Retractable ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an ornament assembly, and more particularly to a retractable ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] To improve the appearance of a vehicle, ornaments are often mounted on the vehicle, such as hubcaps. In practice, there is an ornament assembly attached to the exhaust pipe vehicle to enhance the appearance of the whole vehicle. The conventional ornament assembly for the exhaust pipe comprises a propeller rotatably attached to the exhaust pipe. Consequently, the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe will actuate the propeller to rotate, such that an attractive visual is provided.

[0003] However, the propeller of the conventional ornament assembly is located inside the exhaust pipe and is not moveably relative to the exhaust pipe. The visual effect of the conventional ornament assembly is not mobile, and so the ornamental effect provided by the conventional assembly is not enough. In addition, the propeller is easily deformed due to the high temperature of the exhaust gases, whereby the rotation speed of the propeller will be irregular and slow. The propeller with a low speed will influence the dispersal of the exhaust gases such that the gases may back up to the engine, causing inefficiency in the running of the engine.

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an ornament assembly to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

[0005] A propeller that can be mounted on an exhaust pipe is disclosed in US-A-4897068. The propeller itself is rotatably mounted outside of the exhaust pipe at a distance from it and is operable to be rotated by the flow of exhaust gases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle and that can provide an excellent mobile visual effect.

[0007] Various respective aspects of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to by like references, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side plan view in partial cross section of an exhaust pipe with an ornament assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an operational side plan view in partial cross section of the exhaust pipe with the ornament assembly in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side plan view in partial cross section of an exhaust pipe with another embodiment of an ornament assembly in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a side plan view in partial cross section of an exhaust pipe with a further embodiment of an ornament assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] With reference to Fig. 1, an ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention comprises a sleeve (13), an axle (16), a spring (14) and a propeller (18). The sleeve (13) is secured in an opening end of the exhaust pipe (20). The sleeve (13) has a closed end and an opening defined in the other end of the sleeve (13). A cap (15) is attached to the sleeve (13) to close the opening in the sleeve (13), and a central hole (151) is defined in the cap (15).

[0011] In practice, the sleeve (13) is securely attached to the exhaust pipe (20) through a stand (10). The stand (10) is securely attached to the exhaust pipe (20) with a fastener (19). The stand (10) has a body and a tab (12) for the sleeve (13) being securely attached to the tab (12). The body of the stand (12) has a U-shaped cross section and is mounted around a part of the periphery of the exhaust pipe (20). The body has a first end exposed from the exhaust pipe (20) and a second end extending into the exhaust pipe (20). The fastener (19) is a C-shaped ring and is mounted around the body of the stand (12). A bolt (not numbered) extends through the fastener (19) to close the opening of the fastener (19), such that the body of the stand (10) can be securely attached to the exhaust pipe (20) by the fastener (19) with the bolt. A flange (11) is formed on the first end of the body to hold the fastener (19) in place.

[0012] In another embodiment, the sleeve (13) can be attached to a tail pipe which is attached to the exhaust pipe to enhance the appearance of the vehicle.

[0013] The tab (12) extends downward from the second end of the body of the stand (10) and extends toward a center line of the exhaust pipe (20). The tab (12) has multiple bores (122) defined in the tab (12). A bolt (121) extends through one of the bores (122) in the tab (12) and the closed end of the sleeve (13) and is screwed with a nut, such that the sleeve (13) is secured to the tab (12) with the bolt (121) and the nut. In addition, to penetrate the bolt (121) through different bores (122) in the tab (12), the location of the sleeve (13) relative to the tab (12) is changed. Consequently, the location of the sleeve (13) is adjustable according to different sizes, types of exhaust pipe of vehicle.

[0014] The axle (16) is moveably received in the sleeve (13) and has a first end exposed from the sleeve (13) through the central hole (151) in the cap (15) and a second end extending into the sleeve (13). The spring (14) is received in the sleeve (13) and is securely attached between the sleeve (13) and the second end of the axle (16). One end of the spring (14) extends outward from the closed end of the sleeve (13) and is hooked on one of the bores (122) in the tab (12). The other end of the spring (14) is securely attached to the second end of the axle (16). Consequently, the spring (14) can provide a recoil force to the axle (16). In another embodiment, two ends of the spring (14) are respectively securely attached to the cap (15) and the second end of the axle (16), and this also can provide a recoil force to the axle (16) to urge the axle (16) to an original position. A stop (161) is attached to the axle (16) to abut the cap (15) so as to limit a travel of the axle (16) relative to the sleeve (13).

[0015] The propeller (18) is rotatably mounted on the axle (16) at a position exposed from the sleeve (13). In practice, the propeller (18) is rotatably mounted on the first end of the axle (16). In another embodiment, the axle (16) penetrates through the propeller (18). A bearing (17) is mounted between the axle (16) and the propeller (18) to make the propeller (18) freely rotate relative to the axle (16).

[0016] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, when the engine of the vehicle is switched on and the exhaust gases are emitted from the exhaust pipe (20), the propeller (18) will be actuated to rotate by the gases. In the meantime, the axle (16) will move outward relative to the sleeve (13). When the amount of the exhaust gases increases, the rotation speed of the propeller (18) and the movement of the axle (16) outward from the sleeve (13) will also increase. When the amount of the exhaust gases decreases, the rotation speed of the propeller (18) will reduce and the axle (16) will move inward relative to the sleeve (13) due to the recoil force provided by the spring (14). Not only the waste gases can be rapidly exhausted with the rotation speed of the propeller (18), but also the ornament assembly can provide an excellent visual effect to the vehicle with the movements of the axle (16) and the propeller (18). Accordingly, the appearance of the vehicle is largely increased. In addition, because the propeller (18) will be exposed from the exhaust pipe (20) when the waste gases are exhausted, the high temperature will not influence the structure and the material of the propeller (18). This can keep the propeller (18) in an excellent rotatable condition even after a long time of use.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 3, in another technique not forming part of the invention, the stand (30) has a body attached to an outer periphery of the exhaust pipe (20). The body has a first end extending to the opening of the exhaust pipe (20) and a second end far away from the opening of the exhaust pipe (20). The tab (32) extends downward from the first end of the body of the stand (30) and extends toward a center line of the exhaust pipe (20). A flange (31) is formed on the second end of the body to hold the fastener (39) in place. Accordingly, the sleeve (13) with the propeller (18) can be exposed from the exhaust pipe (20), and the propeller (18) will not be influenced by the high temperature of the exhaust gases. This can keep the propeller in an excellent rotatable condition, and the useful life of the ornament assembly is prolonged.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 4, the stand (40) is secured to the exhausting pipe (20) with bolts (not numbered) or with a welding process. A through hole (not numbered) is defined in the stand (40) for the axle (16) extending through the through hole in the stand (40), such that the axle (16) is moveably mounted on the stand (40). The axle (16) has a first end extending into the exhausting pipe (20) and a second end extending out from the exhausting pipe (20). The spring (14) is mounted around the axle (16) and has two ends respectively abutting the first end of the axle (16) and the stand (40), such that the spring (14) can provide a recoil force to the axle (16). The second end of the axle (16) penetrates through the propeller (18), and the propeller (18) is mounted on the axle (16) at a position far from the first end of the axle (16).

[0019] In such an embodiment, the propeller (18) will be actuated to rotate by the exhausted gases from the exhaust pipe (20), and the axle (16) will move relative to the stand (40). Accordingly, a mobile and retractable visual effect is provided.

[0020] In summary, the ornament assembly has a sleeve, an axle, a spring and a propeller. The sleeve is secured in an opening end of the exhaust pipe. The axle is moveably received in the sleeve. The axle has a first end exposed from the sleeve and a second end extending into the sleeve. The spring is received in the sleeve and is securely attached between the sleeve and the second end of the axle. The propeller is rotatably mounted on the first end of the axle. In such an arrangement, the propeller will rotate when the exhaust gases are emitted from the exhaust pipe, and the axle will move relative to the sleeve. The axle with the propeller will move outward and inward from the sleeve during movement of the vehicle, and the appearance of the vehicle is improved.

[0021] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ornament assembly for an exhaust pipe of a vehicle comprising:

a sleeve (13) adapted to be secured in an opening end of the exhaust pipe (20);

an axle (16) retractably.received in the sleeve and having a first end exposed from the sleeve and a second end extending into the sleeve (13);

a spring (14) received in the sleeve (13) and securely attached to the second end of the axle to provide a recoil force to the axle; and

a propeller (18) rotatably mounted on the axle (16) at a position exposed from the sleeve (13).

2. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a stand (10) adapted to be securely attached to the exhaust pipe with a fastener (19) and having a tab (12) for the sleeve (13) being securely attached to the tab (12) .

3. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stand (10) has a body with a U-shaped cross section and adapted being mounted around a part of a periphery of the exhaust pipe;
the body has a first end adapted for being exposed from the exhaust pipe and a second end adapted for extending into the exhaust pipe; and
the tab (12) extends downward from the second end of the body of the stand and adapted to extend toward a center line of the exhaust pipe.

4. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the tab has multiple bores defined in the tab;
a bolt (121) extends through one of the bores (122) in the tab (12) and the sleeve to screw with a nut so as to secure the sleeve to the tab with the bolt and the nut.

5. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spring (14) has a first end extending outward from the sleeve and hooked on one of the bores in the tab and a second end securely attached to the second end of the axle (16).
whereby the spring (14) is stretched when the axle (16) moves outward from the sleeve.

6. The ornament assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve (13) has an opening defined in one end of the sleeve;
a cap (15) is attached to the end of the sleeve to close the opening in the sleeve; and
a central hole is defined in the cap for the axle penetrating through the central hole.

7. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring has a first end abutting thc cap and a second end securely attached to the second end of the axle,
whereby the spring is compressed when the axle moves outward from the sleeve.

8. The ornament assembly as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a stop attached to the axle to abut the cap so as to limit a travel of the axle relative to the sleeve.

9. The ornament assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a bearing (17) mounted between the axle and the propeller to make the propeller freely rotate relative to the axle.

10. The ornament assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the propeller is rotatably mounted on the first end of the axle.

11. The ornament assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the sleeve is adapted to be attached to a tail pipe that is attached to the exhaust pipe to enhance the appearance of the vehicle.

Ansprüche

1. Schmuckbauteil für ein Abgasrohr eines Fahrzeuges mit:

einer Hülse (13), die geeignet ist, in einem sich öffnenden Ende des Abgasrohres (20) befestigt zu werden;

einer Achse (16), die zurückziehbar in der Hülse aufgenommen ist und ein erstes Ende, welches von der Hülse ausgestellt ist, und ein zweites Ende hat, welches sich in die Hülse (13) hinein erstreckt;

einer Feder (14), die in der Hülse (13) aufgenommen ist und an dem zweiten Ende der Achse fest angebracht ist, um eine Rückstoßkraft für die Achse vorzusehen; und

einem Propeller (18), der drehbar auf der Achse (16) in einer von der Hülse (13) ausgesteliten Position angebracht ist

2. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit einem Gestell (10), welches geeignet ausgestaltet ist, um mit einer Befestigungseinrichtung (19) fest an dem Abgasrohr angebracht zu werden, und mit einem Aufhänger (12) für die Hülse (13), die fest an dem Aufhänger (12) angebracht ist.

3. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Gestell (10) einen Körper mit einem U-förmigen Querschnitt hat und geeignet ausgestaltet ist, um um einen Teil des Umfanges des Abgasrohres herum angebracht zu werden;
der Körper ein erstes Ende hat, welches geeignet ist, von dem Abgasrohr ausgestellt zu werden, sowie ein zweites Ende hat, das geeignet ist, um sich in das Abgasrohr hinein zu erstrecken; und
der Aufhänger (12) sich von dem zweiten Ende des Körpers des Gestells nach unten erstreckt und geeignet ist, sich zu einer Mittellinie des Abgasrohres hin zu erstrecken.

4. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei in dem Aufhänger (12) Mehrfachbohrungen bestimmt sind und sich eine Schraube (121) durch eine der Bohrungen (122) in dem Aufhänger (12) und der Hülse erstreckt, um sich mit einer Mutter so zu verschrauben, daß die Hülse mit der Schraube und der Mutter an dem Aufhänger befestigt wird.

5. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Feder (14) ein erstes Ende, welches sich von der Hülse nach außen erstreckt und an einer der Bohrungen in dem Aufhänger verhakt ist, und ein zweites Ende hat, welches fest an dem zweiten Ende der Achse (16) angebracht ist,
wobei die Feder (14) gestreckt wird, wenn sich die Achse (16) aus der Hülse auswärts bewegt.

6. Schmuckbauteil nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hülse (13) eine Öffnung hat, die an einem Ende der Hülse gebildet ist;
eine Kappe (15) an dem Ende der Hülse angebracht ist, um die Öffnung in der Hülse zu schließen; und
ein Mittelloch in der Kappe gebildet ist, damit die Achse durch das Mittelloch hindurchtritt.

7. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Feder ein erstes Ende hat, welches mit der Kappe in Widerlage kommt, und ein zweites Ende hat, welches an dem zweiten Ende der Achse fest angebracht ist,
wobei die Feder zusammengedrückt wird, wenn sich die Achse aus der Hülse nach außen bewegt.

8. Schmuckbauteil nach Anspruch 7, ferner mit einem Anschlag, der an der Achse angebracht ist, um mit der Kappe in Widerlage zu treten, um einen Lauf der Achse relativ zu der Hülse zu begrenzen.

9. Schmuckbauteil nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner mit einem Lager (17), welches zwischen der Achse und dem Propeller angebracht ist, um den Propeller relativ zu der Achse frei drehbar zu machen.

10. Schmuckbauteil nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Propeller auf dem ersten Ende der Achse drehbar angebracht ist.

11. Schmuckbauteil nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Hülse geeignet ausgestaltet ist, um an einem Endrohr angebracht zu werden, welches an dem Abgasrohr angebracht ist, um das Aussehen des Fahrzeuges zu verbessern.

Revendications

1. Ensemble d'ornement pour un tuyau d'échappement d'un véhicule, comportant :

un manchon (13) conçu pour être fixé dans une extrémité ouverte du tuyau d'échappement (20) ;

une broche (16) reçue de façon rétractable dans le manchon et ayant une première extrémité sortant du manchon et une seconde extrémité s'étendant à l'intérieur du manchon (13);

un ressort (14) reçu dans le manchon (13) et relié solidement à la seconde extrémité de la broche pour appliquer une force de rappel à la broche ; et

une hélice (18) montée de façon à pouvoir tourner sur la broche (16) dans une position à découvert du manchon (13).

2. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 1, comportant en outre un support (10) conçu pour être relié solidement au tuyau d'échappement à l'aide d'un organe de fixation (19) et ayant une languette (12) permettant au manchon (13) d'être relié solidement à la languette (12) .

3. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le support (10) comporte un corps ayant une section transversale en forme de U et conçu pour être monté autour d'une partie de la périphérie du tuyau d'échappement ;
le corps comporte une première extrémité conçue pour être placée à l'extérieur du tuyau d'échappement et une seconde extrémité conçue pour pénétrer à l'intérieur du tuyau d'échappement ; et
la languette (12) s'étend vers le bas depuis la seconde extrémité du corps du support et est conçue pour s'étendre vers un axe central du tuyau d'échappement.

4. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans lequel la languette présente des trous multiples définis dans la languette ;
un corps de boulon (121) s'étend à travers l'un des trous (122) de la languette (12) et le manchon pour être visser à un écrou afin de fixer le manchon à la languette à l'aide du corps de boulon et de l'écrou.

5. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le ressort (14) a une première extrémité s'étendant à l'extérieur du manchon et accrochée sur l'un des trous de la languette et une seconde extrémité est reliée solidement à la seconde extrémité de la broche (16),
grâce à quoi le ressort (14) est étiré lorsque la broche (16) se déplace vers l'extérieur du manchon.

6. Ensemble d'ornement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le manchon (13) présente une ouverture définie dans une extrémité du manchon ;
un chapeau (15) est fixé à l'extrémité du manchon pour fermer l'ouverture dans le manchon ; et
un trou central est défini dans le chapeau pour que la broche pénètre à travers le trou central.

7. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le ressort a une première extrémité en appui sur le chapeau et une seconde extrémité reliée solidement à la seconde extrémité de la broche,
grâce à quoi le ressort est comprimé lorsque la broche se déplace vers l'extérieur du manchon.

8. Ensemble d'ornement selon la revendication 7, comportant en outre une butée fixée à la broche afin de prendre appui sur le chapeau pour limiter la course de la broche par rapport au manchon.

9. Ensemble d'ornement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant en outre un palier (17) monté entre la broche et l'hélice afin de permettre à l'hélice de tourner librement par rapport à la broche.

10. Ensemble d'ornement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'hélice est montée de façon à pouvoir tourner sur la première extrémité de la broche.

11. Ensemble d'ornement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le manchon est conçu pour être relié à un conduit d'extrémité qui est fixé au tuyau d'échappement afin d'améliorer l'aspect du véhicule.

Drawing