Patent ID: 8052175

Claim:
An exhaust pipe structure comprising: a plurality of separate exhaust pipes connected in series as an exhaust pipe connected to an internal combustion engine, the plurality of separate exhaust pipes including paired separate exhaust pipes; a universal joint for connecting the paired separate exhaust pipes so that the paired separate exhaust pipes are configured to move with respect to one another at the universal joint, two support members that support a first exhaust pipe of the paired exhaust pipes respectively at two support portions; and two support members that support a second exhaust pipe of the paired exhaust pipes respectively at two support portions, wherein: the paired separate exhaust pipes are configured so that the paired separate exhaust pipes are supported in a vehicle provided horizontally in a manner such that a vertical load is applied from the first exhaust pipe, by a moment that turns the first exhaust pipe about an axis connecting the two support members of the first exhaust pipe due to a weight of the first exhaust pipe, to the universal joint, and a vertical load is applied from the second exhaust pipe, by a moment that turns the second exhaust pipe about an axis connecting the two support members of the second exhaust pipe due to a weight of the second exhaust pipe, to the universal joint, the vertical load of the first exhaust pipe and the vertical load of the second exhaust pipe being approximately the same magnitude and acting in opposite directions to each other so that the vertical load of the first exhaust pipe and the vertical load of the second exhaust pipe combine to be substantially zero; wherein a center of gravity of the first exhaust pipe is located at one side of the axis, connecting the two support members of the first exhaust pipe, that is proximal to the universal joint, and a center of gravity of the second exhaust pipe is located at one side of the axis, connecting the two support members of the second exhaust pipe, that is distal to the universal joint.