US1882555A - Muffler supporting device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1932. E. P. GRAY 1,882,555

MUFFLER SUPPORTING DEVI C E Filed Feb. 27, 1929 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented Get. 11, 1932 start DFFICE nmunr 11 GRAY, or nnrnorr, MICHIGAN MUFFLER surronrme DEVICE Application filed February 27, 1929. Serial No. 343,205.

device having adjustably mounted clamping means; second, to provide a supporting dev1ce adapted to allow its supported unit to ad]ust its pos1t1on;'th1rd, to provide a muiiler supporting device capable of deadening vibrations set up within its supported unit; fourth, to provide a supporting device hit-V". ing a minimum of parts; fifth, to provide a supporting device adapted to be manufactured from relatively thin material with a minimum of waste; sixth, to provide a supportin device capable of being applied to its supported member when said supported member is in a vertical, horizontal, or angular position; and seventh, to provide a supporting device having adjustable means capable of being readily removed from its supporting member.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mufier supported by my device; Fig. 2, an end View of a muffler supported by my device; Fig. 3, a front elevation of the supporting bracket; Fig. i, a plan View of the supporting'bracket; Fig. 5, a side elevation of the supporting bracket; Fig. 6, a front elevation of the adjustable clamp; Fig. 7, a side elevation of the adjustable clamp; and 8, a side elevation of a member, in a vertical position, supported by my device.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Figs. 1 and 2, my device is disclosed as supporting a muffler 1 connected, by the exhaust pipe 2, with an internal combustion engine (not shown). The bracket 3 may be fastened to the frame member iby means of the bolts 5 and nuts 6. The bracket 8 may be easily made, if desired, from sheet material, thus lending itself to simple and economical formation. The bracket 3 is provided with a curved seat 7 having a retaining shoulder 8. The retaining shoulder 8 may be blanked from sheet material in such manner as to result in the notch 9 being formed in the flange 10 of the bracket 3 as each bracket 3 progresses through its blanking and forming die equipment, thus resulting in practically no waste material.

The clamp 11 may be formed of relatively thin sheet or strip material of the desired width fit on the curved seat 7 of the bracket 3, the clamp 11 being prevented from separating from the bracket 3 by the retaining shoulder 8 and the flange 10. It is to be noted that the clamp 11 is very easily and readily removed from the seat 7 on the bracket 3.

This is a distinct advantage for assembling purposes as the bracket 3 may then be permanently fastened to its supporting member such as designated by 4. The clamp 11 is preferably made circular in shape to fit a mufiier or member having a circular shape,

thus allowing practically any of its length to be placed on the curved seat 7 of the bracket 3. However, it is to be understood that the clamp 3 may be constructed, if desired,

with varying shapes, throughout a portion of its length, to facilitate attachment to supported members of varying shapes.

The clamp 11 is provided with extensions r lugs 12, through which pass the clamping bolt 13 which, together with the nut 14, provide means for drawing the clamp 11 tightly around the muffler 1, or anydesired member to be supported, thus clamping the mufiler 1 against the curved seat 15 of the bracket 3 r' and, at the same time, drawmg theclamp 11 on to the'curved seat 7 of the bracket 3. The extensions or lugs 12, of the clamp 11, may have a portion of their open ends 12 folded "to provide greater strength to oppose the clamping action of the bolt 13.

In Fig. 8 mufiler or member 16 is disclosed, in a vertical position, and supported therein by my device, said device being attached to the member 17. VVhe-n used in this manner the brackets 3 are formed with a suitable flange 18 to fit any desired member.

The muflier 1 in Figs. land 2 is of the usual hollow construction and is provided with an outlet member 19 and an inlet member 20, t 1e inlet member 20 being connected by the exhaust pipe 2 to an internal combustion engine (not shown). The extended use of rubber or flexible mountings for engines when used in motor vehicles or units has resulted in serious damage, in many instances, to the mufiier as ordinarily installed therewith. The slight or severe movement of an engine, when secured on a rubber or flexible mounting, tends to cause, through its exhaust member connected with the muftler, a distortion of the muffler fromits nominal sup-. ported position. This distortion of the mu't fler tends to crystallize portions of the exhaust member or members connecting the engine with the muflier. This injurious result is prevented by my device allowing the muffler 1 to slightly move in its supported position. This slight movement, of the muliler 1, is accomplished by the clamp 11 and the mutller 1 being seated on the curved seats 7 ant 15 of th bracket 3: This slight movement of the muilier 1 can be further made possible by constructing the bracket 3 and clamp ll of the necessary thickness as to allow slight flexing therein without endangering their tensile or supporting strength. Thus the allowance of movement of the supported muiiler or member, by my device, will allow the muflier 1 to be moved slightly by the forces imposed thereon by the engine and the members connecting the engine with the mufiier, as said engine and said members move on their flexible supports or mountings.

It is to be further pointed out that any number of clamps 11 and brackets 3 may be used in supporting a desired object or memher. This isof distinct advantage if a long object or member, requiring supports at several points throughout its length, is used as thereby the several clamps and brackets may all be alike or similar in size. With the usual muffler clamp as fastened around the inlet member 20 and the outlet member 19, when it is desired to add support devices at various intervals, a great-er number of diflerent clamps and brackets will be required than would be necessary when my supporting device is used as the number of supporting devices at various points may be increased as desired without introducing new sizes and shapes, this being due to my supporting device attaching to the uniform outside diameter of the muffler or member to be supported.

Another distinct advantage of my supporting device is apparent when supporting 1101- low mufliers or members connected with an engine in motor vehicles or units. The operation of the motor will set up vibrations, with consequent objectionable resonance sounds, in

hollow muiflers or members and my supporting device will deaden and eliminate such objectionable resonance sounds. This is accomplished by the clamp 11 circumferentially compressing and binding the hollow body of being provided with a pair of flanges oppositely disposed about the circular wall portion of said bracket, one only of said flanges of said bracket being provided with openings for attaching purposes, the other flange of said bracket having a lesser length than said flange provided with openings for attaching purposes, and a clamping member surrounding the circular wall portion of said bracket to gether with the circular member to be supported, said clamping member being adapted to be moved only over said flangeof lesser length when said bracket is in its attached position, the assembly of said clamping member being thereby facilitated.

2. In a supporting device, the combination of a bracket provided with a circular wall portion adapted to contact a circular member to be supported by said bracket, said bracket being provided with a pair of flanges oppositely disposed about the circular wall portion of said bracket, said pair of flanges being further oppositely disposed, relative to the circular wall portion of said bracket, from the circular member to be supported, one only of said pair of flanges being provided with openings for attaching said bracket, and a clamping member surrounding the circular wall portion of said bracket together with the circular member to be supported, said clamping member being located adjacent the outer end of one of the pair-of flanges of said bracket.

EMMET P. GRAY.

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