Muffling device and method for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A device and method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine is described, wherein the device is a tube made of a suitable material such as rubber and is attached to the exhaust outlet of the vehicle. Further described is a method of muffling the sound of an internal combustion engine that is comprised of taking a length of tubing, having two ends and attaching one end of said tubing to the outlet of the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and directing the other end of said tubing toward the ground surface, by forming an approximate ninety degree bend, such that this second end of the tubing is in close proximity with the ground surface, with the result that the sound level of the exhaust from the engine is substantially reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sound attenuating device for use with a muffler, comprising 
 a) at least one elongated tube having at least one angle formed therein, and    b) means for attaching said at least one elongated tube to the muffler of a vehicle, wherein at least one end of said at least one elongated tube is proximate and open to the travel surface.    
     
     
         2 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated tube is of sufficient rigidity to hold its shape and maintain its position and wherein said at least one elongated tube is of sufficient flexibility and resiliency to move when struck by objects.  
     
     
         3 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated tube is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, rubber, silicone rubber, and ceramic.  
     
     
         4 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 3 , wherein said selected material is silicone rubber.  
     
     
         5 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 3 , wherein said selected material is reinforced with fabric.  
     
     
         6 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 5 , wherein said fabric is comprised substantially of natural fiber.  
     
     
         7 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 5 , wherein said fabric is comprised substantially of synthetic fiber.  
     
     
         8 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated tube has a first end, a body and a second end, and wherein said at least one elongated tube has a substantially consistent diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 8 , wherein said first end of said at least one elongated tube is dimensioned to enable adaptation to the exhaust outlet of a vehicle.  
     
     
         10 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 8 , wherein said second end of said at least one elongated tube defines a substantially conical shaped exhaust port.  
     
     
         11 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 8 , wherein said second end of said at least one elongated tube defines a substantially pyramidal shaped exhaust port.  
     
     
         12 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 8 , wherein said body is bent downward in the direction of the travel surface at an angle approximately between thirty and ninety degrees from the direction of travel.  
     
     
         13 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 12 , wherein said second end is cut parallel to the surface of travel.  
     
     
         14 . A method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising the steps of 
 a) taking a length of tubing, having two ends, a first end and a second end;    b) providing attachment means for connecting said first end of said tubing to the exhaust outlet of the internal combustion engine;    c) connecting said first end of said tubing to the outlet of the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine using said attachment means; and    d) directing said tubing through a bend in the direction of the travel surface, such that said second end of said tubing is in proximity with the travel surface, whereby when the vehicle is set into motion and driven over the travel surface, the sound level of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is substantially reduced.    
     
     
         15 . The method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein said second end is positioned approximately less than one inch above the travel surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of operating the all terrain vehicle over a roughly textured travel surface.  
     
     
         17 . The method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein said roughly textured travel surface is grass.  
     
     
         18 . The method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein said roughly textured travel surface is dirt.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for muffling the sound of the exhaust of an all terrain vehicle comprising a flexible tube having one end attached to the exhaust outlet, wherein said flexible tube includes therein a bend, and wherein said flexible tube is of sufficient length such that the open end of the tube is proximate to and directed at the travel surface.