Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly adapted for telescopic engagement with the tubular housings of variously sized pneumatic devices exhausting spent working fluid from vents in a discrete peripheral segment thereof, comprising: a. an arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section terminating at opposite end walls bridged by elastic band means, said sound-muffling section having a central fluid receiving area comprising a minor arcuate segment of the sound-muffling section and having fluid exhaust ports in said opposite end walls, said central fluid receiving area dividing said spent working fluid into two oppositely directed arcuate fluid flow paths; b. sound-attenuating material substantially filling said arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section; and c. baffle structures extending between side walls of said sound-muffling section; whereby, upon telescoping said assembly over the tubular housing of a pneumatic device, said arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section defines, with the tubular housing, two arcuate, sound-muffling, oppositely directed fluid flow paths divided from said central fluid receiving area through said sound-attenuating material and through said baffle structures to said exhaust ports in said opposite end walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly adapted for telescopic engagement with the tubular housings of variously sized pneumatic devices exhausting spent working fluid from vents in a discrete peripheral segment thereof, comprising: a. an arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section terminating at opposite end walls bridged by elastic band means, said sound-muffling section having a central fluid receiving area comprising a minor arcuate segment of the sound-muffling section and having fluid exhaust ports in said opposite end walls, said central fluid receiving area dividing said spent working fluid into two oppositely directed arcuate fluid flow paths; b. sound-attenuating material substantially filling said arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section; and c. baffle structures extending between side walls of said sound-muffling section; whereby, upon telescoping said assembly over the tubular housing of a pneumatic device, said arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section defines, with the tubular housing, two arcuate, sound-muffling, oppositely directed fluid flow paths divided from said central fluid receiving area through said sound-attenuating material and through said baffle structures to said exhaust ports in said opposite end walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said sound-muffling section extends substantially more than 90° around the circumference of the tubular housing of a pneumatic device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said sound-muffling section directs the spent working fluid substantially tangentially to the circumference of said tubular housing through said exhaust ports in said end walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the open area of the vents in said discrete peripheral segment in said tubular housing of a pneumatic device to the open area of said fluid exhaust ports in said end walls of said sound-muffling section is at least approximately 1.0:1.5.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein the packing density of said sound-attenuating material substantially filling said sound-muffling section is approximately 0.005 pounds per cubic inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said baffle structures extend diagonally between the side walls of said sound-muffling section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said opposite end walls of said arcuate, channel-shaped, sound-muffling section are bridged by integral elastic band means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A unitary, elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said sound-muffling section extends approximately 180° around the circumference of the tubular housing of a pneumatic device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A unitary elastic muffler assembly, according to claim 1, wherein said sound-muffling section extends less than 315° around the circumference of the tubular housing of a pneumatic device.