Boot with insertable bushing

摘要

An automotive boot (10) for use with a connection such as a constant velocity joint includes a separate boot (12) and a separate bushing (14). The bushing has an internal configuration which is tri-lobed to contact the surface of one of the mechanical components encapsulated by the boot (10). The internal surface of the skirt (18) of the boot (12) and the corresponding external surface (50) of the bushing (14) each contain interlocking components (44,54), preferentially these are ribs and corresponding grooves. The bushing (14) is slightly larger than the boot (12) to produce an interference fit and the ribs (44) are slightly radially longer than the grooves (54) are deep to deform the ribs when received in the grooves, thereby retaining the bushing (14) without tightening the typical hose clamp (30) and providing an effective seal between the bushing and boot to retain lubricants within the boot (10) in use. <IMAGE>