Clampless universal joint and boot assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US6220969B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Clampless universal joint and boot assembly",
  "abstract": "A universal joint such as a constant velocity (CV) joint in a drive assembly of a front wheel drive vehicle can require a boot to seal the joint from environmental contaminants found on a highway or other vehicle driving surface. Typically, such boots are attached using a clamp, however it has been found that the crimps extending from the clamp can interfere with a vehicle's ABS sensor. The present invention provides a clampless means of attaching the boot to the CV joint, by providing a continuous rib projecting from inner surface of an end of the boot, and a coincident groove on the end of the universal joint, wherein the rib has a means for cooperating with the groove to retain said rib within the groove. It is contemplated that the present invention can be used on other types of universal joint and boot assemblies.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A universal joint and boot assembly comprising: a first and second member engaging one another to transmit torque therebetween; a boot for sealing engagement between said first and second members, said boot having a flexible hollow body; and, complementary rib and groove members extending radially between said first member and an inner surface of said boot for sealingly connecting said first member to said boot; said groove defining a narrow throat at an entry thereto and a wide portion distal said throat; said rib having a narrow neck portion for registering with said throat and a wider head portion for registering with said wide portion, said head portion further having a tapered surface distal said neck portion which narrows away from said wider portion and said neck portion for facilitating insertion of said rib into said groove in a radial direction.",
    "2. The universal joint assembly of claim 1 wherein said universal joint is a constant velocity joint.",
    "3. The universal joint of claim 1 wherein: said neck portion of aid rib is rectilinear and said head is arrow-shaped.",
    "4. The universal joint of claim 1 wherein: said neck portion of said rib is rectilinear and said head is cylindrical.",
    "5. The universal joint of claim 1 wherein said universal joint is a universal joint on a rack and pinion steering system.",
    "6. A boot for sealing a universal joint having a first and second member for transmitting torque therebetween, said first member having a radially extending circumferential groove, said boot comprising: a flexible hollow body; and a continuous rib extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said body, said rib being coincident with said groove when said boot is positioned on a universal joint and said rib cooperates with said groove to maintain said boot in position thereon, said rib having a narrow neck portion adjacent said inner surface, a wider head portion adjacent said neck portion, said head portion having a tapered surface distal said neck portion which narrows away from said wider portion."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to universal joint seals and more particularly relates to a clampless boot for sealing a universal joint such as a constant velocity joint.\n\nIn the early 1980's the automotive industry began to switch production from rear wheel drive vehicles to front wheel drive vehicles. Generally, front wheel drive passenger vehicles are now more common than rear wheel drive vehicles. This change resulted in a significant redesign of vehicle drive systems. Today, front wheel drive vehicles typically have two driveaxles, one to connect each front wheel with the vehicle transmission. In four wheel drive and independent rear suspension vehicles the automobile can have four driveaxles. Each driveaxle typically requires two constant velocity (CV) joints, a type of universal joint, to allow for movement of the driveaxles in relation to the transmission as the vehicle wheels encounter uneven terrain. Because of the proximity of the CV joints to a highway or road, CV joints require a flexible ‘boot’, which is attached over the joint to protect it from stones, debris and other external contaminants while retaining lubricants and maintaining integrity of the precision internal bearing surfaces of the CV joint. It is well known in the prior art to use band clamps for the attachment of boots to CV joints, and crimp-style clamps have been the preferred means for attaching boots for the past decade. Crimp-style clamps have an outwardly projecting deformable crimp lug by which the clamp is installed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,509.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16J 3/042",
    "F16B 2200/30",
    "F16D 3/845"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16D 3/84",
    "F16J 3/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ST LOUIS STAMPING INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "LILLEY ALBERT"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1998-08-14",
  "publication_date": "2001-04-24",
  "grant_date": "2001-04-24",
  "priority_date": "1998-08-14",
  "application_number": "US-13453498-A",
  "family_id": "22463808",
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  ]
}