Muffler clamp device

This invention is a muffler clamp device. It comprises a longitudinal base member, the opposite ends of which are upright and formed to seat the muffler sleeve and the connecting tail pipe end. U bolts are provided encircling the muffler sleeve and the connecting tail pipe end at longitudinally spaced planes. The object of this invention is to clamp the muffler sleeve and tail pipe end separately at longitudinally spaced locations to rigidly support the connecting ends relative to each other and relative to the longitudinal base member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to clamp devices and more particularly to clamp 
devices for vehicle muffler components. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The prior art practice in connecting a muffler to an exhaust pipe is to 
insert the end of the exhaust pipe into the muffler sleeve. The connection 
is secured by a clamp which comprises a U bolt and a saddle shaped bar 
which encircles the muffler sleeve and tightened thereagainst by nut 
members. The prior art clamp device tightening action is in a plane, 
directed radially against the muffler sleeve and the tail pipe connected 
thereto. Because the U bolt tightening action is only against the outer 
sleeve which in turn compresses against the pipe end inserted into the 
sleeve, vibration, heat, rust and corrosion will cause the connection to 
loosen ultimately resulting in leakage, breakage and eventually, total 
separation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, I have invented a clamp device for connecting a vehicle 
muffler to a tail pipe which prevents the untimely destruction of such 
connections. My invention comprises an economical clamp device which 
clamps against the muffler sleeve and the tail pipe at two longitudinally 
spaced parallel planes. The clamp locations are fixed in such spaced 
relationship to separately support the connecting ends in their proper 
relative position. 
Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent 
after a careful study of the following detailed description taken together 
with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of 
my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein is illustrated a 
preferred embodiment of this invention, reference numeral 10 designates 
generally my invention. It comprises an outer and inner saddle plate 12 
and 32. Saddle plate 12 is formed from a substantially rectangular metal 
sheet 14 having upstanding end members 16 and 18. The top of members 16 
and 18 are formed contoured to provide longitudinally aligned 
semi-circular seating surfaces 20 and 22, respectively. Upright side edges 
24 and 26 extend along both sides of plate 14 and formed to connect to 
upstanding end members 16 and 18 to thereby function as supports and 
stiffening means for ends 16 and 18 and the body of metal sheet 14. 
Provided adjacent each end of outer plate 14 are holes 28 and 30. Inner 
saddle plate 32 is formed from a rectangular metal sheet 34 having 
upstanding end members 36 and 38. Upstanding end members 36 and 38 are 
similarly contoured to provide longitudinally aligned semi-circular 
seating surfaces 40 and 42, respectively. Inner saddle plate 32 is 
longitudinally shorter than outer saddle plate 12, and is fixed to the 
outer saddle plate 12 by weldments or any other convenient method so that 
their corresponding body parts 34 and 14 respectively are planularly 
contiguous. Inner saddle member 32 is longitudinally centered thereon to 
expose holes 28 and 30 in saddle member 12 between upright members 16 and 
36 and 18 and 38. Semi-circular seating surfaces 20 and 22 of outer saddle 
member 12 are longitudinally aligned with the semi-circular seating 
surfaces 40 and 42 of inner saddle member 32. Threaded ends of U bolts 44 
and 46 are inserted in holes 28 and 30 of outer saddle member 12 to 
complete the circular passageway formed with upright members 16, 40 and 
18, 38. Nut members 48 and 50 are connected to the threaded ends of U 
bolts 44 and 46, respectively. 
In the operation of this invention, outer and inner saddle members 12 and 
32 are connected together as above described to form an integral rigid 
member. U bolts 44 and 46 are inserted in holes 28 and 30 respectively of 
outer saddle plate 12. U bolts 44 and 46 are fixed spaced apart so that U 
bolt 44 and upright ends 16 and 36 encircle muffler sleeve 52. U bolt 46 
and upright ends 18 and 38 being fixed longitudinally spaced from U bolt 
44 encircle tail pipe 54. Tightening nuts 48 and 50 onto U bolts 44 and 46 
will secure their connection to muffler sleeve 52 and tail pipe 54 
relative to each other and also relative to the clamp decive 10 of this 
invention. By thus eliminating relative movement between muffler sleeve 52 
and tail pipe 54, my invention will be effective no prolong the life of 
the muffler and tail pipe connection.