Muffler hanger assembly tool

A tool for mounting a muffler on a vehicle includes a tool body having a tool support member with mounting holes and walls with an external peripheral surface configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger stay. The walls define an interior recessed region configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger. A tool handle member extends from the tool support member to facilitate manual alignment and mounting of the muffler hanger and the muffler hanger stay on the muffler and the vehicle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tool configured to mount a muffler hanger on a vehicle in an efficient manner.

BACKGROUND

A muffler hanger is configured to suspend a muffler to a vehicle body. The muffler hanger may be embodied as a bracket or bushing composed of an elastic material such as rubber, which permits the dampening of vibrations of the suspended muffler during operation of the vehicle.

Installation of the muffler hanger is generally performed manually by hand through the application of force by pushing the muffler hanger in place. This is undesirable due to the complicated manner and nature of obtaining the precise alignment of the muffler hanger on the vehicle body and the muffler.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tool configured to mount a muffler hanger on a vehicle in an efficient manner.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a tool for mounting a muffler on a vehicle may include a tool support member having mounting holes and walls with an external peripheral surface configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger stay to align the mounting holes with corresponding holes of the muffler hanger stay. The walls may define an interior recessed region configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger to align the mounting holes with corresponding holes of the muffler hanger. The tool may also include a tool handle member extending from the tool support member to define an opening configured to be gripped by a user and thereby permit manual alignment and mounting of the muffler hanger and the muffler hanger stay on the muffler and the vehicle.

In accordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure, a tool to mount a muffler on a vehicle may include a tool support member configured for connection to a muffler hanger stay at a first connection region provided at a peripheral surface of the tool support member. The tools support member may also be configured for connection to a muffler hanger at a second connection region provided at an interior recessed region of the tool support member. The tool member may have mounting holes configured for alignment with corresponding holes of the muffler hanger stay and the muffler hanger. The tool may also include a tool handle member to permit gripping of the tool handle member and thereby permit manual alignment and mounting of the muffler hanger and the muffler hanger stay on the muffler and the vehicle.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, a tool to mount a muffler on a vehicle may include a tool body having a tool support member configured for connection to a muffler hanger stay at a first connection region provided at a peripheral surface of the tool support member, and also for connection to a muffler hanger at a second connection region provided at an interior recessed region of the tool support member. The tool member may have mounting holes configured for alignment with corresponding holes of the muffler hanger stay and the muffler hanger. The tool body may therefore be configured to permit manual alignment and mounting of the muffler hanger and the muffler hanger stay on the muffler and the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 7, a tool10is provided to facilitate manual installation of a muffler20, as shown inFIGS. 8A-8H, for suspension on a vehicle frame30. As an example, such manual installation may be performed via the tool10through the mounting of a muffler hanger assembly that includes a muffler hanger stay40, shown inFIG. 4, and a muffler hanger50, as shown inFIG. 3. Particularly, use of the tool10permits the manual and stable mounting of the muffler hanger stay40and the muffler hanger50on the muffler20and the vehicle frame30. Use of the tool advantageously permits such manual installation by a user in an efficient and ergonomic manner.

The tool10includes a tool body having a first tool body region to serve as a tool support member11, and a second tool body region to serve as a tool handle member12. The tool handle member12may be arranged to extend from a rear face17of the tool support member11. The tool support member11and the tool handle member12may be composed of a durable material. Such a material may comprise, for example, a plastic material such as a polymer. Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited thereto, and thus, may reasonably encompass other materials (e.g., metal, composites, etc.) that permit practice of the concepts described in the present disclosure. The tool10may be formed, for example, via 3D printing, machining, or injection molding. Although the illustrated embodiment provides for a tool10having a single, unitary structure that includes the tool support member11and the tool handle member12, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and thus, may reasonably encompass a non-unitary structure in which the tool support member11and the tool handle member12are separate components that may be fixedly or non-fixedly connected. Moreover, although the body of the tool support member11is illustrated having a somewhat A-shaped portion, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and thus, may reasonably encompass other geometric shapes that permit practice of the concepts of the present disclosure.

The tool10may include a guard25between the tool support member11and the tool handle member12, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5-7. However, it will be understood that the guard25is optional, and the tool10as shown inFIG. 1without the guard25may otherwise be similar such that the reference numerals used are the same throughout the figures. The guard25may provide an additional barrier to protect the user's hand while using the tool10.

The tool support member11is configured for connection to the muffler hanger stay40, shown inFIG. 4, at a first connection region located at a peripheral outer surface of the tool support member11. The tool support member11includes walls13having an external surface defining, at least partially, the first connection region. The connection between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger stay40may comprise, for example, an interference fit between the tool support member11and to the muffler hanger stay40.

The tool support member11is configured for connection to the muffler hanger50, shown inFIG. 3, at a second connection region located at an interior region of the front face14. The interior surface of the walls13define, at least partially and in conjunction with a recessed region15(seeFIG. 1) of the front face14, the second connection region. Once received in the recessed region15, the muffler hanger50may be supported on an extension member16that extends outwardly from the recessed region15. The connection between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger50may comprise, for example, an interference fit between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger50.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the recessed region15includes a plurality of mounting holes18a,18bthat extend completely through the tool support member11from the front face14to the rear face17. The mounting holes may include, for example, at least one upper mounting hole18aand at least one lower mounting hole18bwhich is arranged below the upper mounting hole18a. During installation, the upper mounting hole(s)18aand the lower mounting hole(s)18bare configured to correspond to and align with the holes23(seeFIG. 4) of the muffler hanger stay40and the holes51,52,53of the muffler hanger50(seeFIG. 3).

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the recessed region15of the tool support member11may have a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of the muffler hanger50. Embodiments, however, are not limited thereto, and may reasonably encompass other geometric shapes that do not correspond to the shapes of the muffler hanger50yet permit practice of the concepts of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger50is formed by receipt of the muffler hanger50into the recessed region15such that the muffler hanger50is supported on the extension member16. This advantageously permits a quick and stable connection between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger50. During installation, such a connection also advantageously results in an automatic alignment of the mounting holes18a,18bof the tool support member11with the holes51,52,53of the muffler hanger. Accordingly, corresponding support pins21(seeFIG. 8B) of the muffler20and the support pin31of the vehicle frame30may be received in the mounting holes18a,18bof the tool support member11and the holes51,52,53of the muffler hanger50.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, at an upper region of the tool support member11, the walls13have a tapered external peripheral surface configured for engagement by an inner wall of the muffler hanger stay40at the first connection region to thereby connect the tool support member11and the muffler hanger stay40. When connected, the muffler hanger stay40covers (at least partially, or entirely) the front face14of the tool support member11. In accordance with some embodiments, the connection between the tool support member11and the muffler hanger stay40advantageously results in automatic alignment of the mounting holes18a,18bof the tool support member11and the holes of the muffler hanger stay40. In that way, corresponding support pins21of the muffler20and corresponding support pins31of the vehicle frame30may be received in the mounting holes18a,18bof the tool support member11and the holes of the muffler hanger stay40.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 7, the tool handle member12is configured to extend from the rear face17of the tool support member11that is arranged opposite to the front face14. As an example, the tool support member11, particularly the front face14and the rear face17, extends in a first plane (or two parallel planes), whereas the tool handle member12extends from the rear face17in a second plane that is different (e.g., perpendicular) than the first plane. The tool handle member12includes a body having a rectangular shape that defines an opening19configured to be gripped, grasped, held, etc. by a user. Although the body of the tool handle member12is illustrated having a rectangular shape, embodiments are not limited thereto, and thus, may reasonably encompass other geometric shapes that permit practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, when the muffler hanger stay40is connected to the tool support member11, the user may grip the tool handle member12and manipulate the tool10in a manner to align and mount the muffler hanger stay40on the muffler20and the vehicle frame30. Likewise, when the muffler hanger50is connected to the tool support member11, the user may grip the tool handle member12and manipulate the tool10in a manner to align and mount the muffler hanger50on the muffler20and the vehicle frame30.

FIGS. 8A through 8Hillustrate an installation sequence of a muffler20on the vehicle frame30, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, one end (in the illustrated embodiment, a left-end) of the muffler20may come previously-equipped (either by retrofit or during manufacturing of the muffler assembly) with a muffler hanger assembly mounted thereon, e.g., a muffler hanger50and a mechanically connected (e.g., via one or more bolts32) left muffler hanger stay40. Alternatively, embodiments may permit a user to utilize the tool10to mount the muffler hanger50and the muffler hanger stay40on the muffler20.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8B and 8C, the left-end of the muffler20previously-equipped with the muffler hanger assembly may be suspended or otherwise mounted on the left-side vehicle frame30by aligning (FIG. 8B) the left-side support pin31of vehicle frame30with the upper muffler hanger hole51(and corresponding hole of the muffler hanger stay40), and then inserting (FIG. 8C) the left-side support pin31of vehicle frame30through the upper muffler hanger hole51(and corresponding hole of the muffler hanger stay40).

FIGS. 8D through 8Grespectively illustrate mounting of the muffler assembly to the right-side vehicle frame30. First, the user connects the tool10and the right muffler hanger stay40in the manner illustrated inFIG. 4.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8D and 8E, the user may then mount the right-end of the muffler20using the connected tool10and right muffler hanger stay40.

As illustrated inFIG. 8F, with the right muffler hanger stay40being properly aligned via the tool10, the user may then mechanically connect (e.g., via one or more bolts32) the right muffler hanger stay40to the muffler20. The user may then disconnect the tool10from the right muffler hanger stay40.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8G and 8H, the user may then connect the tool10to the right muffler hanger50. The user may then align the right muffler hanger50via the tool10such that the corresponding right support pins21of the muffler20and the right support pin31of the vehicle frame30are received in the mounting holes18a,18bof the tool support member11and the holes51,52,53of the right muffler hanger50. In accordance with some embodiments, the muffler hanger50may be fixed to the right-side of the muffler20and the right-side vehicle frame30by friction between the muffler hanger50and the right support pins21of the muffler20and the right support pins31of the vehicle frame30.

The tool10may then be removed from the muffler hanger50leaving the muffler20installed on the vehicle frame30with the muffler hanger50and the muffler hanger stay40. Accordingly, it will be understood that the tool10may be used to efficiently and ergonomically install the muffler20. Moreover, the tool10may be used to install the muffler hanger50and the muffler hanger stay40using the same tool, thereby reducing the number of tools required.