Patent ID: 7686131

Claim:
An exhaust tip assembly for ducting engine exhaust from a muffler through an opening in a plastic rear bumper fascia, comprising: an exhaust pipe defining a cross-sectional flow area for the exhaust flow and having an inlet end attached to the muffler and an outlet end; said pipe having a flexible coupling portion hydroformed therein intermediate the inlet end and the outlet end; a heat shield having a cross-sectional flow area greater than the pipe, and having an inlet end attached to the outlet end of the pipe also having an outlet end, said heat shield including upper and lower stamped shells having flanges welded together, and an adapter plate attached to upper and lower shells and to the outlet end of the pipe, said adapter plate having air flow openings therein to admit ambient air into the heat shield sufficient that the velocity of the exhaust flow is not unduly diminished as the exhaust gas enters the cross-sectional flow area of the heat shield; a decorative bezel attached to the heat shield at the outlet end of the heat shield; a mounting bracket provided on the upper shell; fasteners fastening the mounting bracket and the flanges of the upper and lower shells to the fascia with the bezel located in the center of the opening in the rear bumper fascia; and said outlet end of the pipe being welded to the adapter plate at a precise angle that will direct the exhaust gas in a precise direction that best aligns with the opening of the bezel and directs the exhaust gas to flow through the heat shield with a minimum of impingement on the heat shield whereby upon motion of the muffler relative to the vehicle the flexible coupling portion of the exhaust pipe yields to permit the outlet end of the pipe to remain at the precise angle at which it was welded to the adapter plate as the bezel remains at its location within the opening in the fascia.