US 6,854,561 B2Granted

Hanger systems and methods

OwnerTrampas N. Bassinventor

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Abstract

Hanger systems are provided for securing exhaust systems to the undercarriage of the automobile. One such system includes a hanger that incorporates an arm, a bushing defining an orifice, a retaining member, and a flange. The orifice receives a proximal end of the arm, which is loosely retained by the bushing so that the arm is able to rotate. The retaining member engages an exterior surface of the bushing and is formed, at least partially, of a strip of material. At least a portion of the strip of material is shaped to conform to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bushing. The flange extends outwardly from the bushing. So configured, the hanger mounts to the automobile by attaching the flange to the frame member. The arm can be secured to a portion of the exhaust system so that the exhaust pipe is securely retained. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Claims26

Dependent claims

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

a 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 arm being configured as a J-shaped member having a journal portion, a distal portion extending between said journal portion and said distal end, and a proximal portion extending between said journal portion and said proximal end, said journal portion being longer than a length of said orifice, said journal portion being slidable within said orifice along a longitudinal axis of said orifice, said proximal end of said arm being loosely retained by said bushing such that said arm is rotatable therein;
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 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;
and
a flange extending outwardly from said bushing, said flange being an extended portion of said retaining member;
said hanger being configured to mount to the automobile by attaching said flange to the frame member such that said bushing is 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.

4 more elements

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

providing a hanger, the hanger comprising:
an arm having a proximal end and a distal end;
a bushing defining an orifice, the orifice being adapted for receiving the proximal end of the arm, said arm being configured as a J-shaped member having a journal portion, a distal portion extending between said journal portion and said distal end, and a proximal portion extending between said journal portion and said proximal end, said journal portion being longer than a length of said orifice, said journal portion being slidable within said orifice along a longitudinal axis of said orifice;
the proximal end of the arm being loosely retained by the bushing such that the arm is rotatable therein;
a retaining member engaging an exterior surface of the bushing, the retaining member being formed, at least partially, of a strip of material, at least a portion of the strip of material being shaped to conform to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bushing 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;
and
a flange extending outwardly from the bushing said flange being an extended portion of said retaining member;
attaching the flange to the frame member such that the bushing is fixedly retained thereby;
and
attaching the arm to a portion of the exhaust system such that the exhaust pipe is securely retained by the undercarriage of the automobile.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/113,153Filed 1 Apr 2002 · continuation in part
Priority: 1 Nov 2000
Published: US 2002/0113173 A122 Aug 2002
Granted: 15 Feb 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F01N 13/1822
With means permitting relative movement, e.g. compensation of thermal expansion or vibration: for fixing exhaust pipes or devices to vehicle body
B60K 13/04
Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units: concerning exhaust
F16L 3/14
Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets: hangers in the form of bands or chains
F01N
Gas-flow silencers or exhaust apparatus for machines or engines in general

Family

Application60/244,860Us provisional application · filed 1 Nov 2000
Application09/714,307Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 16 Nov 2000
US 2002/0113173 A1Pre-grant publication · published 22 Aug 2002
US 6,405,826 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,854,561 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.