Flexible boot assembly for a constant velocity joint

Abstract

A flexible boot assembly for protectively covering a constant velocity joint includes a flexible boot having an end portion that is molded about a flange portion of a rigid can. The flexible boot is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and can be integrally molded to a metallic can by an insert molding or other similar process. The metallic can includes a hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning the can with respect to the constant velocity joint. The metallic can also includes a face portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for mounting the boot assembly to the constant velocity joint. The inner surface of the metallic can includes a bead of a sealing material or a gasket for sealingly engaging the boot assembly to the adjacent face of the constant velocity joint. In another embodiment, the entire boot assembly is formed by using elastomeric material. In alternative embodiments, the entire boot assembly is formed from an elastomeric material. The boot assembly may or may not include the hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning it with respect to the constant velocity joint.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible boot assembly for use with a constant velocity joint comprising: 
 a can adapted to be secured to the constant velocity joint, said can including a flange portion; and    a flexible boot including a hollow portion that is secured to said flange portion of said can and an end portion adapted to be secured to the constant velocity joint.    
     
     
         2 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said can is formed from a rigid material.  
     
     
         3 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said can includes a face portion extending from said flange portion, said face portion adapted to be secured to the constant velocity universal joint.  
     
     
         4 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 3  wherein said face portion of said can has an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate the securement of said face portion to the constant velocity joint.  
     
     
         5 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 3  wherein said can further includes a hollow end portion adapted to be disposed about a portion of the constant velocity joint.  
     
     
         6 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 3  further including a tapered portion extending between said flange portion and said face portion.  
     
     
         7 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said flange portion of said can has an annular ridge formed at or near the end thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said flexible boot is formed from one of an elastomeric or plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said end portion of said flexible boot has a pair of annular ridges formed thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said flexible boot is formed having a plurality of convolutions.  
     
     
         11 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said hollow portion of said flexible boot is molded above said flange portion of said can.  
     
     
         12 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 1  wherein said flexible boot includes an end portion that is disposed about said flange portion of said can.  
     
     
         13 . A flexible boot assembly for use with a constant velocity joint comprising a flexible boot formed from a single piece of material, said flexible boot including an end portion adapted to be secured to the constant velocity joint, a plurality of convolutions that extend from said end portion, a hollow cylindrical portion that extends axially from said plurality of convolutions, and a face portion that extends radially outwardly from said hollow cylindrical portion, said face portion adapted to be secured to the constant velocity universal joint.  
     
     
         14 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 13  further including a hollow cylindrical flange portion that extends axially from said face portion.  
     
     
         15 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 14  wherein said face portion has an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate the securement of said face portion to the constant velocity joint.  
     
     
         16 . The flexible boot assembly defined in  claim 13  wherein said end portion of said flexible boot has a pair of annular ridges formed thereon.