Patent ID: 8640815

Claim:
A boot assembly comprising: a boot; and a first retention band comprising a first ring, a first lever attached to the first ring, and a first clasp associated with the first ring and configured for selective engagement with the first lever; wherein the boot comprises an annular wall defining a hollow interior configured to receive a portion of a drive assembly of a vehicle; the boot further comprises a first rib, the first rib being integral with the annular wall and extending radially outwardly from the annular wall, the first rib and the annular wall cooperating to define a first annular channel; the first annular channel is configured to receive the first retention band; the first rib extends radially outwardly beyond the first ring, the first lever and the first clasp of the first retention band when the first retention band is seated within the first annular channel; the first rib comprises a stepped portion and a remaining portion; the annular wall comprises a stepped portion; and when the first retention band is seated within the first annular channel, the first retention band is position longitudinally adjacent to each of stepped portion of the first rib and the stepped portion of the annular wall; and is longitudinally spaced from the remaining portion of the first rib.