Abstract: A radiator cap for a vehicle cooling system of a basically closed type includes a first valve which is open when the interior of the radiator is at atmospheric pressure, and remains open until fluid flow out of the radiator closes it. A second, or overpressure, valve in the radiator cap functions to vent the radiator only if potentially damaging excessive pressure exists within the radiator. The normal operating pressure range of the radiator is between the closing pressure of the first valve and the opening pressure of the second valve. When a low vacuum exists within the radiator, the first valve opens, permitting a metered flow of liquid coolant from a coolant recovery bottle back into the cooling system radiator. When a high vacuum is present within the radiator, the first valve opens further to permit higher flow rates of coolant back into the radiator.

Abstract: A break-away gas cap includes an inner member having a central portion adapted to close and seal an opening in gasoline tanks, such as the gasoline fill neck of an automobile, and an outer shell that engages and is carried by the inner member and provides a hand-engaging surface to be used to insert and remove the gas cap. The inner member includes weakened portions between its closure portion and the portions carrying the outer shell to enhance breakage of the outer shell from the inner member in the event of impact, such as an automobile accident, without affecting the closure and seal of the gasoline tank.

Abstract: A pressure-vacuum cap for a chamber such as an automobile gas tank having a normally upwardly extending filler neck formed with a peripherally and radially extending, upwardly facing sealing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis of the neck, the cap comprising a cover, a concentric housing extending downwardly from the cover into the filler neck and a gasket or gaskets providing a seal between the housing and the sealing surface, the housing providing a valve body having a centrally disposed, concentric passageway extending axially therethrough and in communication with the chamber. A pressure-vacuum valve assembly is disposed in that passageway for normalizing the pressure in the chamber, venting the chamber to atmosphere when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined superatmospheric level and when the pressure in the chamber drops below a predetermined subatmospheric level. The cap also provides, in addition to the pressure-vacuum valve assembly, a roll-over valve assembly.

Abstract: A cap for closing an upwardly facing, neckless opening in a vehicle radiator comprises a shell defining a chamber within the cap. The shell includes an outer end disposed without the radiator when the cap is closing the opening and an inner end disposed within the radiator when the cap is closing the opening. A first venting passageway in the outer end of the shell connects the chamber to atmosphere, and a second venting passageway in the inner end of the shell connects the chamber to the radiator interior. An outwardly facing valve seat is disposed within the chamber and a pressure-vacuum valve is urged against the seat by a spring, the valve and spring being housed within the chamber. The seat is provided by an integral annular portion of the shell which extends peripherally and radially inwardly from an interior wall of the shell. A plurality of ears for engaging the radiator opening are disposed about the outer periphery of the shell and project radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A cap for a radiator filler neck of the type having a peripherally extending upper lip and, downwardly from the lip, a radially inwardly and peripherally extending, upwardly facing pressure valve seat concentric with the axes defined by the neck and the cap. The cap comprises an outer shell for engaging and closing the filler neck, a molded plastic retainer connected to the outer shell, and a molded plastic pressure valve member for engaging the valve seat. The retainer has a peripherally and radially outwardly extending flange and a downwardly extending shank, a sealing ring is carried by the flange for engaging and sealing against the upper lip, and the valve member is provided with an upwardly extending shank. The shanks have interlocking portions for connecting the valve member to the retainer and a spring is disposed about the shanks for yieldably urging the valve member against the valve seat as well as to maintain the interlocking portions in engagement.

Abstract: A locking gas cap for a threaded filler neck having a sealing lip extending peripherally about its axis, the cap comprising a closure member threaded to engage and close the filler neck, a gasket on the closure member for engaging and sealing against the lip, an outer shell providing a hand grip secured to the closure member for rotation thereon, a key-operated lock and at least one lock-actuable bolt connected to the shell for rotation therewith. A race is disposed for rotation in the shell, and a driving connection is provided between the race and the closure member which is torque limited in the direction which advances the closure member on the filler neck and positive in the cap removal direction. A spring is provided for yieldably urging the bolt into engagement with the race. The spring cooperates with a plurality of engaging pockets in the race to provide a positive driving connection between the shell and race in the direction which advances the closure onto the filler neck.

Abstract: Resilient O-ring seals for caps for closing vehicle fuel tank filler necks, the fuel caps having shank portions extending into the necks. The radial width of the annular space between the inner wall of such a neck and the outer wall of the shank is less than the radial dimension of the O-ring. Each O-ring includes an annular, radially outwardly facing groove defined by an axially inner lip, an axially outer lip, and a connecting web portion. As the shank with the O-ring thereon moves axially into the neck, the axially inner surface of the inner lip contacts the neck and is urged axially outwardly in a wiping action causing bending of the O-ring such that its radially inner surface is resiliently urged radially and compressively to seal the annular space. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the outer lip contacts the neck as the shank and O-ring are projected further into the neck. The outer lip of the O-ring thereby axially compressively seals the space.

Abstract: A molded plastic fuel tank filler neck cap includes a closure portion having an axially inner end for engaging and closing the filler neck, and an axially outer end. The cap further includes a shell providing a hand-grip cover, the shell and the closure axially outer end being rotatably fastened together by a retainer ring. The shell includes a depending radially outer annular skirt having a radially extending flange adjacent its axially inner edge. The flange provides a peripheral, axially outwardly facing surface. The ring includes a radially outer, axially extending portion which provides an axially inwardly facing surface for engaging the axially outwardly facing surface of the flange. The axially inwardly facing surface extends interruptedly peripherally about the ring to provide engaging segments and clearance segments. The ring includes a plurality of radially and peripherally extending slots which are axially spaced from the interrupted axially inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A low-profile locking cap for a threaded filler neck includes a closure member for engaging and closing the neck, a shell providing a hand grip and including a key-actuable lock, and a race disposed for rotation between the shell and closure. The race includes axially inwardly opening pockets, and the closure includes flexible pawl fingers for engaging the pockets to provide a driving connection between the closure and race which is positive in the cap removal direction and torque-limited in the cap advancing direction. The race also includes a set of peripherally spaced, radially inwardly projecting teeth, and the shell is molded to provide a pair of flexible drive fingers for engaging the peripherally spaced and radially inwardly projecting teeth to provide a driving connection between the shell and race which is positive in the cap advancing direction and torque-limited in the cap removal direction for free ratcheting of the cap when it is in position on the filler neck and locked.

Abstract: A resilient O-ring seal for an annular space between a first radially inner surface and a second radially outer surface. The radial width of the annular space is less than the radial dimension of the O-ring. The O-ring includes an annular, radially outwardly facing groove defined by an axially inner lip, an axially outer lip, and a connecting web portion. The inner and outer lips both include axially inner and outer surfaces. The web portion includes a radially inwardly facing surface and a radially outwardly facing surface. As the O-ring is projected axially into the annular space, the axially inner surface of the inner lip contacts the second surface and is urged axially outwardly in a wiping action. The axially outward wiping movement of the inner lip causes a twisting or rolling of the ring such that the web radially inner surface is urged radially outwardly at its axially inner extent and is urged radially inwardly at its axially outer extent against the first surface.

Abstract: In a vented cap for closing the filler neck of a liquid containing tank, the cap including a valve housing providing a venting passageway extending therethrough, the improvement comprising a roll-over valve member for closing the passageway when the filler neck is tilted. The valve housing provides a valve seat in the passageway facing inwardly and against which the valve member moves. The housing also provides a tubular portion extending inwardly from the valve seat, the valve member being moveable in that portion between a position in closing engagement with the seat and a position away from the seat. The tubular portion is provided with at least one vent port located between the positions of the valve member, the port being of a size sufficient readily to pass vapor therethrough and insufficient readily to pass liquid therethrough. When liquid enters the port from the tank, a pressure differential is created to drive the valve member into its closing position.

Abstract: A locking, threaded gas cap for vehicle fuel tanks having threaded filler necks, the cap comprising a closure member threaded to engage and close the filler neck and an outer shell member mounted on the closure member for relative rotation to provide a hand grip. The closure member provides a plurality of abutments spaced peripherally about its axis while the shell member provides at least one yieldably movable drive finger extending radially outwardly into engagement with the abutments. The shell member provides a first stop for preventing movement of the drive finger out of engagement with the abutments when the shell member is rotated in one direction to thread the closure member onto the filler neck. The shell member provides a second stop having an operative position for preventing movement of the drive finger out of engagement with the abutments when the shell member is rotated in the opposite direction to remove the closure member.

Abstract: A cap for closing the filler neck of a vehicle fuel tank, the cap comprising a valve housing, a pressure-vacuum valve assembly disposed in the housing to vent the tank when the pressure in the filler neck drops below a predetermined subatmospheric level and when the pressure in the filler neck exceeds a first predetermined superatmospheric level, a roll-over valve for closing the pressure-vacuum valve assembly when the filler neck is tilted, and an excessive pressure valve for bypassing the pressure-vacuum valve when the pressure in the filler neck exceeds a second and greater predetermined superatmospheric level.

Abstract: A locking gas cap for a threaded filler neck having a sealing lip extending peripherally about its axis, the cap comprising a closure member threaded to engage and close the filler neck, a gasket on the closure member for engaging and sealing against the lip, an outer shell providing a hand grip secured to the closure member for rotation thereon, a key-operated lock and at least one locking member movable by the lock connected to the shell for rotation therewith. A race is disposed for rotation in the shell, and a driving connection is provided between the race and the closure member which is torque limited in the direction which advances the closure member on the filler neck and positive in the opposite direction, the locking member being movable into and out of engagement with the race selectively to provide a driving connection between the shell and the race.

Abstract: A pressure-vacuum valved cap for a vehicle fuel tank having an upwardly extending filler neck formed with a peripherally extending, upwardly facing sealing lip or sealing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis of the neck, the cap comprising a cover, a valve body providing a centrally disposed passageway extending axially therethrough concentric with and in communication with the filler neck, the valve body being connected to the cover to extend downwardly into the filler neck, a seal provided between the valve body and the lip of the filler neck, and a pressure-vacuum valve assembly disposed in the passageway to normalize the pressure in the fuel tank. The improvement comprises a rubber-like insert having a concentric opening extending axially therethrough, an upper portion and a lower portion. The insert is held against the valve body so that the insert upper portion engages and seals against the valve body about the vent opening which is in communication with the passageway.

Abstract: A safety-pressure-vacuum relief valve assembly for vehicle fuel tanks and the like which is adapted either to be mounted at an external point on the vehicle and connected to the interior of the tank by a conduit or to be a part of the cap for the conventional tank filler neck. The assembly comprises a fitting having an upwardly facing annular flange area concentric with the axis of the fitting, a circular plate concentrically resting on the flange, an inverted cup providing a peripheral skirt having a concentric and peripherally extending shoulder above the flange, the cup and fitting being secured against axial separation to capture the said plate therebetween, and an annular flexible gasket having an outer peripheral portion gripped between the plate and the shoulder of the cup and an inner peripheral bead engaging the upper surface of the plate normally to close pressure relief openings in the plate.

Abstract: A pressure-vacuum cap for a chamber such as an automobile gas tank having a normally upwardly extending filler neck formed with a peripherally and radially extending, upwardly facing sealing surface concentric with the longitudinal axis of the neck, the cap comprising a cover, a concentric housing extending downwardly from the cover into the filler neck and a gasket or gaskets providing a seal between the housing and the sealing surface, the housing providing a valve body having a centrally disposed, concentric passageway extending axially therethrough and in communication with the chamber. A pressure-vacuum valve arrangement is disposed in that passageway for normalizing the pressure in the chamber, venting the chamber to atmosphere when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined superatmospheric level and when the pressure in the chamber drops below a predetermined subatmospheric level. The valve body also provides, in addition to the pressure-vacuum valve arrangement, a roll-over valve feature.