Abstract: A wire mounting structure for a vehicle cruise control has an upper plate 20a of a connector 20 formed with a through-hole 21a and a notch 22, and a lower plate 20b formed with an enlarged hole 21b for receiving the lower end of a rod 6b.

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 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: A resilient boot assembly (10) of the type for containing a steering shaft (22) therein includes a tubular body portion (12) having a passageway (14) extending therethrough and first and second end portions (16,18). One end of the boot is adapted to attach to a steering gear housing (20). The assembly (10) is a unitary tubular member and includes at least one end having a resilient portion (24) and stiffened portions (26,28) at each end of the resilient portion for providing the flexible resilient portion (24) to roll up upon the body portion (12) to a retracted position to expose the connection between the steering shaft (22) and steering gear assembly and rolling down to an extended position to contain and perfect a seal with the steering gear housing (20).

Abstract: A mechanical shaft joint boot integrally made up of a large-diameter ring portion and a small-diameter ring portion with a bellows portion interposed therebetween, and a straight portion connecting the bellows portion with the large-diameter ring portion. The distance 11 between the large-diameter ring portion and the small-diameter ring portion is smaller than the distance l2 between a large-diameter ring mounting portion and a small-diameter ring mounting portion of the joint, and the outside diameter of a first crest of the bellows portion is not larger than the inside diameter of the straight portion. Accordingly, when a shaft of the joint inclines to cause inclination on one side of the boot, a surface pressure being imposed on the first crest is not increased correspondingly, thereby suppressing its wear and enhancing service time of the boot.

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 protective boot for sealing the free space between the driving and driven parts of a constant velocity universal joint formed of a material which is suitable for injection molding, wherein the boot is formed with a larger outer diameter part mounted on an outer joint member of the joint and attached thereto by a relative thin-walled metal cap which, due to its resilience, is capable of sealingly pressing radial and axial sealing faces provided at the outer diameter part of the boot against an outer circumference and an end face of the outer joint member while securingly embracing them. The boot is formed with a smaller diameter part which is provided with an inwardly directed end facing the outer joint member and resting in sealing engagement against a driving shaft connected to an inner joint member of a universal joint over a defined distance.

Abstract: A rubber dirt-excluding and grease-retaining seal for use in machine assemblies such as furrow forming disc assemblies in grain drills, marker disc assemblies and the like comprises a generally cylindrical, accordian-like body formed of interconnected pocket like rings defined by generally radially extending interconnected walls rendering the body axially compressible and extensible. In use, the seal is compressed between a rotary disk like member on a shaft and a stationary hub like member and is useful in excluding dirt from the disc bearing while retaining grease therein.

Abstract: A mechanical shaft joint boot made of a resin comprises a bellows having four to seven crests between a large-diameter ring and a small-diameter ring, in which a crest excluding the first crest between the large-diameter ring and the center of the bellows has the maximum top curvature radius. By providing this structure, the thicknesses of these crests are made uniform and elongation-compression distortion is restrained from being concentrated at their tops. The widening of the tops of the crests also restrains any kinking phenomenon which may be produced. Therefore, the durability of the tops of these crests is increased and the durability of the boot as a whole is hence also increased.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly has a rack bar 5 displaceable through a cylindrical bush 7 secured by a pin 38 in a rack bar housing 11. A flexible concertina-type bellows 21 is provided between the housing 11 and a tie rod on the end of the rack bar. The bush 7 has an annular recess 42 which is in constant communication by way of longitudinal grooves 39 in the surface of the bush with the interior of the bellows 21. The recess 42 coincides with an aperture 43 in the housing wall 11 within which is snap fitted a tubular plug 44 through which the bellows 21 breathes by way of the recess 42 and grooves 39. The bellows 21 can breathe through the plug 44 to atmosphere (preferably by way of a filter) or by way of a pipe to the interior of bellows located at the opposite end of the rack bar. The bush 7 can partly define a pressure chamber 23 of a piston and cylinder unit for power assisted steering.

Abstract: A bellows sealing sheath for an articulated joint including a bellows which connects together two sleeves intended to be mounted respectively on the driving element and on the driven element and which includes an inner ring in the extension of the first fold on the same side as one of the elements, wherein a deflector is mounted on the other element, on the same side as the first element with respect to the inner ring, while being firmly secured to this other element and having no contact with the ring.

Abstract: An expansion seal assembly in which a corrugated plate extends between two members that are subjected to differential thermal expansion and contraction. An expansion joint connects the upper and lower edges of the corrugated plate with the two members respectively to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction between two members in an axial direction. The expansion joint acts as hinges to accommodate the lateral movement.

Abstract: A sealing cap for cylindrical parts such as a bolt guide of a spot-type disc brake, comprises an elastic pleated bellows (15), one end portion of which is fastened to the periphery of a first cylindrical part, while the other end portion thereof is secured to the periphery of a second cylindrical part. A rigid reinforcing and retaining member (16, 17) is provided on at least one of said end portions (13, 14), with each reinforcing and retaining member being arranged with at least part of its radial extension on the same radius. To create a sealing cap which affords ease of manufacture and assembly, at least one of the reinforcing and retaining members (16, 14, 58) is provided of substantially U-shaped configuration when viewed in axial cross-section, thus forming first and second wall portions (26, 27; 47, 67; 59) as well as a base portion interconnecting said wall portions.

Abstract: A diaphragm-clamping arrangement, in which a spring washer having a frusto-conical shape is employed between the outer periphery of the diaphragm and one of the plate members between which the diaphragm is secured. In the free state of the spring washer, the spring washer height is greater than the space between the diaphragm and one plate member so that, when the plate members are joined together, the spring washer is compressed to thereby exert a clamping force on the diaphragm. The diaphragm-clamping point can be provided by either the inner or outer periphery of the spring washer, depending upon whether the frusto-conical shape is concave or convex. By forming an annular recess in the plate member with which the spring is engageable, proper location of the spring washer is facilitated during assembly, and subsequently maintained during clamping.

Abstract: A protective bellows, particularly for use in drivelines of agricultural implements, is formed with a resilient bellows having a lubricating opening with a removable plug. A resilient ring extends around the bellows in one of the folds thereof, and a connection member is provided on the resilient ring for connecting the plug thereto.

Abstract: A device for attaching a bellows to a cylindrical member, particularly a ball pin of a rack articulation for automotive vehicles. In order to permit a nonslippable attachment of the bellows even to unmachined pins which vary slightly in diameter, it is proposed to arrange between the bellows and the ball pin an annular disk having a closed outer edge and an inner edge which is interrupted by radially extending slots, the inner edge consisting of a plurality of resilient segments which are bent alternately in opposite directions and are pre-stressed against the ball pin.

Abstract: To achieve highly fluid-tight sealing of a rigid insert into an orifice in flexible material (101), the insert is made in two parts (103, 106) which can be pressed together with purely axial movement, one part deforming slightly relative to the other at least during the movement, until they adopt as a result of interengagement between them a relationship in which they exert a predetermined sealing pressure on the edge portion of the flexible material between their radially extending flanges (108, 109). A bead (102) may be accommodated in an oversize recess (122) in the flanges. A sub-assembly such as an eyepiece (111) is held fluid tight in one (103) of the parts. Detent means (107, 116) are designed to maintain a sealing contact even if the flexible material (101) or sealing ring (118) creep or set. Though the orifice has an endless edge it is not necessarily circular in outline.

Abstract: A guard for a universal joint of the type having a yoke pivotally connected by a cross-link to a housing is disclosed. The guard includes a bell element which has a hemispherically shaped outer surface and is mounted coaxially with the yoke. A boot having first and second end portions and a central portion surrounds the housing with the first end portion having a hemispherically shaped inner surface which mates in sliding contact with the hemispherically shaped surface of the bell element. A bearing surface is within the central portion of the boot and the second end portion is opposite from the first end portion. The bearing surface within the central portion is in sliding contact with a spherical surface which is provided on the housing. As the yoke is articulated relative to the housing, the bearing surface slides along the housing spherical surface to allow the boot to tilt relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universally movable suspension member for a direction indicating display system, especially for a gyro system (2), in which a bellows unit (1) is provided between a revolving disk (3) and the gyro system (2). The suspension member is designed as a double-bellows unit including two oppositely folded bellows (5, 6) so that, while a reliable and accurate indication is obtained, the volume of construction is decreased and the manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint is protected in sealed state by a boot firmly secured at its outer end to the ball stud of the ball and at its inner end to the joint assembly by a clamping ring made of an elastic material in the form of a coil wound spirally with rectangular-section winding turns thereof lying adjacently side-by-side in the plane of the clamping ring. The spirally-coiled construction, in contrast to a helically-coiled construction, of the clamping ring permits it to be expanded greatly at the time of its fitting in the boot groove for assembly with little permanent deformation, whereby a great clamping force is obtainable.

Abstract: A floating-caliper spot-type disc brake whose caliper member is retained and guided on parallel pins clamped in the brake carrier member. A sealing boot is provided which protects the pins against moisture and dirt. One end of the sealing boot is armored by a crown spring having finger-shaped spring arms which firmly urge the one end against a part of the pin. A bellows portion succeeding the one end extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the pin and permits swivelling of the brake caliper relative to the brake carrier around one of both pins for a change of the pad without excess twisting of the sealing boot. The other end of the sealing boot is armored by a metal ring and engages with a groove which is provided at the open rim of the opening for the pin.

Abstract: A connection (40) for joining a front shell (12) to a rear shell (14) to create a housing for a fluid pressure servomotor (10). The peripheral surfaces of the first (12) and second shells (14) have a conical section (46,58) and a radial section (48,60). The conical sections (46,58) are designed to mate prior to the radial sections (48,60) engaging each other to assure that a minimum contact occurs in order to seal the housing.

Abstract: The sealing assembly includes a relatively soft rubber, tubular sleeve having an axial length sufficient to span the joint between hollow members, such as the corbel joint between a manhole frame and a manhole casing, and a sealing portion in each of the opposite ends. The outer surface of each sealing portion is compressed radially outwardly in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the manhole frame and the manhole casing by a generally circular hoop which fits into a groove provided in the inside surface of the sleeve. Each hoop has circumferentially movable, end portions and a radially inwardly extending bracket mounted on each end portion at circumferentially spaced locations. These brackets are adjustably pulled toward each other, to increase the circumference of the hoop, by tightening a nut threaded onto the outer end of a bolt connecting the brackets together.

Abstract: A boot cover for enclosing a pivotally mounted automobile transmission shift lever has converging sidewalls formed in part by a plurality of spherically shaped surfaces which support rolling contact between adjacent surfaces during shifting of the shift lever from the neutral position. The center of radius of adjacent spherical surfaces alternates between a point on the shift lever determined by the distance between the boot apex and the lever pivot joint and a point on the shift lever at the boot apex. The smaller radius spherical surface is co-tangent with the larger radius spherical surface immediately adjacent thereto and displaced therefrom toward the pivot joint.

Abstract: The shock absorber interposed between two pieces (1,3) comprises a sealed case with a deformable ring (4), a dividing wall (5) dividing the inside of the case into two compartments filled with liquid, a restricted passage (11) formed in a rigid ring (8) forming the periphery of the dividing wall and an impervious and continuous membrane (10) forming the center of the dividing wall. The periphery of one of the faces of the membrane is bonded to a flat annular bearing surface of the ring, a rigid floating washer (16) is added to the periphery of the other face of the membrane and two annular dividing walls (19 and 22) of the membrane mate on the inside with the ring and the washer.

Abstract: A shaft connecting device for the outboard drive of a marine engine consisting of a pair of shafts having a splined connection. A seal is fixed to one of these shafts for providing a seal to this shaft and has a portion sealingly engaged with the second shaft for protecting the splined connection from the ingress of foreign material.

Abstract: A cylindrical elastomeric seal is disclosed for externally sealing a manhole assembly against surface water infiltration between the manhole casting and the supporting structure and through the supporting structure. The seal has a first sealing section adapted to receive the edge of the flange of a manhole casting, a second sealing section adapted to be received by the external surface of the manhole chimney or cone, and an intermediate section, joining the two sealing sections, that spans the vertical distance between the casting and the chimney or cone. Sealing means hold the two sealing sections in place against the casting and chimney or cone, creating watertight seals. An extension skirt increases the area the seal can cover, allowing the entire supporting structure to be sealed in the case where the chimney height is too great to be spanned by the intermediate section of the seal alone. The seal can be used on old or new construction and does not interfere with normal use of the manhole.

Abstract: An internal seal is disclosed between a manhole casting and mating manhole components such as concrete adjusting rings, the concrete manhole cone, or masonry structure of a similar configuration, to prevent water infiltration at this interface. The seal is formed by a continuous elastomeric ring. The ring is held in place by two stainless steel retaining bands. The elastomeric ring is pleated to allow an upward movement or lateral movement of the casting without impairing the sealing ability of the ring. The gasket can be installed either during construction or at any time after construction that there is found to be a problem with infiltration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock and/or vibration damping device comprising a body adapted to be assembled to a supporting element, a concavity provided in the body in which is introduced a piston whose rod is adapted to be assembled to a supported element, and at least one resiliently deformable supporting membrane arranged in the cavity and interposed between the head of the piston and the cavity bottom wall. This membrane is mounted freely slidable at its periphery within the cavity and comprises in proximity to its periphery a stiffening element at least partially embedded in its mass. The head of the piston is advantageously embedded in the mass of another membrane which may be identical with the supporting membrane, the tops of the two membranes bearing against one another and wherein the shape of the surface of one of the membranes is at least partially conformed to the shape of the confronting surface of the other membrane.

Abstract: A torsionally stiff flexure support for the slip plate in a vibration apparatus is provided permitting predetermined linear motion along the axis of vibration by longitudinal bending of the flexure, but by virtue of its torsional stiffness blocking pivoting movement about the center axis of the slip plate.

Abstract: An extendible and contractible boot is disposed in surrounding relationship to the spindle assembly of a chair. The lower end of the boot is anchored to the pedestal associated with the chair base. The upper end of the boot is supported on the seat assembly by a retainer arrangement which prevents vertical separation between the boot and seat assembly but permits relative rotation therebetween. This retainer arrangement employs a bearing ring, preferably of a split construction, which is snugly and resiliently seated within the upper end of the boot. A retainer plate is secured relative to the spindle and is rotatably supported on the bearing ring.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for covering and sealing the open space in a constant velocity universal joint includes a sealing boot, one end of which is fastened to the driven part of the joint and the other end of the sealing boot extending axially from the universal joint is fastened to a sleeve which is axially displaceable and is arranged coaxially surrounding a drive shaft connected to the driving part of the joint. A coating of a material having dirt-repellent and/or water-repellent properties or permitting easy sliding is provided on the drive shaft at least in the range of axial displacement of the sleeve relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An elastomeric seal apparatus (16) having an inner annular terminating portion (36) which is attachable to a first (12) member, an outer annular terminating portion (38) which is attachable to a second (14) member, and an annular convoluted flexible portion (40) which is disposed between the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions and has an inner (46) and an outer (48) margin which are respectively joined thereto. The thickness of the convoluted flexible portion (40) decreases from the relatively thicker inner margin (46) to the relatively thinner outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial distance (H) extending from the inner margin (46) to the flexible portion (40). A concentrically inner convolution (42) and a concentrically outer convolution (44) constitute the flexible portion (40) and have a relatively small (R.sub.1) and a relatively large (R.sub.2) radius of curvature.

Abstract: An enclosure means for a cylinder end of a rack steering mechanism is provided comprising a bearing within the cylinder end for slidably supporting a rack and which is secured to the cylinder by nesting corrugations of the cylinder and the bearing coacting to lock the cylinder and bearing together. A sleeve of synthetic material surrounds the cylinder end and has an inwardly directed radial corrugation nesting within the corrugation of the cylinder locking it to the cylinder. The sleeve is provided with a ported through passage for equalizing air to be transferred between respective bellows at the ends of the rack which protect ball joints connecting the rack to a steering mechanism.

Abstract: In order to reliably and safely secure a flexible container, such as a glove, to an opening in a housing, which opening is surrounded by a tubular stud projecting outwardly from the housing, the stub is provided with at least two grooves in its interior wall, each groove having an omegoid cross-section, and the flexible container is clamped in each groove by a clamping ring having a circular cross-section corresponding to that of the central portion of the cross-section of its associated groove.

Abstract: An artificial and mechanical tree which includes a pole member and a plurality of vertical, accordion-type limb sections is disclosed. Each of the tree limb sections has the tree limbs attached to a vertically collapsible and expandable tubular member which is concentric with and removably attached in the expanded configuration to the pole member.

Abstract: A Pitman shaft boot seal designed for a static sealing application with one sealing surface compressed against the Pitman arm and the other sealing surface compressed against the steering gear housing. The sealing surfaces are held in place by a compression spring located inside the boot seal. The cylindrical portion of the boot seal is formed with a plurality of identical, equally spaced-apart, parallel, hollow ribs parallel to the axis of the Pitman shaft and extending around the entire circumference of the seal. The ribs allow the boot seal to twist as the Pitman arm moves arcuately, without breaking the static seal at the sealing surfaces.