Replacement split boot assembly
AssigneeL&S Automotive Products Co.
InventorPhilip J. Gimino
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A replacement split boot assembly for a constant velocity joint on a vehicle is provided with slip-fit, non-threaded fasteners. The split boot body has pairs of opposing tabs across a longitudinal slit. Each of the tabs has a hole. The slip-fit, non-threaded fasteners have a head on one end and a radial projection spaced a distance from the head on the shaft. The fasteners are adapted to be urged through the opposing tab holes on the split boot body until the pair of tabs is located between the head of the fastener and the radial projection on the shaft. A retainer is used to lock the tabs between the head of the fastener and the retainer by urging the retainer over the radial projection of the fastener.
Claims22
A replacement split boot assembly for a constant velocity joint on an axle on a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a split boot comprising:
- a hollow, flexible body adapted to enclose the joint, the body having a longitudinal slit defined by abutting first and second edges;
- and
- at least one pair of deformable tabs including first and second opposing tabs on the first and second edges of the body, respectively, wherein each of the first and second tabs has a hole therethrough so that when the first and second edges of the body are abutted the holes in the pair of tabs are aligned;
- at least one fastener adapted to connect the pair of tabs, the fastener comprising:
- a non-threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted for insertion into the holes in the pair of tabs and the shaft sized to be received in the holes in the pair of tabs;
- a non-deformable head on the first end of the shaft, the head adapted to prevent passage of the head through the holes in the pair of tabs;
- and
- a deformable radial projection on-the shaft, the radial projection spaced a distance from the head, the distance being sufficient to receive the pair of tabs, the radial projection being sized to resist passage through the holes in the pair of tabs;
- whereby the fastener can be inserted through the holes in the pair of tabs by urging the radial projection through the holes in the pair of tabs until the pair of tabs is positioned between the head and the radial projection on the shaft;
- and
- at least one retainer for the fastener, wherein the retainer is adapted to be positioned on the shaft near the first end of the shaft so that in the assembled split boot assembly the pair of tabs are locked together on the shaft between the head of the fastener and the retainer.
A replacement split boot assembly kit for a constant velocity joint on an axle on a vehicle, the assembly kit comprising:
- a spit boot comprising:
- a hollow, flexible body adapted to enclose the joint, the body having a longitudinal slit defined by abutting first and second edges;
- at least one pair of deformable tabs including first and second opposing tabs on the first and second edges of the body, respectively, and wherein each of the first and second tabs has a hole therethrough so that when the first and second edges are abutted the holes in the pair of tabs are aligned;
- a first end sized to engage the axle proximal to the constant velocity joint;
- and
- a second end sized to engage the axle distal to the constant velocity joint;
- at least one fastener adapted to connect the pair tabs, the fastener comprising:
- a non-threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted for insertion into the holes in the pair of tabs and the shaft sized to be received in the holes in the pair of tabs;
- a non-deformable head on the first end of the shaft, the head adapted to prevent passage of the head through the holes in the pair of tabs;
- and
- a deformable radial projection on the shaft, the projection spaced a distance from the head, the distance being sufficient to receive the pair of tabs, the radial projection being sized to resist passage through the holes in the pair of tabs;
- whereby the fastener can be inserted by urging the radial projection through the holes in the pair of tabs until the pair of tabs is positioned between the head and the radial projection on the shaft;
- at lest one retainer for the fastener, wherein the retainer is adapted to be positioned on the shaft near the first end of the shaft so that in the assembled split boot assembly the pair of tabs are locked together on the shaft between the head of the fastener and the retainer;
- a first seal member adapted to secure the first end of the split boot around the axle proximal to the constant velocity joint;
- a second seal member adapted to secure the second end of the split boot around the axle distal to the constant velocity joint;
- a container of lubricant for greasing the split boot assembly and the constant velocity joint;
- and
- a package sized to hold the split boot body, fastener, first and second seal members, and container of lubricant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.