GB2230570A

GB2230570A - Gaiters

Info

Publication number: GB2230570A
Application number: GB9006933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Christopher Shepherd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-28
Filing date: 1990-03-28
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2010-03-28
Also published as: GB8907015D0; GB2230570B; GB9006933D0

Abstract

A gaiter (10) for fitting about a constant velocity joint has a narrow neck part (12) at one end, a bulbous central section (14) and a flange (16) at its other end. The gaiter is split longitudinally and flanges (22) along the opposed edges present flat faces (24) that are adhered together to complete the gaiter after fitting. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Gaiters DESCRIPTION This invention concerns gaiters suitable for fitting about various types of joint, coupling, connection and the like.

Rubber gaiters are fitted, for example, around constant velocity joints of front wheel drive motor vehicles to provide an enclosure for retaining lubricating grease about the joint and for keeping out grit, dust and the like, which would otherwise be harmful to the joint. Conventional gaiters are generally tubular and have to be fitted with say the drive shaft disconnected from the vehicle wheel in order to slide the gaiter into position along the shaft. In some cases repair/maintenance work on a constant velocity joint does not actually necessitate disconnection of the drive shaft from the wheel so that having to do so to fit a new gaiter can be very inconvenient and time consuming.

An object of this invention is to provide a gaiter that may be fitted easily about a joint, coupling, connection or the like.

According to the invention there is provided a gaiter for fitting about a coupling, joint, connection or the like comprising a flexible generally tubular body split longitudinally and have on opposed edges of said split faces that may be adhered together to form a completed gaiter.

The faces are preferably provided by substantially flat flanges along said opposed edges. A preferred gaiter has a narrow neck at one end and a wider other end and preferably has at one or at each end an area defining a location for a tie. One preferred type of gaiter may have a bulbous mid-portion. Another preferred type of gaiter may have a bellows-like midportion.

The gaiters of the invention are preferably moulded from natural or synthetic rubber, especially from EPDM rubber.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first constant velocity joint gaiter according to the invention; Figure 2 is a part-section along the line AA of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the gaiter of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a second constant velocity joint gaiter according to the invention; Figure 5 is a part-section along line BB of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the gaiter of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a constant velocity joint gaiter 10 is moulded from EPDM rubber. The gaiter is designed to fit over a constant velocity joint and provide a chamber for lubricating grease about the joint. The gaiter 10 has a narrow neck part 12 at one end, a bulbous central section 14 and a wider neck part 16 at its other end.

The neck parts 12, 16 have flattened bands 18 and 20 respectively defining positions for ties.

The gaiter 10 is split longitudinally and the opposed edges of the split have flanges 22 thereon that present flat faces 24 that may be adhered together.

In use the old constant velocity joint gaiter is removed and the gaiter 10 fitted over the drive shaft.

The faces 24 are adhered together using say a cyanoacrylate or other suitable adhesive and the gaiter slid into position over the constant velocity joint.

Nylon tie wraps are then fastened around each end of the gaiter over the areas 18 and 20 to secure the gaiter in position. The joint will have been smeared with suitable grease beforehand and the gaiter serves to retain the grease about the joint and to prevent ingress of grit and dust which would otherwise be harmful to the joint.

Turning to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, a constant velocity joint gaiter 40 is again moulded from EPDM rubber. This gaiter has a narrow neck part 42 a recessed annular part 44 defining a location for a tie, a bellows-like central portion 46 and a wider neck part 48 at its other end again defining a location for a tie. The gaiter is split longitudinally and the opposed edges of the split have flanges 50 that present flat faces 52 that may be adhered together.

Fitting of the gaiter of Figures 4 to 6 is the same as for the gaiter of Figures 1 to 3.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to constant velocity joint gaiters, it will be appreciated that gaiters involving the principle of being split longitudinally and having adherable faces may be used in many other circumstances where ends of a joint, coupling connection or the like are both connected to other items and disconnection at at least one end would otherwise be necessary to fit a non-split gaiter.

Claims

1. A gaiter for fitting about a coupling joint, connection or the like comprising a flexible generally tubular body split longitudinally and have on opposed edges of said split faces that may be adhered together to form a completed gaiter.

2. A gaiter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said faces are provided by substantially flat flanges along said opposed edges.

3. A gaiter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaiter has a narrow neck at one end and a longer flanged other end.

4. A gaiter as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 having at one or at each end an area defining a location for a tie.

5. A gaiter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 having a bulbous mid-portion.

6. A gaiter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 having a bellows-like mid-portion.

7. A gaiter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 made from EPDM rubber.

8. A gaiter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustated in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompaning drawings.