ASSEMBLAGE DE JOINT ET DE PROTEGE-JOINT POUR UNE ARTICULATION UNIVERSELLE

La présente invention concerne un assemblage de joint et de protège-joint.L'assemblage de l'invention comprend un assemblage de joint (25) comprenant un anneau de support (26) et un joint (27) fixé à ce dernier, ledit anneau comprenant une portion s'étendant axialement et une portion de collerette s'étendant radialement; et un protège-joint (30) fixé audit assemblage de joint, comprenant une portion de corps s'étendant axialement (30a) dont s'étend une portion de collerette (30b) et au moins une saillie, ladite portion de collerette dudit anneau étant emprisonnée entre ladite portion de collerette (30b) et ladite saillie dudit corps (30a) pour fixer le protège-joint à l'assemblage de joint.L'invention s'applique notamment à un élément de croisillon d'un joint universel. A seal and guard assembly for a bearing cup assembly in a universal joint includes an annular seal assembly provided about the open end of a bearing cup. The seal assembly includes a metallic support ring and an elastomeric seal. The support ring is generally Z-shaped in cross section, having upper and lower radially extending flange portions which are connected together by an axially extending intermediate portion. The intermediate portion of the support ring is press fit within the inner bearing surface of the bearing cup. The upper flange portion of the support ring extends radially inwardly from the intermediate portion. The lower flange portion of the support ring extends radially outwardly from the intermediate portion adjacent the open end of the S bearing cup. The elastomeric seal is disposed within the intermediate portion of the support ring and is attached thereto. An annular seal guard is removably secured to the seal assembly. The seal guard is generally L-shaped in cross section, including an axially extending body portion, which extends about the lower radially extending flange portion of the support ring, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion. The upper end of the axially extending body portion terminates in a plurality of relatively small, radially inwardly extending protrusions. The protrusions define an inner diameter which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter defined by the lower radially extending flange portion of the support ring. Thus, the outer circumferential edge of the lower radially extending flange portion of the support ring is trapped between the upper protrusions and the lower radially extending flange portion to releasably secure the seal