U.S. patent application number 11/004978 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for decorative tail pipe mounted apparatus for an automobile.
Invention is credited to Quast, Shawn T..
Application Number | 20050139417 11/004978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34683033 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050139417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quast, Shawn T. |
June 30, 2005 |
Decorative tail pipe mounted apparatus for an automobile
Abstract
An apparatus for attachment to the tail pipe of a vehicle is
disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate bracket operative to
be attached to said tail pipe and having an end extendable beyond
the end of said tail pipe. The apparatus also comprises an endplate
coupled to said end of said bracket. The apparatus also comprises a
symbol formed as a part of said endplate and operative to be viewed
by an observer outside said vehicle. The apparatus may amuse
observers outside the vehicle and mask the normally unappealing
appearance of the tailpipe.
Inventors: |
Quast, Shawn T.; (Victoria,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Shawn Quast
1430 Hamilton St.
Victoria
BC
V8R 2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
34683033 |
Appl. No.: |
11/004978 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/227 ;
181/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 13/082
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/227 ;
181/228 |
International
Class: |
F01N 007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2003 |
CA |
2,452,974 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for attachment to a tail pipe of a vehicle
comprising: an elongate bracket operative to be coupled to said
tail pipe and having an end extendable beyond an outlet of said
tail pipe; an endplate coupled to said end; a symbol formed as a
part of said endplate and operative to be viewed by an observer
outside said vehicle.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said endplate prevents said
observer from viewing a substantial part of said tail pipe.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a bend
separating said bracket into first and second sections; said first
section mountable flush with said tail pipe and said second section
angled such that said endplate is hangable to obscure from view at
least a portion of an exhaust system of said vehicle.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a
circular bend formed at said end and through a slot in said
endplate.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said endplate is rotatable
within said circular bend.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a sound dampener
disposed within said circular bend.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said symbol comprises at least
one hole formed in said endplate in the shape of said symbol.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said symbol comprises at least
one marking on a surface of said endplate.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable
attachment between said elongate bracket and said endplate.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotatable attachment
comprises a circular bend.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rotatable attachment
comprises at least one attachment tab.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate bracket
comprises a retaining tab operative to be engaged with an outlet
edge of said tail pipe.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said retaining tab is
operative to engage an inside surface of said tail pipe.
14. An apparatus for attachment to a tail pipe of a vehicle
comprising: an endplate; a symbol formed as a part of said endplate
and operative to be viewed by an observer outside said vehicle;
first means for suspending said endplate beyond an outlet of said
tail pipe; second means for positioning said endplate in order to
obstruct an observer's view of said tail pipe.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: third means for
preventing said endplate from obstructing flow of exhaust gases
from said tail pipe.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: third means for
securing said apparatus to said tailpipe.
17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tail pipe is a first
tail pipe and said apparatus further comprises: third means for
attaching said apparatus to a second tail pipe; fourth means for
centering said endplate between said first and second tail
pipes.
18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said symbol comprises at
least one hole formed in said endplate in the shape of said
symbol.
19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said symbol comprises at
least one marking on a surface of said endplate.
20. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising third means for
hanging said endplate near vertical 21. The apparatus of claim 14
further comprising third means for rotatably attaching said
endplate to said first means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to Canadian patent application Serial No. 2,452,974
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus mountable to an
automobile tail pipe. More specifically the present invention
relates to a decorative endplate mountable to the end of an
automobile tail pipe. Background
[0003] Traditionally the automobile tail pipe has served the
utilitarian purpose of channeling exhaust gases away from the
automobile's exhaust system. The tail pipe is not normally a
pleasant site for those observers outside the automobile.
[0004] Some attempts have been made to beautify the automobile tail
pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,666 describes one such device. This
device uses the force generated by exhaust gases to spin a
decorative visual spinner. The device is complex, may be difficult
to install and may only be usefully mountable to horizontal exhaust
pipes.
[0005] Another decorative device for an automobile tail pipe is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,144. This device is complicated in
structure, and may be complicated to install.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of a first example of an
endplate of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1b depicts a perspective view of a first example of the
endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a
first example of the bracket of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1c depicts a perspective view of an example of the
present invention mounted to a portion of an exhaust system.
[0009] FIG. 2a depicts a side view of a first example of the
bracket of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2b depicts a perspective view of a first example of the
bracket of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first example of the
endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a
second example of the bracket of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an example of an
integral bracket/endplate of the present invention in unbent
condition.
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an example of an
integral bracket/endplate of the present invention in bent
condition and mounted to an automobile tail pipe.
[0014] FIG. 6a depicts a side view of a third example of the
bracket of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6b depicts a perspective view of a third example of the
bracket of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a second example of the
endplate of the present invention mounted to a tail pipe using a
third example of the bracket of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a third example of the
endplate of the present invention mounted to a dual tail pipe
assembly using a bracket assembly of the present invention
[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a second example of the
endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket
assembly of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a second example of the
endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket
assembly of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a top view of a second example of the
endplate of the present invention shown dismounted from a bracket
assembly of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 depicts a close up perspective view of the
attachment points of a second example of the endplate and a first
example of the bracket assembly of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 13 depicts a close up perspective view of the
attachment points of a first example of the endplate and first
example of the bracket assembly of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 14 depicts a close up perspective view of the
attachment points of a third example of the endplate and fourth
example of the bracket of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 15 depicts a close up perspective view of the
attachment points of a fourth example of the endplate and a third
example of the bracket of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 16 depicts perspective views of various examples of the
bracket of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 17 depicts the bracket of the current invention
together with the sound dampener of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following
description and figures describe and show various examples of the
endplates, brackets, bracket assemblies and integral
endplate/brackets of the present invention. These examples show
several different ways of combining the various elements of the
invention together and those skilled in the art will appreciate
that there are many other ways of combining the various elements
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In
general, the bracket is referred to as bracket 10 with specific
examples shown in the different figures. In general, the endplate
is referred to as endplate 20 with specific examples shown in the
different figures. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is
to be limited only by the applicable law interpreting the claims
following this description.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1a a first example of an endplate 20 is
depicted. A symbol 50 is formed as a part of the endplate 20 by
punching. Alternatively the symbol 50 may be formed as a part of
the endplate 20 by painting, etching, drawing, engraving, stamping,
imprinting, strking, drilling, milling, molding or any other
appropriate process. In this example the endplate 20 has a slot 90
which allows the endplate 20 to be attached to a first example of a
bracket 10 as described below. The slot 90 may be formed by
punching, drilling, milling, molding or any other appropriate
process. The endplate 20 may be formed in any applicable shape such
as circular (as shown), triangular, square, rectangular, oval,
polygonal or misshapen. The symbol 50 may be any symbol desired by
a user and limited only by the designer's creativity. Some examples
of the symbol 50 include "letters", "numbers", "lightning bolts",
"smiley faces", "stars", "moons", "hearts", "diamonds", "radiation
symbols", "toxic waste symbols" and many others limited only by the
imagination.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1b the first example of the endplate
20 is shown coupled to the first example of the bracket 10 and
mounted to a tail pipe 60. The bracket 10 is formed from a straight
piece of material which has a tab 30 (or lance) punched out of it.
Alternatively, the tab 30 may be molded as a part of the bracket 10
or formed in another appropriate process. The tab 30 is engagble
with-the outlet end 95 of the tail pipe 6 and may also be engagable
with the inner surface of said tailpipe whereas a first section 11
of the bracket 10 engages the outside surface of the tail pipe 60.
The bracket is thus mountable flush with the tail pipe 60. A second
section 12 of the bracket 10 supports the endplate 20 and comprises
a circular bend 80 (or curl) which holds the endplate 20 through
slot 90. A bend 70 that may be present in bracket 10 separates the
first II and second 12 sections of the bracket 10 and may serve to
position the endplate 20 in the centre of the tail pipe 60. This
may be desirable when the diameter of the endplate 20 is larger
than that of the tail pipe 60. The tab 30 may serve the purpose of
preventing the installer from installing the endplate 20 too close
to the tail pipe 60 thus preventing backpressure on the automobile
engine if this is not desired The bend 70 may also serve to
position the endplate 20 such that the endplate hangs vertically
even when the tail pipe 60 is not horizontal. The endplate 20 may
thus obscure at least a portion of the exhaust system of the
vehicle it is mounted to.
[0030] The bracket 10 may be attached to the tail pipe 60 with hose
clamp 40. The clamp 40 in conjunction with the tab 30 may serve to
hold the assembly onto the tailpipe and prevent rotation and
slippage. Alternatively the bracket 10 may be attached to the tail
pipe 60 or a sleeve covering the tail pipe 60 by bolts, other types
of clamps, gluing, welding, etc. In addition, the clamp 40 may be
welded or otherwise attached to the bracket 10 or the clamp 40 may
be loose from the bracket 10 until it is installed by the user. The
bracket 10 and endplate 20 may be formed of any applicable material
such as stainless steel, aluminum, high temperature plastics, etc.
In fact with the emergence of fuel cell powered vehicles with much
lower exhaust temperatures, it is conceived that the endplate and
bracket may be formed out of materials less impervious to heat such
as lower temperature plastics.
[0031] The circular bend 80 may alternatively be other shapes such
as a squared bend, oval, etc. as long as endplate 20 engages the
slot 90 and the endplate is retained by the bend. The circular bend
80 may be clamped tight, bonded, welded, etc. through the slot or
alternatively the endplate 20 may swing within the circular bend 80
which allows the endplate 20 to be swung adjacent to the bracket 10
for shipment. If the endplate 20 is swingable it also allows for
the endplate 20 to remain vertical when the tail pipe 60 is off
horizontal. I.e., gravitational pull on the endplate 20 will swing
it to a vertical position. This may ensure the endplate remains
easily visible to an observer.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b additional depictions of
the bracket 10 are shown. The first section 11 of the bracket 10
may be longer or shorter depending on the proximity of the muffler
15 to the end of the tail pipe 60 and whether the tail pipe 60 has
a straight or angled cut at its outlet.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3 a second example of the bracket 10 is
shown attached to the first example of the endplate 20. In this
example the bracket 10 is straight except for the circular bend 80.
In this example the bracket is attachable to the tail pipe 60 using
two hose clamps 40. This example of the bracket 10 without the bend
70 may be usable when the tail pipe 60 is larger in diameter than
the endplate 20. This may also be the case when the tail pipe 60
has an aftermarket sleeve mounted over it (which the bracket 10 may
be mounted to in a similar fashion as it is mounted to the tail
pipe 60 directly.)
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 a perspective view of an
integral endplate/bracket 100 is shown both in unbent (FIG. 4) and
bent (FIG. 5) condition. In this example of the invention the
endplate/bracket 100 comprises both the bracket 10 and the endplate
20 with a bend 110 separating the two. The endplate/bracket 100 may
be shipped in bent or unbent condition and the user may adjust the
bend 110 to ensure the endplate 20 is visible to an observer if for
example, the tail pipe 60 does not exit the vehicle in a horizontal
position The user may also adjust the bend 110 to position the
endplate 20 to hide as much of the tail pipe 60 and muffler 15 as
desired.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7, a second example of the
endplate 20 is shown attached and attachable to a third example of
the bracket 10. In this example an elongated tab 130 is formed in
the bracket 10 such that the bracket 10 may be slid onto the
tailpipe 60 with the elongated tab 130 on the inside of the tail
pipe 60 and a remaining portion 135 of the bracket 10 on the
outside surface of the tail pipe 60 thus positioning the bracket 10
flush with the tail pipe 60. As with the tab 30, the elongated tab
130 may cooperate with the clamp 40 to prevent movement of the
bracket 10 in relation to the tail pipe 60. Also, as with the tab
30, the elongated tab 130 (depending on its length) may prevent the
installer from mounting the bracket too close to the tail pipe 60
if it is desirable to prevent backpressure on the vehicle's
engine.
[0036] In this example, bracket 10 has endplate attachment tabs 120
formed at the opposite end as the elongated tab 130. These endplate
attachment tabs 120 have holes 125 formed within them that
cooperate with holes 225 (seen in FIG. 12) formed in tabs 220
formed in the second example of endplate 20. The bracket 10 and
endplate 20 may be rotatably or fixedly attached to each other
using nuts/bolts, pins, rivets, etc.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11 an example of the invention
for mounting to a dual tail pipe configuration is shown. This
example is similar to the previous examples with the addition of
two slidable brackets 300 which are "U" shaped and have elongated
slots 310 formed within them. In this configuration, the bracket 10
has two holes 320 formed within it. Bolts or other attachment
mechanisms may be threaded through the elongated slots 310. The
bolts may have nuts attached to their end. This allows the assembly
to be expanded or contracted to fit various dual tail pipe 60
spacings. Once the clamps 40 are attached, the nuts/bolts may or
may not be tightened depending on the desired rigidity.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 12 a close up perspective view of the
attachment points of a second example of the endplate 20 and first
example of the bracket 10 is shown. In order to attach these two
examples a pin, bolt or other attachment device is threaded through
the channel formed by circular bend 80 and holes 225. In this
example, the circular bend 80 may have a relatively smaller
circumference.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 13 a close up perspective view of the
first example of the endplate 20 and bracket 10 is shown.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 14 a close up perspective view of a
third example of the endplate 20 and bracket 10 attachment point is
shows In this example the bracket 10 has two circular bends 80 and
the endplate 20 also has a circular bend 81. A pin, bolt, etc. is
threaded through the channel formed by these bends to rigidly or
rotatably attach the endplate 20 and bracket 10. Alternatively, the
endplate 20 may have two bends 81 and the bracket 10 may have one
bend 80.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 15 a close up perspective view of a
fourth example of the endplate 20 and third example of the bracket
10 attachment point is shown. In this example the endplate has a
circular bend 81 (or loop, curl, etc.) which is attached to the
bracket 10 in a similar fashion as the previous example.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 16 various additional examples of the
bracket 10 are shown. As indicated above, the bracket may be formed
of different lengths depending on the application. In addition, the
various elements of the bracket 10 may be combined to create many
versions of the bracket 10.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 17 the bracket 10 is shown along with
a sound dampener 44. The sound dampener 44 may fit within the
circular bend 80 and may prevent or reduce sound caused by
vibration between the endplate 20 and bracket 10. The sound
dampener 44 may be formed of any appropriate material such as
rubber.
* * * * *