Muffler silencer

Abstract

A silencer for a muffler canister is designed to be insertable in the canister in order to reduce exhaust noise levels while providing rattle-and vibration-free operation. The device includes a series of flexible prongs mounted on the outer surface of the silencer that enable the silencer to securely fit within the canister.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A silencer for a muffler canister, comprising: 
 an elongate body with an outer end and an inner end; and    a plurality of flexible prongs extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the body;    wherein the diameter circumscribed by the flexible prongs in their free state is relatively larger than the inner diameter of the muffler canister so as to create a secure fit between the silencer and the canister.    
     
     
         2 . The silencer of  claim 1 , wherein the inner end of the elongate body and the outer end are sized to fit within an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice of the muffler canister, respectively.  
     
     
         3 . The silencer of  claim 2 , wherein the outer end is welded to the outlet orifice.  
     
     
         4 . The silencer of  claim 2 , wherein the outer end is bolted to the outlet orifice.  
     
     
         5 . The silencer of  claim 3 , wherein the silencer comprises three flexible prongs.  
     
     
         6 . The silencer of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible prongs are coupled to the elongate body by a weld connection.  
     
     
         7 . The silencer of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible prongs are formed integral with the elongate body.  
     
     
         8 . The silencer of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible prongs have an undulating shape.  
     
     
         9 . The silencer of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible prongs have inner and outer ends, the inner ends coupled to the elongate body.  
     
     
         10 . The silencer of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible prongs have a length of less than half the length of the elongate body.  
     
     
         11 . The silencer of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible prongs have a spring-like flexibility to help minimize rattling of the silencer within the canister.  
     
     
         12 . The silencer of  claim 11 , wherein the inner end of the elongate body has a first diameter and the outer end has a relatively larger second diameter.  
     
     
         13 . The silencer of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate body is formed from a metal.  
     
     
         14 . The silencer of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible prongs are formed from a metal.  
     
     
         15 . The silencer of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate body includes an inner section, a center section and an outer section, wherein the inner section is substantially cylindrical, the center section is substantially conical and the outer section is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         16 . A silencer for a muffler canister, comprising: 
 an elongate body configured to be insertable in a canister, the body comprising a inner end with a first diameter and a outer end with a second, relatively larger diameter, wherein the outer end is welded to the canister; and    three bendable prongs circumscribing a first diameter and welded to the outer surface of the silencer and in contact with an inner surface of the canister having relatively smaller second diameter to minimize vibration and rattling of the silencer within the canister.    
     
     
         17 . A silencer for a muffler canister, comprising: 
 an elongate body; and    a means for securing the elongate body within a canister.    
     
     
         18 . The silencer of  claim 14 , wherein each flexible prong includes an intermediate planar surface which contacts the inner surface of the muffler canister.  
     
     
         19 . the silencer of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible prongs are coupled to the elongate body by a flexible connection.  
     
     
         20 . The silencer of  claim 15 , wherein the inner section is press-fit to the center section.