Abstract:
A catalytic converter theft deterrent assembly ( 100 ) used with a motor vehicle includes a plurality of clamps ( 109 ) for attaching to a section of exhaust pipe ( 101 ) used with a catalytic converter ( 105 ). One or more wire ropes ( 113 ) may be fixedly attached to the plurality of clamps ( 109 ) for surrounding portions around the perimeter of the exhaust pipe ( 101 ). A plurality of collars ( 111 ) are fixedly attached to the plurality of clamps ( 109 ) for housing an end portion of the plurality of cables ( 113 ) such that the cables prevent removal of the exhaust pipe ( 101 ) connected to the catalytic converter ( 105 ) for deterring theft.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to theft deterrent devices and more particularly to theft deterrent devices used with automotive catalytic converters. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A catalytic converter (also known as a “cat” or “cat-con”), is a device used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. Catalytic converters were initially introduced in the mid 1970s on series-production automobiles in the U.S. market. The catalytic converter was introduced to comply with regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce emissions from a vehicle&#39;s exhaust system. More specifically, the catalytic converter provides an environment for a chemical reaction wherein toxic combustion by-products are converted to less-toxic substances. 
         [0003]    Seen in prior art  FIG. 1 , the catalytic converter is generally mounted downstream of a vehicle exhaust manifold and before the muffler. In vehicles using a duel exhaust, separate catalytic converters can be used for separate exhaust pipes or each “bank” of exhaust that can be channeled through a single catalytic converter. 
         [0004]    Each catalytic converter is comprised of box-like housing that is sized to fit under a vehicle. The interior of the catalytic converter often includes various chambers or compartments that includes various chemical solids or metallic components. In operation, exhaust gasses propagate through these chambers as the gasses undergo a chemical reaction for filtering and removing impurities. Left untreated, these impurities can harm the environment. 
         [0005]    In that the price of raw materials, such as scrap metal, has maintained a high price, it is commonplace for thieves to clandestinely move under a parked vehicle to remove the catalytic converter when the owner is unaware or not paying attention to the vehicle. This is most often accomplished using a portable, battery-operated reciprocating saw (also referred to as a Sawzawl) where the exhaust pipes at both ends of the converter are cut allowing the converter to drop free and be quickly removed. 
         [0006]    One type of theft deterrent device for combating this problem is a cage-like device using cables for surrounding the catalytic converter. Although this type of device may help prevent thieves from cutting through the catalytic converter, it does not prevent or deter the most typical type of theft, where cuts are made in the exhaust pipes at both ends of the converter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is diagram illustrating how the catalytic converter theft deterrent device is fastened to the exhaust pipes leading to and from the catalytic converter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is perspective view of a clamp used in connection with the theft deterrent device of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a clamp having an alarm wire used in connection with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a device for protecting a vehicular catalytic converter against theft. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0013]    In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0014]    Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the catalytic converter theft deterrent device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The catalytic converter theft deterrent device  100  is used in connection with the series of exhaust pipes, such as inlet exhaust pipes  101  and outlet exhaust pipes  103 . The inlet exhaust pipe  101  typically feeds the catalytic converter  105  from the engine exhaust manifold and may also include a cover or heat shield  107 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the catalytic converter theft deterrent device  100  operates by forming a barrier using a plurality of cables over the inlet and/or outlet exhaust pipes for preventing a saw or torch from easily cutting through the hollow exhaust pipe tubing. 
         [0016]    The catalytic converter theft deterrent device  100  further includes one or more clamps  109  manufactured of hardened steel that include a plurality of collars  111  that surround the clamp  109 . The collars  111  are also sometimes referred to as “swage buttons” and are typically made of a hardened stainless steel to prevent rust and corrosion while under a vehicle. The collars  111  act as a housing for a plurality of wire rope sections or cables  113  that are engaged within the collar  111  and work to securely fasten the cable therein. Although  FIG. 1  is shown using four collars  111  surrounding each of the clamps  109 , it will be evident to those skilled in the art that a greater or lesser number of cables  113  can be used to surround the perimeter of the input exhaust  101 . 
         [0017]    In operation, the clamps  109  are aligned for allowing a corresponding cable  113  to be secured within a collar  111  around the perimeter of the input exhaust pipe  101 . Each cable  113  is fastened within the corresponding collar  111  through the use of a mechanical fastener and/or weld so that the cable cannot be easily moved within the collar  111 . Although the frame of the collar  111  is shown having a substantially semi-circular circumference it should be evident to those skilled in the art that the frame my also be a square or triangular shape for matching cable shape. Moreover, the frame may also include a split body allowing two or more cables to extend through the frame of the swage button  111 . In use, this arrangement not only works to prevent each of the cables  113  from being rotated around the exhaust pipe  101 , but also allows the cables to be secured in a rigid position for preventing a saw blade or the like from easily cutting through the cables  113 . By way of example, the cables  113  are like those manufactured by the Wire Rope Corporation of America, Inc., and may be typically made of a stranded Stainless Steel RRW.410D, ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) wire rope material that can handle forces in tension up to 12,000 lbs. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the clamp for holding a cable as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the clamp  200  includes a greater plurality of collars which surround the perimeter surface of the clamp  200 . The clamp  200  is comprised of a lower half-moon clasp  201  and an upper half-moon clasp  203  which are joined using a puddle weld or the like that acts to securely fasten both halves of the clamp into a fixed position. In order to facilitate a puddle weld, a hole or aperture  215  may be drilled in one or both ends of the upper half-moon clasp  203  for allowing the weld material to more easily join both surfaces. Alternatively, a mechanical fastener such as a pressed in bolt or “Penn bolt” (not shown) may be used to join the lower half-moon clasp  201  and upper half-moon clasp around an exhaust pipe. 
         [0019]    The lower half-moon clasp  201  is shown having collars  205 ,  207  welded to the outer surface of the lower half-moon clasp. The upper half-moon clasp includes collars  209 ,  211 , and  213  that are fastened to its outer surface using a mechanical fastener or a weld joint. Each of the collars  205 ,  207 ,  209 ,  211 ,  213  utilizes a wire rope or cable  217  which is fastened within an interior portion of the swage button using a mechanical fastener  219  and/or a mechanical weld that acts to securely fasten the cable  217  within the respective swage button. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a clamp used with the catalytic converter theft deterrent device as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, one or more collars  301  are used in connection with a wire rope or cable  303 . A plurality of wires  305 ,  307  are used in combination with a continuity detection device  309  for detecting when electrical continuity is lost and/or interrupted between an audible sounding device, such as a siren or the vehicle&#39;s horn  311 , and a vehicle&#39;s battery  313 . In use, the negative side of the battery  313  is used in connection with wires  305 ,  307  where the vehicle horn would be isolated from the vehicle&#39;s ground. In operation, if continuity is lost in either of wires  305 ,  307 , the continuity detector  309  detects the operates to actuate or “sound” the vehicle&#39;s horn  311  for deterring or scaring away would be thieves working to cut through the remainder of the cable  303 . This system provides yet another option for preventing theft of the vehicles catalytic converter. 
         [0021]    Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is a catalytic converter theft deterrent device that includes unique combination clamp fastener and wire rope cable that acts to substantially surround portions of an exhaust inlet and outlet pipe used directly adjacent to a vehicular catalytic converter. The theft deterrent device operates to obstruct a saw blade or other cutting mechanism from accessing portions of the exhaust pipe for preventing the catalytic converter from being removed from under a vehicle. 
         [0022]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.