Impact resistant tie rod boot
US11415179B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2019 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/05
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tie rod boot includes a minimally thick accordion shaped bellows section. One terminal end of the boot is secured to a steering mechanism and the other is secured to a tie rod. Protuberances are provided and are strategically located on the bellows walls for resisting impacts from rocks and other debris and minimizing holes through the tie rod. When the bellows is retracted and pairs of opposing bellows walls collapse towards each other, the protuberances of adjacent opposing walls nest with each other and contact the opposing wall. The protuberances can be step shaped rings or a ring of discrete protuberances which are step shaped or both. The step shaped protuberances are defined by a riser surface extending along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boot and a tread annular surface which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.