Steering ball seal
US4466623A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1983 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J15/3268
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering ball seal includes a rigid annular outer case having a radially extending elastomeric sealing member bonded thereto. The sealing member includes a pair of sealing lips which extend radially inwardly of the case. The sealing member further includes an integral annular protective assembly tab which extends axially thereof and which contains a radially protruding retention ridge. The sealing member also includes an integral retention bead radially outwardly of the ridge. The lip and bead cooperate to provide for resilient insertion and removal of an inner case which is retained against the radial body of the sealing member to provide rigidity of the member during operation of the seal. In a preferred form, the inner case is of resilient polyethelene material, and includes a split body construction to facilitate its installation over the steering ball. During assembly of the seal over the steering ball, only the protective assembly tab makes contact with the spherical portion of the steering ball assembly, as the pair of sealing lips are elastically deflected out of contact therewith by the protective assembly tab.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.