Motorcycle exhaust assembly and method of using same

A configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly, including an elongated hollow body; an inlet end cap fixedly connected to an inlet end of the elongated hollow body; an exhaust end mount fixedly connected to an exit end of the elongated hollow body; and an exhaust end cap removably attached to the exhaust end mount.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to motorcycle exhaust assemblies, and more particularly to configurable motorcycle exhaust assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Motorcycle owners often wish to alter the characteristics of their motorcycles. The inventor has recognized a need for a motorcycle exhaust assembly and method of use that allows quick, easy, and inexpensive interchangeability of components.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide for a configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly that enables a user to easily remove and replace an exhaust end cap with other interchangeable exhaust end caps.

In one aspect of the invention, a configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly includes: an elongated hollow body; an inlet end cap fixedly connected to an inlet end of the elongated hollow body; an exhaust end mount fixedly connected to an exit end of the elongated hollow body; and an exhaust end cap removably attached to the exhaust end mount. An implementation of the foregoing includes multiple, interchangeable exhaust end caps.

A further aspect of the invention provides for a method of using a configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly, including: attaching a first exhaust end cap to an exhaust end mount; removing the first exhaust end cap from the exhaust end mount; and attaching a second, different exhaust end cap to the exhaust end mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly and methods of using the configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly.

With reference toFIGS. 1A-D, an embodiment of a configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly10includes an exhaust canister20, a removable/interchangeable exhaust end cap30, a baffle140, an exhaust end mount80, and an inlet end cap70. Also included are fasteners160, as shown inFIGS. 1B and 1D.

The exhaust canister20includes an elongated hollow body40(“body”) made from a hard rigid material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. The body40is generally tubular, and, in an alternative embodiment, a variety of different cross-sectional shapes and/or configurations are provided, such as different dimensions, aspect ratios, longitudinal cross-sectional shapes, and colors. As shown inFIGS. 1A-C, an inlet end cap70is welded or fixedly connected to the exhaust canister20at the inlet end of the body40. Like the body40, the inlet end cap70is made from a hard, rigid material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. Where either or both of the body40and the inlet end cap70are made of a material not amenable to welding, such as carbon fiber, rivets can be used to fixedly connect the inlet end cap70to the body40. In one embodiment, for example, a band-rivet system170is used to connect the inlet end cap70to the body40. The inlet end cap70generally has the same cross-sectional shape as the body40. A logo detail50may be optionally disposed on the body40.

The exhaust canister20further includes an exhaust end mount80welded or fixedly connected to the exhaust end of the body40. Like the inlet end cap70, the exhaust end mount80is made from a hard, rigid material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. Where either or both of the body40and the exhaust end mount80are made of a material not amenable to welding, such as carbon fiber, rivets can be used to fixedly connect the exhaust end mount80to the body40. In one embodiment, for example, a band-rivet system170is used to connect the exhaust end mount80to the body40. The exhaust end mount80generally has the same cross-sectional shape as the body40.

Also shown inFIGS. 1-3is a removable, interchangeable exhaust end cap30. The exhaust end cap30is removably attached to the exhaust end mount80. Like the body40, the exhaust end cap30is made from a hard rigid material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium, and generally has the same cross-sectional shape as the exhaust end mount80and the body40. The exhaust end cap30is easily removable for interchangeability with another different exhaust end cap. Fasteners160are provided to facilitate convenient removal and replacement. Typically, the fasteners160are threaded fasteners, such as screws or bolts, though it will be appreciated that other types of fasteners may be used.

FIG. 1Bis a left side elevational view of the configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly ofFIG. 1A, and shows an embodiment of a removable, interchangeable exhaust end cap30. The example illustrated includes three recessed sections as shown in the rear view illustrated, each recessed section having a hole through which a fastener160is inserted to removably connect the exhaust end cap30to an exhaust end mount80.FIG. 1Bfurther depicts the exhaust end cap30having a substantially egg-shaped cross-section, in accordance with one embodiment. Further detailed views of the exhaust end cap30are provided inFIGS. 3A-D. In an alternative embodiment, the exhaust end cap30includes alternative configurations.

As illustrated inFIG. 1D, a baffle140is carried within the exhaust canister20.

Shown inFIG. 2Ais a partial side elevational view of the body40of the motorcycle exhaust assembly ofFIG. 1A.FIG. 2Bprovides a cross-sectional view of the body40taken along line2B-2B ofFIG. 2A. The cross-sections of the body40and the exhaust end cap30shown inFIG. 1Bmatch, and are substantially egg-shaped in accordance with one embodiment. Further, as shown inFIGS. 2A-C, an example logo detail50may be disposed on a recessed section60on the exterior of the body40.

With reference toFIGS. 3A-3D, the removable, interchangeable exhaust end cap30has a frusto conical body shape and a substantially egg-shaped cross-section matching the cross-sections of the exhaust end mount80, the body40, and the inlet end cap70. The exhaust end cap30, exhaust end mount80, and inlet end cap70are made of a hard rigid material such as, but not limited to, carbon fiber, steel, or titanium. The exhaust end cap30includes three recessed sections100,110,120offset in a triangular configuration, and a substantially central exhaust port130that aligns with the baffle140. The recessed sections100,110,120include holes150that receive fasteners160(e.g., threaded fasteners such as bolts or screws) to removably connect the exhaust end cap30to the exhaust end mount80.

In use, disengaging the fasteners160in the holes150allows easy removal of the exhaust end cap30from the exhaust end mount80, making it convenient to replace and/or access exhaust components of the exhaust assembly10. It is similarly easy to interchange the exhaust end cap30with a different exhaust end cap30. The exhaust end cap30(or a different interchangeable exhaust end cap30) is placed against the exhaust end mount80, and the fasteners160are inserted through the holes150and engaged to fasten the exhaust end cap30to the exhaust end mount80.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the configurable motorcycle exhaust assembly10further includes a system of multiple interchangeable exhaust end caps30. In one implementation, the multiple interchangeable exhaust end caps30have a variety of colors. In another implementation, the multiple interchangeable exhaust end caps30have a variety of shapes and designs. And, in yet another implementation, the multiple interchangeable exhaust end caps30are made of a variety of materials, including steel, titanium, and carbon fiber.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of interchanging two exhaust end caps30. As shown at step200, a first exhaust end cap30is attached to the exhaust end mount80of an exhaust canister20. As discussed above, in one example, attaching the first exhaust end cap30involves engaging fasteners160with the exhaust end mount80through holes150. The first exhaust end cap30is removed from the exhaust end mount80, at step210. According to the current example, this is accomplished by disengaging the fasteners160connecting the exhaust end cap30to the exhaust end mount80. At step220, a second exhaust end cap30is attached to the exhaust end mount80of an exhaust canister20, using fasteners160engaged through holes150to the exhaust end mount80. A first exhaust end cap30is thus conveniently interchanged with a second exhaust end cap30.

In one example, an embodiment of the foregoing method allows a motorcycle owner to easily keep pace with current trends in motorcycle styling. An owner can interchange an exhaust end cap30for another, different exhaust end cap and appreciate an enhanced visual appeal, as can other observers. An owner can also more effectively visually distinguish his or her motorcycle from other motorcycles by interchanging a removable exhaust end30with another. These benefits to the motorcycle owner inhere to the flexibility provided by using a removable, interchangeable exhaust end cap30to easily obtain a variety of attributes and qualities not otherwise available.