Abstract: A sound attenuating muffler useful with an internal combustion engine, preferably for marine applications, contains an insert comprising an arrangement of annular sound reflecting surfaces defining an inner chamber into which engine exhaust gases flow in a first direction and one or more directors to divert the axial flow of gases and sound waves in a second direction past these sound reflecting surfaces. As the sound waves are reflected off of these surfaces back into the muffler interior, attenuation of the sound is achieved. One or more additional inserts may be placed downstream from the first insert for additional sound attenuation. Each of the inserts may be in the form of discrete sound reflector rings or as a continuous helix. A method of assembling the component parts of the insert is also described.

Abstract: A sound attenuating muffler useful with an internal combustion engine, preferably for marine applications, contains an insert comprising an arrangement of annular sound reflecting surfaces defining an inner chamber into which engine exhaust gases flow in a first direction and one or more directors to divert the axial flow of gases and sound waves in a second direction past these sound reflecting surfaces. As the sound waves are reflected off of these surfaces back into the muffler interior, attenuation of the sound is achieved. The gases exit the muffler to the atmosphere through an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber. A method of assembling the component parts of the insert is also described.

Abstract: A decorative bar arrangement for attachment to the bed of a pick-up truck or like vehicle to resemble a professionally installed roll bar is disclosed. The decorative bar arrangement includes an upright U-shaped tubular assembly having a bight portion with vertically extending leg portions depending therefrom and a kicker U-shaped tubular assembly having a bight portion with angled leg portions depending therefrom. A hinge-fastening clamp is provided for positively securing, in a pinned manner and without deformation, the bight portions of the upright and kicker assemblies while permitting, prior to fastening, rotation of the leg portions of the kicker assembly into their desired positions. Additionally, a locking, universal swivel end clamp is provided for securing the kicker leg portions to the pick-up truck bed, and a telescoping clamp permits portions of the U-shaped tubular assembly to be dimensionally adjustable.

Abstract: There is provided a remotely constructible, three dimensional space frame for a motor vehicle which comprises a plurality of elongated, metal structural members with outer surfaces and having axially uniform cross sections and a plurality of thin walled, interconnecting metal castings of at least first and second types. These metal castings each have (a) a saddle portion with a contour matching a portion of the cross section for one of the structural members and are laterally engageable with that one structure for axial movement of the casting along the structure and (b) a receptacle with an elongated tubular portion having a cross section matching the cross section of another structural member and intersecting with the saddle portion of the casting at a given angle so that the thin walled metal casting can be moved axially along one of the structural members and will receive a second structural member by movement of that second member into the casting.

Abstract: There is provided a remotely constructible, three dimensional space frame for a motor vehicle which comprises a plurality of elongated, metal structural members with outer surfaces and having axially uniform cross sections and a plurality of thin walled, interconnecting metal castings of at least first and second types. These metal castings each have (a) a saddle portion with a contour matching a portion of the cross section for one of the structural members and are laterally engageable with that one structure for axial movement of the casting along the structure and (b) a receptacle with an elongated tubular portion having a cross section matching the cross section of another structural member and intersecting with the saddle portion of the casting at a given angle so that the thin walled metal casting can be moved axially along one of the structural members and will receive a second structural member by movement of that second member into the casting.

Abstract: A central nut wheel mounting for securing a motor vehicle wheel with a central nut to an axle supported adapter includes a spring biased slidable pawl carried interior of the central nut that is normally locked between circumferential ratchet teeth on the adapter by a locking bolt which is actuated exterior of the nut to unlock the pawl and permit rotation of the central nut for mounting and removal of the wheel, preferably by a wrench which is adapted to torque the nut while concurrently releasing the locking bolt. The wheel is directly drivingly connected to the axle by the drive lug nuts which clamp the adapter to the axle.