Boot seal constructions for rack and pinion gear

Abstract

A boot seal for rack and pinion steering gear assemblies having an integrally formed attachment opening for a fluid transfer tube, the opening being formed either as a nipple on the boot seal or as a clamp associated opening through the end of the seal.

I claim as my invention: .[.1. In a steering linkage having two spaced-apart boot seals, the seals sealing an area which includes the juncture of two relatively axially movable telescoped members, opposite ends of the seals attached one end to one of the members, the other end to the other member, the seals capable of changing in internal volume, and a fluid transfer tube communicating the interiors of the seals to transfer fluid from one seal to the other, the improvement of porting the interior of the tube to the interior of the seals through openings through the bodies of the seals..]. .[.2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the molded opening constitutes a nipple on an outer surface of the seal, the nipple having an opening therethrough to the interior of the seal, the nipple receiving the end of the transfer tube..]..Iadd. 3. In a steering linkage having two spaced-apart boot seals, the seals sealing an area which includes the juncture of two telescoped members, opposite ends of the seals attached one end to one of the members, the other end to the other member, the seals capable of changing in internal volume, and a fluid transfer tube communicating the interiors of the seals to transfer fluid from one seal to the other, the improvement of porting the interior of the tube to the interior of the seals through openings through the bodies of the seals, .Iaddend..[.The improvement of claim 1 wherein the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.opening .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.a molded opening through a portion of an axial end ring wall of the seal, the opening 
     
        receiving an end of the transfer tube. 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said end of the said transfer tube is enclamped between a portion of the said end ring wall of the seal and a rigid member around which the seal is positioned. .Iadd. 5. In a steering linkage having two spaced-apart boot seals, the seals sealing an area which includes a juncture of two telescoped members, opposite ends of the seals attached at one end of one of the members and the other end to another member, said seals changing in internal volume in inverse proportion to one another during relative axial movement of said members, a fluid transfer tube communicating the interiors of the seals to transfer fluid from the interior of one seal to the interior of the other seal in response to changes in the internal volume of the seals, said seals having axial end portions defining axially facing end surfaces each of which lie in a plane extending transverse to said one of said members, at least one of said axial end portions surrounding said one of said members and having an opening extending from the interior thereof and intersecting said axially facing end surface, said transfer tube having an end received in said opening, and a clamp member for clamping said axial end portion in said surrounding relationship with said one of said members and for clamping said transfer tube in said opening therein. .Iaddend.