Protective cap for an exhaust pipe

Claim 1

A combination gas exhaust pipe and temperature responsive protective cap construction, comprising an exhaust pipe to conduct an exhaust gas, and a cap connected to an end of said pipe, said cap including a base portion adapted to be connected to the pipe and including a shaft, a temperature responsive bi-metallic element disposed in coiled configuration around the shaft and located in the path of the gas flowing through the pipe, the inner end of said element being secured to said shaft, a cover mounted for pivoting movement with respect to the base portion from a closed position, where the cover encloses said end of the pipe, to an open position, and a support member pivotally mounted on the shaft and rigidly secured to the underside of said cover to support said cover and providing the sole support for the cover, the opposite end of the bi-metallic element being connected to said support member, an increase in gas temperature in the pipe actuating said element to thereby pivot the cover about the axis of the shaft from the closed to the open position.