Sealing device for a universal joint

Claim 2

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange.

Claim 3

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the concentric annular portions constitutes a lip portion which is adapted to be applied against the cylindrical body portion of the cup so that the sealing contact is to a large extent independent of the relative positions of the cup, ring and trunnion radially of said centre.

Claim 4

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross-member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric inner and outer annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and two concentric continuous grooves located respectively in the immediately vicinity of one and the other of the annular portions and an intermediate annular portion which is in contact with the flange and located between the two grooves and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the inner and outer annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring, whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange.

Claim 5

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross-member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric inner and outer annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and two concentric continuous grooves located respectively in the immediately vicinity of one and the other of the annular portions and an intermediate annular portion which is in contact with the flange and located between the two grooves and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the inner and outer annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring, whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange.

Claim 6

A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a lubricant in the continuous groove of the ring.

Claim 7

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lubricant contains a waterproof additive.

Claim 8

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ring has such material and dimensions that the ring is in an axially compressed condition between the flange and shoulder so that there is an increased pressure inside the cup which improves the resistance to penetration of foreign bodies into the cup.

Claim 9

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove, a convex substantially rounded outer shape which defines radially outer and inner surface portions which taper in a direction away from an end of the cup remote from the flange, the concentric annular portions respectively engaging the inner and outer surface portions of the flange whereby the concentric annular portions tend to be spread apart radially upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange and a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange.

Claim 10

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove, a convex substantially rounded outer shape which defines radially outer and inner surface portions which taper in a direction away from an end of the cup remote from the flange, the concentric annular portions respectively engaging the inner and outer surface portions of the flange whereby the concentric annular portions tend to be spread apart radially upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange and a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange.

Claim 11

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring has an inner annular face which is in radially gripping relation to an outer cylindrical face of the trunnion.

Claim 12

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are Separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means preventing the ring from rotating about the trunnion.

Claim 13

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are Separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means preventing the ring from rotating about the trunnion.

Claim 14

A device as claimed in claim 9, comprising an adhesive fixing the ring to the trunnion.

Claim 15

A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ring is fixed to an outer cylindrical face of the trunnion by the adhesive.

Claim 16

A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ring is fixed to a shoulder of the trunnion by the adhesive.

Claim 17

A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ring has an annular surface in contact with the shoulder of the trunnion and an annular groove in said annular surface which produces a connection with the shoulder of the trunnion by a suction effect created by the groove in said annular surface, the shoulder defining an annular face which is substantially contained in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the trunnion and bearing cup, said annular face of the shoulder being in contact with said annular surface of the ring.

Claim 18

A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the annular face of the shoulder is contained in said plane.

Claim 19

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means defining an interpenetration between the ring and the trunnion to prevent relative rotation between the ring and the trunnion.

Claim 20

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed around each trunnion, an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means defining an interpenetration between the ring and the trunnion to prevent relative rotation between the ring and the trunnion.

Claim 21

A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means defining an interpenetration comprise a face on the ring and a face on the trunnion, projecting portions on one of the faces and hollow portions on the other of said faces, the projecting portions extending into said hollow portions.

Claim 22

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a substantially plane centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross-member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed area each trunnion an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding Cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means preventing the ring from rotating about the trunnion comprising a locking extension portion which partially covers and engages the substantially plane centre face.

Claim 23

A sealing device for a universal joint comprising two yokes and a cross member having a substantially plane centre and four trunnions each of which trunnions has a shoulder, and a needle bearing cup which caps each trunnion and consists of a cold-formed sheet metal member and is retained in a bore of the corresponding yoke and has a cylindrical body portion and a smooth-surfaced flange for axially retaining the bearing needles in respect of movement toward the centre of the cross-member, the sealing device comprising, in combination with the cup and trunnion and disposed area each trunnion an elastomer sealing ring in an axially compressed condition between and in contact with the flange of the cup and the shoulder of the corresponding trunnion, each sealing ring comprising two concentric annular portions both of which portions are free to bend radially away from each other and are in freely slidable sealing contact with the smooth surface of the flange of the corresponding Cup and are separated by at least one continuous groove and the smooth surface of the flange having a shape facilitating a radial spreading apart of the annular portions upon axial compression of the sealing ring against the flange whereby a suction effect is created between the sealing ring and the flange, and means preventing the ring from rotating about the trunnion comprising a locking extension portion which partially covers and engages the substantially plane centre face.

Claim 24

A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the extension portion defines a face extending in two directions substantially parallel to the axes of the trunnions and engaging the centre face.

Claim 25

A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cross member has substantially plane centre faces on opposed sides of the cross member from which centre face the trunnions extend, marginal portions of the two extension portions of the ring carried by two coaxial trunnions being in abutting relation to the same centre face of the cross member and preventing rotation of the corresponding rings, the extension portions of the rings of the other two coaxial trunnions being in abutting relation to the other plane centre face of the cross member.

Claim 26

A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the four extension portions relatively pertaining to the four rings has substantially the shape of a trapezium having two sides diverging from the centre face of the cross member and in reciprocal abutting relation with the divergent sides of the adjacent extension portions so as to prevent the rings from rotating on the trunnions, said extension portions engaging said centre face of the cross member.

Claim 27

A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising mechanical means which connect each ring to the ring of an adjacent trunnion and prevents the interconnected rings from rotating on the corresponding trunnions.

Claim 28

A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mechanical means comprise outer peripheral grooves in the rings and a metal wire for each adjacent pair of rings having two loop portions which respectively engage and grip the outer grooves of the rings, the two loop portions of each wire being rigidly interconnected.

Claim 29

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing ring is of elastomer.