Patent ID: 7665771

Claim:
An exhaust system, comprising: (a) a header collector; (b) an exhaust pipe; and (c) a flexible header joint, said header joint comprising: (i) a cylindrical pipe having a horizontal axis, said pipe shaped to receive said header collector horizontally at a first end thereby forming a seal to prevent leakage of exhaust, and receive said exhaust pipe of an automobile horizontally at a second end; and at least three spring retainers circumferentially positioned on said cylindrical pipe; (ii) a cylindrical clamp positioned near said first end of said cylindrical pipe, and at least three spring retainers circumferentially positioned on said clamp on a common plane perpendicular to said axis, each of said spring retainers on said clamp aligned with one of said spring retainers on said cylindrical pipe; said cylindrical clamp positionable around said header collector, (iii) at least three springs, a first end of each spring secured to one of said spring retainers positioned on said cylindrical pipe and a second end of each spring secured to said spring retainer on said clamp aligned to said spring retainer on said cylindrical pipe; wherein said clamp, during operation of the automobile, maintains said seal during rotation or twisting of said header collector relative to said joint.