Abstract:
A roll bar exhaust system [ 1000]  is described for retrofitting vehicles such as a pickup truck [ 100] . Two vertical pipes [ 1100]  have exhaust conduits [ 1110]  running through them which exit through exhaust outlets [ 1180]  at their top side. Diagonal supports [ 1300]  attach to a cross bar [ 1500]  or the vertical supports [ 1100] . The diagonal supports also attach to the bed [ 110]  of the vehicle. Exhaust conduits [ 1110]  attach to elbows [ 1010]  then to the engine exhaust [ 150] . Exhaust is routed from the engine exhaust [ 150]  through the elbows [ 1010]  up the exhaust conduit [ 1110]  and out of the exhaust outlet [ 1180] . Since this is designed to have significant strength, it doubles as a roll bar system preventing the cab [ 130]  of truck [ 100]  from crushing and injuring passengers in the event of a roll over.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,641 “Roll Bar Exhaust System” filed Dec. 6, 2007 by the same inventor as the present application, Justin Wilson. 
     
    
     FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to an exhaust system for a vehicle which also protects the vehicle and its occupants in the event that the vehicle rolls over. 
         [0006]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0007]    Off road vehicles are usually higher to allow for more ground clearance. This allows them to drive over rocks and other obstructions without incident. 
         [0008]    By increasing the height of the vehicle, it makes them more prone to rolling over. The problem becomes worse when the vehicle is on an uneven road or trail. 
         [0009]    Typically, a support bar system is bolted to the vehicle which extends over the vehicle cab. It is made of bars strong enough to support the entire vehicle in the event that it rolls over. The roll bar system protects the cab from being crushed and injuring the occupants inside of the cab. 
         [0010]    Exhaust systems are designed to route exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle. Since the exhaust is toxic, it must be air-tight. 
         [0011]    The exhaust is typically hot and makes the exhaust system heat up also. Parts of the exhaust system become so hot that it burns off normal paint. Petroleum-based anti-corrosives also burn off when heated, and produce unpleasant odors and toxic vapors. 
         [0012]    Therefore, corrosion of exhaust systems is common. For this reason and other aesthetic reasons, trucks have been fitted with exhaust stacks. These are typically chromed. 
         [0013]    One prior art device was U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,167 Fox et al. This described an exhaust system built into the front of a cab of land moving equipment. It was made to protect the cab from crushing in the event of a large force impacting the cab. Since this was designed to be at the front of the cab, it has a geometry which will work for land moving equipment, but not for SUVs and pickup trucks, which are both more prone to rolling over. 
         [0014]    For pickup trucks, exhaust stacks are usually positioned close to the roll bar. Sometimes there is not enough room to have both installed. Sometimes a choice must be made between the roll bar or the exhaust stacks. 
         [0015]    Also, it can become fairly expensive to install both a roll bar and exhaust stacks. 
         [0016]    Currently, there is a need for an inexpensive device which protects a vehicle in the event of a rollover which may be incorporated into the existing structure of the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    One embodiment of the present invention is a roll bar exhaust device [ 1000 ] connected to an exhaust pipe [ 150 ] of a vehicle [ 100 ], the exhaust device [ 1000 ] functioning to protect the vehicle [ 100 ] and its passengers, comprising:
       a) at least two vertical supports [ 1100 ] having a top end and bottom end wherein the bottom ends are attached to the vehicle [ 100 ],   b) an exhaust conduit [ 1110 ] passing through the vertical support [ 1100 ] and having an upper end which extends to the top side of the vertical supports [ 1100 ] and extends out of the bottom ends of the vertical supports [ 1100 ] connecting to the vehicles exhaust [ 150 ], for directing exhaust from the exhaust pipe [ 150 ] out of the exhaust conduits [ 1110 ].       
 
         [0020]    The invention may also be embodied as a reinforced exhaust device [ 1000 ] for directing engine exhaust out of a vehicle [ 100 ] exhaust pipe [ 150 ] and for protecting the vehicle [ 100 ] in the event of a rollover comprising:
       a) a reinforced vertical support [ 1100 ] capable of supporting said vehicle, having a top exhaust outlet [ 1180 ] and an internal passageway through which exhaust gasses may flow;   b) an elbow section [ 1190 ] for connecting the exhaust pipe [ 150 ] to said vertical support [ 1100 ] allowing exhaust gasses to flow from the exhaust pipe [ 150 ] through the elbow section [ 1190 ] through the vertical supports [ 1100 ] and out of the exhaust outlet [ 1180 ].       
 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    It is an object of the present invention to provide roll-over protection to the vehicle. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an optimized exhaust system for the vehicle. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide to combine roll-over protection in the exhaust system into a compact unit. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to use a single device for both protecting a vehicle and for exhaust routing purposes. 
         [0027]    It is another object of the present invention to route the exhaust in a safer manner. 
         [0028]    It is another object of the present invention to provide free flowing customized exhaust system for vehicles. 
         [0029]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an exhaust system which also acts as a safety support in the event of a vehicle rollover. 
         [0030]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a roll bar system which routes the exhaust out of the vehicle. 
         [0031]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a system which modifies the exhaust sound to become aesthetically pleasing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the roll bar exhaust system  1000  according to the present invention as it would appear installed on a pickup truck. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the roll bar exhaust system  1000  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as viewed from above. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of another embodiment of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of another embodiment of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  as viewed from above. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the roll bar exhaust system  1000  according to the present invention as it would appear installed on a pickup truck  100 . 
         [0040]    Roll bar system  1000  is shown here attached to a bed  110  of truck  100 . The roll bar system includes two vertical support bars  1100  extending upward to a top side having exhaust outlets  1180 . 
         [0041]    There is also at least one cross bar  1500  secured between at least two vertical supports  1100 . 
         [0042]    At least one diagonal support  1300  attaches to either of the vertical support pipes  1100  to the cross bar  1500 . The diagonal supports  1300  also attach to the bed  110  with attachment plates (not shown here). The diagonal supports  1300  secure the cross bar  1500  and the vertical supports  1100 . 
         [0043]    Cross bar  1500  and/or vertical supports  1100  should extend vertically at least to the top of a cab  130  of truck  100  thereby holding up the truck  100  in the event of a roll over. This protects the cab  130  from being crushed and injuring its occupants. 
         [0044]    Exhaust from an engine of the truck  100  is routed into the lower end of the vertical support pipes  1100 , through an internal exhaust conduit (not shown here) and out of the exhaust outlets  1180  at the top of the vertical pipes  1100 . Thereby, the roll bar exhaust system  1000  performs two functions, a) acting as an exhaust conduit and b) protecting the cab  130  of truck  100  from being crushed in the event of a rollover. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the roll bar exhaust system  1000  of  FIG. 1 . The bed  110  and cab  130  of truck  100  are shown. 
         [0046]    Here it is seen that vertical supports  1100  are comprised of an inner pipe which is an exhaust conduit  1110  and an outer pipe  1105  which is used for mechanical support and protection. 
         [0047]    Since the roll bar exhaust system is connected to the engine exhaust pipe  150 , the systems must be modified to be able to handle the heat. There is a space  1170  between exhaust conduit  1110  and outer pipe  1105  preferably filled in with an insulation material  1120  to reduce the heat transmitted to the outer pipe  1105 . This prevents a user from getting burned if they touch the outer pipe  1105  while loading or unloading the vehicle. 
         [0048]    Insulation material  1120  may also be a sound dampening material. This is used to add an aesthetic sound to the exhaust. 
         [0049]    Diagonal supports  1300  attach to cross bar ( 1500  of  FIG. 1 ) or the vertical supports  1100 . Diagonal supports  1300  also attach to the bed  110  through attachment plates  1130 . Preferably, diagonal support  1300  and vertical supports  1100  are attached to an attachment plate  1130  which is attached to the vehicle&#39;s bed  110 . A vibration dampener  1150  may also be used which dampens the vibrations from the truck engine. 
         [0050]    An engine exhaust  150  connects to an elbow  1010  which is connected to exhaust conduit  1110  which travels up through an opening in bed  110 , through the vertical supports  1100  to the exhaust outlet  1180 . This allows engine exhaust to flow from the engine through the exhaust conduits  1110  of the vertical supports  1100  and out of the exhaust outlet  1180 . In an alternative embodiment, an exhaust tip  1140 , shown in phantom, may be employed. 
         [0051]    This side view may apply to either a single or double engine exhaust pipe  150 . 
         [0052]    Condensation collects in the pipe and causes corrosion. Therefore, the system may optionally include a water release valve  1400  to empty the water in the system, reducing corrosion and increasing the life of the system. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as viewed from above. All parts with the same reference numbers as in the previous figures perform the same function as described above. 
         [0054]    Diagonal supports  1300  are seen attached to truck bed  110  and the cross bar  1500 . 
         [0055]    In this embodiment, truck  100  has a dual exhaust system. Engine exhaust pipes  150  each connect to the elbow (not shown) then to the exhaust conduits of the vertical supports. 
         [0056]    The exhaust then travels through the vertical supports ( 1100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) and out of the exhaust outlets  1180 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of another embodiment of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, it is shown how a single engine exhaust pipe  150  is adapted to be used with the present invention. 
         [0058]    Again, all parts with the same reference numbers as in the previous figures perform the same function as described above. 
         [0059]    Diagonal supports  1300  are seen attached to the cross bar  1500  and to bed  110 . 
         [0060]    The engine exhaust pipe  150  is shown coming in only from the right side. A “Y” connector  1600  attaches to the engine exhaust pipe  150  and splits into a left connection  1610  and a right connection  1630 . The left and right connections  1610 ,  1630  attach to the elbows ( 1010  of  FIG. 2 ). Exhaust gasses are then routed through the exhaust conduits ( 1110  of  FIG. 2 ) and out of exhaust outlets  1180 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of another embodiment of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, it is shown how a single engine exhaust pipe  150  is used with the present invention. 
         [0062]    Again, all parts with the same reference numbers as in the previous figures perform the same function as described above. 
         [0063]    Diagonal supports  1300  are seen attached to the cross bar  1500  and to bed  110 . 
         [0064]    The engine exhaust pipe  150  is shown coming in slightly from the right side. A cross connector  1650  is attached to the engine exhaust pipe  150  at connection point  1670 . Cross connector then connects on each side to exhaust conduits ( 1110  of  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0065]    Exhaust gasses are then routed through the exhaust conduits ( 1110  of  FIG. 2 ) and out of exhaust outlet  1180 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the roll bar exhaust device  1000  similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  as viewed from above. All parts with the same reference numbers as in the previous figures perform the same function as described above. 
         [0067]    Diagonal supports  1300  are seen attached to truck bed  110  and the cross bar  1500 . For added strength, the diagonal supports are angled toward the outside of bed  110 . 
         [0068]    In this embodiment, truck  100  has a dual exhaust system. Engine exhaust pipes  150  each connect to the elbow (not shown) then to the exhaust conduits  1110  of the vertical supports  1100 . 
         [0069]    The exhaust then travels through the vertical supports ( 1100  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) and out of the exhaust outlets  1180 . 
         [0070]    In an alternative embodiment as shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 , there are more than two vertical support pipes, such as quad pipes. Here it can be seen that two additional vertical supports end at additional exhaust outlets  1183 . The additional vertical supports may branch off of the vertical supports above or below the truck bed  110 . These may be made to connect to a single or dual exhaust system of the truck  100 . 
         [0071]    The present invention was described above with respect to a pickup truck; however, it may be used with sport utility vehicles, sedans, vans, minivans, etc., as long as the exhaust outlets  1180  are directed out of the cab  130 . 
         [0072]    Since some of the aesthetic qualities of the system involve the exhaust noise, it is important to modify the engine noise. In an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one resonator baffle  1160  may be inserted into the exhaust conduit  1110 . 
         [0073]    The resonator baffle  1160  may be designed or adjusted to allow more or less exhaust gas passage. These may be used to muffle or alter the sound. 
         [0074]    By adjusting the location of the resonator baffle  1160 , different resonant exhaust sounds may be made. Resonator baffle  1160  may be made on a slider and is allowed to slide up and down the inside of the exhaust conduit  1110 . 
         [0075]    This will accentuate different resonant frequencies and provide different exhaust sounds. 
         [0076]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.