Importance

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Abstract

There is provided a protective boot which provides an essentially constant volume chamber around a reciprocating shaft to prevent the inspiration of atmospheric contaminants into the area around the shaft. The boot defines a chamber, which comprises two sections, a longitudinally extendible and contractible first section and a radially extendible and contractible second section. The second section is constructed of elements or portions which flex outwardly or pop out from a neutral position in response to an increase in pressure in the section, and other portions which flex inwardly from a neutral position in response to a decrease in pressure. The portions flex outward at a predetermined pressure which is higher than the neutral or atmospheric pressure. When a pressure decrease from neutral occurs, a relatively low pressure is reached, which is sufficient to initiate the inward flexing from a neutral position of other portions of the section. Therefore, the contour of the boot changes at predetermined pressures to provide an essentially constant volume chamber around a reciprocating shaft to prevent the inspiration of atmospheric contaminants into the area around the shaft.

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First Claim