Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Muffler – fluid conducting type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2002-02-12
Dang, Khanh (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Muffler, fluid conducting type
C285S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06345687
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tube end closure and a method and apparatus for forming same.
The present invention has particular application in the construction of exhaust mufflers for vehicles and for simplicity only, will be described particularly in respect of that application. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the engineering arts that the present invention in its various aspects can find application in numerous other uses and whenever a tube end closure is required to be effected.
Muffler assemblies for the exhaust systems of vehicles predominantly require extensive welding between the tubes and battles and, as is well recognised, the use of welding is time consuming and expensive and can provide major problems if a high quality weld is not obtained, and even if it is, a failure of a weld can require an expensive replacement of an entire silencer. There is also the tendency for corrosion to develop around the weld points.
In order to overcome those problems previous proposals have included non-welded joints in the muffler assembly.
The present invention in its preferred embodiments relates to a non-welded joint and/or tube end closure which, utilising a collar, can provide a substantially leak-free, torque resistant, inside to outside interface joint, suitable for use in a muffler assembly or the like.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, thus, an object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a tube end closure or joint and/or apparatus or a method for forming same, which will overcome or at least obviate
problems in tube and closure/jointing techniques available to the present time, or which at least will provide a public with a useful choice.
A further object of another embodiment of the invention is to provide a collar for use in providing a tube end closure or joint.
Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tube end closure including a collar member which secures a free end of a tube within an aperture in a plate member and a closure means which is secured between an inner edge of said collar member and said free end of said tube in closing off said free end of said tube.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a tube end closure as defined in the paragraph immediately above has said closure means in the form of a disk, a peripheral edge of which has been forced into engagement between a peripheral edge of said collar and a rim formed at said free end of said tube.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a tube end closure as defined in the paragraph immediately above, has said disk member with a convex surface extending away from said free end of said tube.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a tube end closure as defined in the paragraph immediately above, includes an outer flange of said collar member which engages beneath a lower surface of said plate about said aperture.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a tube end closure as defined in the paragraph immediately above, has said flange with at least one sealing and/or anti torsion rib.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a tube end closure is provided substantially as herein described, with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
of the accompanying drawings.
According to yet a still further aspect of the present invention, a muffler assembly includes at least one tube end closure, as defined in any one of the six immediately preceding paragraphs.
According a still further aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a tube end closure comprises the steps of securing a collar member within an aperture provided in a plate member, and with a free end of a tube extending through said aperture, and further provides for the securement of a closure means within said free end of said tube end between said collar member and said free end.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a tube end closure is substantially as herein described and/or with reference of
FIGS. 3
,
4
and
5
of the accompanying drawings.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for forming a tube end closure includes means for securing a collar member within a free end of a tube extending through an aperture in a plate member and means for securing a closure means within said free end and between said free end and said collar member.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for forming a tube end closure, is substantially as herein described and/or with reference to
FIG. 5
of the accompanying drawings.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a tube end joint includes a collar member which receives a free end of a tube within an aperture in a plate member, an inner edge of said collar member securing said free end against a wall of said collar member, an edge of said plate member about said aperture being secured between said wall and a bottom flange of said collar.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a collar for use in the tube end joint or closure of any of the twelve immediately preceding paragraphs includes a flange having sealing and/or torsion resisting means provided therefor.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a tube end joint includes a locking collar substantially as herein described and/or with reference to
FIGS. 6A and 6B
or
FIGS. 7
,
8
,
10
and
11
of the accompanying drawings.
Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, of possible embodiments of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4192403 (1980-03-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 4212099 (1980-07-01), Williams et al.
patent: 4576247 (1986-03-01), Thorpe
patent: 5559308 (1996-09-01), Hayashi
patent: 3621465 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 4017748 (1991-12-01), None
patent: 0067246 (1982-12-01), None
patent: 0072886 (1983-03-01), None
patent: 2010389 (1979-06-01), None
patent: 1166410 (1986-05-01), None
Derwent Abstract Accession No. 84-182768/29, class P52 ZA 8307-109A (Dev Finanace Corp. NZ) Mar. 30, 1984.
LandOfFree
Tube end closure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tube end closure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tube end closure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2954924