Patents by Inventor Dean C. Foltz
Dean C. Foltz 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: 7246642Abstract: A filler neck closure unit includes a frangible portion that is configured to break along a fracture line when an outer portion of the closure unit is hit by a strong blow. The closure unit includes an inner portion that remains coupled to a filler neck to block discharge of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from the filler neck and an outer portion that takes the blow and separates from the inner portion at the fracture line.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Dean C. Foltz, Jason K. Jobe, Wallace D. Tallent
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Patent number: 6942117Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck 24. A cover 40, pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6755057Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck includes a filler neck closure housing adapted to be coupled to the fuel tank filler neck. The filler neck closure housing is formed to include an outer aperture sized to receive a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle therein. The assembly also includes a dust shield mounted for movement relative to the filler neck closure housing to open and close the outer aperture of the filler neck closure housing. A lock of the assembly is coupled to the filler neck closure housing and is movable between a locked position to prevent the dust shield from opening the outer aperture and an unlocked position to allow the dust shield to open the outer aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Publication number: 20040083779Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck includes a filler neck closure housing adapted to be coupled to the fuel tank filler neck. The filler neck closure housing is formed to include an outer aperture sized to receive a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle therein. The assembly also includes a dust shield mounted for movement relative to the filler neck closure housing to open and close the outer aperture of the filler neck closure housing. A lock of the assembly is coupled to the filler neck closure housing and is movable between a locked position to prevent the dust shield from opening the outer aperture and an unlocked position to allow the dust shield to open the outer aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6691750Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly includes a nozzle receiver associated with a vehicle fuel tank and a fuel-discharge control collar adapted to receive therein a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle inserted into the nozzle receiver during fuel tank refueling.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6679396Abstract: A redundant seal for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck closure is provided for closing and opening an automobile fuel tank to the atmosphere. The redundant seal (48) includes a lower shoulder (51) which sealably engages a first valve seat and an upper shoulder (53) which sealably engages a second valve seat. The redundant seal (48) is appropriate for use in applications such as filler neck closures, pressure and vacuum-relief systems within tank filler neck closures, and capless filler neck closure systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Dean C. Foltz, Jason K. Jobe, Robert S. Harris
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Publication number: 20030098304Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck 24. A cover 40, pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6554150Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck 24. A cover 40, pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6546972Abstract: A filler neck includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a fuel-delivery conduit coupled to a fuel tank inlet of a vehicle fuel tank. The housing includes a passageway that defines an axis of the filler neck and is adapted to receive a pump nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6446826Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (20) includes a housing (74) formed to include a passage (77), a tank pressure control assembly (84) in passage (77), and an outer shell (44) coupled to housing (74). Closure assembly (20) includes a sleeve (185) that reinforces housing (74) and shields tank pressure control assembly (84). Closure assembly (20) also includes a sealing gasket (192) and a foam ring (210) between housing (74) and a side wall (46) of outer shell (44) leakage of fuel vapor therebetween. Outer shell (44) includes frangible tabs (260) that break away from the rest of outer shell (44) in a controlled manner when outer shell (44) is subjected to an impact during a vehicle crash. Outer shell (44) is formed to include a fluid drain (421) and closure assembly (20) includes a float (425) that closes fluid drain (421) and that moves to open fluid drain (421) to allow accumulated fluid to drain out of outer shell (44).Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Dean C. Foltz, Robert S. Harris, William Abney, III
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Patent number: 6431228Abstract: An apparatus for use with a filler neck of a vehicle includes a filler neck access door adapted to be coupled to a side wall of the vehicle, a filler neck closure that is adapted to be coupled to an open mouth of the filler neck to close the open mouth and includes a first seal configured to block fuel and fuel vapor from flowing from the filler neck to atmosphere, and a cover configured to cover the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door. The cover includes a second seal and a seal support coupled to the second seal and the filler neck access door. The seal support yieldably biases the second seal into engagement with the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Dean C. Foltz, Jason K. Jobe
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Publication number: 20020021017Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck 24. A cover 40, pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Publication number: 20020005227Abstract: An apparatus for use with a filler neck of a vehicle includes a filler neck access door adapted to be coupled to a side wall of the vehicle, a filler neck closure that is adapted to be coupled to an open mouth of the filler neck to close the open mouth and includes a first seal configured to block fuel and fuel vapor from flowing from the filler neck to atmosphere, and a cover configured to cover the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door. The cover includes a second seal and a seal support coupled to the second seal and the filler neck access door. The seal support yieldably biases the second seal into engagement with the filler neck closure upon closure of the filler neck access door.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Dean C. Foltz, Jason K. Jobe
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Patent number: 6315144Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly (30) includes a closure apparatus (32) formed to include a pump nozzle-receiving opening (36) and adapted to be mounted on an open mouth of a filler neck (24). A cover (40), pivotally mounted to the closure apparatus (32), is movable between a first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to seal the filler neck (24) and a second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to allow access thereto. An overcenter leaf spring (42) normally biases the cover (40) toward its first closed position. A tether (94) coupled to the cover (40) has its other end (96) coupled to a filler neck access door (90) so that as the access door (90) is moved from a closed position blocking access to the filler neck (24) to an open position unblocking access to the filler neck (24), the cover (40) is moved from the first position covering the nozzle-receiving opening (36) to the second position uncovering the nozzle-receiving opening (36).Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6308735Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a valve assembly and a retainer that couples the valve assembly in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing having a body portion, a flange coupled to the body portion and retainer blocks extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange. A valve is positioned to lie in the housing. The retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the tank. The retainer includes a body portion that defines a passageway sized to receive the body portion of the housing and a ring coupled to the body portion of the retainer and formed to extend into the passageway. The flange and retainer blocks cooperate with the body portion of the retainer and ring to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 6189567Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vent valve assembly in an aperture of a fuel tank comprising a valve assembly including a housing having a body portion and a flange coupled to the body portion and with a retainer block extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange and with a valve positioned to lie in the housing. A retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the fuel tank including a body portion defining a passageway being sized to receive the body portion of the housing therein and a seat formed integrally with the body portion of the retainer and extending into the passageway, so that the flange and the retainer block can cooperate with the seat to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: 5952559Abstract: A fuel cap tester kit containing a plurality of fuel cap adapters, wherein each adapter has a mouth opening, outer rim, cap receiving chamber, air supply passageway and a fuel cap connection opening and with each fuel cap opening being configured to engage and retain a different and specifically configured fuel cap, and wherein each adapter is also provided with a threaded base connection that cooperates with a complimentary threaded connection on a test base that is fluidly connected to a pressure source and tester apparatus and wherein the base connectors of each adapter are configured alike so that each adapter can be connected to the single threaded connector in the test base to permit testing of different size fuel caps dependent on the adapter threaded into the test base, where the tester kit is used to decide upon quality of fuel caps under test by determining a leakage rate of pressurized air from the cap-receiving chamber through the mouth opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Harris, Bruce K. Bowden, Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: RE37776Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted in the filler neck and formed to include a sealing surface and a pressure-relief valve positioned to lie in the housing and provided with a nozzle-receiving portion and a sealing portion, wherein the nozzle-receiving portion is formed to include a nozzle-receiving opening sized to receive a pump nozzle during refueling of the fuel tank and the sealing portion is movable with the nozzle portion and relative to the housing between a closure-sealing position sealingly engaging the sealing surface and a pressure-relief position away from the sealing surface to define an opening to vent fuel vapor from the fuel tank when tank pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: D415989Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1996Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
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Patent number: D429678Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Dean C. Foltz