Patent ID: 6322085
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: B29C,B29L,F16J,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a joint including first and second vehicle parts supported for pivotal movement relative to each other; anda seal body protecting said joint, said seal body comprising a tube formed of heat-shrinkable thermoplastic material and being in the shape of a tube having a first end portion heat-shrunken against said first vehicle part to grip circumferentially around said first vehicle part to form a seal, said seal body having a second end portion heat-shrunken against said second vehicle part to grip circumferentially around said second vehicle part to form a seal, and said seal body having a flexible intermediate portion which is deflectable between said end portions upon said pivotal movement of said vehicle parts;wherein said tube is a lamination of first and second layers bonded together, said first layer being formed of a first material and said second layer being formed of a second material, said first material having a higher degree of flexibility than said second material, said second material being tougher and having a greater resistance to chemicals than said first material.