Method and apparatus for retaining seals

Claim 2

An improved retaining structure for a continuous annular seal of the type which includes a U-shaped cross section with one leg having a predetermined radial height and adapted to sealingly engage a radial face of a ring wherein the improvement comprises: (a) an inner annular flange extending axially from said ring radial face and (b) an outer annular flange extending axially from said ring radial face to define a large radial gap between said outer and inner annular flanges and then radially inward toward said inner annular flange to define a small radial gap between said outer and said inner annular flanges, said small radial gap being smaller than said leg predetermined radial height but larger than a projected radial height when the seal leg is tipped, such that the seal leg may be inserted through said small gap into said large gap by temporarily tipping and inserting successive portions of the seal leg.

Claim 3

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the seal leg is greater than the outer diameter of said small gap.

Claim 4

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the seal leg is less than the outer diameter of said large gap.

Claim 5

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner annular flange is a continuous 360° flange.

Claim 6

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer annular flange is a continuous 360° flange.

Claim 7

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein that portion of said outer annular flange which extends radially inward is discontinuous to present a circumferential gap to facilitate installation of the seal leg.

Claim 8

An improved retaining structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the seal is E-shaped in cross section, and further wherein the central portion has a radial height which is less than said small gap.

Claim 11

The method as set forth in claim 8 and including the steps of providing a circumferential gap in the radial annular flange and inserting a portion of the seal into the retaining slot by way of said annular gap.

Claim 12

The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of inserting a portion of the seal into the retaining slot by way of said annular gap is the last step.

Claim 13

An improved seal retaining ring of the type having a radial wall engageable by a continuous annular seal flexible leg having a predetermined outer diameter wherein the improvement comprises: (a) an axial annular flange extending from the radial wall to define the radially outer boundary for the seal; and (b) a radial annular flange extending inwardly from said axial annular flange to define with the radial wall and said axial annular flange a retainer slot for the seal, the inner diameter of said axial annular flange being smaller than the combination of said flexible leg predetermined outer diameter and the radial height of said radial annular flange, but larger than the combination of the radial height of said radial annular flange and a reduced flexible leg diameter when the seal leg is tipped at a point, such that the seal may be inserted into said retainer slot by temporarily tipping and inserting successive portions of the seal leg.

Claim 14

An improved seal retaining ring of the type having a radial wall engageable by a continuous annular seal flexible leg having a predetermined outer diameter wherein the improvement comprises: (a) an axial annular flange extending from the radial wall to define the radially outer boundary for the seal; and (b) a radial annular flange extending inwardly from said axial annular flange to define with the radial wall and said axial annular flange a retainer slot for the seal, the inner diameter of said axial annular flange being smaller than the combination of said flexible leg predetermined outer diameter and the radial height of said radial annular flange, but larger than the combination of the radial height of said radial annular flange and a reduced flexible leg diameter when the seal leg is tipped at a point, such that the seal may be inserted into said retainer slot by temporarily tipping and inserting successive portions of the seal leg.

Claim 15

An improved seal retaining ring as set forth in claim 11 wherein the inner diameter of said axial annular flange is such that when a first point on the seal leg is moved radially outward in the retaining slot so as to engage the axial annular flange at a second point 180° from said first point, the leg will not pass across the inner edge of said radial annular flange without first being tipped.

Claim 16

An improved seal retaining ring as set forth in claim 11 wherein said radial annular flange is a continuous 360° flange.

Claim 17

An improved seal retaining ring as set forth in claim 13 wherein said radial annular flange is discontinuous to present a gap to facilitate installation of the seal leg.

Claim 18

An improved seal retaining ring as set forth in claim 11 wherein the seal is E-shaped in cross section.

Claim 19

An improved seal retaining ring as set forth in claim 11 wherein the seal is U-shaped in cross section.