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 a spring disposed therein, and attaching one end of the tubing to the outlet of the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and directing the other end of the tubing toward the ground surface, by forming an approximate ninety degree bend, such that the 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.

1 . A sound attenuating device for use with a muffler, said device comprising: 
 a) at least one elongated tube comprising a first end, a second end, and at least one angle formed therebetween, and    b) means for attaching said first end to the muffler, wherein said second end of said at least one elongated tube is proximate and open to a travel surface, and wherein said second end of said at least one elongated tube proximate the travel surface is adapted to attenuate exhaust sound from the muffler via interaction with the travel surface.    
   
   
       2 . 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, ceramic, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated tube formed from a combination of high temperature flex pipe and high temperature silicone hose.  
   
   
       4 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 2 , wherein said selected material is silicone rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 2 , 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 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 tube is bent downward in the direction of the travel surface at an angle approximately between thirty and ninety degrees from the direction of travel.  
   
   
       11 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 10 , wherein said second end is cut parallel to the surface of travel, and wherein said second end is oval-shaped.  
   
   
       12 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated tube comprises a spring disposed internally to said at least one elongated tube, wherein said spring maintains flexibility of said second end of said at least one elongated tube, and wherein said spring maintains said second end selectively positioned proximate to the travel surface.  
   
   
       13 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 12 , wherein said spring is selected from the group consisting of spring rods, coil springs, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The sound attenuating device of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust sound is attenuated by approximately fifty percent.  
   
   
       15 . A method for muffling the sound from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) taking a length of tubing, having a first end and a second end, wherein said second end is oval-shaped;    b) providing attachment means for connecting said first end of said tubing to an exhaust outlet of the internal combustion engine;    c) connecting said first end of said tubing to the exhaust outlet of the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine using said attachment means;    d) adapting said second end of said tubing to attenuate engine sound via interaction with a travel surface; and    e) directing said tubing in a direction toward 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.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 maintaining said length of tubing in a selected shape via a spring disposed therewithin.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 operating the all terrain vehicle over a roughly textured travel surface.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 operating the all terrain vehicle over a grass travel surface.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 operating the all terrain vehicle over a dirt travel surface.    
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for muffling the engine sound from the exhaust of an all terrain vehicle, said apparatus comprising a flexible tube comprising a bend, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to an outlet of the exhaust, and wherein said flexible tube is of sufficient length such that said second end of the tube is proximate to and directed at a travel surface, and wherein said second end is adapted to attenuate the engine sound from the exhaust via interaction with the travel surface.