Joint seal having force transfer ring

Claim 2

In a joint (10) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and a corner portion (22) generally opposite said lip portion (20); a force transfer member (23) embracing said corner portion (22) of the seal element; and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member (23) for mechanically maintaining said force transfer member (23) in embracing association with said corner portion (22) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12).

Claim 3

The joint of claim 1 wherein said force transfer member (23) defines an L-shaped cross section.

Claim 4

The joint of claim 1 wherein said force transfer member (23) comprises a rigid annular member.

Claim 5

The joint of claim 1 wherein said force transfer member (23) is maintained in engagement with said corner portion (22) solely by the action of said spring (24) thereagainst.

Claim 6

The joint of claim 1 wherein said force transfer member (23) includes a portion (26) aligned with said lip portion (20).

Claim 7

The joint of claim 1 wherein said spring (24) comprises a Belleville spring and said force transfer member (23) defines a rounded surface (28) engaged by said spring (24).

Claim 8

In a joint (10) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and an engagement portion (30) generally opposite said lip portion; a rigid force transfer member (23) engaging said engagement portion (30) of the seal element; and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member (23) for urging said force transfer member (23) into engagement with said engagement portion (30) of the seal element (17) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) thereof to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12).

Claim 9

In a joint (10) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and an engagement portion (30) generally opposite said lip portion; a rigid force transfer member (23) engaging said engagement portion (30) of the seal element; and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member (23) for urging said force transfer member (23) into engagement with said engagement portion (30) of the seal element (17) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) thereof to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12).

Claim 10

The joint of claim 7 wherein said spring (24) comprises a Belleville spring.

Claim 11

The joint of claim 7 wherein said seal element includes a base portion (19), said spring (24) extending between said base portion (19) and said force transfer member (23).

Claim 12

The joint of claim 7 wherein said force transfer member (23) defines a concave surface (27) engaging the engagement portion (30) of the seal element.

Claim 13

The joint of claim 7 wherein said force transfer member (23) includes an annular flange (25) and said engagement portion (30) defines a recess (31) receiving said flange (25).

Claim 14

The joint of claim 7 wherein said force transfer member (23) includes an annular flange (25) and said engagement portion (30) defines a recess (31) receiving said flange (25), said force transfer member (23) further defining a turned end (26) opposite said flange (25) whereby said force transfer member (23) defines a concave surface (27) engaging the engagement portion (30) of the seal element.

Claim 15

The joint of claim 7 wherein said force transfer member (23) includes an annular flange (25) and said engagement portion (30) defines a recess (31) receiving said flange (25), said force transfer member (23) further defining a turned end (26) opposite said flange (25) whereby said force transfer member (23) defines a concave surface (27) engaging the engagement portion (30) of the seal element, said turned end (26) being directly aligned with said lip portion (20) of the seal element (17).

Claim 16

The joint of claim 7 wherein said spring (24) and force transfer means (23) define planar surfaces 29,32 in facial engagement at a midportion of the range of deflection of said spring (24).

Claim 17

In a joint (33) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and a corner portion (22) generally opposite said lip portion (20); a force transfer member (34) embracing said corner portion (22) of the seal element and having a spring seat portion (30); and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member spring seat portion (30) for mechanically maintaining said force transfer member (34) in embracing association with said corner portion (22) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12), said spring seat portion (30) defining a plurality of pressure relief fluid flow passages (35) for conducting trapped lubricant fluid outwardly from between said spring (24) and said spring seat portion (30).

Claim 18

In a joint (33) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and a corner portion (22) generally opposite said lip portion (20); a force transfer member (34) embracing said corner portion (22) of the seal element and having a spring seat portion (30); and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member spring seat portion (30) for mechanically maintaining said force transfer member (34) in embracing association with said corner portion (22) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12), said spring seat portion (30) defining a plurality of pressure relief fluid flow passages (35) for conducting trapped lubricant fluid outwardly from between said spring (24) and said spring seat portion (30).

Claim 19

The joint of claim 15 wherein said spring seat portion (30) defines a plurality of grooves forming said fluid flow passages (35).

Claim 20

The joint of claim 15 wherein said spring seat portion (30) defines a plurality of grooves opening transversely toward said spring (24) and forming said fluid flow passages (35).

Claim 21

The joint of claim 15 wherein said spring seat portion (30) defines a plurality of grooves opening transversely toward said spring (24) and forming said fluid flow passages (35), said grooves being spaced equiangularly about the axis of said force transfer member (34).

Claim 22

In a joint (33) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and a corner portion (22) generally opposite said lip portion (20); a force transfer member (34) having a U-section portion (37) receiving said corner portion (22) of the seal element; and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member (34) for mechanically maintaining said force transfer member (34) in embracing association with said corner portion (22) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12).

Claim 23

In a joint (33) having a first member (11) and a second member (12) variably spaced from said first member, improved sealing structure (16) for providing a seal between said members across the variable space (21) therebetween, said sealing structure comprising: a seal element (17) having a flexible mounting portion (18) carried by said first joint member, a sealing lip portion (20) carried by the mounting portion (18) to have engagement with said second joint member (12), and a corner portion (22) generally opposite said lip portion (20); a force transfer member (34) having a U-section portion (37) receiving said corner portion (22) of the seal element; and a spring (24) acting between said first member (11) and said force transfer member (34) for mechanically maintaining said force transfer member (34) in embracing association with said corner portion (22) and applying a biasing force to said lip portion (20) to effect dynamic sealing engagement of said lip portion (20) with said second joint member (12) over the range of variable spacing between said joint members (11,12).

Claim 24

The joint of claim 19 wherein said U-section portion includes a turned flange (25) and a returned distal flange (38).

Claim 25

The joint of claim 19 wherein said U-section portion includes a turned flange (25) and a frustoconical re-turned distal flange (38).

Claim 26

The joint of claim 19 wherein said force transfer member (34) includes a spring seat portion (30) defining a plurality of pressure relief fluid flow passages (35) for conducting trapped lubricant fluid outwardly from between said spring (24) and said spring seat portion (30).