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:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 01, 1998
Christopher C. Cheney, Bowling Green, OH (US);
Jeffrey M. Knodle, Ida, MI (US);
GKN Automotive, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A flexible boot assembly for protectively covering a constant velocity joint includes a flexible boot having an end portion that is molded about a flange portion of a rigid can. The flexible boot is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and can be integrally molded to a metallic can by an insert molding or other similar process. The metallic can includes a hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning the can with respect to the constant velocity joint. The metallic can also includes a face portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for mounting the boot assembly to the constant velocity joint. The inner surface of the metallic can includes a bead of a sealing material or a gasket for sealingly engaging the boot assembly to the adjacent face of the constant velocity joint. In another embodiment, the entire boot assembly is formed by using elastomeric material. In alternative embodiments, the entire boot assembly is formed from an elastomeric material. The boot assembly may or may not include the hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning it with respect to the constant velocity joint.