Two-element lip-type seal

Claim 1

A seal assembly, having an annular configuration adapted to form a barrier against damaging material which may enter bearing areas of relatively rotatable components of a pivot joint in a track linkage, or like mechanical joint, having a bushing forming component mounted for rotational and limited axial movement on a pivot pin forming component the ends of which are secured in associated end support members, said seal assembly comprising a pair of annular seal elements adapted to be arranged in axially inner and outer relationship and to be disposed in a recess in the bushing end face and between confronting radially spaced face portions of said pivot pin and said bushing end, said inner and outer seal elements, when seated in said recess, having radially spaced support portions seated in fixed relation on said confronting radially spaced face portions, said inner and outer seal elements having integral resilient deformable lip formations thereon which extend axially in radially spaced relation to the associated face portion and to each other, and each of said lip formations on said pair of seal elements extending in a recess formed in the associated seal element in an area between the lip formation and the support face portion of said associated seal element and engaging in seal forming relation with said support face portion of said associated seal element, thereby forming a closed annular compartment in the form of a labyrinth which is defined by said lip formations and adjoining portions of the respective seal elements which are in confronting relation and which extend between the seal forming engagement of said lip formations with said support face portions.