Patent ID: 8221074

Claim:
A shroud assembly for an engine cooling fan, the fan being disposed between an engine and a radiator, the shroud assembly comprising: (a) a ring shroud fixedly mounted adjacent to the fan and having a locking feature formed therein, the locking feature comprising: (i) a C-shaped channel having opening at a forward end; and (ii) a lip disposed forward of the opening of the C-shaped channel and extending in a radially outward direction; (b) a radiator shroud mounted rearward of the radiator, the radiator shroud having a first end with a first aperture located to receive at least a portion of air flowing rearwardly through the radiator, and a second end with a second aperture for discharging air received by the first aperture; and (c) a flexible boot having a first end and a second end, the first end of the boot lockingly engaging the locking feature of the ring shroud to removably attach the flexible boot to the ring shroud, the second end of the boot being in contact with the second end of the radiator shroud so that the boot provides fluid communication between the ring shroud and the radiator shroud, the flexible boot comprising: (i) a toe portion extending in a rearward direction and being disposed within the channel, the channel restraining the toe portion in a radial direction; and (ii) a forward facing surface disposed forward of the toe portion and extending in a radially inward direction.