The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 27, 1996
Mark A Cartwright, Lafayette, IN (US);
Robert Geyer, Lafayette, IN (US);
Gerald K Oxley, Lafayette, IN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A flexible boot (10) comprises a body (80) which defines a cavity (82) for receiving a universal joint (50). A first end portion (100) of the body (80) encircles an intermediate steering shaft (30). The first end portion (108) includes a pair of annular ribs (110 and 112) and a first annular lip (102) which extends radially inward to provide a seal between the first end portion (100) of the body (80) and the intermediate steering shaft (30). The pair of annular ribs (100 and 112) are located adjacent the first annular lip (102) and extend radially inward. The pair of ribs (110 and 112) define a recess (118) therebetween. The flexible boot (10) further comprises a bearing (90) in the recess (118) for supporting rotation of the intermediate steering shaft (30) relative to the flexible boot (10), and a second end portion (120) of the body (80) which includes a second annular lip (122) for receipt in a groove (62) on a steering gear housing (60) to secure the body (80) to the steering gear housing (60). A center portion (140) of the body (80) interconnects the first end portion (100) with the second end portion (120). The center portion (140) is axially expandable.