US4345772A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Constant strain boot seal

Assignee: Caterpillar Inc

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Filing: 1981-01-26

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Granted: 1982-08-24

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Expires: 2001-01-26

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Abstract

Abstract An elastomeric seal apparatus (16) having an inner annular terminating portion (36) which is attachable to a first (12) member, an outer annular terminating portion (38) which is attachable to a second (14) member, and an annular convoluted flexible portion (40) which is disposed between the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions and has an inner (46) and an outer (48) margin which are respectively joined thereto. The thickness of the convoluted flexible portion (40) decreases from the relatively thicker inner margin (46) to the relatively thinner outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial distance (H) extending from the inner margin (46) to the flexible portion (40). A concentrically inner convolution (42) and a concentrically outer convolution (44) constitute the flexible portion (40) and have a relatively small (R 1 ) and a relatively large (R 2 ) radius of curvature. When the inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions are relatively reciprocated with the first ( 12) and second (14) members about a longitudinal seal axis (16a), the tapered, convoluted structure of seal apparatus (16) exhibits extended life as a result of substantially equalizing the maximum uniform strains induced therein.

Inventors

👤 Albert L. Woody
👤 Lawrence E. Fox
👤 Harold L. Reinsma

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction US

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 15:27

CPC Classifications

F; F16; F16J; F16J3/00; F16J3/04; F16J3/041; F16J3/042; F16J15/00; F16J15/50; F16J15/52

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

A seal apparatus (16) for sealing between a first (12) and a second (14) relatively displaceable member, said seal apparatus (16) comprising: an annular, rigid inner terminating portion (36), an annular, rigid outer terminating portion (38), an annular flexible portion (40) having an inner margin (46), an outer margin (48), a longitudinal axis (16a), and a plurality of concentrically arranged, interconnected convolutions (42,44), the thickness of said convolutions (42,44) perpendicular to a convoluted centersurface (16b) therethrough decreases from said inner margin (46) to said outer margin (48) in proportion to a radial separation distance (H) between the centersurface (16b) at said inner margin (46) and the centersurface (16b) along said convolutions (42,44), said inner (36) and outer (38) terminating portions being respectively joined to said inner (46) and outer (48) margins and being respectively fixedly attachable to the first (12) and the second (14) members so as to move therewith.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 150 words

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 1 wherein said terminating portions (36,38) have a greater thickness than does said flexible portion (40).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 2 further comprising: a connection member (54) disposed about and bonded to said first terminating portion (36), said connection member (54) having a radially inwardly facing surface (56) which is threadably engageable with the first displaceable member (12).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 3 further comprising: means (58) for resisting thread disengagement rotation about said longitudinal axis (26b) between said connection member (54) and the first displaceable member (12).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 4, said rotation resisting means (58) comprising: a locking projection (58) having a first end joined to said connection member (54) and a second end extending from said connection member (54), said second end being deformable into slots (59) formed in the first displaceable member (12).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 1 wherein said inner convolution (42) has a radius of curvature (R 1 ) and said outer convolution (44) has a greater radius of curvature (R 2 ).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 6 wherein said smaller radius of curvature (R 1 ) extends from a first axis of curvature (O 1 ) and said greater radius of curvature (R 2 ) extends from a second axis of curvature (O 2 ), said axes of curvature (O 1 ,O 2 ) being axially offset a predetermined distance (O).

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

The seal apparatus (16) of claim 1 wherein said outer terminating portion (38) has a ramped surface (38a) which is arranged at a predetermined angle to said longitudinal axis (16a) and a securing bead (38b) which protrudes radially inwardly to facilitate assembly thereof with the second (14) member.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-08-23	1986-02-22	1986-08-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-08-23	1990-02-22	1990-08-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-08-23	1994-02-22	1994-08-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

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