# US 11,441,473 B2 · Clampless tail pipe assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,473 B2 - Document ID: US11441473B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/799,262 - Filed: 2020-02-24 - Published: 2021-08-26 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-24 - Assignees: AMG Industries, Inc. - Applicants: AMG Industries, LLC - Inventors: Dirk K. Kaiser; Doug A. Spangler; Les S. Griswold; Dragan Maric - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441473B2 ## CPC - F01N 13/082: {of tailpipe, e.g. with means for mixing air with exhaust for exhaust cooling, dilution or evacuation (F01N13/20 takes precedence)} - F01N 13/1805: {Fixing exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes or pipe sections to each other, to engine or to vehicle body (pipe joints in general F16L; fixing auxiliaries in motor vehicles in general B60K)} - F16L 37/098: by means of flexible hooks - F01N 2470/24: Concentric tubes or tubes being concentric to housing, e.g. telescopically assembled - F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A clampless tail pipe assembly may include a base having a longitudinal axis and spring elements spaced about the base. Each spring element may have a body with a first end and a second distal end. The second distal end may comprise a first inner locking tooth. The spring element body may include sequential proximate portions. A first portion may be connected to the base, substantially linear, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second portion may be arcuate. A third portion may be substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. A fourth portion may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis. A fifth portion may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis, and the angle may be different than the angle of the fourth portion relative to the longitudinal axis. A sixth portion may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tail pipe mounting assembly, comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of spring elements spaced about the base, each spring element comprising a spring element body having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the second distal end comprising a first inner locking tooth, the spring element body comprising: a first portion substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a second portion proximate the first portion, the second portion being arcuate; a third portion proximate the second portion, the third portion being substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a fourth portion proximate the third portion, the fourth portion being substantially linear and angled relative to the longitudinal axis; a fifth portion proximate the fourth portion, the fifth portion being substantially linear and angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle of the fifth portion being different than the angle of the fourth portion relative to the longitudinal axis; and a sixth portion proximate the fifth portion and being angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the sixth portion comprising the second distal end, wherein the sixth portion further comprises a first outer locking tooth configured to impregnate the tail pipe, the first inner locking tooth configured to impregnate an outer surface of an exhaust pipe, the first outer locking tooth impregnating the tail pipe simultaneously with the first inner locking tooth impregnating the exhaust pipe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tail pipe mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the sixth portion further comprises a second inner locking tooth, the second inner locking tooth configured to impregnate the outer surface of the exhaust pipe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second inner locking tooth configured to impregnate the outer surface of the exhaust pipe; and a second outer locking tooth configured to impregnate the tail pipe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tail pipe assembly of claim 3, wherein the first inner locking tooth and the second inner locking tooth are inwardly positioned relative to the first outer looking tooth and the second outer locking tooth. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the sixth portion comprises at least one opening defined therein, the first inner locking tooth extending from a perimeter edge of the opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the sixth portion comprises an inner surface, the first inner locking tooth comprising an angle of 40 degrees to 50 degrees from a tip of the first inner locking tooth and a tooth root. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the tail pipe assembly is free of fasteners to secure the tail pipe assembly between the tail pipe and the exhaust pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein each spring element comprises: a first elongated lateral edge; a second elongated lateral edge substantially parallel to the first elongated lateral edge; and a transverse edge disposed between the first elongated lateral edge and the second elongated lateral edge, the transverse edge configured to not be visible between the exhaust pipe and the tail pipe when the tail pipe assembly is in an installed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is ring shaped. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, each spring element further comprises: a first portion length of 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches; a second portion length of 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches; a third portion length of 2.25 inches to 2.5 inches; a forth portion length of 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches; a fifth portion length of 2 inches to 2.25 inches; and a sixth portion length of 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the second arcuate portion comprises a radius of 70 65 degrees to 75 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tail pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring elements is five. ### Claim 13 A tail pipe mounting assembly, comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of spring elements spaced about the base, each spring element comprising a spring element body having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the spring element body comprising: a first portion substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a second portion proximate the first portion, the second portion being arcuate; a third portion proximate the second portion, the third portion being substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a fourth portion proximate the third portion, the fourth portion being angled relative to the longitudinal axis; a fifth portion proximate the fourth portion, the fifth portion being angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle of the fifth portion being different than the angle of the fourth portion relative to the longitudinal axis; and a sixth portion proximate the fifth portion and being angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the sixth portion comprising the second distal end, the sixth portion comprising the second distal end, a first inner locking tooth and a second inner locking tooth each configured to impregnate an exhaust pipe, and a first outer locking tooth and a second outer locking tooth each configured to impregnate a tail pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tail pipe mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein the base and the plurality of spring elements are disposed inside the tail pipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tail pipe mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein the tail pipe is disposed over the exhaust pipe, the tail pipe mounting assembly disposed between the exhaust pipe and the tail pipe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The tail pipe assembly of claim 13, wherein the sixth portion comprises at least one opening defined therein, the first inner locking tooth and the second inner locking tooth extending from a perimeter edge of the opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The tail pipe assembly of claim 13, further comprising a bend interconnecting the fifth portion and the sixth portion, wherein in an installed position, the first inner locking tooth and the second inner locking tooth impregnate an outer surface of the exhaust pipe and the first outer locking tooth, the second outer locking tooth and the bend contact an inner surface of the tail pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The tail pipe assembly of claim 13, wherein the sixth portion comprises an inner surface, the first inner locking tooth comprising an angle of 45 degrees from a tip of the first inner locking tooth and a tooth root. ### Claim 19 A tail pipe mounting assembly, comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of spring elements spaced about the base, each spring element comprising a spring element body having a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the spring element body comprising: a first elongated lateral edge; a second elongated lateral edge substantially parallel to the first elongated lateral edge; a transverse edge disposed between the first elongated lateral edge and the second elongated lateral edge; a first portion substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a second portion proximate the first portion, the second portion being arcuate; a third portion proximate the second portion, the third portion being substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a fourth portion proximate the third portion, the fourth portion being angled relative to the longitudinal axis; a fifth portion proximate the fourth portion, the fifth portion being angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle of the fifth portion being different than the angle of the fourth portion relative to the longitudinal axis; and a sixth portion proximate the fifth portion and being angled relative to the longitudinal axis, the sixth portion comprising the second distal end, the sixth portion comprising the second distal end, a first inner locking tooth and a second inner locking tooth each configured to impregnate an exhaust pipe, and a first outer locking tooth disposed on the first lateral edge and a second outer locking tooth disposed on the second lateral edge, the first outer locking tooth and the second outer locking tooth configured to impregnate a tail pipe, the sixth portion comprises at least one opening defined therein, the first inner locking tooth and the second inner locking tooth extending from a perimeter edge of the opening.