1. A seal assembly adapted to be received over a rod movable along a given axis, said seal including an annular metal casing portion and an annular elastomeric portion, said metal casing portion including a first, generally axially extending radially inner portion having a tail portion adapted to be swaged into a first groove in said rod and another portion adapted to overlie and snugly confine a locking ring received in a second groove, and a second portion for receiving an elastomeric body portion, an elastomeric body portion bonded to said second portion, said elastomeric body portion further including a pair of oppositely directed lip portions separated by a reduced diameter intermediate portion, said seal assembly further including an annular, axially extending nose portion with an annular tip adapted to engage a portion of a second seal assembly and exert an axial force thereon to seat said second seal and allow said second seal to snugly engage the periphery of said rod.
2. A seal assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said tail portion of said metal casing portion is of reduced thickness to facilitate swaging into said first groove.
3. A seal assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion for receiving said elastomeric body comprises a radial flange and an axial flange, said elastomeric portion overlying and being bonded to both said radial and said axial flange portions of said casing portion.
4. A seal assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion for receiving said elastomeric body comprises first and second radial flanges, said first flange extending radially outwardly and said second flange extending radially inwardly, said flanges being joined to each other by a bight portion, said elastomeric lip having portions bonded to both of said radial flanges and the bight connecting said flanges.
5. A seal assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion includes a first axially extending flange portion, a second axially extending flange portion joined to each other by a bight portion, and a radial flange portion, said elastomeric body being bonded to said radial flange portion and said bight comprising said tip of said nose portion.
6. A seal assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said seal assembly further includes an axial flange connected to said second radial flange, said axial flange having an upturned end portion serving as a tip portion, said axial flange serving as said nose portion of said assembly.
7. A seal assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said elastomeric body includes, on a radially inwardly facing portion lying radially inwardly of said axial flange, a groove adapted to retain a portion of an annular member serving as a nose, with the end portion of said nose having a tip portion for engaging a portion of said second seal assembly.
8. A seal assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said elastomeric body includes on a radially inwardly facing portion thereof, a cylindrical surface lying radially inwardly of said axial flange, and a nose unit having a portion snugly engaging said cylinder surface so as to retain said nose unit.
9. A seal assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said nose unit includes on an axially inner end thereof, a radial flange to distribute the axial load placed on said nose.
10. A seal assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said nose unit includes an axially outer end thereof, a radial flange to engage said second seal assembly.
11. A two-piece seal assembly adapted to be received over a rod movable along a given axis, said seal including a first piece comprising an annular metal casing portion and an annular elastomeric body portion, said metal casing portion including a first, generally axially extending radially inner portion having a tail portion adapted to be swaged into a first groove in said rod and another portion adapted to overlie and snugly confine a locking ring received in a second groove, and a second annular metal casing portion comprising a radially extending portion and an axially extending portion for receiving said annular elastomeric body portion, said annular elastomeric body portion being bonded to both of said metal casing portions, said elastomeric body portion further including a pair of oppositely directed lip portions separated by a reduced diameter intermediate portion, said seal assembly further including a separate annular axially extending nose portion with an annular tip adapted to engage a portion of a second seal assembly and exert an axial force thereon to seat said second seal and allow said second seal to snugly engage the periphery of said rod, said separate nose portion snugly engaging said body portion so as to hold said nose portion in place.
12. A two-piece seal assembly adapted to be received over a rod movable along a given axis, said seal comprising a first piece including an annular metal casing portion and an annular elastomeric portion, said metal casing portion including a first, generally axially extending radially inner portion having a tail portion adapted to be swaged into a first groove in said rod and another portion including a groove overlying and snugly confining a locking ring received in a second groove, said first piece including a radial flange and an axial flange for receiving an elastomeric body portion, and an elastomeric body portion bonded to said radial and axial flanges, said elastomeric body portion including a pair of oppositely directed lip portions separated by a reduced diameter intermediate portion, and a portion of said body lying radially inwardly of said lip portions and being adapted to receive and position a second piece, said second piece comprising an axially extending portion with a tip engaging an auxiliary seal to exert an axial force thereon to seat said auxiliary seal and cause it to snugly engage the periphery of said rod.
13. A two-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said portion of said body comprises a grooved element, and said axially extending portion includes a rib for engaging said grooved element.
14. A two-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said portion of said body comprises a portion sized to create an interference fit with said axially extending portion.
15. A two-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said axially extending portion comprises a plastic material.
16. A two-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said axially extending portion is a metal element.
17. A two-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said axially extending element includes a radial flange on each end thereof.
18. A one-piece seal assembly adapted to be received over a rod portion movable along a given axis, said seal assembly comprising an annular metal casing portion and an annular elastomeric portion, said metal casing portion including a first, generally axially extending, radially inner portion having a tail portion adapted to be swaged into a first groove in said rod and another portion including a groove overlying and snugly confining a locking ring received in a second groove, a further portion including an axial flange having a tip adapted to engage an auxiliary seal and apply a seating force thereto causing said auxiliary seal to be seated in a counterbore and to seal the periphery of said rod portion, and a portion lying intermediate said tail portion and said tip of said axial flange for receiving an elastomeric body portion, and an elastomeric body portion bonded to said intermediate portion, said elastomeric body portion including a pair of oppositely directed lip portions separated by a reduced diameter intermediate elastomeric portion.
19. A one-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said portion of said casing lying intermediate said tail portion and said tip of said axial flange comprises a radial flange to which said elastomeric body is bonded, said axial flange comprising radially inner and outer axially extending flanges folded back on themselves.
20. A one-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said portion of said casing lying intermediate said tail portion and said tip of said axial flange comprises axially inner and outer radial flanges to which said elastomeric body portion is bonded, said axially inner and outer radial flanges being folded upon themselves and said axial flange comprises the end portion of said casing opposite said portion swaged into said first groove.
21. A one-piece seal assembly as defined in claim 20, wherein said axial flange includes an upturned tip portion.
22. A seal assembly adapted to be received over a rod movable along a given axis, said seal including an annular metal casing portion and an annular elastomeric portion, said metal casing portion including a first, generally axially extending radially inner portion having a tail portion adapted to be swaged in substantially fluid-tight relation into a first groove in said rod and another portion adapted to overlie and snugly confine a locking ring received in a second groove, and a second portion for receiving an elastomeric body portion, said second portion comprising a radial flange and a second axial flange, and an elastomeric body portion bonded to both said radial flange and to said second axial flange, said elastomeric body portion including both a body portion and a pair of oppositely directed lip portions separated by a reduced diameter intermediate portion, said seal defining a substantially fluid-tight chamber on either side of said lip portions.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A frame assembly for a customized carrying bag, comprising:
a covering made of a relatively flexible material;
a frame defining a periphery, the frame at least partially encased within the covering such that the frame and the covering define an interior compartment of the carrying bag, the frame and the covering having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes and at least one larger-diameter through hole at each of a plurality of locations around the periphery of the frame;
at least one inner frame bracket having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes corresponding to the plurality of smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the covering and at least one larger-diameter tapped hole corresponding to the at least one larger-diameter through hole of the frame and the covering; and
at least one outer frame bracket having a plurality of smaller-diameter tapped holes corresponding to the plurality of smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the covering and at least one larger-diameter through hole corresponding to the larger diameter through hole of the frame and the covering;
wherein the inner frame bracket and the outer frame bracket are secured together with the frame and the covering disposed between the inner frame bracket and the outer frame bracket by a plurality of first fasteners that pass through the smaller-diameter through holes of the inner frame bracket and the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the covering from an interior of the frame to engage with the smaller-diameter tapped holes of the outer frame bracket.
2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one connector piece having at least one larger-diameter through hole, and wherein the connector piece is secured onto the outer frame bracket by a second fastener that passes through the larger-diameter through hole of the outer frame bracket and the larger-diameter through hole of the frame and the covering from an exterior of the frame to engage with the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket.
3. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join together ends of the top and the bottom, the top having a width that is narrower side-to-side than a width of the bottom such that the frame is narrower at the top than at the bottom.
4. A frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame further comprises
an upper rear flange adjacent the top and extending between the pair of opposite sides, the upper rear flange having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes and at least one larger-diameter through hole; and
at least one lower rear flange adjacent an end of the bottom and one of the pair of opposite sides, the lower rear flange having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes and at least one larger-diameter through hole.
5. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further provided with an accessory component comprising a pair of straps attached to connector pieces at opposite ends of the straps with the connector pieces being secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets on the exterior of the frame so as to create a backpack.
6. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further provided with an accessory component comprising a strap attached to connector pieces at opposite ends of the strap with the connector pieces being secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets on the exterior of the frame so as to create a book bag or a computer case.
7. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further provided with an accessory component comprising a handle attached to connector pieces at opposite ends of the handle with the connector pieces being secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets on the exterior of the frame so as to create a briefcase.
8. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further provided with an accessory component comprising at least one wheel, roller or the like and an extensible handle attached to connector pieces that are secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets on the exterior of the frame so as to create a rolling carry-on luggage.
9. A frame assembly according to claim 1, further provided with an accessory component to create at least one of a backpack, a book bag, a computer case, a briefcase and a rolling carry-on luggage bag, and wherein the accessory component has printed indicia thereon so as to create a customized carrying bag that is personalized.
10. A frame assembly for a customized carrying bag, comprising:
a frame made of a relatively flexible, yet resilient material, the frame defining a continuous periphery, the frame having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes and at least one larger-diameter through hole at each of a plurality of locations around the periphery of the frame;
a covering with the frame at least partially encased within the covering, the covering and the frame defining an interior compartment, the covering having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes corresponding to the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and at least one larger-diameter through hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the frame at each of the plurality of locations around the periphery of the frame;
a plurality of frame brackets, each frame bracket comprising an inner frame bracket and an outer frame bracket, the inner frame bracket having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes corresponding to the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the smaller-diameter through holes of the covering, and at least one larger-diameter tapped hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the frame and the larger-diameter through hole of the covering, the outer frame bracket having a plurality of smaller-diameter tapped holes corresponding to the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame, the smaller-diameter through holes of the covering and the smaller-diameter through holes of the inner frame bracket, and at least one larger-diameter through hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the frame, the larger-diameter through hole of the covering and the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket; and
at least one connector piece attached to a corresponding one of the frame brackets and secured onto the outer frame bracket on an exterior of the frame assembly, the connector piece having at least one larger-diameter through hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the outer frame bracket, the larger-diameter through hole of the frame, the larger-diameter through hole of the covering and the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket;
wherein the inner frame bracket and the outer frame bracket are secured together by a plurality of first fasteners that pass through the smaller-diameter through holes of the inner frame bracket, the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the smaller-diameter through holes of the covering to engage with the smaller-diameter tapped holes of the outer frame bracket;
wherein the connector piece is attached to the frame bracket by at least one second fastener that passes through the larger-diameter through hole of the connector piece, the larger-diameter through hole of the outer frame bracket, the larger-diameter through hole of the frame and the larger-diameter through hole of the covering to engage with the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket; and
wherein an accessory component is attached to the connector piece that is secured onto the outer frame bracket at two or more of the plurality of locations around the periphery of the frame.
11. A frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a top, a bottom having a width that is greater than a width of the top, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join ends of the top and the bottom, and wherein the frame further comprises an upper rear flange depending from the top of the frame and a pair of lower rear flanges that each depend from the bottom adjacent a respective side, and wherein the accessory component comprises a pair of straps each having opposite ends that are attached to connector pieces with the connector pieces secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets located on the upper rear flange of the frame and the lower rear flange of the frame so as to create a backpack.
12. A frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join ends of the top and the bottom, and wherein the accessory component comprises a strap having opposite ends that are attached to connector pieces with the connector pieces secured onto corresponding outer frame brackets located on the top of the frame and the bottom of the frame so as to create a book bag or a computer case.
13. A frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join ends of the top and the bottom, and wherein the accessory component comprises a handle having opposite ends that are attached to connector pieces with the connector pieces secured onto one or more corresponding outer frame brackets located on one of the opposite sides of the frame so as to create a briefcase.
14. A frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a top, a bottom, and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join ends of the top and the bottom, and wherein the frame further comprises an upper rear flange depending from the top of the frame and a pair of lower rear flanges that each depend from the bottom adjacent a respective side, and wherein the accessory component comprises an extensible handle having at least one wheel, roller or the like that is attached to connector pieces with the connector pieces secured onto one or more corresponding outer frame brackets located on at least one of the top of the frame and the upper rear flange of the frame, and at least one of the bottom of the frame and the pair of lower rear flanges of the frame so as to create a rolling carry-on luggage.
15. A frame assembly for a customizable carrying bag, comprising:
a frame defining a continuous periphery and having an interior defining an interior compartment of the carrying bag and an exterior opposite the interior, the frame comprising a top, a bottom and a pair of opposite sides that extend between and join ends of the top and the bottom, the top having a side-to-side width that is narrower than a side-to-side width of the bottom, the frame further comprising an upper rear flange that depends from the top and at least one lower rear flange that depends from the bottom adjacent a respective one of the opposite sides, the frame having a plurality of smaller-diameter through holes and at least one larger-diameter through hole at each of a plurality of locations around the periphery of the frame, on the upper rear flange of the frame and on the lower rear flange of the frame;
a frame bracket at one or more of the plurality of locations; and
a connector piece attached to a corresponding frame bracket at each of the one or more of the plurality of locations, the connector piece having an accessory component attached thereto to create one of a backpack, a book bag, a computer case, a briefcase and a rolling carry-on luggage;
wherein each frame bracket comprises an inner frame bracket positioned adjacent the interior of the frame and an outer frame bracket positioned adjacent the exterior of the frame;
wherein each inner frame bracket has a plurality of smaller-diameter though holes corresponding to the plurality of smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and at least one larger-diameter tapped hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the frame;
wherein each outer frame bracket has a plurality of smaller-diameter tapped holes corresponding to the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame and the smaller-diameter through holes of the inner frame bracket and at least one larger-diameter through hole corresponding to the larger-diameter through hole of the frame and the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket;
wherein the inner frame bracket and the outer frame bracket are secured together by a plurality of first fasteners that pass through the plurality of smaller-diameter through holes of the inner frame bracket and the smaller-diameter through holes of the frame from the interior of the frame and engage with the smaller-diameter tapped holes of the outer frame bracket; and
wherein the connector piece is secured onto the outer frame bracket by at least one second fastener that passes through the larger-diameter through hole of the outer frame bracket and the larger-diameter through hole of the frame from the exterior of the frame and engages with the larger-diameter tapped hole of the inner frame bracket.