas Maier, Ulrich Mette, Cengiz Erdogan
  • Patent number: 8657519
    Abstract: An annular groove, in which a lower end of a boot is fitted, is formed in an outer periphery of an open end of a housing so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the housing. The annular groove is defined by a cylindrical face, an upper inner wall, and a lower inner wall. By fitting a clip onto a cylindrical portion of the lower end of the boot, the cylindrical portion is pushed against the cylindrical face, and an inner end portion and a folded-back portion are pushed against the upper inner wall and the lower inner wall, respectively. The inner end portion has an annular protrusion that is engaged with the upper inner wall and elastically contracted when the lower end of the boot is fitted in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Watanabe, Hideo Shibata
  • Patent number: 8622644
    Abstract: A seal assembly and method of forming a seal assembly provides a seal body having reduced strain during use, thereby increasing service life. The seal body may be formed within certain parameters, such as ranges of height-to-thickness and offset-to-height ratios, which have been found to reduce strain. Additionally or alternatively, the seal body may be modified from an initial configuration to a pre-strained configuration by axially displacing an inner section of the seal with respect to an outer section of the seal, which also reduces strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dan J. Becker, Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 8602673
    Abstract: A housing component for a ball joint which has an interior space (3) for mounting the joint ball (1) of a ball journal, an opening (4) for guiding the journal section (5) of the ball journal (2) adjoining the joint ball (1), a contact region (7) formed on an outer lateral surface of the housing (6) for fastening a sealing bellows edge (8) thereto and forming a seal, and a deformed section (9) which rotationally and pivotally fixes the joint ball (1) of the ball journal (2) in the interior space (3) of the housing (6). The deformed section (9) has a smaller material cross-section in comparison to the contact region (7) for the sealing bellows edge (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Schmitz, Frank Schmeink
  • Patent number: 8550740
    Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) with a pivot pin (2), in particular with a pivot pin (2) having a head region (3) which is movable with respect to a receiving joint socket (4), wherein the pivot pin (2) is at least partially surrounded by a circumferential sealing collar (7), is configured so that the outside of the sealing collar (7) is covered by a separate protective cover (11) which conforms to the shape of the sealing collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Christian Lösche, Werner Schmudde
  • Publication number: 20130028655
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball joint mount structure and a ball joint mounting method, which can distribute grease between an outer periphery of a shaft and a sliding contact surface of a lip while preventing the grease from being supplied into a mount hole. The inventive ball joint mount structure includes a grease retaining groove (55) provided in a portion of a lower surface (52b) of a knuckle arm (51) spaced a distance from a peripheral edge of a knuckle hole (53) for retaining grease (G). After a shaft (12) is inserted into the knuckle hole (53) to bring an upper end portion (5a) into contact with the lower surface (52b) with the grease (G) retained in the grease retaining groove (55), the ball stud (4) is fixed to the knuckle arm (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo IKEDA, Hiromitsu TOMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120308295
    Abstract: A method of fastening a sealing bellows to a ball joint as well as to a ball joint is shown comprising a joint housing, a ball stud pivotally received in the joint housing, and a sealing bellows which, related to a joint axis, comprises first axial end of the bellows resting against the ball stud and a second axial end of the bellows fastened to the joint housing, the joint housing for fastening the sealing bellows comprising a seat of the bellows forming a radial stop as well as an axial stop for the second axial end of the bellows, and wherein a closed retaining ring is provided which is spaced from the joint housing and acts upon the sealing bellows in radial inward direction against the seat of the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Vladimir Ponukarin, Cengiz Erdogan
  • Publication number: 20120170969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ball joint, including a joint housing having a recess, a ball stud having a ball head, a sealing bellows having a sealing seat on the housing side and a sealing seat on the stud side in the form of a bellows mouth which is adapted to be brought into contact with the ball stud, a bellows body of the sealing bellows extending between the sealing seat on the housing side and the bellows mouth, and further including a joint socket, the ball head being accommodated for swiveling motion within the joint socket, and the joint socket being inserted in the recess of the joint housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Forthaus, Alexander Paul, Ulrich Mette, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 8192111
    Abstract: A boot for attaching a geosynthetic layer to a vertical member in a soil, where the geosynthetic layer extends substantially horizontally outwardly from the vertical member. The boot includes a stack of flexible rings. Each ring has an inner edge defining a center opening larger than the horizontal cross section of the vertical member and an outer edge, and is secured around its inner edge to the inner edge of a ring adjacent one side and around its outer edge to the outer edge of a ring adjacent its other side. The bottom ring of the stack of rings is adapted to secure to the geosynthetic layer. A securement ring is secured around the top ring of the stack of rings and has a center opening adapted to be secured to the vertical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: GSE Lining Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8136816
    Abstract: A multiple layering means of a protective laminated multiple-layered split boot layer assembly, providing both very important qualities of easy installation and reliable boot sealing performance. Easy installation is easy to achieve but the reliable boot sealing performance of substantially high degree of reliable boot sealing performance is very much needed but has eluded many investors until now. Many different solutions and approaches are used, such as multiple layering, reinforcement with fastener such as glue sealant adhesive, reinforcement encircling rings, and appropriately positioning each split boot layer's cut (53) split line, in relationship to the cut (53) of preceding and adjacent split boot layer, with alternating slit (or seam) facing feature, for maximized sealing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Eddie York-Shin Lou
  • Patent number: 8052345
    Abstract: A ball joint for a model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a support member, at least a portion of the support member forming a spherically-shaped surface, a fastener for securing the support member to a suspension member, a housing containing at least a portion of the support member and having an opening for accessing at least a portion of the support member, a seal covering the housing opening, the seal having a self-healing port, the self-healing port of the seal having a first position allowing introduction of material through the seal and a second position substantially preventing the passage of debris into the housing, the seal being in the first position in response to a force applied normal to at least a portion of the surface of the self-healing port and the seal being in the second position in response to the substantial absence of a force applied normal to the surface of the self-healing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Brent Whitfield Byers, Seralaathan Hariharesan
  • Patent number: 7827987
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Brian Woodard, Ngee Lee, Edward M. Geiselhart, Chris Houghton, Benjamin K. Sun, Shiv Kumar
  • Patent number: 7794170
    Abstract: A joint for use in electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), oxygen separators, and hydrogen separators, that will maintain a hermetic seal at operating temperatures of greater than 600° C., despite repeated thermal cycling excess of 600° C. in a hostile operating environment where one side of the joint is continuously exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere and the other side is continuously exposed to a wet reducing gas. The joint is formed of a metal part, a ceramic part, and a flexible gasket. The flexible gasket is metal, but is thinner and more flexible than the metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: K. Scott Weil, John S. Hardy
  • Publication number: 20100129141
    Abstract: Transverse longitudinal joint comprising slats (11) with a main shaft (11e), a passable surface (11s), a functional surface (11f) opposite to the passable one (11s), connecting sides between the passable (11s) and the functional (11f) surfaces. Slats are mounted one after the other according to the main shaft (11e) to form a bellows structure, with a displacement movement without break in continuity with 2 degrees of freedom, so as to modify the bellows shape between an unfolded position and a folded position. Slats form a retractable surface (1). Each intermediate slat (11) has joining elements having: a male end (11A) in a first connecting side; a female end (11B) in a second connecting side, opposite to the first connecting side; the female end (11B) receives the male end (11A) of an adjacent slat (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION CENTER, S.A., THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR (ES/PBB) GmbH.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Alemany, Iván Ruiz Patallo, José Ojeda Arenas
  • Publication number: 20100120546
    Abstract: A boot for constant-velocity universal joint comprises a major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, a minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3 being separated away from and being put in place concentrically with the major-diameter cylinder portion 2, and having a smaller diameter than that of the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, and an intermediate portion 10 connecting the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2 with the minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3. The intermediate portion 10 comprises a stretchable bellows portion 19 being connected with the minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3 integrally, and a rigidity-producing portion 11 being connected with the bellows portion 19 and the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2 integrally. The rigidity-producing portion 11 enlarges diametrically from the bellows portion 19 toward the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, and additionally at least an outer peripheral surface 101 of the rigidity-producing portion 11 has a plurality of shoulders 61 in a stepwise manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicants: JTEKT Corporation, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Suzuki, Kenji Oe, Yuji Furuta, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7704007
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Elterman, Alexander Karpman, Donald Doherty, Thomas Byrnes
  • Patent number: 7670078
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: James Elterman, Alexander Karpman
  • Publication number: 20100040405
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bellows for a joint arrangement. The bellows comprises pleats, an axis and a joint end, a zone of the joint end being produced by blow molding and forming a receiver for a retaining ring. The receiver, in the proximity of the pleats, has a plurality of outward-pointing bulged portions that form a recess and at least one inclined receiving edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thorsten Scholtz, Markus Deisinger, Rolf Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20090285626
    Abstract: A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate dampers, hangers and convolution modifications. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: American Boa, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Chahine, Gerhard Lein, Rolf Janssen
  • Patent number: 7597628
    Abstract: A transmission joint consists of two drive shafts connected by an articulated mechanical connection. This connection is protected by an elastic socket, such as a sealing bellows, connecting the shafts. One end of this socket is multilobed to cover upon contact a multilobed element of the articulated mechanical connection and works with a tightening element of the collar type that surrounds the multilobed end of the socket. The multilobed end of the protective socket has, to the right of the zones of greater thickness of the multilobed wall, a reinforcement of the thickness to obtain an external radial bulge of the wall of the socket, at least when mounted on the multilobed connection element. The bulge works with the collar type tightening element to balance the tightening forces between the thin and reinforced portions of the multilobed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Trelleborg Prodyn
    Inventor: Jacques Houis
  • Patent number: 7441979
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided, preferably for use in vehicles, especially in the area of the chassis of motor vehicles. The ball and socket joint includes a ball and socket joint housing having a joint opening, with a ball pivot, which is arranged in the ball and socket joint housing, extends through the joint opening and with which a shaft is made integral. A support ring is arranged on the shaft of the ball pivot. A sealing element is arranged between the support ring and a connection component surrounding the shaft of the ball pivot. The function of the sealing element is preserved over comparatively long periods of time without being adversely affected by corrosion phenomena in the area of the ball pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Heidemann, Helmut Noe, Anja Wehrsse
  • Patent number: 7438493
    Abstract: A ball joint, is provided in the form of a cross axis joint with a housing, a bearing shell in the housing and a ball sleeve. The ball sleeve includes a ball portion with a bearing surface cooperating with the bearing shell and a first pivot pin and a second pivot pin extending from said ball portion in an axial direction. The ball sleeve has an inner surface defining a through hole (50) for receipt of a connection bolt. The first pivot pin has a first end with a first outer surface (42) and a first annular end face (41) and the second pivot pin has a second end with a second outer surface (44) and a second annular end face (43). Sealing rings (60, 60?, 60?, 90, 95) are provided, each having a first axially extending portion extending along the first outer surface and having a sealing area outer surface defining a bellows seal seat (64, 98) and a radially extending portion extending along the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Eric Holmes, Frank Fehre, Markus Fischer
  • Publication number: 20080181718
    Abstract: The present invention provides for installing a processor/converter assembly on a host-system frame of a computer. Clip holes are aligned with slots in a flange of the assembly. The assembly is then mounted on a frame having bolts, so that the bolts extend through the slots and holes. Then the clips are moved relative to the flange and the frame so that the holes are no longer aligned with the slots and bolts and so that the clips are compressed between between bolt shoulders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew NEUMANN
  • Patent number: 7367743
    Abstract: A ball joint with a housing wherein the housing has a weld section, which allows it to be welded to a chassis component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bernhardt, Theo Heep, Ulrich Mette
  • Patent number: 7357725
    Abstract: A boot for a constant velocity universal joint, having an inner surface that is prevented from contacting an edge portion of an outer housing of a constant velocity universal joint regardless of the bend of the boot. The boot includes a large end portion, a small end portion, and a bellows formed between the large and small end portions. The large end portion has an annular face portion facing the end face of a tip portion of the outer housing of the constant velocity universal joint, and defining a concave face portion dented to define an annular gap with the peripheral edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fukoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sueoka, Yasuji Takada
  • Publication number: 20080031682
    Abstract: A boot seal assembly for a rack and pinion steering gear apparatus having a housing with an inner diameter and a first and second tie rod coupled to a first and second end of the housing, respectively, includes a boot seal and a seal collar secured to the boot seal. The boot seal has a bellows interposed between a housing seal end and a tie rod seal end. The seal collar is secured to the boot seal at the housing seal end. The seal collar further has an outer diameter that sealingly engages the inner diameter of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Bosman, Michael Patrick Schanck
  • Patent number: 7296802
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhisa Ota
  • Patent number: 7281984
    Abstract: An improved boot for use in sealing a constant velocity joint and ball spline joint assembly includes a plurality of articulating convolutes, a grease catching member, and a first stabilizing member adapted to ride above an inner race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of articulating convolutes and the grease catching member and provide stability at high speed. The boot further includes a plurality of plunging convolutes and a second stabilizing member adapted to ride above an outer race of the ball spline joint to join the plurality of plunging convolutes and the grease catching member and provide additional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.,
    Inventors: Pauline Maria Foster-Hamilton, Toshitaka Asai, Noel W. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7244074
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Jürgen Gräber, Jochen Kruse, Volker Grube, Dirk Lamla, Manfred Bohne, Melanie Enkler, Metin Ersoy, Achim Möll, Thomas Rösler, Wolfgang Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7237978
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Markus Fischer, Eric Holmes, Daniel Dearing
  • Patent number: 7192214
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemörder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Stefan Schönhoff, Frank Budde
  • Patent number: 7168879
    Abstract: A plug-in coupling for removably interconnecting a first structural member and a second structural member comprises a resiliently deformable female coupling part adapted to be inserted into a socket at the first structural member such that it is retained therein. The female coupling part comprises a ball-shaped cup, an intermediate annular wall integral with said ball-shaped cup and serving as a guide portion, and a tubular external wall integral with said annular intermediate wall. The external wall surrounds at least a part of the ball-shaped cup in spaced relation thereto and engages a peripheral wall of the socket when the female coupling part is inserted into the socket. A male coupling part comprises a ball-shaped head and a fixing portion for securing the male coupling part to the second structural member. The intermediate annular wall of the female coupling part is of an undulated shape at least in a certain area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Bollhoff GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bertram, Rainer Süssenbach
  • Patent number: 7134801
    Abstract: There is provided a ball joint provided with a ball stud having a spherical head portion in an end portion, a ball seat to which the spherical head portion is slidably fitted, thereby pivoting the ball stud universally, and a housing receiving the ball seat, the housing being structured such that a closed-end cylindrical main body portion and a flange portion extending outward in a radial direction from an edge portion of the main body portion are formed in accordance with sheet metal processing. The flange portion is formed thinner than a thickness of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7114599
    Abstract: A protective sleeve made of an elastic material for a piston-cylinder unit with a piston disposed in a cylinder bore in an axially displaceable manner. The protective sleeve is provided with annular end segments that can be supported on the outer piston wall on one side and in the cylinder bore on the other. A middle segment of an essentially hollow cylindrical shape connects the two end segments with each other and, when the piston is in an entered position, is folded like a rag in a radial direction as in a bellows. To ensure reliable and correct folding of the protective sleeve during the entry of the piston, the middle segment is subdivided in the axial direction into annular longitudinal segments, the lengths of which are approximately equal to the length of a fold wall, and at least one of the longitudinal segments is provided with an essentially annular stiffening zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Eckhard Schneider
  • Patent number: 7090424
    Abstract: A ball-end pin with plastic flange is employed in steering or suspension systems of automotive vehicles, manufactured in two discrete parts, namely, the ball-end pin itself and the flange. The flange is made of plastic material by injection process, one providing its external circumference with a channel for the fixing of the smaller diameter opening of the protection cover of the ball joint, and it may be injected directly on the ball-end pin or injected separately, in which case its central orifice must have a certain conical shape and longitudinal protrusions. The ball-end pin is constructed by stamping process and during the process the same will be provided with a conical section with longitudinal grooves that eliminates the use of the machining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Dana Industrial S/A
    Inventor: Heitor Teofilo Barbosa
  • Patent number: 7070355
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint has a housing, a ball pivot (3) mounted pivotably in the housing, and a sealing bellows (1), which is fastened to the housing and is mounted on the ball pivot (3) slidably via a sealing ring (4) provided with two legs (5, 6). A first leg (5) of the two legs (5, 6) is in contact with the ball pivot (3) under tension and the second leg (6) meshes with the wall of the sealing bellows (1). The second leg (6) is, furthermore, fastened in an anchoring ring (7) arranged at least partially in the wall of the sealing bellows (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Dieter Gröger
  • Patent number: 6966559
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Markus Fischer, Eric Holmes, Daniel Dearing
  • Patent number: 6935803
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Olaf Abels, Jens Wohlers
  • Patent number: 6913409
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for motor vehicles has a ball pivot with at least a joint ball (4) accommodated rotatably and/or pivotably in a bearing shell (2) of a housing (3) and a pivot section (5). A sealing bellows is provided with a first edge area (7) fastened to the housing (3) and withe a second edge area (8) has a sliding connection with a thrust ring (9), which is fixed on the pivot section (5) and comprises an axial shoulder (10) and a radial shoulder (11), wherein the radial shoulder (11) of the thrust ring (9) forms a wave-shaped contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Olaf Abels