DEVICE TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF FUEL AND OIL CAPS

Abstract

A device to prevent removal of fuel and oil caps includes: a pin having a shaft, a flat head at an end of the shaft, and an aperture through the shaft; a washer that fits over the shaft of the pin and retains the head of the pin; an adhesive that fixes the washer to the cap; a cover that is rotatably retained over the cap by the pin; and a lock that engages with the aperture in the shaft, thereby rotatably retaining the cover over the cap and deterring removal of the cap. The adhesive may be sticky tape. A kit also includes sandpaper to clean the cap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to container caps, and more specifically, to a device to prevent removal of fuel and oil caps.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device to prevent removal of fuel and oil caps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device to deter removal of a cap includes: a pin having a shaft, a flat head at an end of the shaft, and an aperture through the shaft; a washer that fits over the shaft of the pin and retains the head of the pin; an adhesive that fixes the washer to the cap; a cover that is rotatably retained over the cap by the pin; and a lock that engages with the aperture in the shaft, thereby rotatably retaining the cover over the cap and deterring removal of the cap.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for deterring removal of a cap includes: utilizing an adhesive to rotatably fix a pin to the cap; placing a cover around the pin and over the cap, so that the cover covers the cap and rotates relative to the cap; and releasably locking the cover to the pin; thereby deterring removal of the cap.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a cap-with-pin according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a device that fits over existing fuel caps to prevent removal.

An embodiment of the present invention can prevent intruders from being able to take the fuel cap off without one knowing about it. In a situation where an intruder pries off an embodiment from the fuel cap, then at least one can check the fuel and oil before starting the engine to see if it has been contaminated, thus preventing possibly thousands of dollars of mechanical damage to the engine. By attaching an embodiment on a gas cap, the user can immediately determine if anyone has tampered with his or her fuel, which can deter removal of the cap. An embodiment can be an attachment that is placed on an existing fuel cap to prevent the cap from being removed without adverse force

As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment 10 may include a round cover 12 made of a plastic or poly material, but other materials could be used. This cover may come in different sizes. Exemplary cover sizes may be between 6 inches and 2.5 inches in diameter with sides ranging from 1 inch to 1.4 inches deep; however the depth could be deeper and the diameter of the cover could be larger depending on how large a fuel or petroleum cap is to be covered. The thickness of the poly cover may measure approximately 0.17 inches, and this thickness may also vary.

As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment 10 attaches a round cover 12 to the fuel or petroleum cap 20, and may include a metal clevis pin 14 approximately 1 inch long with a hole in the top side approximately 0.15 inch diameter. Pin 14 may have a flat head on the bottom approximately 0.50 inches in diameter. The diameter of the shaft of the pin may be approximately 0.37 inches. The embodiment may include a flat washer 16 that attaches to the metal pin 14. These may be smaller or larger depending on stock items of various manufactures that produce these various kit components. The embodiment may include a section of aluminum patch tape 18. Tape 18 may be used to install the metal pin 14 and washer 16 to a fuel or oil petroleum cap 20. Other materials can be used in place of the aluminum patch material. The embodiment may include a 0.75 inch padlock 22, but the size may vary.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a cap-with-pin 24 may be prepared by placing the washer 16 over the pin 14, then placing the tape 18 over the pin and washer to adhere to the cap.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the cover 12 may be placed over the cap-with-pin 24, and locked in place with padlock 22.

An embodiment of a kit may also include a small piece of sand paper to clean the surface of the fuel cap.

In an embodiment, the head on the pin may hold the pin in place to the washer, and allow the pin to rotate even after the aluminum patch tape is placed over the washer and fuel cap. This may prevent the fuel cap from being removed by turning the padlock.

To apply an embodiment, clean the center of the fuel cap (use oil free solvent) and let dry. Take the sand paper or other abrasive and lightly sand the center of the fuel cap. Wipe this area off with a clean dry cloth. Place the metal washer on the pin. Push the pin thru the hole in the aluminum patch tape (with sticky side of tape on bottom). Put the patch tape with pin on the center of the fuel cap. Put the cover on the pin thru the hole in the center of the cover. Put the padlock on the top of the pin and lock it.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device to deter removal of a cap, comprising:

a pin having a shaft, a flat head at an end of the shaft, and an aperture through the shaft;

a washer that fits over the shaft of the pin and retains the head of the pin;

an adhesive that fixes the washer to the cap;

a cover that is rotatably retained over the cap by the pin; and

a lock that engages with the aperture in the shaft, thereby rotatably retaining the cover over the cap and deterring removal of the cap.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the washer rotatably retains the pin so that both the cover and the pin rotate relative to the cap.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock is a padlock having a bolt that releasably passes through the aperture in the shaft so that, when the padlock is locked in place, the cover cannot be removed from the pin, and when the padlock is released, the cover can be removed from the pin, thereby allowing removal of the cap.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a tape having a sticky side, adapted to be placed over the washer to adhere the washer to the cap.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a tape that fixes the washer to the cap so that, if the tape is removed from the cap, the removal will be detectable by a user of the device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a kit including an abrasive to clean the cap before the washer is fixed to the cap with the adhesive.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is round, and the cover is round and larger than the cap, thereby allowing the cover to cover the cap and rotate around the cap.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an aperture in the cover, wherein the shaft of the pin passes through the aperture in the cover so as to rotatably retain the cover to the shaft.

9. A method for deterring removal of a cap, comprising:

utilizing an adhesive to rotatably fix a pin to the cap;

placing a cover around the pin and over the cap, so that the cover covers the cap and rotates relative to the cap; and

releasably locking the cover to the pin;

thereby deterring removal of the cap.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the lock is a padlock that releasably locks through an aperture in the pin, thereby preventing the cover from being removed from the cap when the padlock is in place and allowing the cover to be removed when the padlock is released.