Abstract: A ball joint (9) for mutually rotatably interconnecting two members (12, 5), the ball joint (9) including a ball shaft (35) attached to one member (12) out of the aforesaid two members, the ball shaft (35) having at one end thereof a ball (34) rotatably accommodated in a housing (31) attached to the other member (5) out of the aforesaid two members, and a dust boot (50) fitted on the ball shaft (35) to surround the ball shaft (35), the dust boot (50) being fixedly attached at one end thereof to the housing (31) and formed at the other end thereof with a seal lip (54) adapted to come into elastic contact with the aforesaid one member (12). The dust boot (50) has formed thereon a projected portion (53) surrounding the seal lip (54) and facing the side of the aforesaid one member (12) so that a labyrinth (S) defined between the projected portion (53) and the aforesaid one member (12).

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: Device for mounting a protective cap (18) on a support (12), the support (12) having a base surface (20) intended to be at least partially protected by the cap (18), and a first bearing surface (28, 38, 54), the device incorporating a first rigid component (22, 32, 44), joined to the periphery of the cap (18), and a locking component (26, 40) situated between the first rigid component and the first bearing surface, characterized in that the locking component (26, 40) is inserted by sliding laterally between the first component (22, 32, 44) and the first bearing surface (28, 38, 54) so as to fix the cap (18) in position bearing against the base surface (20) of the support.

Abstract: A system for connecting an annular, rigid component to an opening in a flexible sheet material is disclosed. The system includes a boss molded around the opening in the sheet material and a groove around the component, sized to accommodate the boss. An annular keeper engages the boss circumferentially under hoop stress and compresses the boss against the component. A ledge on the component engages the keeper to retain it in operating position. In preferred embodiments, installation is assisted with a tapered face leading to the ledge, to produce elastic deformation of the keeper to the extent that it will pass over the boss and then snap back once past the ledge.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut in which an internal elastomer sleeve is used as an air/oil separator bladder. Air pressure introduced to the chamber formed by the sleeve will expand the sleeve creating a pressure in the hydraulic fluid which acts on the area differential of the piston to create an adjustable lifting force for vehicle height control. Also as the strut works going into jounce, shock absorber oil displaced by the rod is taken up by the air volume trapped inside of the air sleeve. A main suspension spring is mounted to and around the reservoir tube of the strut which may be steerable.

Abstract: A flexible swivel boot connector for connecting a first boot shield section to a second boot shield section, both first and second boot sections having openings therethrough, the second boot section having at least two adjacent accordian folds at the end having the opening, the second boot section being positioned through the opening of the first boot section such that a first of the accordian folds is within the first boot section and a second of the accordian folds is outside of the first boot, includes first and second annular discs, the first disc being positioned within and across the first accordian fold, the second disc being positioned within and across the second accordian fold, such that the first boot section is moveably and rigidly connected between the first and second accordian folds of the second boot section.

Abstract: A dust boot for a constant velocity universal joint has a bellows-shaped boot made of chloroprene-rubber substantially excluding wax and a polyamide resin coating layer having excellent wear resistance, which is formed on the outer surface of the bellows-shaped boot without peeling. Between the coating layer and the polyamide resin boot is formed a primer layer made of a mixture of chloroprene-rubber and isocyanate compound so that the coating layer does not peel off from the bellow-shaped boot.

Abstract: The present device comprises in combination a first element consisting of a base plate (8), at least a second element having a substantially cylindrical shape (9), of which one of its faces is in an inclined plane, at least a third element having a substantially cylindrical shape (10) of which one of its faces is an inclined plane, a fourth element consisting of a support plate (11) for the useful load, motor means for actuating at least one of those elements with respect to at least one of the other elements, means for coupling these elements between each other allowing a relative rotation of said elements, and means capable of preventing the rotation of one of said elements with respect to another of said elements. The device can be used for the orientation, positioning or displacement of a useful load, particularly to the pointing of solar panels, satellite antennae, telescopes, etc.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the fastening of a sealing bellows to the joint housing of a ball joint, in which the housing-side rim of the sealing bellows is laid firmly into a ring groove circumscribing the joint housing, designed substantially U-shaped in cross section, the bellows rim having a profiling adapted to the U-shape of the ring above and being pressed into the ring groove by a clamp ring. To increase the sealing effect, it is proposed that the profiled zone of the bellows rim lying opposite the bottom of the ring groove forms, when drawn on by the tension ring, a fold lifting off from the bottom of the groove, arched upward, which stretches under the pressure of the clamp ring to force the bellows rim against the side walls of the groove.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for assembling a protective boot in an air brake actuator. A mounting tube extends into the nonpressurized air chamber of the actuator and is formed with a groove in an outer peripheral surface. The end of the boot serves as a sleeve which is slipped over the end of the tube. A retainer ring, preferably carried by the boot, is forced downwardly to compress portions of the boot into the tube groove to thereby secure the boot in place.

Abstract: An improved vehicle rear-view mirror assembly of the type in which the mirror support arm is carried by means of at least one movable joint from the mounting part of the mirror assembly which is adapted to be secured to the bodywork of the vehicle includes a shroud of a resilient and flexible material mounted on the back of the mirror, and an extension having at least one movable joint with the end region of the extension in sealing relation with the mounting part, the extension enshrouded by a bellows-like tubular gaiter of flexible material. The shroud and the extension reduce the risk of injury to a person who may be accidentally hit by, or hit, the mirror assembly and the bellows-like gaiter also protects the movable joint or joints from dirt and moisture while readily flexing to allow the joint or joints to move or to be adjusted.

Abstract: A boot is provided which includes a resiliently deformable frame shaped to the respective contours of the rear window aperture of the truck cab and front window aperture in the forward wall of the camper. The opposite end walls of the frame terminate in respective continuous thickened lips which respectively snap-fit into corresponding channels provided in the cab and camper window frames. The boot is mounted in the respective window frames without adhesives, nails, screws, bolts or the like. It is also not necessary to remove either window to make the installation. Both windows remain slidable in their frames after installation, and the boot is easily removed therefrom.

Abstract: A connection of a rolling diaphragm to the inner one of two coaxially arranged piston and cylinder elements, the diaphragm having a thickened end accommodated in a groove in the wall of an annular face of the piston. An elastic ring clamped about the piston locks the thickened end of the seal in the groove.

Abstract: A pressure compensated, hermetically sealed transmission system is described which includes, basically, a hermetic rotary coupling. Rotary motion is applied through a casing, wherein a cylindrically shaped input shaft having a circular inner bearing race affixed to one end is coupled to a generally spherical shaped wobble plate by means of roller or ball bearings. In similar fashion, an output shaft is similarly coupled to the spherical shaped wobble plate at the opposite end. The inner races of the shafts are positioned at an angle and located eccentrically from the respective shaft center line. Both shafts are supported at their outer ends by combination journal thrust bearings, which are coupled to the main casing. The wobble plate is prevented from rotating about the common axis of the two shafts. Thus, as one shaft rotates, the wobble plate rocks, due to ball bearing action, but does not rotate. Likewise, due to the bearing action, as the wobble plate rocks the output shaft rotates.