EP0157559A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective gaiters for joints
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-03-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-03-22
Abstract
Abstract © A protective gaiter particularly for a motor vehicle steering joint is formed from a flexible tubular body (8). In a first embodiment, instead of relying on moulded convolutions to permit flexing in use, the tubular body (8) is folded back over itself to form a U-bend (13) or S-bend (20). This permits construction of the body (8) with a seam (16, 17) along its length which can be closed during fitting so that the gaiter can be fitted without dismantling the joint. In a further embodiment which may be combined with the first embodiment, the gaiter has fitting sections (103, 104) of progressively increasing diameters at one or both ends (101, 102) so that the gaiter can be adapted to fit different sizes of joint members by selecting the appropriate fitting section (3) and extending the gaiter body as required.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Fields Hayward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J3/00; F16J3/04; F16J3/041; F16J3/045; B; B62; B62D; B62D3/00; B62D3/02; B62D3/12; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0666; F16C11/0671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A flexible gaiter fitted around a joint defined between first and second joint members, said gaiter comprising a flexible tubular body having opposite ends secured respectively to said members, characterised in that at least one tubular portion (11) of said body is turned within an adjacent tubular portion (12) of the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flexible gaiter fitted around a joint defined between first and second joint members, said gaiter comprising a flexible tubular body having opposite ends secured respectively to said members, characterised in that at least one tubular portion (11) of said body is turned within an adjacent tubular portion (12) of the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fitted gaiter according to claim 1, characterised in that an end tubular portion (11) is inturned within the adjacent tubular portion (12) so that a U-shaped fold (13) is defined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fitted gaiter according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that an intermediate portion is turned within the adjacent tubular portion so that an S-shaped fold (20) is defined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fitted gaiter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said gaiter comprises a one-piece shaped sheet having opposite longitudinal edges (16, 17) which are seamed together to define said tubular body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fitted gaiter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one said end portion has a plurality of axially spaced annular fitting sections (3, 4) of progressively increased diameters, and said body is axially extensible.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of installing a gaiter around a joint defined between first and second joint members (2, 3) characterised in that a flexible shaped sheet in the form of a tubular body having a slit (14) along its length is wrapped around the first joint member, opposite edges (16, 17) of said sheet defining said slit are secured together, and the body is turned to define at least one fold between tubular portions thereof, the opposite ends of the body being fixed respectively to the two joint members.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of installing a gaiter around a joint defined between first and second joint members (2, 3) characterised in that a flexible shaped sheet in the form of a tubular body having a slit (14) along its length is wrapped around the first joint member, opposite edges (16, 17) of said sheet defining said slit are secured together, and the body is turned to define at least one fold between tubular portions thereof, the opposite ends of the body being fixed respectively to the two joint members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 6, characterised in that the body is fixed at the pertaining end (9) thereof to the first joint member (2) prior to formation of the said fold (13), a U-shaped fold (13) is then formed by turning the body back over said end (9) fixed to the joint member (2), and the opposite end (10) of the body is then fixed to the second joint member (3).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the body is fixed at the pertaining end (9) thereof to the first joint member (2) prior to formation of the said fold, an S-shaped fold (20) is then formed by turning the body backwards and forwards intermediate the ends (9, 10) thereof, and the opposite end (10) of the body is then fixed to the second joint member (3).
Claim 11
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the slit edges (16, 17) are secured together by interlocking of cooperable configurations (18, 19) therealong.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
45 words
A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the shaped sheet is tapered towards one or both ends (9, 10) thereof and is cut as necessary before fitting to give a desired diameter at the or each such end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
A protective gaiter for a joint comprising a tubular body having opposite end portions adapted to fit around and in sealing engagement with respective joint members and a flexible central portion, characterised in that at least one said end portion (101, 102) has a plurality of axially spaced annular fitting sections (103, 104) or progressively increased diameters, and said body is axially extensible.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A protective gaiter for a joint comprising a tubular body having opposite end portions adapted to fit around and in sealing engagement with respective joint members and a flexible central portion, characterised in that at least one said end portion (101, 102) has a plurality of axially spaced annular fitting sections (103, 104) or progressively increased diameters, and said body is axially extensible.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gaiter according to claim 11, characterised in that the fitting sections (103, 104) are defined by stepped configurations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gaiter according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that each fitting section (103, 104) has one or more circumferential ribs (107) on its inner surface for cooperation with a sealing groove or grooves on the pertaining joint member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gaiter according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that each fitting section (103, 104) has a channel or groove (108-110) on its outer surface to receive a fixing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A gaiter according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that the central portion has a double fold (113) of S-shape so as to permit axial extension and contraction of the tubular body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fitted gaiter according to claim 1, which comprises a gaiter according to any one of claims 11 to 15.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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