Exhaust system protection assembly

Abstract

An exhaust system protection assembly is provided. The exhaust system protection assembly includes a first locking collar assembly positioned adjacent to an end of one or more valuable exhaust components. The first locking collar assembly has an opening configured to encircle a portion of a vehicle exhaust system. A second locking collar assembly is positioned adjacent to an opposing end of the one or more valuable exhaust components. The second locking collar assembly has an opening configured to encircle another portion of a vehicle exhaust system. A securing member is configured to engage the first and second locking collars in a looping pattern in a manner such as to encase the one or more valuable components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exhaust system protection assembly comprising:
 a first locking collar assembly positioned adjacent to an end of one or more valuable exhaust components, the first locking collar assembly having an opening configured to encircle a portion of a vehicle exhaust system;   a second locking collar assembly positioned adjacent to an opposing end of the one or more valuable exhaust components, the second locking collar assembly having an opening configured to encircle another portion of a vehicle exhaust system; and   a securing member configured to engage the first and second locking collars in a looping pattern in a manner such as to encase the one or more valuable components.   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking collar assembly has a first half collar assembly connected to a second half collar assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first locking collar assembly includes a plurality of nubs configured to guide a first half collar, the first half collar configured to engage a portion of the vehicle exhaust system. 
     
     
         4 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first half collar is retained in place by a plurality of assembly pins. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second locking collar assembly has a first half collar assembly connected to a second half collar assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second locking collar assembly includes a plurality of nubs configured to guide a second half collar, the second half collar configured to engage a portion of the vehicle exhaust system. 
     
     
         7 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second half collar is retained in place by a plurality of assembly pins. 
     
     
         8 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking collar assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the securing member extends through the plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures in the first locking collar assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system protection assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second locking collar assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing an exhaust system protection assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 encircling a portion of a vehicle exhaust system with an opening of a first locking collar assembly positioned adjacent to an end of one or more valuable exhaust components;   encircling another portion of a vehicle exhaust system with an opening of a second locking collar assembly positioned adjacent to an opposing end of one or more valuable exhaust components; and   engaging the first and second locking collars with a securing member in a looping pattern in a manner such as to encase the one or more valuable components.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of forming the first locking collar assembly with a first half collar assembly connected to a second half collar assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of guiding a first half collar within the first half collar assembly with a plurality of nubs, the first half collar configured to engage a portion of the vehicle exhaust system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of retaining the first half collar in place with a plurality of assembly pins. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of forming the second locking collar assembly with a second half collar assembly connected to a second half collar assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , including the step of guiding a second half collar within the second half collar assembly with a plurality of nubs, the second half collar configured to engage a portion of the vehicle exhaust system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of retaining the second half collar in place with a plurality of assembly pins. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first locking collar assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second locking collar assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the securing member extends through the plurality of spaced apart securing member apertures in the first and second locking collar assemblies.