Joints and connections – Flexible diaphragm or bellows – With additional connection or packing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-05-15
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Flexible diaphragm or bellows
With additional connection or packing
C403S340000, C464S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231263
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to adaptor devices and more specifically it relates to an adjustable adaptor for fitting about various diameters of shafts thereby eliminating the need for various sized adaptors.
Adaptors are utilized for attaching larger structures to smaller structures. For example, adaptors are often times utilized upon an axle shaft of a vehicle for fitting the boot upon. Because there are various diameters of axle shafts on various types of vehicles, different sizes of adaptors are required to ensure that the desired size is available. This not only increases the overall cost of a boot kit, but requires an automotive store to maintain more inventory of adaptors than desired. There are other uses for adaptors that fit about shafts such as bushings and seals. Hence, there is a need for a single device that is capable of adjustably fitting upon various diameters of shafts thereby eliminating the need for various sizes of adaptors, bushings and seals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Adaptor devices have been in use for years. Typically, an adaptor device is comprised of a solid collar that requires the entire shaft to be removed to insert the collar upon. Alternatively, a split collar is sometimes utilized which is basically a solid collar with a slit within for allowing expansion of the collar for positioning about the shaft without requiring removal of the shaft. Because both types of collars have a constant interior diameter, various sizes of the collars/adaptors must be retained for fitting upon different sizes of shafts.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for fitting about various diameters of shafts thereby eliminating the need for various sized adaptors. Conventional collars and adaptors are suitable for only one size of shaft. Multiple sizes of collars and adaptors must be retained by businesses thereby making an undesirable large inventory.
In these respects, the adjustable adaptor according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of fitting about various diameters of shafts thereby eliminating the need for various sized adaptors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of adaptors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new adjustable adaptor construction wherein the same can be utilized for fitting about various diameters of shafts thereby eliminating the need for various sized adaptors.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new adjustable adaptor that has many of the advantages of the adaptors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new adjustable adaptor which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art adaptors, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a first adaptor portion and a second adaptor portion that are adjustably connectable with one another forming an adjustable adaptor for fitting about various diameter shafts such as an axle shaft of vehicle. The first adaptor portion has a first brace member and a plurality of staggered first ribs extending from the first brace member. The second adaptor portion has a second brace member and a plurality of staggered second ribs extending from the second brace member for adjustably mating with the plurality of first ribs for fitting about various diameters of shafts. The ribs preferably have an undercut for allowing a boot or other object to catchably attach and retain the adjustable adaptor. The adjustable adaptor may be utilized with boots, as a bushing or as a seal.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable adaptor that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
Another object is to provide an adjustable adaptor that fits various diameters of shafts and axles.
An additional object is to provide an adjustable adaptor that is catchably positionable within a boot for an axle.
A further object is to provide an adjustable adaptor that can be attached to an axle shaft without requiring removal of the axle shaft.
Another object is to provide an adjustable adaptor that saves time and money when replacing a boot for an axle.
A further object is to provide an adjustable adaptor that reduces the amount of inventory required.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 461501 (1891-10-01), Kumming et al.
patent: 670072 (1901-05-01), Fleming
patent: 843906 (1907-02-01), Murchie
patent: 860369 (1907-07-01), Grundy
patent: 915370 (1909-03-01), McNiel
patent: 918078 (1909-04-01), McCaffrey
Browne Lynne H.
Dunwoody Aaron
PBMark, Inc.
Volpe and Koenig P.C.
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