Patents by Inventor Neal L. Keefer

Neal L. Keefer 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).

  • Patent number: 8752568
    Abstract: A low mass draw and return tube assembly, for use in fuel tanks, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 8746479
    Abstract: A method for closing a fuel tank includes providing a base sized to be received within an interior of a fuel tank filler neck, movably mounting a closure structure on the base, and securing a biasing mechanism to the base wherein the biasing mechanism biases the closure structure into a closed position on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Patent number: 8607433
    Abstract: An anti-siphon installation assembly includes a spring, a retainer clip mounted on the spring, the retainer clip including a support surface adapted to support an anti-siphon device thereon, and a locator clip mounted on the spring, the locator clip including an outwardly extending arm adapted to contact the upper surface of a fuel filler neck opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymine
  • Patent number: 8376169
    Abstract: An anti-siphon installation assembly includes a spring, a retainer clip mounted on the spring, the retainer clip including a support surface adapted to support an anti-siphon device thereon, and a locator clip mounted on the spring, the locator clip including an outwardly extending arm adapted to contact the upper surface of a fuel filler neck opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Publication number: 20120305093
    Abstract: An anti-siphon installation assembly includes a spring, a retainer clip mounted on the spring, the retainer clip including a support surface adapted to support an anti-siphon device thereon, and a locator clip mounted on the spring, the locator clip including an outwardly extending arm adapted to contact the upper surface of a fuel filler neck opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymine
  • Patent number: 8261517
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap including a body, a seal carrier movably positioned within the body, a first seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging a filler tube opening of a fuel tank, and a second seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Evan Waymire, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 7819129
    Abstract: One embodiment of a thermal relief vent includes a float including a side surface and a top surface, and a seal secured to the surface of the float and extending over the top surface of the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Neal L. Keefer
  • Publication number: 20100193042
    Abstract: An anti-siphon installation assembly includes a spring, a retainer clip mounted on the spring, the retainer clip including a support surface adapted to support an anti-siphon device thereon, and a locator clip mounted on the spring, the locator clip including an outwardly extending arm adapted to contact the upper surface of a fuel filler neck opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Publication number: 20100193513
    Abstract: A fuel tank closure device includes a base sized to be received within an interior of fuel tank filler neck, a closure structure movably mounted on the base, and a biasing mechanism secured to the base and biasing the closure structure into a closed position on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, Evan Waymire
  • Publication number: 20090223970
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap including a body, a seal carrier movably positioned within the body, a first seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging a filler tube opening of a fuel tank, and a second seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Evan Waymire, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 7568493
    Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
  • Patent number: 7017599
    Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
  • Publication number: 20040159349
    Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
  • Patent number: 6273123
    Abstract: A draw and return tube fuel assembly having a draw tube and a return tube welded to a flange. The tubes may be extruded in a variety of diameter sizes such that the assembly can be manufactured to connect to any size draw and return fuel line connectors. The method of manufacturing the draw and return tube assembly with extruded tubing eliminates the steps of heating, flaring and cleaning and thereby eliminates the corresponding hazardous materials created as a byproduct of these eliminated steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 6161562
    Abstract: A draw and return tube assembly having draw and return tubes welded to a flange at a first end and crossed over each other and welded together at a second end. The openings in the tubes opposite the flange are positioned a distance apart such that fuel returned to the tank through the return tube is not immediately redrawn into the draw tube. The ends of the tubes positioned opposite the flange have a cross sectional area that facilitates placement of the assembly through a flange receiving aperture in a fuel tank such that the assembly may be installed within the fuel tank after manufacturing thereof. Welding of the tubes at their ends opposite the fuel tank provides for a stable assembly without the use of a separate securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: D503667
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: D477554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Jeffrey P. Roethe