A screw seal

Claim 2

A screw seal providing a seal between a screw and a nut comprising: a carrier defining a cylindrical interior for disposal axially along said screw; at least one chipping member coupled to said carrier, said member defining a chipping surface which extends into a groove of said screw for engaging matter in said groove as said carrier is advanced along said screw; at least one wiping member, defining a wiping surface which engages a groove of said screw coupled to said carrier such that said wiping surface follows said chipping surface in a groove of said screw as said carrier is advanced along said screw; a sealing member helically disposed between said carrier and a groove of said screw for forming a seal between said carrier and said screw, said sealing member being coupled at one of its ends to said carrier such that as said carrier is advanced along said screw said sealing member follows said wiping surface; whereby as said carrier is advanced along said screw foreign matter on said screw is prevented from entering between said seal and said screw.

Claim 3

The screw seal defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing member engages at least one groove of said screw for at least one turn of a groove of said screw.

Claim 4

The screw seAl defined in claim 1 wherein said wiping member defines a surface which engages two adjacent grooves of said screw at its ends.

Claim 5

The screw seal defined in claim 1 wherein said chipping member extends radially inward from the interior of said carrier.

Claim 6

The screw seal defined in claim 3 wherein a spring is used to urge said wiping member against said screw.

Claim 7

The screw seal defined in claim 5 wherein a resilient member is disposed between said sealing member and the interior of said carrier for forcing said sealing member into a groove of said screw.

Claim 8

A screw seal providing a seal between a screw and a nut comprising: a carrier defining a cylindrical interior for disposal axially along said screw; a pair of spaced apart chipping members coupled to said carrier and extending into the interior of said carrier, each member being disposed parallel to the axis of said screw and including end portions which extend into adjacent grooves of said screw and a center portion disposed above a land of said adjacent grooves; a wiping member coupled to said carrier between said spaced apart chipping members defining a wiping surface which engages adjacent grooves of said screw for wiping said grooves; a sealing member for sliding, engaging and sealing the groove of said screw, coupled to the interior of said carrier, said sealing member helically extending from the surface of one end portion of one chipping member opposite said wiping member to a surface on the other chipping member opposite said wiping member in said adjacent groove; whereby as said screw seal is rotated in either direction on said screw the groove of said screw will first be cleared of matter by said chipping member, then wiped by said wiper and sealed with said carrier by said sealing member.

Claim 9

A screw seal providing a seal between a screw and a nut comprising: a carrier defining a cylindrical interior for disposal axially along said screw; a pair of spaced apart chipping members coupled to said carrier and extending into the interior of said carrier, each member being disposed parallel to the axis of said screw and including end portions which extend into adjacent grooves of said screw and a center portion disposed above a land of said adjacent grooves; a wiping member coupled to said carrier between said spaced apart chipping members defining a wiping surface which engages adjacent grooves of said screw for wiping said grooves; a sealing member for sliding, engaging and sealing the groove of said screw, coupled to the interior of said carrier, said sealing member helically extending from the surface of one end portion of one chipping member opposite said wiping member to a surface on the other chipping member opposite said wiping member in said adjacent groove; whereby as said screw seal is rotated in either direction on said screw the groove of said screw will first be cleared of matter by said chipping member, then wiped by said wiper and sealed with said carrier by said sealing member.

Claim 10

The screw seal defined by claim 7 wherein a spring urges said wiping member against said screw.

Claim 11

The screw seal defined by claim 8 wherein the interior of said carrier includes a pair of spaced-apart helical ribs defining a channel for housing a seat for said sealing member.

Claim 12

The screw seal defined by claim 9 wherein a resilient member is disposed between said sealing member and carrier within said channels for urging said sealing member into a groove of said screw.