Tail pipe cover

Abstract

A cap unit is mounted on the exhaust end of a tail pipe of a motor vehicle and includes two tubular sections connected by a conical transition section. One tubular section is mounted on the tail pipe adjacent to the exhaust end of the tail pipe and a flap is hingedly mounted on an end of the second section. The flap is mounted to hang down when the cap unit is mounted on the tail pipe so that gravity biases the cap into an exhaust end covering position and exhaust gases flowing out of the tail pipe will move the flap out of the covering position against the bias of gravity. The cap unit provide aesthetic appeal to the tail pipe.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the general art of motor vehicles, and to the particular field of accessories for motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally the exhaust systems of internal combustion engines particularly of motor vehicles have hitherto comprised the exhaust manifold which collects the exhaust gases from the cylinders of the engine, a muffler forming an acoustic damping device connected to this manifold, e.g. via an exhaust pipe, and a tail pipe connected to the muffler and discharging the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

[0003] A conventional tail pipe adapted for use on a standard vehicle is made from a metal material, and is made to guide waste gas produced by the engine and the cylinder into the air. Typical prior art tail pipes are purely functional and not aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one form of this invention, an end cap is adapted to be attached to the exhaust end of the tail pipe of numerous sizes, types, and kinds of vehicles, normally an automobile or truck, and is secured to an outer end of the tail pipe as by welding, clamps, or the like and is positioned to be extended below and adjacent a rear fender portion of the subject vehicle.

[0005] The end cap of the present invention can be utilized on motorcycles, motor boats, or any place in which it is desired to have an aesthetically pleasing tail pipe member extended rearwardly therefrom to provide an attractive appearance and cooling efficiency in a subject exhaust pipe system.

[0006] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0007] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a rear end elevational view of a motor vehicle having a tail pipe exhaust end cap embodying the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tail pipe exhaust end cap embodying the present invention in a tail pipe covering condition.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tail pipe exhaust end cap embodying the present invention in a tail pipe uncovering condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a tail pipe exhaust end cap 10 for use on an exhaust end 14 of a tail pipe 16 of a motor vehicle 20.

[0012] End cap 10 comprises a first tubular section 24 which includes a first end 26, a second end 28 and a longitudinal axis 30 that extends between first end 26 and second end 28. First section 24 further includes an inner surface 30 having an inner diameter 34. Inner diameter 34 of the first tubular section is slightly greater than outer diameter 36 of tail pipe 16 so the first tubular section can be accommodated on the tail pipe near exhaust end 38 of the tail pipe. First section 24 further includes an outer surface 40 having an outer diameter 42. The end cap 10 is mounted to the tail pipe 16 in a substantially horizontal manner.

[0013] A second tubular section 50 includes a first end 52, a second end 54 and a longitudinal axis 56 that extends between first end 52 and second end 54 of the second tubular section. An inner surface 58 of the second tubular section has an inner diameter 60 which is greater than outer diameter 42 of the first tubular section, and an outer surface 62 having an outer diameter 64.

[0014] A conical transition section 70 connects second end 28 of the first tubular section to first end 52 of the second tubular section. The first and second sections are one piece with each other so the overall end cap is quite strong and easy to manufacture.

[0015] A plurality of fasteners, such as set screw 80, are located on first tubular section 24 near first end 26 of the first tubular section, and are adapted to mount the first tubular section on the tail pipe as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A hinge element 90 is mounted on second end 54 of second tubular section 50.

[0016] A cover flap 94 is mounted on second tubular section 50 by the hinge element to move between a tail pipe covering position shown in FIG. 2 and a tail pipe uncovering position shown in FIG. 3. The flap is mounted so that in the use position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flap hangs down from the hinge element whereby gravity will bias the flap into the tail pipe covering position. When exhaust gases flow out of the tail pipe, these gases generate sufficient pressure to lift the flap from the tail pipe covering position toward the tail pipe uncovering position. This allows the flap to cover the tail pipe when the engine is not in use so dirt and debris will not get into the tail pipe but will not interfere with the flow of exhaust gases out of the engine during operation of the engine.

[0017] The end cap 10 can be formed in various colors and patterns so enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of the tail pipe. The end cap is easily mounted on the tail pipe so it can be easily retrofitted as desired or removed if necessary. The flap moves so operation of the engine is not affected by the presence of the end cap.

[0018] While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tail pipe exhaust end cap for use on an exhaust end of a tail pipe of an automobile, the end cap comprising: A) a first tubular section which includes (1) a first end, (2) a second end, (3) a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end of the first tubular section and the second end of the first tubular section, (4) an inner surface having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the first tubular section being slightly greater than an outer diameter of a tail pipe of an automobile so the first tubular section can be accommodated on the tail pipe near an exhaust end of the tail pipe, and (5) an outer surface having an outer diameter; B) a second tubular section which includes (1) a first end, (2) a second end, (3) a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end of the second tubular section and the second end of the second tubular section, (4) an inner surface of the second tubular section having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the second tubular section being greater than the outer diameter of the first tubular section, (5) an outer surface having an outer diameter, and (6) the first and second sections being one piece with each other; C) a conical transition section connecting the second end of the first tubular section to the first end of the second tubular section; D) a plurality of fasteners on the first tubular section near the first end of the first tubular section, the fasteners being adapted to mount the first tubular section on the tail pipe; E) a hinge element mounted on the second end of the second tubular section; and F) a cover flap mounted on the second tubular section by the hinge element to move between a tail pipe covering position and a tail pipe uncovering position, the cover flap being mounted so that in the tail pipe covering position, the cover flap hangs down from the hinge element so gravity biases the cover flap toward the tail pipe covering position and gases flowing out of the tail pipe lift the flap against the bias of gravity toward the tail pipe uncovering position.

2. A tail pipe exhaust end cap for use on an exhaust end of a tail pipe of an automobile, the end cap comprising: A) a first tubular section which includes an inner surface having an inner diameter which is slightly greater than an outer diameter of a tail pipe of an automobile so the first tubular section can be accommodated on the tail pipe near an exhaust end of the tail pipe, and an outer surface having an outer diameter; B) a second tubular section which includes an outer surface having an outer diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the first tubular section; C) a conical transition section connecting the first and second sections together; D) the second section being one piece with the first section and the transition section; E) a plurality of fasteners on the first tubular section, the fasteners being adapted to mount the first tubular section on the tail pipe; F) a binge element mounted on the second tubular section; and G) a cover flap mounted on the second tubular section by the hinge element to move between a tail pipe covering position and a tail pipe uncovering position, the cover flap being mounted so that in the tail pipe covering position, the cover flap hangs down from the hinge element so gravity biases the cover flap toward the tail pipe covering position and gases flowing out of the tail pipe lift the cover flap against the bias of gravity toward the tail pipe uncovering position.

3. A tail pipe exhaust end cap for use on an exhaust end of a tail pipe of an automobile, the end cap consisting of: a cover flap hingedly coupled to the tail pipe of the motor vehicle in a horizontal manner, the cover flap adapted to move between a tail pipe covering position and a tail pipe uncovering position, the cover flap being mounted so that in the tail pipe covering position, the flap hangs down, and in the tail pipe uncovering position, gases flowing out of the tail pipe lift the cover flap up to allow the gases to flow out of the tail pipe.