Abstract: A bellows seal for a universal joint has its sleeve surrounding the drive shaft separated from this shaft over only a cylindrical segment by a device communicating between the interior of the sleeve and the external atmosphere. This device has a portion of small circumferential width lying below the sleeve and a portion of large circumferential width integral with the first portion. An axial groove in the first portion communicating with a meandering groove forming a baffle in the second portion before this meandering groove opens into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A bellows having, at one of an end thereof a small fold intended to provide a complement of the volume of the bellows at the large angular clearances of the drive shaft, to one of which the bellows is connected by a sleeve with a small diameter. The small fold works with an intermediate fold and a large fold by the interposition of a first cylindrical zone that flares out toward the intermediate fold along a radius of curvature. The large fold is fastened on the second element of the drive of greater diameter by via a second cylindrical zone.

Abstract: In a universal joint, the inner joint member thereof is connected with one end of an intermediate element, with the other end of the intermediate element receiving an end of a sealing boot to enable the sealing boot to stretch over the outer joint member and to be firmly and tightly connected to a driveshaft and to the intermediate element in order to provide a safe sealing function which forms an enclosed system with connections which may be freely designed without limitation as to the adjoining components, the intention being to obtain a unit having the shortest possible axial length without restricting the angular articulation and axial mobility of the joint.

Abstract: A guard for a combination rotary drive shaft and universal joint includes a tubular member surrounding the shaft and a funnel-shaped member laterally enclosing the joint. An intermediate member interconnects the tubular member and the funnel shaped member. A bearing ring is engageable within one of the drive shaft and the universal joint and mounts the guard on the shaft and joint. To assemble the guard on the shaft and joint it is axially movable along the shaft with passageways formed by the intermediate member and the funnel-shaped member arranged to align with and move over outwardly extending locking tongues on the bearing ring. When a stop surface of the intermediate member contacts the locking tongues on the bearing ring further axial movement is blocked and the guard can be secured in position by rotating the funnel-shaped member so that the locking tongues are spaced angularly from the passageways in the funnel-shaped member.

Abstract: A universal joint having an inner joint member and an outer joint member and torque transmitting balls interposed therebetween is formed with recesses which receive the balls in one of the joint members, this one joint member being provided with at least one elastic ring on which the balls are supported.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly having a universal joint which includes a pair of joint yokes and a cross member with an input and an output shaft being connected, respectively, to each of the joint yokes is formed to include a sealing boot of resilient material which is connected at its ends to both the input and the output shafts on opposite sides of the universal joint to completely cover the joint. The sealing boot is particularly constructed to include internal formations intermediate the ends thereof which engage with the joint yokes of the universal joint to provide additional fixing support connecting the sealing boot in sealing engagement over the universal joint.

Abstract: A sealing boot for connection between an outer member of a universal joint assembly and a shaft member associated with an inner member of the joint, the boot being formed with a first end portion which is connected with the joint outer member and a second end portion which is connected with the shaft member. The first end portion of the boot affords a sealing face which engages an end face of the outer joint member and which extends generally radially relative thereto and an axially extending cylindrical portion which fits over the exterior of the outer joint member in order to connect the first end portion of the boot with the outer joint member. The first end portion of the boot may be formed with external reinforcing ribs and internal inwardly extending projections which act as stops to limit movement of the boot if the joint is over articulated. The second end portion of the boot may be conventionally secured to the shaft member or it may be formed with inwardly extending sealing lips.

Abstract: A universal joint connected at one side thereof with a drive shaft having a pair of telescopic protective tubes extending thereover is protectively sealed by a protective boot which is joined with one end of the drive shaft. An annular bearing body formed on one of the telescopic protective tubes engages in an annular groove in a shank member of the universal joint and the protective boot includes a conical connecting portion extending over a connecting piece which is attached with one of the protective tubes. A securing ring is engaged in an outer groove of the connecting piece and a conical collar of the securing ring operates to press the conical connecting portion of the protective boot against a funnel-like extension of the connecting piece. The connecting piece is formed with through-holes which receive therein locking tongues formed on the annular bearing body and the securing ring includes a stop face which axially fixes the locking tongues in the through-holes.

Abstract: A sealing device for a joint, such as a tripod joint including flanges to be joined to each other, has a sealing member having an endless shape and provided with a plurality of projections and an end cover having its periphery held between the flanges and adapted to hold the sealing member in association with the flange of the casing. The end cover is provided with a plurality of through holes to receive the projections of the sealing member. The holes are visible from outside when the flanges are joined to form the joint.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly connecting a pair of shaft ends is provided with a protective boot having a bellows-like configuration defining circumferential folds and including a conical connecting portion. A connecting piece is provided for joining a protective tube of one of the shafts with the protective boot. The connecting piece includes a funnel-like extension partially projecting into the conical connecting portion of the protective boot and a rigid supporting ring engages about the protective boot. The supporting ring includes a conical part adapted to extend in embracing engagement over the conical connecting portion of the protective boot, the conical part extending to partially overlap with a funnel-like extension of the connecting piece.

Abstract: A sealing assembly including a resilient boot or sleeve mounted in sealing engagement between the inner and outer members of a universal joint with one end of the sleeve being connected to an axially moveable bush mounted about the drive shaft of the universal joint. An annular groove is formed on the drive shaft and an annular sealing ring arranged within the groove is interposed between the drive shaft and the axially moveable bush.

Abstract: A sealing boot for a universal joint including a pair of terminal portions each engaged with different parts of the joint to provide a protective seal therefor. One of the terminal portions is structured as a non-return valve to permit fluid flow from the interior of the sealing boot to alleviate excess pressure. The non-return valve is formed by an annular collar having channels defined therein with a resilient sleeve extending exteriorly of the sealing boot to be lifted from engagement with a part of the universal joint when pressure within the channel exceeds a specified limit. A resilient sleeve extending interiorly of the sealing boot may also be provided so that atmospheric air may be permitted to enter the boot for pressure equalization.

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: A dust boot for a universal joint covering two joint elements having largely curved corner portions in the outer peripheral surface thereof near their joint portion, comprises a resilient annular covering portion for covering the joint portion of the universal joint and two annular end portions which are integrally formed with the covering portion in axially both ends thereof. The annular end portions are mounted on the two joint elements near their joint portion. Since the area of an open end of the dust boot mounted on the joint element having largely curved corner portions is made smaller than the cross sectional area of the outer peripheral surface of the joint element, specifically only the curvature of the open end of the dust boot corresponding to the largely curved corner portions of the joint element is made smaller than that of the corner portions of the joint element, the dust boot can be closely mounted on the joint element with excellent sealing effect.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint includes a centering device which restricts each cardan joint to mutually equal operating angles by the use of annular involute gear teeth designed to mesh in the homokinetic plane. A boot seal simultaneously flexes and rolls as the universal joint articulates to develop a kneading action which pumps lubricant among the gear teeth.