Gaiter

1. A gaiter for a lubricated joint, the gaiter comprising:

an inner sidewall defining a volume for receiving a lubricated joint,

an outer sidewall; and

a passageway formed between the inner and outer sidewalls for conveying a gas;

wherein the passageway is configured to convey gas in isolation from said volume when the gaiter is mounted to the lubricated joint, and wherein the passageway extends from a first gas flow port located at or near a first end of the gaiter to a second gas flow port located at or near a second end of the gaiter.

2. The gaiter of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second gas flow ports is configured to receive the gas generally radially with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by the gaiter.

3. The gaiter of claim 1 , wherein the inner sidewall is removably disposed within the outer sidewall.

4. The gaiter of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner sidewalls is convoluted, and wherein at least one of the outer and inner sidewalls is formed from a flexible polymeric material.

5. The gaiter of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner sidewalls comprises a sidewall reinforcing element.

6. The gaiter of claim 1 , wherein the outer and inner sidewalls are at least substantially coaxially disposed.

7. A vehicle axle assembly for a central tyre inflation system (CTIS), the assembly comprising:

the gaiter of claim 1 ; and

a hollow vehicle axle shaft comprising a conduit for passage of a gas extending longitudinally through the shaft;

wherein a through bore is provided through an outer wall of the shaft, and wherein the through bore is in fluid communication with the conduit.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with the through bore.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the outer sidewall comprises an outer sidewall first rim mounted to a first outer surface of the vehicle axle shaft, wherein the inner sidewall comprises an inner sidewall first rim mounted to a second outer surface of the vehicle axle shaft, and wherein the through bore is located between the first and second outer surfaces.

10. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall form a first cuff comprising a first rim mounted to an outer surface of the vehicle axle shaft, wherein the through bore is located on the outer surface.

11. A vehicle axle assembly for a central tyre inflation system (CTIS), the assembly comprising:

the gaiter of claim 1 ; and

a hollow wheel stub axle comprising a cup-shaped portion; and

a shaft portion comprising a conduit for passage of a gas extending longitudinally through the shaft portion, wherein the cup-shaped portion comprises a gallery for receiving the gas, wherein the gallery is in fluid communication with the conduit.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with the gallery.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein the outer sidewall cooperates with a first surface of the cup-shaped portion of the stub axle, and the inner sidewall cooperates with a second surface of the cup-shaped portion of the stub axle, and wherein the first surface is external.

14. A vehicle comprising the of claim 1 .

15. An articulated joint for a central tyre inflation system (CTIS), the joint comprising:

first and second hollow vehicle axles having, respectively, a first and a second internal conduit for passage of a gas; and

a gaiter comprising:

an inner sidewall defining a volume for receiving a lubricated joint,

an outer sidewall; and

a passageway formed between the inner and outer sidewalls for conveying a gas, wherein the passageway is configured to convey gas in isolation from the volume when the gaiter is mounted to the lubricated joint and wherein the passageway extends from a first gas flow port located at or near a first end of the gaiter to a second gas flow port located at or near a second end of the gaiter.

16. The articulated joint of claim 15 , wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with each of the first and second internal conduits.

17. The articulated joint of claim 16 , wherein the first hollow vehicle axle is a driveshaft, the second hollow vehicle axle is a wheel stub axle, and wherein the vehicle driveshaft and wheel stub axle form a constant velocity (CV) joint.