US 12,168,995 B2
Protective cap for partially covering a pre-assembled or fully assembled vehicle component
Florian Abendroth, Diepholz (DE); Michael Lindemann, Rieste (DE); and Eric Holmes, Ramsthal (DE)
Assigned to ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen (DE)
Filed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen (DE)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/568,445.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 200 045.2 (DE), filed on Jan. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0213924 A1, Jul. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. F16C 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 11/0666 (2013.01) 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A protective cap for partial covering of a pre-fitted or a fully fitted vehicle component for a motor vehicle, the protective cap comprising:
a hollow design having a first section, designed to radially cover a sealing bellows of a ball joint therein, and a second section, designed to radially cover part of a ball stud of the ball joint therein, and the first and the second sections merge into one another and define a central longitudinal axis;
the first section having an outer surface which is inclined at an angle in a range of 6° to 10° relative to the central longitudinal axis and the second section has an outer surface which is inclined at an angle in a range of 6° to 10° relative to the central longitudinal axis such that an outer contour of the protective cap has a diameter that continuously decreases along an axial extent of the first section and the second section so to assist with stacking of several protective caps one on top of the other; and
wherein the protective cap is made from a biogenic and/or renewable raw material.