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:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2001
Jon W. Martin, Loudon, TN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) includes a tie rod ( ) for a vehicle steering system. The tie rod ( ) has an axis ( ), a first cylindrical portion ( ) with a first outer surface ( ) of a first diameter ( ), and a second cylindrical portion ( ) coaxial with the first cylindrical portion ( ). The second cylindrical portion ( ) has a second outer surface ( ) of a second diameter ( ) smaller than the first diameter ( ). The tie rod ( ) has a ring portion ( ) projecting radially from the second outer surface ( ) of the second cylindrical portion ( ). The ring portion ( ) has a third outer surface ( ) extending axially along the second cylindrical portion ( ). A boot seal ( ) encircles the second cylindrical portion ( ). The boot seal ( ) has a sealing surface ( ) in sealing contact with the third outer surface ( ) of the ring portion ( ). The sealing surface ( ) defines a groove ( ) in the boot seal ( ). The ring portion ( ) is located in the groove ( ).