US4279326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exhaust muffler
Assignee: MEINEKE DISCOUNT MUFFLER SHOPS Inc A CORP OF TX
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Filing: 1980-03-13
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 2000-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for installing a universal muffler in a vehicle exhaust system including resizing the length and/or diameter of the inlet and outlet tubes of a muffler, the inlet and outlet tubes being fabricated from treated steel having suitable temperature and malleability characteristics, and directly coupling these tubes to existing pipes in the vehicle exhaust system.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam W. Meineke
- 👤 Harold Nedell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:55
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/18; F01N13/1805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A universal replacement muffler which is adjustable at the time of installation to connect the exhaust pipe section and the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system without the use of adapters or extenders comprising: an elongate body portion having a housing and end walls at opposite ends of said housing, each of said walls defining an opening; gas passage means interior said elongate body portion; a first end pipe fabricated from killed steel and connected to said opening in a first of said end walls, said first end pipe having a first original diameter, said first end pipe being of sufficient initial length so that it may be trimmed to a desired final length which will connect the exhaust pipe section and the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system, and said first end pipe being expandable to between about 112% and about 125% of said first original diameter, whereby said muffler eliminates the necessity of using adapters or extenders to connect a replacement muffler to the exhaust pipe section or to the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A universal replacement muffler which is adjustable at the time of installation to connect the exhaust pipe section and the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system without the use of adapters or extenders comprising: an elongate body portion having a housing and end walls at opposite ends of said housing, each of said walls defining an opening; gas passage means interior said elongate body portion; a first end pipe fabricated from killed steel and connected to said opening in a first of said end walls, said first end pipe having a first original diameter, said first end pipe being of sufficient initial length so that it may be trimmed to a desired final length which will connect the exhaust pipe section and the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system, and said first end pipe being expandable to between about 112% and about 125% of said first original diameter, whereby said muffler eliminates the necessity of using adapters or extenders to connect a replacement muffler to the exhaust pipe section or to the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
The universal replacement muffler of claim 1 further comprising: a second end pipe fabricated from killed steel and connected to said opening in a second of said end walls, said second end pipe having a second original diameter, said second end pipe being of sufficient initial length so that it may be trimmed to a desired length which will connect the exhaust pipe section and the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system, and said second end pipe being expandable to between about 112% and about 125% of said second original diameter, whereby said muffler eliminates the necessity of using adapters or extenders to connect a replacement muffler to the exhaust pipe section or to the tail pipe section of an existing vehicular exhaust system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The muffler of claim 2 wherein said first end pipe has a length greater than the length of said second end pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The muffler of claim 2 wherein said first and said second end pipes are fabricated from aluminum killed steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |