Importance

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Abstract

A sealing boot for sealing a power transmitting mechanical joint of the plunging type, especially a mechanical joint which is subject to angular articulation between its input member and output member. The mechanical joint has an outer member, and the outer member has an external cylindrical surface. The sealing boot has a semi-rigid or non-flexible segment which surrounds a portion of the cylindrical surface and this non-flexible segment has a cylindrical slot that sealingly and slidingly receives the cylindrical end portion of a second boot segment, which is also of semi-rigid or non-flexible character. The sliding action of the second boot segment in the first boot segment results from the plunging action of the joint. The second boot segment also has a slot at its other end and this slot slidingly and sealingly receives an end portion of a third boot segment. The third boot segment, in turn, seals to a member of the mechanical joint. The slot in the second boot segment is non-cylindrical, for example spherical, and the sliding action of the third boot segment in the slot of the second boot segment results from angular articulation of the joint. The invention is disclosed in the form of a boot for an automotive front wheel drive joint of the plunging type.

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First Claim