[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/183,817 filed June 24, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Pivot joints used in the linkages of work vehicles, such as, for example, loader backhoes and four wheel drive loaders include pins and bushings to allow relative rotation between connected parts. These pivot joints conventionally include seals between the pins and the bushings as barriers to debris. However, due to the harsh environments in which these vehicles are used, i.e., an environment having significant amounts of dirt and debris, dirt and debris tends to get past these barriers and cause accelerated wear of the pivot joints.

[0003] Some manufacturers of work vehicles have sought to remedy the difficulties outlined above by forming pre-barriers, i.e., a first line of defense against debris, via O-rings located between outer surfaces of the connected portions of linkages and work tools; however, this approach has led to at least the following two difficulties: (1) the O-rings are typically round, allowing dirt and debris to eventually work past the O-ring and into the space between the pins and bushings; and (2) the O-rings wear and their eventual replacement requires disconnection of the rotationally connected parts, a substantial expense with respect to time and money.

SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed is a seal with a body that has bilateral symmetry. The body comprises of a first sealing lip on a right side of the body and a second sealing lip on the right side of the body that is positioned radially below and axially inward with respect to the first sealing lip. The body further comprises of a third sealing lip on a left side of the body and a fourth sealing lip on the left side of the body positioned radially below and axially inward with respect to the third sealing lip. In the installed position, the first sealing lip is flexed away from the second sealing lip and the third sealing lip is flexed away from the fourth sealing lip.

[0005] The first sealing lip can have a convex curve that bends the first sealing lip away from the second sealing lip. The third sealing lip can similarly have such a convex curve. The second sealing lip can be defined by a top surface that is declined away in a radial direction from the first sealing lip on one side and on the other side by a concave curved inner surface that allows the second sealing lip to bend toward the first sealing lip. The fourth sealing lip can similarly have such a configuration.

[0006] The seal can have an outer surface an outer diameter around a longitudinal axis, and a second portion integral with the outer surface positioned along an arc of the outer diameter and split in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis to form two ends. A fastener can be provided to selectively hold the two ends together.

[0007] The seal can be positioned in a pivot joint on the chamfered faces of a first member and a second member to cover a gap between them. The seal rides up and down the chamfered faces when the gap changes due to normal operation of the machinery and as the joints experience wear. The seal is positioned partially in the gap to seal the gap from external debris. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outer seal according to this disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a profile view of the outer seal of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a profile view of the outer seal of FIG. 1 in an installed position.

[0011 ] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the outer seal of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an outer seal 100. Seal 100 is defined by an outer surface 101 forming an outer diameter around a longitudinal axis 103. Throughout this specification reference will be made to axial direction, which refers to a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis 103, and a radial direction, which refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 103. Seal 100 includes a first portion 102 and can include a second portion 104. In an embodiment with second portion 104, second portion 104 is positioned along an arc 114 of the outer diameter of seal 100, and can be integral with first portion 102. Second portion 104 includes a through-hole 107 to receive a fastener. In such an embodiment, seal 100 is split on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 103 to form a first end 106 and a second end 108, which can selectively be joined together at second portion 104 by the fastener through through-hole 107. In an alternative embodiment, seal 100 is not split, and therefore, does not include second portion 104.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a close-up, cross-sectional view of seal 100 in a rest position. Seal 100 has a body 109 with a cross section that bilateral symmetry on each side of a bilateral line 105 so that the right side of body 9 is the same as the left side of body 9. [0014] Body 109 of seal 100 has a first sealing lip 110 with a first sealing surface 122 that functions as a primary seal. A second sealing lip 112 with a second sealing face 124 is spaced radially apart and beneath first sealing lip 110, and functions as a secondary seal. Second sealing lip 112 also provides stability when moving up and down chamfered face 208. As second sealing lip 112 rides up chamfered face 208, additional radial loading is created and secondary sealing lip 112 helps to ensure the symmetric distribution of the of the loading and prevent seal 100 from becoming misaligned in gap 118. Second sealing lip 112 has a top surface 117 that is flexed slightly downward with respect to an outer surface 101 of seal 100 and second sealing face 124 having an inwardly, concave curved surface that allows the second sealing lip 112 to bend toward the first sealing lip 110. Top surface 117 is declined away in a radial direction from first sealing lip 110. Top surface 117 and second sealing face 124 come together at a vertex to form the tip of second sealing lip 112.

[0015] First sealing lip 110 is designed to flex away from second sealing lip 112 when it is installed. A gap 118 separates first sealing lip 110 from second sealing lip 112 to enable first sealing lip 110 to flex independently of second sealing lip 112. Gap 118 is bounded by top surface of second sealing lip 112 and a convex curve 120 on first sealing lip 110. Convex curve 120 on first sealing lip 110 improves the flexibility of first sealing lip 110 to allow first sealing lip 110 to bend away from second sealing lip 112. A depression 116 between first sealing lip 110 and outer surface 101 cooperates with convex curve 120 on first sealing lip 110 to allow first sealing lip 110 to bend away from second sealing lip 112. The dimensions and shape of depression 116 can be modified to vary the radial loading on seal 100 according to the applicaiton. [0016] First sealing lip 110 can be undercut to flex away from second sealing lip 112 when it is installed. An undercut gap 118 separates first sealing lip 110 from second sealing lip 11112 to enable first sealing lip 110 to flex independently of second sealing lip 112. The shape of gap 118 can be varied to change the flexibility and compliance of first sealing lip 110 and second sealing lip 112 or to add manufacturing or installation efficiencies.

[0017] Body 102 of seal 100 has bilateral symmetry. Seal 100 has a third sealing lip 111 and a third sealing surface 123 of similar dimension and position as first sealing lip 110. Seal 100 has a fourth sealing lip 113 and a fourth sealing surface 125 of similar dimensioning and position as second sealing lip 112. In this regard, when seal 100 is installed, third sealing lip 111 functions similar to first sealing lip 110 and fourth sealing lip 113 functions similar to second sealing lip 112. On the other side of the linkage, gap 206 is sealed by third sealing lip 111 and fourth sealing lip 113 that each engages a chamfered face 210 of second member 204. Fourth sealing lip 113 is the secondary seal for the primary seal, third sealing lip 111.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows seal 100 placed around a gap 206 over a connecting linkage between a first member 202 and a second member 204. Connecting linkage can, for example, be a pivot joint with a greaseless bushing. Greaseless style bushings require many levels of sealing to ensure bushing life. Seal 100 can form an exterior seal over gap 206 of the pivot joint to keep out dirt and abrasives in extreme environmental operating conditions.

[0019] Seal 100 adjusts to seal gaps of considerable range without falling into connecting linkages during operation of a machine. In this regard, seal 100 can be constructed of any material of suitable flexibility and durability to allow seal 100 to be installed and removed without the need to undue the connecting linkages. Similar advantages apply to the solid variant of seal 100 too. In another embodiment of seal 100, it is not split, and seal 100 can include a spring around its outer circumference to hold seal 100 in position.

[0020] When seal 100 is installed, first sealing lip 110 flexes upward shortening the axial width of seal 100 and bringing second sealing lip 112 toward first member 202. Either upon installation or after a few hours of use, second sealing lip 112 and second sealing surface 124 engages first member 202. Each first sealing lip 110 and first sealing face 122 and second sealing lip 112 and second sealing surface 124 engages and rides on a chamfered face 208 of first member 202, which keeps dust and external debris out of gap 206. When first sealing lip 110 (i.e. the primary seal) fails, second sealing lip 112 (i.e. the secondary seal) functions as a backup. Second sealing lip 112 also functions to take the load off of first sealing lip 110. Rather than the force being applied solely to first sealing lip 110, the force is distributed across second sealing lip 112. Distributing the force across two lips, first sealing lip 110 and second sealing lip 112, increases the useful life of the primary, first sealing lip 110 and creates a better seal.

[0021] Seal 100 is dinstguishable over prior art seals in several respects. Seal 100 has bilateral symmetry for riding on and sealing two chamfered faces, 208, 210. Seal 100 rides up and down chamfered faces 208, 210 when gap 206 changes due to normal operation of the machinery and as the joints experience wear. First sealing lip 110 and third sealing lip 111 are designed to flex or distort to decrease the axial width of seal 100 so seal 100 conforms to the general dimensions of gap 206 between first member 202 and second member 204. [0022] To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; for example, one skilled in the art would recognize that more lips can be added to provide additional protection. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Various aspects of the different embodiments can be combined in different combinations to create new embodiments within the scope of the invention.