US5197698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of mounting and isolating automotive exhaust systems
Assignee: Proprietary Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-25
•
Granted: 1993-03-30
•
Expires: 2011-03-25
Abstract
Abstract An exhaust system hanger has a flat serpentine spring encapsulated by an elastomeric block. The spring provides the stiffness to support and retain accelerations. The elastomeric member provides an absorptive member for noise and a dampening means for vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Bartholomew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/36; F16F1/42; F16F1/46; B; B60; B60K; B60K13/00; B60K13/04; F16F3/00; F16F3/08; F16F3/10; F16F3/12; F16F2236/00; F16F2236/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of hanging an exhaust system including pipes, mufflers, catalytic convertors or the like to a vehicle, the method comprising: providing an exhaust system including a pipe, muffler, catalytic convertor, or exhaust component; providing a plurality of hangers comprised of flat serpentine spring means which provides a suspension member between mounting points which carries the pipe, muffler, catalytic converter or exhaust component at rest and which resists further accelerations during movement, said serpentine spring means encased by an elastomeric material; attaching one end of said hangers to said exhaust system at predetermined position on said exhaust system; attaching the other end of said hangers to the underside of the vehicle; hanging the exhaust system on the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of hanging an exhaust system including pipes, mufflers, catalytic convertors or the like to a vehicle, the method comprising: providing an exhaust system including a pipe, muffler, catalytic convertor, or exhaust component; providing a plurality of hangers comprised of flat serpentine spring means which provides a suspension member between mounting points which carries the pipe, muffler, catalytic converter or exhaust component at rest and which resists further accelerations during movement, said serpentine spring means encased by an elastomeric material; attaching one end of said hangers to said exhaust system at predetermined position on said exhaust system; attaching the other end of said hangers to the underside of the vehicle; hanging the exhaust system on the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing said hangers with different spring constants and with different stiffness characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 further comprising attaching stiffer hanger adjacent the muffler and catalytic converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 3 further comprising attaching less stiff hanger away from the muffler and catalytic converter on the pipes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
An exhaust hanger comprising: a flat serpentine spring means for providing stiffness and a suspension member between mounting points which carries an exhaust component at rest and which resists further accelerations of the exhaust component during movement to the hanger; an elastomer cover encasing said flat serpentine spring means for dampening noise and vibration; end means on each end of said hanger for enabling securement of said hanger to an exhaust system or to a vehicle under body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An exhaust hanger comprising: a flat serpentine spring means for providing stiffness and a suspension member between mounting points which carries an exhaust component at rest and which resists further accelerations of the exhaust component during movement to the hanger; an elastomer cover encasing said flat serpentine spring means for dampening noise and vibration; end means on each end of said hanger for enabling securement of said hanger to an exhaust system or to a vehicle under body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hanger according to claim 5 wherein said serpentine spring means is a flat planar strip of material formed in a serpentine configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hanger according to claim 6 wherein said serpentine strip includes a plurality of holes for enabling passage of said elastomeric cover through said serpentine strip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hanger according to claim 5 wherein said hanger elastomeric cover and serpentine spring means has an overall block shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hanger according to claim 5 wherein said serpentine spring means includes one or more serpentine spring member encased in said elastomeric cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The hanger according to claim 5 where the serpentine spring means includes means formed into the strip for the purpose of improving the performance of the spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hanger according to claim 5 where the hanger includes means of limiting the extension of the spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3292887A
Cited
US4121812A
Cited
US4448449A
Cited
US4778203A
Cited
US4779901A
Cited
US4796841A
Cited
US4660797A
Cited
US4905972A
Cited
US4634088A
Cited
US4762330A
Cited
US4747624A
Cited
US4727957A
Cited
US4919403A
Cited
US4779904A
Cited
US4871181A
Cited
US4817909A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-29 | 1996-09-28 | 1997-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-29 | 2000-09-28 | 2001-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-29 | 2004-09-28 | 2005-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |