Low Load Seal With Outer Diameter Flap

Abstract

A seal for insertion in a bore in an outer member and engaging an inner member received in the bore. The seal includes an annular insert having an elastomeric body over-molded on the annular insert and an inner seal extending radially inward from the annular insert. The inner seal including an inboard sealing surface and the elastomeric body over-molded on the annular insert defining an outer portion including an outboard sealing surface including an annular flap on an exterior side of the annular insert that, in an installed position, is adapted to be compressed between the outer annular insert and the outer member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seal for insertion in a bore in an outer member and engaging an inner member received in the bore, comprising:
 an outer annular insert having a first diameter;   an inner annular insert having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter; and   an elastomeric body including an outer portion over-molded on said outer annular insert and an inner seal over-molded on said inner annular insert and including an intermediate web extending between said outer portion and said inner portion, said inner seal including an inboard sealing surface and said outer portion including an outboard sealing surface including an annular flap on an exterior side of said outer annular insert that, in an un-installed condition, extends at an angle relative to said outer annular insert, and in an installed position, is adapted to be compressed between said outer annular insert and the outer member.   
     
     
         2 . The seal according to  claim 1 , wherein said annular flap includes at least one bead thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The seal according to  claim 1 , wherein said annular flap includes a hinge portion connected at an end portion of said over-molded outer annular insert spaced from said intermediate web. 
     
     
         4 . The seal according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal includes an annular flap that, in an un-installed condition, extends at an angle relative to said inner annular insert, and in an installed position, is adapted to be compressed between said inner annular insert and the inner member. 
     
     
         5 . A seal for insertion in a bore in an outer member and engaging an inner member received in the bore, comprising:
 an annular insert; and   an elastomeric body including an outer portion over-molded on said annular insert and an inner seal extending radially inward from said outer portion, said inner seal including an inboard sealing surface, said outer portion including an outboard sealing surface including an annular flap on an exterior side of said annular insert that, in an un-installed condition, extends in an overlapping relationship an angle relative to said outer annular insert, and in an installed position, is adapted to be compressed between said outer annular insert and the outer member.   
     
     
         6 . The seal according to  claim 5 , wherein said annular flap includes at least one bead thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The seal according to  claim 5 , wherein said annular flap includes a hinge portion connected at an end portion of said over-molded outer annular insert. 
     
     
         8 . The seal according to  claim 5 , wherein said annular flap includes a projecting flap retention feature on an inner surface thereof at a distal end of said annular flap and said outer portion of said elastomeric body includes a corresponding recess for receiving said flap retention feature. 
     
     
         9 . The seal according to  claim 5 , wherein said outer portion of said elastomeric body includes a support bead extending radially outwardly therefrom for engaging said annular flap in an assembled position.