Patents by Inventor James E. Gerber
James E. Gerber has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6341664Abstract: A muffler including an internal assembly formed of a pair of identical stampings. The internal assembly includes three tubes extending longitudinally between baffles. The internal assembly received within the muffler outer shell forms central upper and lower attenuation chambers as well as chambers at each proximal end of the muffler. The stampings are provided with impressions for forming weep holes and allowing acidic condensation to exit the central chambers. The stampings are located in mirror image relation with one another and are attached to one another by a rivet pattern and using the metal of the stampings. The rivets readily allow acidic condensate to flow between the upper and lower central chambers. Louver-shaped openings are provided on the stampings providing communication between the formed tubes and the upper and lower central chambers and thereby providing attenuation.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Goerlich's Inc.Inventor: James E. Gerber
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Patent number: 5907904Abstract: A muffler includes a pair of internal plates that are formed to define an array of channels and at least one chamber. The internal plates are connected in face-to-face relationship such that the channels define tubes that communicate with the chamber. At least one short section of conventional tube may be disposed between the plates to achieve a selected exhaust gas flow pattern. The connected internal plates is slid longitudinally into a tubular outer shell and end caps are secured to opposed ends to substantially enclose the muffler. The internal plates can be remanufactured prior to insertion into the tubular outer shell, and can be slid into tubular external shells of different lengths for significantly altering the acoustical tuning of the muffler.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: AP Parts Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James E. Gerber, Jon W. Harwood, Bruno A. Rosa
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Patent number: 5816361Abstract: A muffler includes a pair of internal plates that are formed to define an array of channels and at least one chamber. The internal plates are connected in face-to-face relationship such that the channels define tubes that communicate with the chamber. At least one short section of conventional tube may be disposed between the plates to achieve a selected exhaust gas flow pattern. The connected internal plates is slid longitudinally into a tubular outer shell and end caps are secured to opposed ends to substantially enclose the muffler. The internal plates can be remanufactured prior to insertion into the tubular outer shell, and can be slid into tubular external shells of different lengths for significantly altering the acoustical tuning of the muffler.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: AP Parts Manufacturing CompanyInventor: James E. Gerber
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Patent number: 5717173Abstract: A muffler includes a pair of internal plates that are formed to define an array of channels and at least one chamber. The internal plates are connected in face-to-face relationship such that the channels define tubes that communicate with the chamber. At least one short section of conventional tube may be disposed between the plates to achieve a selected exhaust gas flow pattern. The connected internal plates is slid longitudinally into a tubular outer shell and end caps are secured to opposed ends to substantially enclose the muffler. The internal plates can be remanufactured prior to insertion into the tubular outer shell, and can be slid into tubular external shells of different lengths for significantly altering the acoustical tuning of the muffler.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: AP Parts Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James E. Gerber, Jon W. Harwood, Bruno A. Rosa
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Patent number: 4545605Abstract: A technique for securing a tube to a flange includes the steps of inserting the end of the tube into an aperture provided on the flange from the first side of the flange such that a portion of the tube extends at least to, and preferably beyond the second side of the flange opposite the first side. A ceramic plug is optionally inserted into the end of the tube to prevent weld spatter and tube burn-through. The tube is then welded to the flange about the circumference of the tube from the second side of the flange, and that portion of the tube which extends beyond the second side of the flange is removed by grinding to produce the finished product.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1984Date of Patent: October 8, 1985Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: James E. Gerber, Robert J. Kovacs, Willy Herrmann
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Patent number: 4516659Abstract: A replacement muffler which can replace original equipment mufflers with substantially no modifications thereto, and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The replacement muffler is provided with a muffler body which only approximates the body of the original equipment muffler and a pair of replacement muffler nipples secured to the muffler body, having diameters substantially equal to the corresponding nipple diameters of the original equipment muffler and having lengths adapted to produce a nipple-to-nipple length substantially equal to the corresponding length of the original equipment muffler. The replacement muffler may be produced with a six to seven fold increase in production line efficiency by customizing only the nipple portions of the replacement muffler.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1984Date of Patent: May 14, 1985Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: James R. Hall, Donald P. Harter, Michael W. Clegg, James E. Gerber
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Patent number: 4500030Abstract: A technique for securing a tube to a flange includes the steps of inserting the end of the tube into an aperture provided on the flange from the first side of the flange such that a portion of the tube extends at least to, and preferably beyond the second side of the flange opposite the first side. A ceramic plug is optionally inserted into the end of the tube to prevent weld spatter and tube burn-through. The tube is then welded to the flange about the circumference of the tube from the second side of the flange, and that portion of the tube which extends beyond the second side of the flange is removed by grinding to produce the finished product.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1982Date of Patent: February 19, 1985Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: James E. Gerber, Robert J. Kovacs, Willy Herrmann
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Patent number: 4486932Abstract: A replacement muffler which can replace original equipment mufflers with substantially no modifications thereto, and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The replacement muffler is provided with a muffler body which only approximates the body of the original equipment muffler and a pair of replacement muffler nipples secured to the muffler body, having diameters substantially equal to the corresponding nipple diameters of the original equipment muffler and having lengths adapted to produce a nipple-to-nipple length substantially equal to the corresponding length of the original equipment muffler. The replacement muffler may be produced with a six to seven fold increase in production line efficiency by customizing only the nipple portions of the replacement muffler.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1982Date of Patent: December 11, 1984Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: James R. Hall, Donald P. Harter, Michael W. Clegg, James E. Gerber
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Patent number: 4475623Abstract: Various universal muffler assemblies are disclosed which allow one or more muffler nipples to be secured to a selected muffler body at the time of installation.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1982Date of Patent: October 9, 1984Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: James E. Gerber, Jon W. Harwood, Clinton R. Hay
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Patent number: 4473131Abstract: A technique for threadedly securing muffler nipples to a muffler body is disclosed. The muffler nipples are provided with a threaded portion which is adapted to be inserted into a bushing attached to the muffler body, threadedly secured thereto, and tightened with a predetermined torque designed to prevent the nipples from unthreading or loosening within the muffler body.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1982Date of Patent: September 25, 1984Assignee: APX Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Clegg, James E. Gerber, Jon W. Harwood, Clinton R. Hay