Hanger with swivel arm

• US 6,405,826 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trampass N. Bass
• Original Assignee: Trampass N. Bass
• Inventors: Bass, Trampass N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Khanh
• Application Number:
  US09/714,307
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 181/227, 181/228, 181/282, 248/58, 248/60, 248/62, 248/74.1, 248/74.2, 248/610, 180/309, 180/311, 180/89.2, 285/199
• US Class Current: 181/228
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/04 concerning exhaust collecting exhaust gases with central suction systems not forming part of vehicles, e.g. in workshops or tunnels B08B15/002, otherwise along carriageways E01C1/005; extensions for melting snow on roads E01H5/00, E01H6/00; exhaust or silencing apparatus for internal combustion engines per se F01N; pipes, joints or supports therefor F16L
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/1822 for fixing exhaust pipes or devices to vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/14 Hangers in the form of bands or chains

Abstract

A hanger with swivel arm is adapted for securing a portion of an exhaust system such as a muffler, for example, to an undercarriage of automobile. In a preferred embodiment, the hanger incorporates an arm including a proximal end and a distal end, a bushing defining an orifice, and a retaining member. Preferably, the orifice is adapted for receiving the proximal end of the arm so that the proximal end is retainable by the bushing and rotatable therein, such as through an arc of 360°. The retaining member is configured to mount to the frame member of the automobile so that the bushing is fixedly retained thereby. So provided, the arm may be secured to a portion of the exhaust system so that the exhaust system is securely retained by the undercarriage of the automobile. Methods also are provided.

Claims

1. A hanger for securing an exhaust pipe to the undercarriage of an automobile, the automobile undercarriage having a frame member, said hanger comprising:

an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;

a bushing defining an orifice, said orifice being adapted for receiving said proximal end of said arm, said proximal end of said arm being loosely retained by said bushing such that said arm is rotatable therein; and

a retaining member engaging an exterior surface of said bushing, said retaining member being formed, at least partially, of a strip of material, at least a portion of said strip of material being shaped to conform to at least a portion of said exterior surface of said bushing, said strip of material terminating in a flanged portion, said flanged portion extending outwardly from said bushing, said retaining member being configured to mount to the frame member of the automobile such that said bushing is fixedly retained thereby, said arm being securable to a portion of the exhaust system such that the exhaust pipe is securely retained by the undercarriage of the automobile.

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said arm is configured as a J-shaped member.

3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said bushing is formed of a shock-absorbing material.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said flanged portion includes a first flanged portion formed at a first end of said strip of material and a second flanged portion formed at a second end of said strip of material, said first flanged portion having a first hole formed therethrough and said second flanged portion having a second hole formed therethrough, said first and second holes being adapted to be aligned with each other such that a bolt is receivable therethrough.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said strip of material has opposing sides edges, said opposing side edges being intermediately disposed between ends of said bushing such that said arm is prevented from contacting said opposing side edges of said retainer member.

6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said arm is rotatable 360°

within said orifice of said bushing.

7. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said arm is configured for welding to the portion of the exhaust system.

8. The hanger of claim 2, wherein said proximal end of said arm is formed of a longitudinally, downwardly extending first portion, a transversely extending second portion and a longitudinally, upwardly extending third portion, and wherein at least a portion of said transversely extending second portion is adapted to be received and retained by said bushing.

9. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said arm has a circular cross-section.

10. The hanger of claim 3, wherein said shock-absorbing material is rubber.

11. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said orifice is circular.

12. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said bushing is cylindrical about a central longitudinal axis of said orifice.

13. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said bushing further includes an intermediate portion, rectangularly shaped in cross-section, disposed about a central longitudinal axis of said orifice.

14. The hanger of claim 13, wherein said bushing further includes a first end portion and a second end portion disposed on opposing ends of said intermediate portion, each of said first and said second end portions being defined by a rectangular periphery, said rectangular peripheries extending beyond a periphery of said intermediate portion.

15. The hanger of claim 1, wherein said arm is configured as a J-shaped member having a circular cross section, said distal end is configured for welding the exhaust system, said bushing comprises a cylinder formed concentrically about said orifice, said orifice having a circular cross section, and said flanged portion has first and second holes formed therethrough, said first and second holes being adapted to be aligned with each other such that a bolt is receivable therethrough.

16. The hanger of claim 4, wherein said bushing is formed of a shock-absorbing material.

17. The hanger of claim 16, wherein said arm is configured as a J-shaped member.

18. The hanger of claim 16, wherein said strip of material has opposing sides edges, said opposing side edges being intermediately disposed between ends of said bushing such that said arm is substantially prevented from contacting said opposing side edges of said retainer member.

19. The hanger of claim 17, wherein said arm is rotatable 360°

within said orifice of said bushing.