Patent Publication Number: US-2004050601-A1

Title: Engine partition

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to a noise suppression apparatus and, more particularly, to a partition for adjusting noise emanating from the engine compartment of a vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] In recent years, the customizing of vehicles has increased in interest. For example, it has become popular with vans to cut holes in the sidewalls and mount windows therein of any desired configuration. It has also become popular in automobiles to provide opera windows. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,591, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for installing an opera window in a quarter panel of an automobile having an opening cut therein. In addition, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,291, there is disclosed a viewport assembly for installation in the hood of a vehicle which may be easily and inexpensively installed in the front or rear hood of a vehicle and thereby provide the vehicle with a distinctive and sporty feature to enhance the appearance of the vehicle. Accordingly, it will be understood that there have been many attempts in the past to improve the distinctive and sporty features of vehicles. It is therefore highly desirable to provide other arrangements for inexpensively enhancing the distinctiveness and/or the sportiness of vehicles.  
       [0003] Conventional attempts to enhance the distinctiveness and/or the sportiness of vehicles have primarily been limited to customizing the appearance of vehicles. These conventional attempts typically consist of viewport assemblies which may be transparent or translucent and which may allow for viewing of the engine. Efforts to enhance the distinctiveness and/or the sportiness of vehicles have also related to altering the noise level emanating from the engine compartment from one fixed noise level to another fixed noise level. The object of these arrangements has been generally directed to altering noise levels by reducing the noise level emanating from the engine compartment from one fixed noise level to a lower fixed noise level. Once the noise level emanating from the engine compartment has been reduced to this lower noise level, these arrangements do not allow for adjusting noise levels by varying the noise level emanating from the engine compartment. These arrangements also do not allow for adjusting noise levels by varying the noise level emanating from the engine compartment to a higher noise level quickly and easily, while permitting viewing of the engine. For car enthusiasts, the distinctiveness and sportiness of a vehicle are enhanced by adjusting noise levels by varying the sounds produced by the engine and emanating from the engine compartment. In addition, the distinctiveness and sportiness of a vehicle are enhanced by adjusting noise levels by varying the sounds produced by the engine and emanating from the engine compartment to a higher noise level quickly and easily.  
       [0004] Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an engine compartment partition to adjust noise levels by varying the noise emanating from an engine compartment of a vehicle which may be easily and inexpensively installed and thereby enhance the distinctiveness and/or the sportiness of vehicles.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of inventions for altering the noise level emanating from the engine compartment of a vehicle from one fixed noise level to a lower fixed noise level and methods heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
       [0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an engine compartment partition for varying the noise level emanating from an engine compartment of a vehicle. In one embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the engine compartment partition is provided with a partition for installation over the engine compartment of a vehicle, wherein the partition is provided with an opening formed by the partition. The engine compartment partition further includes a conduit which may be supported by the partition. The conduit is provided with first and second ends, wherein the first end communicates with the opening formed by the partition. It should be understood that the second end of the conduit may communicate with the environment or the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The engine compartment partition is also provided with a movable panel, wherein the panel is operatively connected to the conduit. The panel is also selectively movable relative to the conduit for varying the noise emanating from the engine compartment of the vehicle. It should be understood that the panel may be moved manually or by mechanical or electrical remote actuation.  
       [0007] In an alternative embodiment, there is provided an engine compartment partition provided with a partition for installation over the engine compartment of a vehicle. The engine compartment partition is further provided with support members for supporting the partition. The partition may be operable to move or slide relative to the support members. In this embodiment, the need for a conduit is eliminated. Further, in this embodiment, the need for a movable panel is eliminated.  
       [0008] In still another embodiment, there is provided an engine compartment partition provided with a partition for installation over the engine compartment of a vehicle, wherein the partition is provided with an opening formed by the partition. The engine compartment partition further includes a panel which may be provided for installation over the opening formed by the partition. It should be understood that the panel may be operatively connected to the partition and the panel may further be selectively movable for varying the noise emanating from the engine compartment of the vehicle.  
       [0009] It should be understood that the engine compartment partition may be located in either the front or the rear of the vehicle, or may be located mid-engine, and that there would be a number of advantages in installing an engine compartment partition in accordance with the present invention over the engine compartment of a vehicle. More particularly, the engine compartment partition may take a variety of shapes and designs to further enhance the distinctiveness and sportiness of a vehicle. Further, the partition, conduit, and/or panel may be light transmissive or transparent so that the vehicle engine is visible, or the partition, conduit, and/or panel may be translucent. Accordingly, the distinctiveness and sportiness of a vehicle can be enhanced by installing an engine compartment partition in accordance with the present invention, which is relatively easy and inexpensive to install.  
       [0010] It should also be understood that the engine compartment partition of the present invention may be installed on any type of vehicle, including automobiles, vans, pick-up trucks, jeeps, or the like, wherein the owner is desirous of enhancing the distinctiveness and/or sportiness of the vehicle. In addition, it should be understood that the engine compartment partition may be injection molded in the desired configuration, or manufactured in any other suitable manner. It should be further understood that the conduit may be integrally formed with the partition.  
       [0011] A further advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the engine compartment partition may be provided with a filter disposed within the conduit. In this manner, engine by-products emanating from the engine compartment may be reduced while the noise emanating from the engine compartment may be varied. Further, the engine compartment partition may be provided with a light source disposed proximate to the partition, wherein the light source illuminates the engine compartment and engine.  
       [0012] Various advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
       [0013] The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an engine compartment partition in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which consistent with aspects of the invention, includes a partition, a conduit supported by the partition and having first and second ends, and a panel operatively connected to the conduit.  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an engine compartment partition constructed according to the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is partial perspective view of another embodiment of an engine compartment partition in which the conduit is operatively connected to the passenger compartment of a vehicle.  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an engine compartment partition in which the conduit is operatively connected to the passenger compartment of a vehicle.  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of still another embodiment of an engine compartment partition in which the conduit is operatively connected to the passenger compartment of a vehicle.  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an engine compartment partition, which consistent with the aspects of the invention, includes a partition and support members for supporting the partition.  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an engine compartment partition constructed according to the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the conduit and panel as seen on line  8 - 8  of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS  
     [0023] With reference to FIG. 1, an engine compartment partition  10  of the present invention is shown for a vehicle with an engine compartment  12  positioned in the rear of the vehicle or positioned mid-engine, and proximate to the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle. The engine compartment partition  10  comprises a partition  16  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and having opening  18  formed by the partition  16 , a conduit  20  communicating with the opening  18  formed by the partition  16 , and a panel  22  operatively connected to the conduit  20 . Each of these components is described in detail below.  
     [0024] As shown in FIG. 1, partition  16  is adapted to be mounted over the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle in a generally horizontally oriented position either as original equipment or as a retrofit item to be incorporated into the vehicle. The outer edge  24  of partition  16  is provided with a contour generally following the contour of the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle. Partition  16  may be secured to the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle by spaced bolts or other fasteners. An opening  18  in partition  16  is formed by the partition  16 .  
     [0025] The engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a conduit  20  communicating with the opening  18  formed by partition  16 . Conduit  20  is defined by a front wall  26  and a rear wall  28  extending upwardly from the opening  18  formed by partition  16  and positioned generally parallel to each other. Conduit  20  is further defined by a pair of side walls  30   a  and  30   b  extending upwardly from the opening  18  formed by partition  16 . Side walls  30   a  and  30   b  are positioned generally parallel to each other and further positioned generally perpendicular to front wall  26  and rear wall  28 . Referring to FIG. 8, conduit  20  is further defined by a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  of conduit  20  is secured to the opening  18  formed by partition  16 . The second end  34  of conduit  20  is adapted to receive a panel  22 , the panel  22  being described in more detail below.  
     [0026] The engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a panel  22  adapted to be operatively connected to the second end  34  of the conduit  20 . The panel  22  is selectively movable relative to the conduit  20  in a generally horizontal plane. The panel  22  has formed therein a handle or recess  38  for selectively moving the panel  22  relative to the conduit  20 .  
     [0027] With reference to FIG. 2, an engine compartment partition  10  of the present invention is shown for a vehicle with an engine compartment  12  positioned in the rear of the vehicle proximate to the tail of the vehicle. Similar to the engine compartment partition  10  described in FIG. 1, the engine compartment partition  10  comprises a partition  16  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and having opening  18  formed by partition  16 , a conduit  20  communicating with the opening  18  formed by partition  16 , and a panel  22  operatively connected to the conduit  20 . Each of these components is described in detail below.  
     [0028] As shown in FIG. 2, partition  16  is adapted to be mounted over the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and generally oriented in the same plane as the hood  40  of the vehicle. In this respect, the outer surface of the partition  16  may be adapted to follow the curvature of the hood  40  of the vehicle. The partition  16  may be mounted as either original equipment or as a retrofit item to be incorporated into the vehicle. The outer edge  24  of the partition  16  is provided with a contour generally following the contour of the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle. The partition  16  may be secured to the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle by spaced bolts or other fasteners. An opening  18  in partition  16  is formed by partition  16 .  
     [0029] The engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a conduit  20  communicating with the opening  18  formed by partition  16 . Conduit  20  is defined by a front wall  26  and a rear wall  28  extending generally perpendicular from the partition  16  and positioned generally parallel to each other. The conduit  20  is further defined by a pair of side walls  30   a  and  30   b  extending generally perpendicular from the partition  16  and positioned generally parallel to each other and further positioned generally perpendicular to the front wall  26  and the rear wall  28 . Conduit is further defined by a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  of the conduit  20  is secured to the opening  18  formed by the partition  16 . The second end  34  of the conduit  20  is adapted to receive a panel  22 , the panel  22  being described in more detail below.  
     [0030] The engine compartment  10  partition further comprises a panel  22  adapted to be operatively connected to the second end  34  of the conduit  20 . The panel  22  is selectively movable relative to the conduit  20  in a plane generally parallel to the plane defined by the curvature of the hood  40  of the vehicle. The panel  22  has formed therein a handle or recess  38  for selectively moving the panel  22  relative to the conduit  20 .  
     [0031] With reference to FIG. 3, an engine compartment partition  10  of the present invention is shown for a vehicle with an engine compartment  12  positioned in the rear of the vehicle or positioned mid-engine, and proximate to the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle. The engine compartment partition  10  comprises a partition  16  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and having opening  18  formed by partition  16 , a conduit  20  with a first end  32  communicating with the opening  18  formed by partition  16  and a second end  34  operatively connected to the passenger compartment  14  of a vehicle, and a panel  22  operatively connected to the conduit  20 . Each of these components is described in detail below.  
     [0032] As shown in FIG. 3, partition  16  similar in all respects to partition  16  described with reference to FIG. 1 is provided.  
     [0033] As further shown in FIG. 3, conduit  20  similar to the conduit described with reference to FIG. 1 is particularly adapted such that the second end  34  of conduit  20  may be operatively connected to the passenger compartment  14  of a vehicle. Conduit  20  similar to the conduit  20  described with reference to FIG. 1 is particularly adapted by further providing a first pair of transverse walls  40   a  oriented generally transverse to the front wall  26 , rear wall  28 , and pair of side walls  30   a  and  30   b  defining the conduit  20  described with reference to FIG. 1. As can be further seen by reference to FIG. 3, the conduit  20  described in FIG. 3 is further provided with a second pair of transverse walls  40   a  oriented generally transverse to the front wall  26 , rear wall  28 , and pair of side walls  30   a  and  30   b  defining the conduit  20  described with reference to FIG. 1 and further oriented generally perpendicular to the first pair of transverse walls  40   a . In this regard, the first pair of transverse walls  40   a  and the second pair of transverse walls  40   a  of the conduit  20  described in FIG. 3 extend generally outwardly from the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle and generally toward the rear of the vehicle.  
     [0034] As further shown in FIG. 3, the engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a panel  22  adapted to be operatively connected to the second end  34  of conduit  20 . The panel  22  is selectively movable relative to conduit  20 . It should be understood that panel  22  may be disposed over the first end  32  of conduit  20 , over the second end  34  of conduit  20  as described in FIG. 3, or within conduit  20  between the first and second ends of the conduit  20 . The panel  32  has formed therein a handle or recess  38  for selectively moving the panel  22  relative to the conduit  20 .  
     [0035] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an engine compartment partition  10  of the present invention is shown for a vehicle with an engine compartment  12  positioned in the rear of the vehicle or positioned mid-engine, and proximate to the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle. The engine compartment partition  10  comprises a conduit  20  having a first end  32  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and a second end  34  operatively connected to the passenger compartment  14  of a vehicle, and a panel  22  operatively connected to the conduit  20 .  
     [0036] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, conduit  20  is adapted to have a first end  32  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and a second end  34  operatively connected to the passenger compartment  14  of a vehicle. The outer edge  42  of first end  32  of conduit  20  is provided with a contour generally following the contour of the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle. Conduit  20  is further provided with a second end  34  operatively connected to the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle. It should be understood that conduit  20  may be provided in alternative configurations according to the present invention.  
     [0037] As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a panel  22  adapted to be operatively connected to the second end  34  of conduit  20 . The panel  22  is selectively movable relative to the conduit  20 . As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, panel  22  may be provided in alternative configurations according to the present invention.  
     [0038]FIG. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the engine compartment partition  10  is provided with support members  44  adapted to be mounted over engine compartment  12  of the vehicle. The support members  44  are further adapted to receive partition  16 , which is described in more detail below. The support members  44  may be secured to the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle by way of spaced bolts or other fasteners.  
     [0039] As further shown in FIG. 6, the engine compartment partition  10  further comprises a partition  16  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle and adapted to be supported by the support members  44 . Partition  16  is adapted to be selectively movable relative to the support members  44 . In this embodiment, partition  16  may have formed therein a handle or recess  38  for selectively moving the partition  16  relative to the support members  44 .  
     [0040]FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the engine compartment partition  10  is provided with a partition  16  overlying the engine compartment  12  of the vehicle. A salient difference between the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 and the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, is that the portion of the body of the vehicle defining the engine compartment of the vehicle is adapted to support partition  16 . Partition  16  is adapted to be selectively movable relative to the engine compartment  12 . In this embodiment, the partition  16  may have formed therein a handle or recess  38  for selectively moving the partition  16  relative to the engine compartment  12 .  
     [0041] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.