Patent ID: 7695373
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: F16D,F16J

Abstract:
1. A flexible one piece boot generally of a sleeve shape appropriately sized to surround one or more drive elements mounted on two shafts connected by an angularly bendable joint, a) said boot having an annularly convoluted center zone surrounding said joint wherein angular bending occurs, b) said boot having extendable and compactible end structures sized to closely mate with said shafts, c) said compactible end structures comprised of a plurality of pleated elements that may be spread from a nested configuration to an expanded configuration, d) each of said pleated elements being seamlessly connected with its immediate neighbors to form a contiguous sleeve, e) said pleated elements shaped to mate with adjacent pleated elements and said end structures shaped to mate with said shafts when in said nested configuration and, f) clamping means surrounding said pleated elements to compact and maintain them in said nested configuration on said shafts to provide a leak-proof protective envelope.