Abstract: An improved fuel cap and filler tube assembly for a fuel tank is provided. A spring-biased resilient and compressible closure member in the fuel cap seats inside an inlet opening of the filler tube when the fuel cap is secured to the filler tube. The filler tube includes an anti-siphon elbow.

Abstract: An air diversion device captures a flow of air from above a roadway vehicle, more specifically large tractor trailer rigs operating over the highway, and forcibly diverts the captured air to the heart of the low pressure air void created behind the roadway vehicle as it passes over a roadway, reducing the amount of drag force applied to the roadway vehicle, thus increasing and enhancing the efficiency of operation of the roadway vehicle. The diversion device includes at least one air intake manifold placed on the top of the roadway vehicle near the rear of the roadway vehicle, a channeled duct system, and a forced air outlet projecting the forced air gathered by the air intake manifold through the channeled duct system, ejecting the forced air in a relatively horizontal plane into the mid-center portion of the rear of the roadway vehicle at a highly accelerated rate.

Abstract: A paint application system configured for applying paint to the interior surfaces within a gap between spaced-apart boards. The system typically includes a disk, or disks, extending radially from an outer surface of a cylindrical paint roller. Also included may be a paint wring-out device having grooves or slots for squeezing excess paint from the disk, or disks.

Abstract: A fuel equalizing method and system for equalizing the amount of fuel in a plurality of fuel tanks connected to a motor, such as the diesel engine of a truck, is described. The system includes an equalization valve having a first common passage with two fuel inlets connected to two fuel tanks and a fuel outlet connected to the motor. A valve actuator member is mounted in the first common passage for longitudinal sliding movement in response to unequal fuel pressure in the two fuel inlets sensed by two fuel pressure sensing elements, which may be spherical balls, connected to the actuator member. A second common passage is provided in the equalization valve with a return fuel inlet connected to the excess fuel outlet of the motor, and two return fuel outlets connected to the two fuel tanks.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler support apparatus is disclosed including a bracket assembly for clamping at least one end of the muffler to an exhaust pipe and a vehicle mount for mounting the bracket assembly on the vehicle, such as a truck cab. The vehicle mount includes a mounting plate and a pair of tab members formed integral therewith and extending laterally thereto for supporting a mounting shaft. A support arm having one end pivotally attached to the mounting shaft and its other end pivotally connected by a connector shaft to the muffler bracket assembly enables the bracket assembly to pivot about the two axes of such shafts. A shock absorber sleeve of elastomer surrounds the mounting shaft to reduce vibration and noise and to extend the life of the muffler support apparatus. Each bracket assembly includes two pairs of clamp members which are urged together by threaded bolts.

Abstract: A cap assembly closing off the filler tube of a cylindrical fuel tank. The filler tube has an annular shoulder defining an inlet opening for the tube. An annular elastomer seal seats within a groove indented downwardly in this shoulder. A spring-biased closure member in a fuel cap seats against this seal. A dust seal is provided in the cap assembly. Roll pins provide a snap acting closure system in the cap assembly.

Abstract: A vented fuel tank cap and valve assembly is described having a cam actuated connector for connecting the cap to the top of the filler neck tube for the tank. Three vent passages are employed in the cap with common outlet openings. One passage is normally open but includes a float valve which can close such passage when the vehicle tips. A second passage includes a pressure relief valve which opens when the tank pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure. The bias spring for the pressure relief valve also functions as the bias for the cam actuated connector. The third passage includes fusible metal inserts provided in the movable pressure relief valve member to open such passage when the temperature of the tank exceeds the melting point of such inserts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle door hinge which has an integral detent and stop. A spring having a flat surface portion and an arcuate surface portion is attached to a first hinge member with the arcuate portion of the spring curved about the axis of the hinge. A roller restrained on a second hinge member is in compressive contact with the arcuate portion of the spring. A depression across the arcuate portion of the spring, works in conjunction with the roller as a detent to produce an intermediate stop position. The arcuate portion of the spring has an end portion, wider than the remainder of the spring, which contacts the second hinge member to provide a stop which prevents further opening rotation of the hinge.

Abstract: A vented fuel tank cap and valve assembly is described including a pressure relief valve with a main valve member mounted at a main vent opening through the fuel cap. A fusible metal ring of low melting point is provided in the pressure relief valve to enable such valve to open in the event of fire to prevent an explosion. A float valve may be provided to close a secondary vent passage for venting fuel fumes through the valve stem portion of the main valve member. The float valve includes a tubular cage member attached to such valve stem portion and containing a hollow float member with a cavity opening through the bottom of such float. A metal ball is provided within the cage member beneath the float member to hold the float valve closed when the tank tips to an inverted position and to trap liquid fuel in such cavity so that such fuel flows out of the cavity to open the valve when the tank returns to an upright position to prevent the float valve from sticking closed.

Abstract: A pressure tank connector apparatus is described, including a fitting body having an integral hollow sleeve portion projecting from one end thereof adapted to extend into an opening in the tank wall and be crimped about an internal flange or lip portion of the tank wall surrounding such opening with a sealing ring of elastomer compressed between a gripping flange portion of the fitting and the tank. As a result, the crimped tank attachment is positioned within the tank so it is protected from vandalism or damage from other causes. The pressure tank connector is coupled by an improved coupling to a flexible conduit such as a hose for supplying compressed air or other gas from the tank to an external device, such as the air brakes of a truck or other vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-siphon fuel filler assembly having restriction means therein for preventing unauthorized fuel removal is provided. In addition, back pressure relief means are provided for preventing the premature deactivation of automatic fuel dispensing systems caused by reverse fuel flow. The back pressure relief means includes a plurality of side openings and tabs extending outwardly from the edges of such side openings to deflect fuel out of the side openings when such fuel splashes upward from the restriction means. The invention may be used as an insert, fixedly positioned within an existing filler neck tube. In the alternative, the invention may be an anti-siphon filler neck tube used as an original equipment component for new vehicles, replacing the conventional filler neck tube.

Abstract: A gas pressure actuated latch for a fuel tank cap or other container tank cap is disclosed. The cap body has formed therein a cylinder in communication with an air inlet passageway connected to an external air hose fitting for movement of a latch piston contained within the cylinder in response to the application of pressurized air. The piston is provided with a plurality of opening cam fingers which are urged against a corresponding number of slide latches to move such latches horizontally inward to open the latch when air is applied to the cylinder. This causes such latch members to slide inwardly away from beneath the lip of the fuel tank filler opening into an unlocked position in response to vertical movement of the piston.

Abstract: A pressure tank connector apparatus is described with a connector fitting having a fitting insert sleeve of steel or other harder metal than the fitting body which is crimped over an outwardly extending flange or lip portion of the tank wall surrounding the opening in the pressure tank to which the connector is attached to position the fitting body within the tank and spaced inwardly from the flange. The fitting body is molded of aluminum alloy and the insert sleeve is embedded into the body during molding. A plurality of spaced hemispherical projections are molded onto the outer side of the fitting body and mate with correspondingly shaped indentations on the inner side of the tank wall portion surrounding such opening to prevent rotation of the fitting when a tank connector member is threaded into the central passage of such fitting body.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus includes an upper housing for enclosing a movable weight in the form of a metal ball. The lower part of the apparatus is provided with venting ports closable by a push rod operated piston, wherein such push rod is spring biased upwardly toward the aforementioned metal ball. For a normal, upright position of the apparatus, the ball is centered in its housing by a ramp and urges the push rod downwardly against spring bias whereby ports into the tank are open allowing venting. However, if the apparatus becomes inclined to a predetermined angle, the ball is supported to a greater extent by the ramp surrounding the push rod, allowing the biasing spring to urge the push rod upwardly for moving the piston and closing the vents. Thus, should a vehicle containing this vent apparatus overturn or otherwise be oriented at greater than a predetermined angle whereby fuel would be apt to escape, the vent will be closed in response to spring bias.

Abstract: A fuel tank cap includes a ball cage centrally depending from a fuel tank cap body, said ball cage having a plurality of tank neck engaging balls located in a plurality of side openings through which the balls are selectively urged. A plunger cone within the ball cage is slidable between a first position where it urges the aforementioned balls outwardly for locking the cap to the fuel tank neck, and a second position allowing inward movement of the balls within the ball cage and removal of the cap from the fuel tank neck.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus is described with an improved gravity actuated valve for preventing liquid fuel spillage. A weight pivotally supported above the valve acts as a plumb weight for operating a movable valve member connected thereto to close the valve when the vent apparatus is tipped. In the one embodiment the plumb weight is hung on a chain that is also connected to the valve member. The fuel vent apparatus is especially useful on the fuel tank of an automobile or truck in that it enables gaseous fuel vapor to be vented from the tank through a passageway, thereby preventing pressure buildup within the tank while also employing in such passageway the gravity operated valve which is closed when the truck turns over or tips at an angle greater than a predetermined angle to prevent the leakage of liquid fuel through such vent.

Abstract: A pressure tank connector is described which is formed integral with the cylindrical side wall portion of the tank so that such connector deforms and acts as a safety valve when the fluid pressure within the tank exceeds a predetermined pressure. The deformed connector produces a space between it and an insert member which enables the pressurized liquid or gas within the tank to slowly leak out through such space. In the preferred embodiment, the connector includes a threaded cylindrical connector portion joined by a conical projection portion to the side wall of the tank. The fluid escapes from the tank through a space formed between the threads of such connector and those of an external fitting screwed into such connector.