Importance

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Abstract

A protective bellows (24) covers over the end of, and protects the mechanism within, the casing (6) of a universal or articulated joint (5). The universal joint (5) is of normal construction, its casing (6) being drivingly connected to an output shaft (10) by ball or rollers (14) mounted in grooves (16) on an inner element (12) fixed to the output shaft (10) and in grooves (18) on the inner face of the casing (6). The balls or rollers (14) permit the desired angular movement of the axis of the output shaft (10) relative to the axis of the casing (6). In addition, a certain amount of axial movement (L) is permitted. In order to resist any tendency of this axial movement to dislodge the balls or rollers (14) from the casing (6), a rigid zone (40) is integrally molded onto the inside of the bellows (24) adjacent its large diameter end. This rigid zone (40) extends in a radial direction part way across the open end of the casing (6) to resist dislodgement of the balls or rollers (14).

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First Claim