Abstract:
A decorative trim for an automotive vehicle which simulates the exhaust stack of an automotive motor is claimed. The exhaust stack simulator comprises a base plate from which multiple tubes protrude which simulate pipes exhausting from the engine of an automobile. A gasket is installed between the base plate and the vehicle surface to protect the surface and to adjust for irregularities in the surface of the vehicle. A backing plate on the interior surface of the vehicle distributes the weight of the base plate across the surface of the vehicle. Studs affixed to support brackets on the base plate pass through openings in the gasket, the vehicle and the backing plate, and the components are joined together with standard fasteners.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/218,737, entitled “Exhaust Stack Simulator” and filed on Dec. 7, 2004, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle trim, and more specifically, to vehicle trim simulating a multiple-tube exhaust stack on the exterior portions of automotive vehicles.  
       BACKGROUND/SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Decorative trim is widely used to enhance the appearance of automotive vehicles. Trim such as pinstripes and molding is often applied to the exterior surface of vehicles for aesthetic purposes. Drivers interested in making their vehicles appear more “powerful” may also choose to apply trim that simulates the appearance of additional engine capacity and performance.  
         [0004]     The present invention is intended to simulate the appearance of a horizontal exhaust stack consisting of multiple tubes exhausting from the engine of a vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the exhaust stack simulator is designed to be installed on the generally-vertical or sloped hood portions of conventional cab tractor trailers.  
         [0005]     The exhaust stack simulator according to the present invention provides a outer plate in the form of an elongated strip of metallic material in the shape of a plurality of exhaust tubes and having a plurality of securing means for securing the strip to the vehicle body. In one embodiment of the invention, the outer plate is generally hollow and support brackets on the rear side of the outer plate provide additional structural support and act as a base for threaded studs. The threaded studs are the fasteners for connecting the exhaust stack simulator to the vehicle, and they pass through holes drilled in the vehicle body. An elongated gasket is sized slightly larger than the outer plate and is installed between the outer plate and the vehicle body. The gasket serves the purposes of providing a cushion for the outer plate against the vehicle body and also provides flexibility to ensure a tight fit between the outer plate and the vehicle body, adjusting for any irregularities in the vehicle body.  
         [0006]     An elongated backing plate is secured to the inside of the vehicle body with nuts that mate with the studs. The backing plate serves the purposes of distributing the weight of the outer plate across the surface of the vehicle body, so that the weight of the outer plate is not pin-pointed at the fastener locations, as would be the case if traditional washers were used. The backing plate contains a plurality of holes through which threaded studs pass.  
         [0007]     The exhaust stack simulator is designed to withstand the vibrations and environmental conditions associated with the operation of large road vehicles.  
         [0008]     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
         [0009]     These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded rearward perspective view of one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the outer plate of one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a outer plate of one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator, in an as-installed configuration.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator installed on a conventional cab vehicle. 
     
    
       [0015]     Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     The present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exhaust stack simulator  1  according to one embodiment of the invention. The simulator  1  consists generally of outer plate  10 , gasket  20 , and backing plate  30  which may be joined together via a plurality of fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners comprise nuts  40  and threaded studs  13 .  
         [0018]     Outer plate  10  is a generally oblong plate with forward edge  15 , rearward edge  16 , and two side edges  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Outer plate  10  further comprises base plate  11  and a plurality of tubes  12  protruding therefrom. In one embodiment of the invention, tubes  12  are aligned in a single row parallel to the longitudinal axis of outer plate  10 .  
         [0019]     As used in this application, directions are referenced with respect to the vehicle on which the exhaust stack simulator is to be installed. For example, the term “inner” refers to the portion of the simulator that is to be against the vehicle body. “Outer” refers to the portions of the simulator that are distal to the vehicle body when it is installed. “Forward” refers to the portion of the simulator that is oriented toward the front of the vehicle when it is installed. “Rearward” refers to the portion of the simulator that is oriented toward the rear of the vehicle when it is installed. “Bottom” refers to the portion of the simulator that is oriented toward the bottom portion of the vehicle when it is installed. “Top” refers to the portion of the simulator that is oriented toward the top portion of the vehicle when it is installed.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates the inner side of one embodiment of outer plate  10 . As can be seen in this figure, outer plate  10  comprises base plate  11 , which is a generally hollow protruding base, joined to a plurality of support brackets  18  that span the side edges  17  of the inner side of outer plate  10 . Utilizing a hollow base with support brackets in this manner reduces the weight of the outer plate  10 . Three (3) support brackets  18  are present in the illustrated embodiment, but more or fewer brackets may be desired for embodiments of different sizes and weights.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment of the invention, fasteners comprise threaded studs  13  rigidly affixed to the support brackets  18  of the outer plate  10 . Nuts  40  are generally standard locking nuts of sufficient size to mate with studs  13 . The embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4  utilizes six studs and six nuts, though other numbers of stud/nut combinations would be appropriate, depending upon the size and weight of the exhaust stack simulator. Further, other types of fasteners may be employed instead of threaded studs that are rigidly affixed to support brackets. For example, there may be openings on the support brackets to receive standard bolts that mate with standard nuts.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of the exhaust stack simulator  1 . As shown in this figure, the plurality of tubes  12  that protrude from the base plate  11  of outer plate  10  are angled or curved toward the rearward edge  16  of outer plate  10 . This angling or curving of the tubes  12  toward the rear of the plate  10  enhances the aerodynamic look and performance of the exhaust stack simulator. Further, in this embodiment, tubes  12  are aligned in a single row along the longitudinal axis of the simulator  1 . Although the illustrated embodiment shows an exhaust stack simulator with six (6) tubes  12 , more or fewer of tubes could be included without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, the tubes could be presented in multiple rows, instead of a single row along the longitudinal axis of the simulator.  
         [0023]     In some embodiments of the invention, the base plate  11  is thicker at its forward edge  15  than at its rearward edge  16 , and the thickness reduces from the forward edge to the rearward edge (i.e., the outer surface of base plate  11  may be angled from the forward edge to the rearward edge of the plate). In one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the forward edge  15  of the base plate  11  is about ¼ inches greater than the thickness at the rearward edge  16 . The purpose for this varying thickness is because the hoods of many vehicles are narrower at the front and widen toward the back. The angling of the base plate is intended to compensate for this narrowing of the vehicle&#39;s hood while providing simulated support for tubes that, if operational, may be protruding from the engine of the vehicle at a uniform length.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment, the thickness of the outer plate  10 , including the base plate  11  and tubes  12 , is approximately 3.9 inches. Further, in one embodiment, the outer plate  10  is about 30.8 inches in length and about 6.2 inches high. Other thicknesses and dimensions are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention  
         [0025]     Outer plate  10  may be manufactured from any number of rigid materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, chrome, composite, polymeric, or ceramic materials. In one embodiment, outer plate  10  is fabricated from about ⅛″ thick stainless steel, though other thicknesses may be used.  
         [0026]     Gasket  20  is a generally-thin, oblong gasket slightly larger in surface area than outer plate  10 . In some embodiments of the invention, gasket  20  has a protruding peripheral flange  22  extending roughly perpendicularly from the gasket, within which the outer plate  10  fits for attaching to the vehicle. Gasket  20  also includes a plurality of openings  23  through which the studs  13  of the outer plate pass. Gasket  20  may be fabricated from any number of weather resistant flexible or semi-flexible materials, such as silicone, rubber, or suitable polymerics. In one embodiment the gasket has a thickness of about ¼ inches, though other thicknesses would also be appropriate.  
         [0027]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , base plate  11  may include on its bottom edge a plurality of grooves  14  which are cut into the bottom edge of base plate  11 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a plurality of grooves  24  cut into the flange  22  of gasket  20 , in locations corresponding to the grooves  14  in base plate  11 . In one embodiment, the grooves  14  and  24  are ⅛″×¼″ rectangles, though other dimensions and shapes may be used. When the outer plate  10  is mounted on the gasket  20 , the grooves  14  on the base plate  11  line up with the grooves  24  in gasket  20  to form weep holes  44 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The purpose of the weep holes  44  is to allow moisture that may accumulate in the exhaust stack simulator to drain.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , backing plate  30  is a thin, generally-oblong flat plate comprising through holes through which the studs  13  on the outer plate  10  or other suitable fasteners may pass. The purpose of the backing plate  30  is to perform the function of conventional washers to relieve friction and distribute pressure, but the backing plate improves upon conventional washers by allowing a wider distribution the weight of the device against the vehicle surface. This weight distribution may be important, because many vehicle exteriors are fabricated from lightweight fiberglass materials. The backing plate may also be used as a template for drilling holes in the vehicle to mount the exhaust stack simulator. Depending up on the size and weight of the outer plate  10 , backing plate  30  may be replaced with conventional washers in some embodiments of the invention. Backing plate  30  may be fabricated from any number of rigid materials, including galvanized steel or aluminum.  
         [0029]     The exhaust stack simulator  1  is designed to be installed on the exterior of automotive vehicles, and in particular on the generally-vertical or sloped portions of the hoods of conventional cab trucks.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exhaust stack simulator installed on a truck in such a manner. To install the exhaust stack simulator, holes for the studs must first be formed or drilled through the vehicle surface  50 . Backing plate  30  may be used as a template for the placement of the holes. Outer plate  10  is then installed onto the vehicle surface on top of gasket  20 . Backing plate  30  is installed on the interior of the vehicle surface, and nuts  40  are used to secure the components together and to the vehicle.  FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the exhaust stack simulator as installed on a vehicle.  
         [0030]     This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiment described is to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner.  
         [0031]     As described above and shown in the associated drawings and exhibits, the present invention comprises an exhaust stack simulator. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.