Patent ID: 7001129

Claim:
Sealing structure for use in creating a seal with an axially movable drive shaft, said structure comprising: a fixture having a shaft-receiving hole extending axially therethrough; a seal housing spaced from said fixture, said seal housing having a shaft-receiving opening therethrough, and a recessed portion defined around the shaft-receiving opening; a cap in the form of a bellows, and having a first end fixed to an upper part of said fixture and a second end fixed to a lower part of said seal housing, said cap being flexible so as to be extendable and contractable between said fixture and said seal housing; at least one support shaft disposed generally coaxially with respect to said cap, having upper and lower ends that are pivotally attached to said seal housing and said fixture, respectively, so that the at least one support shaft can pivot relative to both said seal housing and said fixture, wherein said least one support shaft supports said seal housing such that said seal housing is movable laterally with respect to said fixture; an annular seal seated in the recessed portion of said seal housing; and a seal cover fastened to said seal housing over said recessed portion thereof.