U-joint face seal

Abstract

A U-joint assembly, including a face seal, is disclosed. The U-joint assembly includes a bearing cup including an outer generally cylindrical surface and an inner generally cylindrical surface, a bearing mounted within the bearing cup against the inner surface, and a shaft having a first cylindrical portion operatively engaging the bearing. The U-joint assembly also includes a face seal including an elastomeric portion, having a generally U-shaped cross section that is adapted to mount over a lip on the bearing cup and including a barb portion adapted to dynamically seal against an outer surface of the bearing cup, and also having a static seal portion adapted to statically seal against the shaft. The assembly also includes a plastic portion connected to the elastomeric portion and adapted to mate with an inner cylindrical surface of the bearing cup such that the barb portion is maintained in sealing contact with the bearing cup.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.