Importance

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Abstract

A one-piece multiple durometer molded plastic dust and moisture shield for a lubricated assembly comprises a bowl-shaped intermediate part of resiliently deformable plastic material axially spacing and intimately bonded to an annular reinforcing rim and an annular reinforcing base of hard, form-sustaining plastic material. The rim extends coaxially around the bowl mouth of the shield and is bonded to the axially adjacent portion to define one axial end of the shield dimensioned to interfit in sealing engagement with the part to be shielded. The annular base extends coaxially with an annular base liner of the resiliently deformable intermediate portion an defines the opposite axial end of the shield. The annular base liner comprises the base of the bowl-shaped intermediate portion and its central opening is dimensioned to effect an interference sealing fit with another part of the assembly to be shielded. The diameter of the opening in the base liner is smaller than the diameter of the coaxial opening in the base so as to provide an inner periphery in the aforesaid sealing engagement with the assembly to be shielded. The remainder of the base liner and base are coextensive and are intimately bonded together to reinforce the base liner and stabilize its shape when in sealing engagement with the assembly to be shielded. The shield is molded by partially solidifying the rim and base in separate mold cavities of a two-part mold, shaped so that the part containing the partially solidified rim can be inverted and interfitted coaxially within the mold part containing the cavity for the base to define a cavity for forming the resiliently flexible intermediate portion of the shield.

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First Claim