Patent ID: 7070186

Claim:
A boot protected mechanical components connection, comprising: a first mechanical component: a second mechanical component, wherein said first and second mechanical components are rotatably movable relative to each other; a boot having a first annular flange at a first end of said boot and a second annular flange at a second end of said boot; and a rolling bearing having an inner race and an outer race, said inner and outer races being rollingly rotatatable relative to each other, one of said inner and outer races being connected to a selected one of said first and second mechanical components; wherein one of said first and second annular flanges is sealingly connected to the outer of said inner and outer races of said rolling bearing such that said boot is free of sealing engagement with the one of said first and second mechanical components and with any structures stationarily connected thereto: wherein the other of said first and second flanges is sealingly connected to the other of said first and second mechanical components; wherein said first mechanical component comprises one of a housing and a shaft rotatable relative to said housing, and wherein said second mechanical component comprises the other of said shaft and said housing; wherein said first flange comprises an annular connector flange sealingly connected to said first end of said boot; said housing having an annular seal seat concentrically disposed relative to said shaft; an annular seal sealingly disposed within said connector flange at a five end thereof; and said shaft having an annular flange seat formed thereon; wherein said rolling bearing, said seal and said free end of said connector flange are disposed within said seal seat, wherein said outer race is sealingly connected to said seal seat, wherein said inner race is sealingly connected to said connector flange, and wherein said second flange is sealingly connected to said shaft.