Bearing seal assembly with dual annular support rings
AssigneeCadillac Rubber & Plastics, Inc.
InventorThomas S. Beia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing seal assembly, especially adapted for use between an automotive body and a steering wheel shaft is formed from identical molded annular rings (18) and (20) which snap-fit together through slots (38) and projections (42) and an annular gasket race (22) with a frusto-conical sealing lip (24). The annular rings (18, 20) form a T-shaped cavity (46, 48) in which the annular gasket race (22) is retained.
Claims19
A bearing seal assembly comprising:
- first and second annular rings of substantially identical construction, each having:
- an outer face;
- an inner face;
- an outer circumferential surface;
- an inner circumferential surface;
- a cavity formed in the inner face of the inner circumferential surface;
- and
- means formed in the inner face to snap-fit together two of said substantially identical annular rings with said inner faces thereof in juxtaposed facing relationship;
- an annular gasket member having an annular portion and an inwardly-extending flange of relatively flexible nature to seal against a shaft, the annular portion of said gasket member being shaped to fit snugly within the cavities formed in the first and second rings which are joined together at inner faces thereof;
- and
- said first and second annular rings being joined together at the inner faces thereof with said annular gasket member therebetween.
A bearing seal assembly comprising first and second rings which are snap-fit together at adjoining faces thereof, said first and second annular rings forming a cavity therebetween at a radial inward portion thereof;
- an annular gasket member having an annular portion fitting snugly within the cavity formed between the first and second annular rings and having a radially inwardly directed frusto-conical flange formed of a relatively flexible material to form a sealing lip with a shaft extending through the annular rings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.