# US 2013/0154252 A1 · Tether for tubes of an exhaust system joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0154252 A1 - Document ID: US20130154252A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,893 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Timothy J. Rakowicz; Kenneth R. Wodzisz; Abdullahi M. Hajiabdi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130154252A1 ## CPC - F16L 19/06: in which radial clamping is obtained by wedging action on non-deformed pipe ends - F01N 13/18: Construction facilitating manufacture, assembly, or disassembly - F16L 27/04: with partly-spherical engaging surfaces - F16L 35/00: Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices - F01N 2450/00: Methods or apparatus for fitting, inserting or repairing different elements - F01N 2450/18: by using quick-active type locking mechanisms, e.g. clips - F16B 2/08: using bands - Y10T 29/4987: Elastic joining of parts - Y10T 29/49874: Prestressing rod, filament or strand - Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener - Y10T 29/53961: with work-holder for assembly - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - 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) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A tether for connecting tubes includes two mutually spaced pads, each pad located on an opposite side of a lateral axis and releasably connectable to one of the tubes, an elastic stretchable connector that provides structural continuity between the pads, and handles, each handle located at an opposite axial end of the tether, suited to be gripped manually for the application of tensile force to the tether. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for connecting first and second tubes of an engine exhaust system, comprising: (a) connecting a tether to the first tube; (b) installing a clamp over said tube; (c) overlapping end portions of the tubes; (d) connecting the tether to the second tube; (e) securing the tubes together by tightening the clamp; (f) disconnecting the tether from the tubes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises connecting the tether to the first tube by forcing a hole in the tether over a projection that extends from a surface of the first tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises: forming a flair in the end portion of one of the tubes; and loosely fitting the clamp over the flair. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprise: stretching the tether longitudinally by applying tension to the tether; and placing another hole in the tether over a projection that extends outward from a surface of the second tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein stretching the tether longitudinally further comprises gripping a handle of the tether at an end of the tether opposite the first tube and applying tensile force to the handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprise: using the tether to produce an elastic force tending to hold the tubes together while performing steps (d) and (e). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) further comprises securing the tubes together by tightening a fastener that engages the clamp. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises while applying tension to the tether, disconnecting the tether from one of the tubes; and disconnecting the tether from another one of the tubes. ### Claim 9 A method for connecting first and second tubes of an engine exhaust system, comprising: (a) connecting a tether to the first tube; (b) overlapping end portions of the tubes; (c) connecting the tether to the second tube; (d) securing the tubes together; (e) disconnecting the tether from the tubes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) further comprises connecting the tether to the first tube by forcing a hole in the tether over a projection that extends outward from a surface of the first tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) further comprise: stretching the tether longitudinally by applying tension to the tether; and placing another hole in the tether over a projection that extends from a surface of the second tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein stretching the tether longitudinally further comprises gripping a handle of the tether at an end of the tether opposite the first tube and applying tensile force to the handle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein step (b) further comprise: using the tether to produce an elastic force tending to hold the tubes together while performing steps (c) and (d). ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein step (d) further comprises securing the tubes together by tightening a fastener that engages a clamp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein step (e) further comprises while applying tension to the tether, disconnecting the tether from one of the tubes; and disconnecting the tether from another one of the tubes. ### Claim 16 A tether for connecting tubes, comprising: two mutually spaced pads, each pad located on an opposite side of a lateral axis and releasably connectable to one of the tubes; an elastic stretchable connector that provides structural continuity between the pads; and handles, each handle located at an opposite the axial end of the tether, suited to be gripped manually for the application of tensile force to the tether. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tether of claim 16 wherein each pad is formed with a hole through a thickness of the pad, the hole being engageable with a projection extending from one of the tubes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The tether of claim 16 wherein the tether is formed of plastic material and the connector is in the form of one of a strip that connects the pads and a rod that connects the pads. ### Claim 19 An exhaust system assembled by an improved method, comprising: a tether; a first tube having a projection adapted for connection to a first end of the tether; a second tube adapted for assembly to the first tube in an overlapping manner, the second tube having a projection adapted for connection to a second end of the tether; a clamp for securing the first and second tubes while the tubes are connected to the tether, wherein the first and second tubes are restrained by the tether during assembly until the clamp is secured. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The exhaust system of claim 19, wherein the tether is removed from the system after the clamp is secured.