The present invention relates to boots for covering universal joints and the like and more particularly to unitary, flexible body having a first mating edge and second mating edge and shaped to be helically wrapped about a universal joint, coupling or other type of structure without disassembling the structure in which the first mating edge is engaged with the second mating edge thereby forming a removable boot for the universal joint or the like.

In the past, a structure such as a C.V. joint on front wheel drive vehicles had to be disassembled to replace a damaged boot. Such procedures prove to be both costly and time consuming. Furthermore, boots having cracks, tears or loose clamps or other types of damage may lose lubricant, or allow water or dirt to enter the boot, causing eventual deteriation of the joint. Other procedures have been attempted to replace damaged boots. For example, a boot may be cut down the side and placed over the C.V. joint and glued back together. However, this procedure is difficult to perform because the cut area must be clean and the reglued area must be further supported using extra clamps. The work area is usually greasy and almost impossible to keep clean. Any grease on the cut area of the boot will prevent it from being properly sealed. Any cracks left in the seal will allow dirt and water to enter and the lubricant to leak out.

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require a clean area, and in fact the boot will b sufficiently sealed even if some grease accumulates i the sealing area. Furthermore, the present inventio does not require additional clamps to attach it to th joint or the like and by providing truncated conical en portions with cut away portions thereon the inventio allows for alterations of the boot to fit structures o varying size. In addition, the present invention may b removed and replaced without disassembling th mechanical unit it covers.

SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a split boo formed from a unitary, flexible body shaped to b helically wrapped around a universal joint or the like Once the flexible body is wrapped around the joint wit the mating edges engaged a main body is formed having generally hollow truncated conical configuration with corrugated or helical shape. In the preferred embodimen one end of the main body has a smaller circular cros section than the other end. Each end portion of the mai body has cutting guide ridges such that the diameter o the aperture in the end may be varied by removing som of the material from the body, to accomodate differen sized joints or mechanical units. The corrugations o the helical shape in the main body are diagonall disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the mai body to provide longitudinal flexibility and fo providing the recirculation of lubricating oils durin rotational movement of the boot with a rotatin mechanical unit and to equalize rotational forces on th boot to prevent premature rupture and cracking thereof.

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It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel split boot that is easily used and sealingly connects or mates around a universal joint or the like without disassembly of the joint. It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel split boot having helical overlapping snap sealing means for making it easy to install and remove the boot from a universal joint or the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel split boot having a corrugated shape with the corrugations being generally diagonally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the boot which facilitates recirculation of the lubricating oil contained therein. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a split boot having a sealing means positioned so that the sealing means is not subject to premature cracking, rupturing and opening thereof. In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Figure 1A is a plan view of the split boot of the present invention disassembled;

Figure IB is a plan view of the split boot partially assembled;

Figure 2 a side view of the split boot of present invention in final sealed and assembled form;

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Figure 3 is a right end view of the split boo of the present invention in final sealed form;

Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view o the main body 10 of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the sealin means of Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figures 1A, IB and 2, th split boot 10 covers a mechanical unit such as joint o rotating C.V. joint. The split boot 10 includes unitary main body portion 12, two end portions 14 an 16, a grooved mating edge 17 and a male mating edge 1 in Figure 4. The grooved mating edge 17 may be engage by the male mating edge 19 to form a connecting means 1 in Figures 2 and 3. The connecting means is positione so that centrifugal force from rotation about the cente line 24 does not pull male member 19 directly out o female member 17. The boot 10 may be constructe entirely out of Ethylene-Neoprene rubber such as tha sold under the trademark VAMAC by DuPont. When th interlocking sealing means 18 is disengaged the entir boot 10 may be laid down in a flat configuration a shown in Figure 1. This allows the boot to be installe about a structure such as a universal joint, coupling o other type of structure without disassembling th structure.

Referring now to Figure 2, the body 10 has main body portion 12 of a generally hollow truncate conical corrugated configuration or helical whe assembled. As can be seen the plane of each protrudin

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corrugated portion 20 and 22 is diagonally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis 24 of the main body 10. (i.e. The plane of each protrusion is not normal to the axis). The corrugated configuration provides for recirculation of the lubricating oils when rotational movement of the universal joint or the like occurs. The oil moves in the screw-like threads. The corrugated configuration also provides for equalization of forces caused by rotational movement of the boot thus preventing premature cracking or rupturing of the boot. In Figure 3 the size of the corrugated portions are illustrated by numerals 97, 98 and 99.

The main body 12 has a smaller circular top 26 and a larger circular base 28. The two truncated conical end portions 14 and 16 emanating from the circular bases 28 and 26 respectively have circular top openings. The end portions include sizing guides 27, 29 that allow accurate trimming of the boot 10 to specific sizes, such that the one boot will accomodate the needs for most vehicles.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the first grooved mating opening or edge 17 and the complementary male mating bulb or edge 19 is shown in the removably engaged position and may be referred to as a connecting means. When the grooved mating edge 17 is not engaged by the male mating edge 19, the edge portions of the main body 10 are separated from each other allowing the main body 10 to be wrapped around a structure without disassembling it. Numeral 100 shows the separation line in Figures 2 through 5. The grooved mating edge 17

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includes an end portion 34 and a flat portion 38, while the male mating edge 19 includes the end portion 36 and the flat portion 40 all which together form the removable connecting means 17, 19. The male mating edge 19 includes a flange 42 and a bulbus end 44 that fits in the grooved mating edge 17 of a complementary shape. The configuration of the connecting means 17, 19 resists opening forces in the directions shown by the arrows AA ¹ , while the material around the bulbous end 42 provides for resistance to opening in the direction of arrow B. The connecting means 17, 19 also provides for periodic non-destructive removal of the boot 10 in Figure 2 for inspection of the structure thereunder and regreasing if necessary, and resealing of the boot. The split boot may be made out of rubber or neoprene type material.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

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