Flexible joint for automobile exhaust pipe

A flexible joint for installation between an engine and a tail pipe in an automotive exhaust system to accommodate relative angular and axial deflections therein, said joint comprising:

• an axially elongated flexible bellows tube having one end adapted for connection in gas flow relation to said engine and its other end adapted for connection in gas flow relation to said tail pipe to allow the tail pipe to deflect in angular and axial direction relative to the engine by means of a bending, and an expansion and contraction of the flexible bellows tube;
• a first flange assembled on said one end of said bellows tube and adapted to be operatively connected with respect to said engine;
• a second flange assembled on said other end of said bellows tube and adapted for operative connection with respect to said tail pipe;
• coupling shaft means having one end substantially fixed to one of said first and second flanges and its remainder loosely received in a through-hole in the other of said flanges;
• first compression spring means operatively disposed between said first and second flanges for biasing said flanges apart;
• second compression spring means disposed externally of the other one of said first and second flanges for biasing said flanges together;
• and
• said the other one of said flanges at its end opposite that assembled on said bellows tube including a radially extending spring seat portion, said spring seat portion being disposed at a position axially intermediate the ends of said bellows tube.

A flexible joint for installation between an engine and a tail pipe in an automotive exhaust system to accommodate relative angular and axial deflections therein, said joint comprising:

• an axially elongated flexible bellows tube connected between said engine and said tail pipe for the conduct of exhaust gas therebetween and to allow the tail pipe to deflect in angular and axial direction relative to the engine by means of a bending, and an expansion and contraction of the flexible bellows tube;
• a pair of axially spaced first and second flanges assembled to the respective ends of said bellows tube, said flanges extending radially of said bellows tube and having openings on transversely opposite sides;
• a coupling shaft extending through corresponding openings in said first and second flanges for coupling said flanges, each said coupling shaft being substantially fixed at one end with respect to one of said flanges and having its portion remote from said one end extending loosely through the other of said flanges;
• a plurality of compression springs surrounding each of said coupling shafts and including a first compression spring disposed between said first and second flanges for biasing said flanges apart and a second compression spring disposed between the free end of said coupling shaft and the adjacent flange tending to bias said flanges together;
• and
• said other flange having a spring seat surface disposed at a position axially intermediate the end of said bellows tube.