Patents by Inventor Lowell R. Bell
Lowell R. Bell 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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Publication number: 20230128430Abstract: A fuel cap in accordance with the present disclosure includes a closure body and a valve unit integrated with the valve body. The closure body is adapted to engage a fill neck coupled to a fuel tank. The valve unit is configured to selectively vent excess pressure and/or vacuum developed in the fuel tank through the closure body to manage pressure in the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Michael S. Brock, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 7967041Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is included in a fuel tank filler neck closure assembly. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Stant USA Corp.Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 7967042Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is included in a fuel tank filler neck closure assembly. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Stant USA Corp.Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Lowell R Bell
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Patent number: 7882862Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly is provided for a fuel tank filler neck. The closure assembly is configured to receive a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle and to regulate discharge of liquid fuel and fuel vapor from a fuel tank filler neck to the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Stant USA Corp.Inventors: Dennis M. DeCapua, Timothy J. King, Bradley L. Steusloff, J Bradley Groom, Chad A. McClung, Lowell R. Bell
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Publication number: 20100175785Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is included in a fuel tank filler neck closure assembly. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: STANT MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Lowell R. Bell
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Publication number: 20090020182Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is included in a fuel tank filler neck closure assembly. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: STANT MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: J. Bradley Groom, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 6923224Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly includes a housing formed to include a vent chamber arranged to receive a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle therein during fuel tank refueling. A flow control valve assembly is provided to regulate flow of ambient air and/or fuel vapor through the vent chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Chad A. McClung, Jeffery Griffin, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 6035884Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a valve container with a vapor inlet adapted for communicating with an interior region of the fuel tank and a vapor outlet, a baffle including an upper end coupled to the vapor inlet, an open lower end spaced-apart from the upper end, and a skirt extending between the upper and lower ends, and a float valve disposed in the valve container and movable between an opened position allowing flow of fuel vapor through the vapor outlet and a closed position preventing flow of fuel vapor through the vapor outlet. The skirt of the baffle includes at least one slot therethrough and the float valve is positioned to lie between the vapor inlet and the slot of the baffle when in both the opened and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. King, Barry Chestnut, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 5694968Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an interior region of a vehicle fuel tank and preventing unsatisfactory liquid fill levels within the interior region of the vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to be mounted in the vehicle fuel tank and formed to include a housing inlet, a vapor-inlet opening, and a passageway therebetween, a float valve disposed in the housing, and a skirt defining a channel around the float valve. Additionally a perforated baffle plate is coupled to the skirt and is formed to include a plurality of openings therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey E. Devall, Lowell R. Bell, Robert S. Harris
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Patent number: 5234013Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling venting of fuel vapor through an aperture in a fuel tank. The apparatus comprises a housing mounted in the aperture and a valve moveable in the housing between a blocking position blocking flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the housing and a venting position allowing flow of fuel vapor from the fuel tank through the housing. A spring biases the valve towards its blocking position. A mechanism is provided for using fuel vapor from the fuel tank to move the valve against the spring towards its venting position. The using mechanism includes a venting control chamber receiving fuel vapor from the fuel tank in a conduit communicating fuel vapor from the fuel tank to the venting control chamber. The conduit includes a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion to define an intermediate portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: John J. Roetker, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: RE46009Abstract: A nozzle inhibitor is included in a fuel tank filler neck closure assembly. The nozzle inhibitor blocks full insertion of a small-diameter unleaded fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly yet allows full insertion of a large-diameter diesel fuel nozzle into the filler neck closure assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Stant USA Corp.Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Lowell R Bell