GB2579177A

GB2579177A - A cover for an exhaust

Info

Publication number: GB2579177A
Application number: GB1818691.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andre Max
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2018-11-16
Publication date: 2020-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-16
Also published as: GB2579177B; GB201818691D0

Abstract

A cover 100 for an exhaust comprises a plate 10 mounted on a hinge 30 and an attachment means 20 for attaching the cover to an exhaust (i.e. open end of tailpipe) or exhaust trim 500. An outer face 11A of the plate is decorated. An inner face 11B of the plate has at least one fin 12 for directing exhaust fumes. The plate may be shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the opening on the exhaust or exhaust trim. The inner face of the plate may be partially covered with a resiliently deformable material (41, fig 2), such as a gasket. A first sensor (50, fig 6) may be provided on the cover and a second sensor may be mounted remotely from the cover, where the sensors are in communication with each other. The hinge may have a limiter to restrict range of pivot.

Description

A cover for an exhaust

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cover for an exhaust, in particular a decorated, displaceable cover connected by a hinge that displaces to open an exhaust opening to permit exit of exhaust fumes.

Background

It is common for vehicles to be used for advertising purposes as they travel to many locations and can be viewed by large numbers of people. A vehicle may be designed or modified to include text or images on the body work of a vehicle or stickers in a window. However, traditional advertising methods on vehicles are typically having less impact on observers, therefore the benefits of this form of advertising is reduced.

Some forms of advertising such as wrapping a vehicle are costly and if the vehicle is damaged the whole design may need to be replaced.

A cheaper form of advertising is typically a sticker or label for a window, however in order to maintain safe visibility for windows the location of such 25 advertising is limited.

The present invention provides an eye-catching means of advertising which also provides environmental benefits.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cover for an exhaust comprising: a plate mounted on a hinge and an attachment means for attaching the cover to an exhaust or exhaust trim; wherein an outer face of the plate is decorated, and an inner face of the plate includes at least one fin to direct exhaust fumes.

The cover is suitable for use over any exhaust which may include, but is not limited to, an exhaust from a vehicle such as a car, lorry, truck, motorcycle, quadbike, or any other motor exhaust such as that from a generator.

The cover is arranged to cover the exhaust fume exit, with the plate mounted on a hinge, so that the plate can pivot to open and vent exhaust fumes. An external face of the plate is decorated so that a viewer can see the decoration.

In this way the cover serves both to direct exhaust fumes as they exit and to provide a means of advertising.

Advantageously the fins direct exhaust fumes, typically directing them downwards to the ground, thus reducing dispersal in the air and therefore 20 improving air quality in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.

An outer face of the cover can be decorated with branding or information, such as advertising, which is distributed to a wide audience as the vehicle is driven to different locations.

Preferably the cover is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the exhaust opening or exhaust trim. This includes covering the exhaust exit and having suitable attachment means.

In this way the exhaust exit is covered by the cover such that the cover must be displaced to permit exit of exhaust fumes. Typically displacement of the plate is permitted by pressure generated by the running of the engine and generating exhaust fumes which are pumped out by the engine and directed through the exhaust. Part of the cover therefore flaps as the engine is running regularly flapping open to expel exhaust fumes.

It is appreciated that the cover is lightweight so as to easily open and close. 5 The weight of the plate may vary depending on use, so as to be suitable for use on different exhausts.

The flapping movement of the cover further attracts attention to the device, thus enhancing advertising capacity.

Preferably the attachment means comprises an adhesive portion arranged on a base which supports the hinge. Ideally the base is shaped to match the exhaust or exhaust trim to which is will be fitted. The adhesive layer may be provided on the base so that it can be adhered to the exhaust or exhaust trim.

For example the base may by a metal or metal alloy section that has a portion of double sided sticky tape with a protective layer which is removed to enable adhesion.

In some other embodiments the attachment means may comprise at least one 20 bracket, clip or clamp that permits attachment of the cover to the exhaust or exhaust trim.

In yet further embodiments the exhaust or exhaust trim may be adapted to receive the cover. In this way the cover may be fitted at manufacture.

In some embodiments an inner face of the plate is at least partially covered with a resiliently deformable material. In this way the resiliently deformable material provides padding between the plate and the exhaust or exhaust trim. This reduces any knocking sound from the plate. It is appreciated that the resiliently deformable material may be in the form of a gasket provided around an outer edge to the plate, corresponding to the shape of the exhaust or exhaust trim.

In preferred embodiments the outer face of the plate is adapted to receive a decorated plaque. For example the plate may be adapted to receive a plaque, such as having corresponding connection means to permit attachment of the plaque to the plate.

The plaque is decorated and may for example, include a logo and/or advertising of a place, event or occasion.

The plaque may be formed from a strong, durable, lightweight material, such 10 as a synthetic plastic or carbon fibre.

The plaque may be coloured and the plaque may be etched or embossed with detail.

It is appreciated that in embodiments with a plate and a plaque, that the plate and plaque may each be of different shapes, or may be the same shape.

For example the plate may be provided as a standard shape, for example rectangular and adapted to received plaques of different shapes which 20 correspond to the shape and dimensions of different exhaust and exhaust trims.

The plaque may be interchangeable, allowing a user to easily select their chosen decoration, for example to represent a team they support or an occasion, such as Remembrance Day.

In such an embodiment the resiliently deformable material may therefore be provided on the plaque.

The plate and the plaque may be formed from different materials, for example 30 the late may be formed from metal or a metal alloy and the plaque may be form from a synthetic plastic or carbon fibre.

In preferred embodiments the cover includes at least one sensor. The sensor may enable different characteristics to be detected such as the engine emissions, movement or surrounding environment or other parameters to be monitored and related data to be collected and recorded.

Typically a sensor may be provided to measure engine emissions. In this way an easily accessible sensor can be provided for measuring emissions from an engine at the exhaust.

It is appreciated that different sensors or combinations of sensors may be provided for monitoring different information such as emissions, temperature, movement, air quality, light levels, pollen levels.

The at least one sensor may be located on the cover at a location according to 15 what the sensor detects or monitors. Therefore the sensor may be mounted on an inner or outer face of the cover.

In other embodiments a first sensor may be mounted on the cover and a second sensor may mounted remotely from the cover, for example being mounted within the exhaust. In such embodiments the sensors may include, or be associated with, a transmitter and/or receiver to permit communicate between the sensors.

For example the first sensor may detect movement of the plate and when movement is detected this may trigger a signal to be sent to activate the second sensor which records the required data such as emissions or temperature. In this embodiment the second sensor may only be active at under certain conditions, for example when the plate of the cover is moving at the hinge, when the vehicle is moving, when the exhaust is open or when the exhaust is closed.

In this way different data may be collected under each condition. Such configurations enable selective operation of the or each sensor, which may allow specified data to be collected as well as reduce energy usage and therefore duration of use of the sensor.

Data collected by the sensor may be transmitted wirelessly to a controller. The controller may be a computer or electronic device such as a tablet or smartphone so that the data can be analysed and recorded.

Preferably the sensors are suitable for transmitting small packets of data over a network, such as a Low Power Wide Area network (LPWA). In this way data can easily be collected from multiple locations and the data analysed centrally, for example by collecting the data through a network provider.

In some embodiments the sensor may include a memory so that data is stored on the sensor and extracted when requested or at regular intervals, for example syncing once a day, or after very vehicle journey. In this way the sensor may collect and store data over time, rather than have to immediately transmit the data. For example data may be only extracted when a suitable device is arranged within a predetermined range of the sensor.

Preferably the hinge includes a limiter to restrict range of pivot at the hinge. In this way the cover can be restricted to an orientation at which the decoration 20 can always be seen.

Restricting the range of pivot of the cover can also help direct the exhaust fumes downwards.

It is appreciated that the cover may be retrofitted to vehicles or may be fitted at manufacture.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic overview of a first embodiment of the cover: Figure 2 shows a rear view of a second embodiment of the cover; Figure 3 shows a front view of the second embodiment of the cover; Figure 4 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the cover; Figure 5 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the cover; and Figure 6 shows a system including a cover.

Detailed Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an overview of a cover 100 mounted on a tubular exhaust trim 200.

The cover 100 comprises a plate 10, mounted on a spring 30. The spring 30 is 20 connected to an attachment means 20 for attaching the cover to an exhaust or exhaust trim 500.

The plate 10 is circular to match the tubular opening of the exhaust trim 500.

An outer face of the plate 11A is decorated. An inner side of the plate 11 B has fins 12 fitted.

The attachment means 20 comprises a portion of adhesive tape arranged on a base that is adhered to the exhaust trim 500.

Figures 2 to 4 show a second embodiment of the cover 200 which is substantially oval shaped to correspond to an oval shaped exhaust trim of a vehicle (not shown).

The plate 10 is rectangular with a bar 15 that attaches to a hinge 30. The hinge 30 is a torsion spring which permits the plate 10, bar 15 and plaque 40 to flap as single unit as exhaust fumes pass from the engine, displacing the cover 200.

A front face 11A of the plate 10 is adapted to receive an oval shaped plaque 40. The plaque 40 is larger than the plate 10 so it is the plaque that is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to exhaust trim 500.

The plaque 40 has resiliently deformable material 41 arranged on edges of an inner face of the plaque 40 so that when the cover flaps during use the resiliently material contacts the exhaust trim 200.

The outer face of the plaque 40 is decorated. This may be in the form of colour, 15 text, materials, images, etching, embossing or a combination of any of the before mentioned decoration.

The cover 200 is attached to the exhaust trim 500 by an attachment means 20. The attachment means 20 is an adhesive pad provided on a base. The adhesive pad sticks the attachment means 20 to the exhaust trim. The attachment means are positioned such that the plate 10 lies over the exhaust exit and can be displaced whilst the engine is running.

The plate 10 has a pair of fins 12 provided on an inner face 11B of the plate 10. 25 The fins 12 are triangular sections that project from the plate 10.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the cover 300 from a top view. The hinge 30 is comprised of an elongate member 31 passing through a pair of collars 32. The collars are formed as part of the plate, providing openings through which 30 the elongate member 31 can pass.

The elongate member 31 has bulbous ends so as to prevent the elongate member working free from the collars 32. In some embodiments the bulbous end may be form by a return formed on an end of the elongate member.

The hinge 30 is associated with a spring 33 which aids with closing the cover against the exhaust or exhaust trim after it has open to vent exhaust fumes. In this way the cover is bias to a closed position.

The spring 33 is a torsion spring arranged about the elongate member 31 which ends of the torsion spring extends to the plate 10 and the attachment means 20. In this way the ends of the torsion spring 33 are levered against two surfaces (the exhaust/exhaust trim 500 to which the attachment means 20 are connected and the plate 10) as the plate 10 flaps.

Figure 6 shows a system including a cover. The cover 100 is fitted to a car exhaust. The cover 100 has a sensor 50. The sensor 50 transmits a signal to an LPWA network aerial 60. The received data to transmitted to a central controller 70. The central controller 70 receives and analyses the data and then transmits the data to a smartphone 80 for a user to view.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover for an exhaust comprises: a plate mounted on a hinge and an attachment means for attaching the cover to an exhaust or exhaust trim; wherein an outer face of the plate is decorated, and an inner face of the plate includes at least one fin for directing exhaust fumes.
2. A cover according to claim 1 wherein the plate is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to the opening of the exhaust or exhaust trim.
3. A cover according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive portion arranged on a base which supports the hinge.
4. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein an inner face of the plate is at least partially covered with a resiliently deformable material.
5. A cover according to claim 4 wherein the resiliently deformable material includes a gasket.
6. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein an outer face of the plate is adapted to receive a decorated plaque.
7. A cover according to claim 5 wherein the plaque and plate have corresponding connection means to permit attachment of the plaque to the plate.
8. A cover according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the plaque is shaped and dimensioned correspond to the opening of the exhaust or exhaust trim.
9. A cover according to any preceding claim including at least one sensor to detect a characteristic associated with engine emissions or surrounding environment and to provide a data signal indicative of the characteristic.
10. A cover according to claim 9 including a memory for storing the data from the at least one sensor.
11.A cover according to claim 9 or 10 wherein a first sensor is provided on the cover and a second sensor is mounted remotely from the cover, the first and second sensors are in communication one with another.
12.A cover according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge includes a limiter to restrict range of pivot at the hinge.