FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the tie-rod end boots/rubber boots bellows, also known as dust guards for protecting tie-rod end type joints present in a moving or non-moving steering linkage system of an automobile. More particularly, the present invention relates to protection of said rubber boots with moving duo-guards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The steering linkage system for an automobile has a connecting tie-rod assembly 1 having tie-rod end type joint 7 for connecting the control arm to the steering cylinder 4. While the control arm allows for to and fro motion, the steering knuckle turns the wheels 6 when the steering wheel is rotated. The tie-rod end type joint 7 move the wheels 6 and hence takes the biggest hits and wears out first. It is for these reasons that tie-rod end type joints 7 are protected with rubber boots 8 which also hold grease inside the tie-rod end type joints 7.
Tie-rod end boots are typically in the form of a sleeve of bellows-like form mounted on the tie rod end to prevent ingress of dirt, mud, water, and other foreign matter into the socket (housing for tie-rod end) itself. The boot is subject to deterioration over a period of time as a result of wear arising from the continual flexing of the boot and also as a result of contamination by oil, grease, and other matter thrown up from the road surface. The rubber boot 8/bellow acts to prevent dust getting to the tie-rod end type joint 7, and gradually wearing out the joint.
However, the rubber boots 8 degrades and splits more quickly when in contact with large amounts of petroleum-based grease, which many mechanics seem to love packing inside the boot before fitment. If the boot is torn, or just plain gone, chances are so is the tie-rod end type joint 7. To ensure a quality steering and suspension repair, it's advisable to replace the tie-rod end type joint 7 where the rubber boot 8 is split, cracked, damaged or missing. However, replacing the entire Tie-rod end type joint 7 component can help avoid potential premature failure, it can be both safety-critical and costly. By replacing the boot only, and not the complete ball joint unit/tie-rod end type joint 7, the rubber boot 8 could potentially seal in the damaging substances the joint has been exposed to,

resulting in accelerated rust and corrosive damage to the joint. In addition, the ball joint is designed to operate with a grease lubricant. A defective boot could lead to a loss of this essential lubrication, as it may be washed away with water, dry out or become coated with dirt and other debris.
In light of the foregoing, it is clearly not feasible to every time replace the tie-rod end type joints 7 and the rubber boots 8 given the abovementioned constraints. To solve the above identified problems, therefore, in many prior arts rubber boots 8 have been provided with protectors to shield the rubber boots 8 from thorns/sharp pebbles/straw/shrubs in off-road application. The boot protectors of the prior art such as "GLO Rockwell 2.5 ton Top Loader Steer Axle Boot Guards", "OEM FACTORY 09-14 Yamaha YFM350 350 Grizzly 4x4 YFM35FGHZ Outer CV Axle Boot Guards", "1991 Suzuki King quad LTF4WDXS 300 front left CV axle guard cover 4x4 E126", "1995 Suzuki King Quad 300 4x4 Front Axle protectors (Metal) " to name a few arranged over the rubber boot 8 are "stationary" during the translational movement of the steering cylinder 4 (rotated through connecting tie-rod assembly 1). This type has the shortcoming that in order to protect the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 at all times during the movement of the connecting tie-rod assembly 1, the guard length of the boot protector has to be increased thereby mounting the space and the cost parameters.
Thus, it is not desirable to have boot protectors/guards which are stationary and do not move along with the connecting tie-rod assembly. Additionally, the boot guards need to be designed in a manner such that the guard length is optimum and does not negatively impacting the space and the cost parameters.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in prior art designs and structures of the boot protectors.
Another object of the present invention is to develop improved duo-guards for protecting tie-rod end boots/rubber boots at all times during vehicle turning. Yet another object of the present invention is to develop improved duo-guards configured to move along with the connecting tie-rod assembly.
Still another object of the present invention is to develop improved duo-guards with optimum guard-length for effectively reducing the space and the cost constraints.
Still further object of the present invention is to develop cost effective duo guards for protecting tie-end boots/rubber boots.
Further object of the present invention is to develop improved duo-guards for protecting rubber boots from dirt, dust, thorns/sharp pebbles/shrubs in off-road application.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present application discloses a duo-guard 3 for protecting a rubber boot 8 positioned on connecting tie-rod assembly 1 of moving or non-moving linkages in an automobile. The connecting tie-rod assembly 1 has a casing end 10, a casing middle 9, a tie-rod end type joint 7 and the rubber boot 8 located within the space between the casing end 10 and the casing middle 9. In an embodiment, the duo-guard 3 includes a first guard 11 having an upper portion 13 tapering downwardly to form a lower portion 14 and having two slots each positioned at

each of two protruding surfaces extending laterally from each end of the lower portion 14. Further, the duo-guard 3 includes a second guard 12 identical to the first guard 11 and having an upper portion 13 tapering downwardly to form a lower portion 14 further having two slots each positioned at each of two protruding surfaces extending laterally from each end of the lower portion 14. In another embodiment, the first guard 11 and second guard 12 are clamped against each other on a tie-rod end type joint 7 through slideably adjustable fastening means 15 extending through the gap 16 ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard 11 and second guard 12 are mounted on the tie-rod end type joint 7 which in an embodiment is positioned on the casing middle 9, thereby forming a shield for surface of the rubber boot 8 and extending over the rubber boot 8.
In another aspect, the present application discloses a method for assembling duo-guard 3 on a connecting tie-rod assembly 1 of moving or non-moving linkages of an automobile. The method consist of mounting a first guard 11 on a tie-rod end type joint 7 positioned on a casing middle 9 followed by mounting a second guard 12 on the tie-rod end type joint 7 such that slots constructed on the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 are in alignment. The method further includes the step of extending fastening means 15 through the aligned slots; and tightening the fastening means 15 for clamping the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 against each other while ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard 11 and second guard 12 are mounted on the tie-rod end type joint 7.
The above and additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages, of the present invention can be fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description. These features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings, wherein:
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Fig. 1: Illustrates a conventional stationary boot guard protector 2.
Fig. 2: Illustrates a right hand side (RHS) view of a steering linkage system for an
automobile.
Fig. 3: Illustrates an exploded view of a connecting tie-rod assembly 1.
Fig. 4: Illustrates isometric views of the rubber boot guard 3 (first guard 11 and second guard 12) according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5a-5c: Illustrates an assembly procedure of the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 on the tie-rod end type joint 7 forming a duo-guard 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6: Illustrates duo-guards 3 moving along with steering mechanism during turning of the automobile according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without specific details of the well known components and techniques. Further specific numeric references should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The features discussed in an embodiment may be implemented in another embodiment.
Moreover occasional references to the conventional stationary boot guards 2 are made in order to better distinguish the present inventive disclosure discussed
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later in greater detail. Few of the details pertaining to rubber boot guards 2, steering linkage systems, etc. are well known in the art and therefore, are described herein only in the detail required to fully disclose the present invention while unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
Improving upon the conventional designs for boot guards discussed at length above (background), in the present disclosure a novel duo-guards 3 for protecting tie-rod end boots and configured to move along with the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 as shown in Figs. 2-6 clearly makes the improved duo-guards 3 as disclosed in the present application advantageous over the existing arts as would also become clearer to the knowledgeable in the art with the particulars of the aforesaid unique design being described below in greater detail. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments as shown in the drawings.
Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to Fig. 1, a conventional stationary boot guard 2 protector is shown covering the rubber boot 8. In operation, during translational movement of rod caused due to the movement of the steering cylinder 4, the rubber boot 8 has to be protected at all times during the movement. Accordingly, in the conventional design of the rubber boot guards 2 the guard length has to be increased since the guard is “stationary” and does not move along with the steering cylinder 4 and the tie-rod connecting assembly 1. The reference to the conventional design of the boot guard is made in order to better distinguish the present inventive disclosure discussed later in greater detail. The details of the conventional mechanism are well-known in the art, and therefore, are described herein only in the detail required to fully disclose the present invention.
Further, improving on the conventional design of the rubber boot guards 2, Fig.2 illustrates a right hand side (RHS) view of a steering linkage system for an automobile with the duo-guards 3 clamped together and assembled on the tie-rod end type joint 7. In operation, for example in the event of driver taking the left turn by rotating the steering wheel, the rod inside the steering cylinder 4 translates towards right hand side which further pushes the connecting tie-rod assembly 1. In turn, the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 rotates the steering arm/
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knuckle arm 5 about the knuckle pin assembly/king pin stub axle assembly and resultantly turns the front wheels 6. The novel duo-guards 3 for protecting the rubber boot 8 mounted on the tie-rod end type joint 7, during the movement of the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 also moves along with the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 ensuring protection of rubber boot 8 at all times.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a connecting tie-rod assembly 1. The connecting tie-rod assembly 1 comprises a tie-rod end type joint 7 for mounting the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 which are fastened together using fastening 15 means such as suitable bolt and nut 15 to form a duo-guard 3, a casing middle 9, a casing end 10 which is the steering cylinder 4 end, a rubber boot 8 among other parts. In an embodiment, the rubber boot 8 is positioned between the casing middle 9 and the casing end
10 defined to protect the tie-rod end type joints 7 from wear and tear caused by
entry of dust and mud. In an embodiment, the tie-rod end type joint 7 may be
housed in a socket inside which the tie-rod end type joint 7 swivels.
Moreover, Fig. 4 illustrates isometric views of the rubber boot guard 2 (first guard
11 and second guard 12) according to an embodiment of the invention. In a
preferred embodiment, the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 are identical
in shape and configuration. In another embodiment, the first guard 11 has an
upper portion 13/guard portion which tapers downwardly to form a lower portion
14 having two slots each positioned at each of two protruding surfaces extending
laterally from each end of the lower portion/clamp portion 14. In an
embodiment, the second guard 12 identical to the first guard 11 has an upper
portion/guard portion 13 which tapers downwardly to form a lower portion 14
having two slots each positioned at each of two protruding surfaces extending
laterally from each end of the lower portion 14/clamp portion. In another
embodiment, the clamp portions of the first guard 11 and the second guard 12
has two slots defined as defined in Fig. 4. The first guard 11 and the second
guard 12 are mounted sequentially on the tie-rod end type joint 7 with the clamp
portions in the same line of alignment with slots facing each other forming a gap
16 allowing a slideably adjustable fastening 15 means extending through the gap
16 for clamping the first guard 11 and second guard 12 against each other
ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard 11 and
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second guard 12 are mounted on a tie-rod end type joint 7 positioned on the casing middle 9, thereby forming a shield for surface of the rubber boot 8 and extending over the rubber boot 8. In another embodiment, the rubber boot 8 may be provided with bellows. The design of the duo-guards 3 is such that the rubber boot 8 with bellows may also be protected. In an embodiment, the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 are mounted sequentially on the tie-rod end type joint 7 which is positioned on the casing middle 9.
In an embodiment, the details of material forming the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 are provided in the table below:

Furthermore, Fig. 5 shows an assembly procedure of the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 on the tie-rod end type joint 7 forming a duo-guard 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5a shows the step of mounting a first guard 11 on a tie-rod end type joint 7 which is positioned on a casing middle 9. Further, Fig. 5b shows the step of mounting a second guard 12 on the tie-rod end type joint 7 such that slots constructed on the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 is in alignment to form a gap 16. Furthermore, Fig. 5c shows the step of inserting fastener 15 such as a suitable nut 15 through the gap 16 followed by tightening the fastening means 15 for clamping the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 against each other while ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard 11 and second guard 12 are mounted on the tie-rod end type joint 7.
Further, Fig. 6 shows the duo-guards 3 mounted on the tie-rod end type joint 7 and moving along with steering mechanism (moving along with the connecting tie-rod assembly 1 during turning of the automobile. The unique design of the duo-guards 3 so as to maintain positive gap between the first guard 11 and the second guard 12 after being mounted/seated on the tie-rod end type joint 7 and even after tightening of the fasteners 15 ensures that the duo-guards 3 are adapted to move along with the connecting tie-rod assembly 1, thereby protecting
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the rubber boots 8 at all times without negatively impacting the space and cost constraints.
Advantages of the unique duo-guard
1. Protection of rubber boot 8 from thorns/ sharp pebbles/ straw/ shrubs in off-road application.
2. Low cost solution along with less material wastage.
3. Rubber boot 8 protected at all times during vehicle turning.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

WE CLAIM
A duo-guard (3) for protecting a rubber boot (8) positioned on connecting tie-rod assembly (1) of moving or non-moving linkages in an automobile, wherein the connecting tie-rod assembly (1) comprises a casing end (10), a casing middle (9), a tie-rod end type joint (7), the rubber boot (8) located within the space between the casing end (10) and the casing middle (9), said duo-guard (3) including:
a first guard (11) having an upper portion (13) tapering downwardly to form a lower portion (14) having two slots each positioned at each of two protruding surfaces extending laterally from each end of the lower portion (14);
a second guard (12) identical to the first guard (11) and having an upper portion (13) tapering downwardly to form a lower portion (14) having two slots each positioned at each of two protruding surfaces extending laterally from each end of the lower portion (14);
slideably adjustable fastening means (15) extending through the gap (16) for clamping the first guard (11) and second guard (12) against each other ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard (11) and second guard (12) are mounted on a tie-rod end type joint (7) positioned on the casing middle (9), thereby forming a shield for surface of the rubber boot (8) and extending over the rubber boot (8).
The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first guard (11) and the second guard (12) are clamped against each other such that the duo-guard (3) thus formed are adapted to move along with the connecting tie-rod assembly (1).
The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means (15) is a suitable bolt and nut (15).

The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tie-rod end type joint (7) is housed in a socket.
The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber boot (8) is attached with protective extensible bellow.
The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1 and 5, wherein the duo-guard (3) is positioned to shield the rubber boot (8) attached with protective extensible bellow.
The duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion (13) and the lower portion (14) of the first guard (11) and the second guard (12) are made from IS 513 Extra Deep Drawing (EDD) sheets.
A method for assembling duo-guard (3) as claimed in claim 1 on a connecting tie-rod assembly (1) of moving or non-moving linkages of an automobile, the method comprising:
mounting a first guard (11) on a tie-rod end type joint (7) positioned on a casing middle (9);
mounting a second guard (12) on the tie-rod end type joint (7) such that slots constructed on the first guard (11) and the second guard (12) are in alignment;
extending fastening means (15) through the aligned slots; and tightening the fastening means (15) for clamping the first guard (11) and the second guard (12) against each other while ensuring positive gap between upper faces formed when said first guard (11) and second guard (12) are mounted on the tie-rod end type joint (7).