Gasoline Tank Cap Patents (Class 220/DIG33)
  • Patent number: 4932444
    Abstract: An onboard fuel vapor recovery system for a motor vehicle includes a fill neck assembly mounted at the inlet end of a dual passage fuel tank fill pipe in which fuel dispensed into the fuel tank during a refueling operation passes through an inner conduit while fuel vapor displaced from the tank by incoming fuel passes upwardly through a vapor passage between the inner conduit and an outer conduit loosely surrounding the inner conduit, the fill neck assembly including a vapor valve movable to an open position in response to unsealing of the inlet to the inner conduit in preparation for a refueling operation, opening of the vapor valve permitting fuel vapor displaced from the tank during the refueling operation to flow into a vapor receiving canister from which the vapor is subsequently withdrawn for combustion in the vehicle engine, the fill neck assembly also including a float valve for signalling the filling of the tank to capacity and a pressure relief valve in the fill neck assembly protecting the system i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Colt Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Micek
  • Patent number: 4913303
    Abstract: A fuel cap includes a float valve assembly for minimizing discharge of liquid fuel splash from the filler neck through the pressure-relief vent passage during normal vehicle operation. The float valve assembly is compatible with a controllable pressure-relief valve in the cap that permits venting of the tank under normal conditions and controls fuel leakage from the cap during a roll-over condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4896789
    Abstract: A vented fuel cap adapted to be removably attached to a filler neck of a fuel tank of the type commonly employed with small internal combustion engines is provided. The vented fuel cap comprises generally a generally cylindrical cap that is formed with inner threads, and is adapted to be threadedly engaged with the filler neck. A liner element is provided to fit within the cap, and is seated along the underside of the top of the cap. The liner element includes an axially inwardly-directed dome-shaped diaphragm portion that includes a slit formed substantially in its center. The cap and liner element allow for bi-directional venting of the fuel tank. The inwardly-directed dome-shaped diaphragm portion of the liner element allows outside air to vent into the fuel tank at a considerably smaller pressure differential than that required to vent outwardly from the interior of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Mark E. Federspiel
  • Patent number: 4887733
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided for use in a fuel system filler neck having a mouth. The cap includes a closure rotatably engageable with the filler neck to cover the filler neck mouth and formed to include a vent passageway extending therethrough in communication with the filler neck. A valve is supported in the vent passageway for movement between passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions. The cap further includes a handle shell and a plunger. The handle shell includes a lost-motion drive member positioned to apply a rotation-inducing drive force to the closure upon a predetermined amount of rotation of the handle shell. The plunger is supported in a space between the handle shell and the closure for movement between inactive and valve-actuating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4884716
    Abstract: A fuel cap has an anti-splash attachment which includes an outer splash-back baffle, an inner foam plug element and a retainer post which supports the outer baffle and inner plug element and tethers them by a releasable snap-on connection to an inner baffle-supporting stem of the fuel cap. The inner plug element when substantially dry is in a contracted state wherein it is smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the fuel tank filler neck to which the fuel cap is applied. An annular gap is then present between the exterior side surface of the plug element and the interior surface of the filler neck, making it easy to insert and withdraw the fuel cap with the anti-splash attachment thereon into and from the filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Ronald O. Steiner
  • Patent number: 4881657
    Abstract: A military gas can vent cap is set forth wherein a step-adapter sleeve is threadedly insertable within an existing military gasoline-type can. An upwardly projecting portion of the adapter sleeve is of a diameter greater than the lower portion to provide a planar surface for interfittingly imposing pressure onto a resilient gasket positioned within an interior portion of an associated cap. The cap is provided in a first embodiment with a vent hole directed into a tubular vent portion positioned on an upper surface of the cap filled with porous brass stock material to enable venting of fumes from interiorly of the can and preventing water intrusion from the interior of the can. A second embodiment includes a porous brass positioning member securing the gasket to the interior surface of the cap to enhance movement of fumes therethrough and to the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Gary L. Capasso
  • Patent number: 4881578
    Abstract: A combined filler neck and vapor vent line valve is provided by inner and outer pipes that are maintained in concentric relation by a sleeve tightly inserted between the outer pipe and an out-turned flange at the end of the inner pipe. This provides a convenient path out of the fuel tank for displaced tank vapors. Vapor control is provided by a stepped cylindrical valve body that rides up and down within the upper end of the inner pipe and the sleeve so that a seal on the outside of the valve body can cover and uncover openings in the flange to block and un-block a vapor path to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Rich, Roy A. Giacomazzi, Jack C. Wilds
  • Patent number: 4854471
    Abstract: A fuel cap comprises a cap body, a flange member projecting outward in radial direction on upper side of the cap body, and a weak portion which is easily broken and provided at the flange member and enables separation of the flange member from the cap body. The weak portion is formed by a plurality of V-like grooves at upper surface side which are formed on the upper surface of the flange member in concentric relation and a plurality of V-like grooves at lower surface side which are formed on the lower surface of the flange member in concentric relation and adjacent to the V-like grooves at upper surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Satoshi Toki, Masayuki Ide
  • Patent number: 4848621
    Abstract: A new type of cap for fuel containers possessing a concealed compartment for storage of keys which is far safer to use than prior art fuel caps comprising a cap prepared from tough plastic material, such as ABS polymeric material, a closure for engaging the cap to the container, a gasket for effecting a tight seal between the cap and the container, a lock for locking the cap in place on the container, such as by a combination locking device, and a plastic enclosed compartment of sufficient size to hold a key with removable lid attached to the bottom inside of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: D. Jon Radliff
  • Patent number: 4830213
    Abstract: The closure cap for fuel receptacle incorporates therein a liquid level gauge. The cap generally comprises annular hand grip means with a framing plate therein. The liquid level gauge includes an indicator shaft rotatable within an opening in the framing plate generally coaxial with the closure cap. The opening in the framing plate is in communication with the atmosphere and thus also serves to vent the receptacle when the cap is in closure position. Check valve means are carried on the shaft adjacent to and beneath the framing plate to normally close the opening and thereby prevent egress of sloshed fuel through the opening. The check valve means are adapted to open to vent the receptacle in response to a predetermined pressure differential across the valve means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Sleder
  • Patent number: 4830058
    Abstract: A cap includes a closure portion rotatably engaging the filler neck for closing the filler neck and an outer shell for providing a hand grip to permit rotation of the cap about an axis. A clutch is included in the cap for selectively providing an operative connection between the outer shell and the closure portion so that rotation of the outer shell relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction will rotate the closure portion in the cap-removal direction. An actuator is provided for activating the clutch means. The actuator is reciprocable relative to the outer shell in operative directions substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer shell to control activation of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4817813
    Abstract: A closure device for an inlet line of a liquid tank in motor vehicles which prior to the feed of liquid into the inlet line is movable from a closing position into an open position and subsequent thereto again into the closing position; the closure device is undetachably seated on the inlet line and possesses a through-opening corresponding to the inlet line cross section which is arranged aligned with the inlet line in the open position and non-aligned with the inlet line cross section in the closing position. Its constructive realization enables both a manual as also an automatic actuation by a manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G.
    Inventor: Guenter Krause
  • Patent number: 4811765
    Abstract: A fuel pump nozzle handle lever holding system includes a strip of flexible material having hook and loop material attached to each side thereof and sized to extend around a fuel pump nozzle handle and lever when the lever is actuated to fill the tank of a vehicle. The flexible material has hook material on one side thereof and loop material on the other side thereof so that one side can be hooked to the other to hold a fuel pump lever in an actuated position. A piece of hook and loop material is attached to the vehicle inside the gas compartment door adjacent the filling tube opening for attaching the strip of flexible material and another piece of hook and loop material can be attached to the vehicle fuel tank filling tube cap for attaching to the piece of hook and loop material attached to the vehicle adjacent the fuel tank filling tube so that the cap can be held adjacent the filling tube during the filling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Salvador N. Giha
  • Patent number: 4809869
    Abstract: A closure assembly, such as a filter cap for a vehicle's fuel tank, comprises a first member formed with a circumferentially arranged series of ratchet teeth, and a second member associated with a pair of pawls, the pawls being continuously urged linearly apart from one another by spring means located between their adjacent ends so that their ends remote from the spring means, which remote ends may each be formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth, are continuously urged into gaps defined between the ratchet teeth formed upon the first member, whereby application of torque to the second member in one rotary sense is initially transmitted by means of the pawls so as to rotate the first member in conjunction therewith until the torque exceeds a predetermined level, whereupon the pawls ride over the ratchet teeth formed upon the first member and the second member is rotated relative to the first member, whereas application of torque to the second member in the opposite rotary sense is always transmitted by means
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: ITW, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Cosgrove, Philip Barrowclough
  • Patent number: 4802516
    Abstract: A gas cap containing an elliptical flange such that the flange can be inserted into a nozzle housing of a fuel dispensing device, and rotated to accommodate a variety of different nozzle configurations and yet still provide a means to control the rate at which fuel is dispensed. The elliptical flange element has a concaval surface or recess disposed circumferentially thereto, such that a trigger/handle of a gasoline pump nozzle housing is disposed within said elliptical flange concaval recess, said trigger/handle being stabilized thereby. The gas cap device has a threaded extension that is weighted to provide the device with an asymmetrical center of gravity, such that, as the fuel dispensing actuates to shut off the flow of fuel, the device rotates out of said nozzle handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Inventor: David F. Dahlem
  • Patent number: 4795054
    Abstract: An insert assembly for a stationary fuel tank filler cap retainer for motor vehicles including motorcycles and the like. The insert assembly includes a hollow inwardly threaded tubular stem to be received in the bore of a tubular member of the filler cap retainer communicating with an opening in the fuel tank. The insert assembly includes a retainer spring member having outwardly extending, angularly disposed spring clips to be received by a notched stationary retainer. The clips are further formed to provide an over-center latching relationship an inwardly extending flange of the retainer upon insertion into the insert assembly the bore of a hollow retainer tube. The insert assembly includes an internal continuous thread for threadingly receiving a fuel cap having a threaded closure stem, and further includes an outwardly extending flanged portion overlying the flange of the stationary retainer tube for protection from deleterious contact with a fuel dispensing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Brown
  • Patent number: 4795050
    Abstract: A system is provided for activating a sensor during an initial stage of a vehicle refueling activity. The system includes a fuel tank filler neck having a mouth and a fuel cap having a closure rotatably engaging the filler neck for closing the mouth. A sensor is positioned in close proximity to the filler neck. The fuel cap further includes a seal between the closure and the filler neck, an outer shell providing a hand grip, a hub, and an actuator member movable between an inactive position and a sensor-activating position. The hub interconnects the closure and the outer shell for applying a torque to the closure after a predetermined amount of movement of the shell relative to the filler neck so that a lost motion connection is established between the closure and the shell. The lost motion of the hub acts to move the actuator member to its sensor-activating position before rotating the closure relative to the filler neck in an amount sufficient to break the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight Smith, Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4795053
    Abstract: A cap with valve for positive pressure comprises a cap body installed to an aperture of a container such as a fuel tank or a radiator of an automobile, a partition wall formed within the cap body and extending from an inner circumferential surface in radial direction and having a first fluid flowing hole, and a valve for positive pressure disposed at upper side of the partition wall. A support plate is disposed at lower side of the partition wall within the cap body and provided with a second fluid flowing hole, and an auxiliary valve chamber is formed between the partition wall and the support plate. Within the auxiliary valve chamber, a stopper valve having specific gravity larger than that of liquid within the container and a float having specific gravity of the combined body with the stopper valve smaller than that of the liquid within the container are arranged at lower side of the first fluid flowing hole and movable up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Tamiyoshi Ohashi, Satoshi Toki
  • Patent number: 4790449
    Abstract: In a filler neck cap including a screw body and a cap, the cap comprises two members of a cover portion and an annular thin latching member so as to enable different materials, each of which exercise optimumly functions necessary to the respective members. In one example with respect to a combination of preferred materials, the cover portion of the cap and the screw body may be formed from polyacetal resin, but the annular thin latching member interposed therebetween may be formed from polyamide resin; the safety plastic filler neck cap may be manufactured from the combination of these synthetic resins, which is designed to be capable of controlling the screwing torque and of stabilizing the cap dislodgement. According to the present invention, there can be provided the comfortably operable filler neck cap increasing the dimensional stability of the cap and eliminating the grating noise during the cap opening-closing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: OM Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sato Kyokuichi, Kayatani Tooru
  • Patent number: 4787528
    Abstract: A filler neck is provided for receiving a filler cap including a closure member having an axially outer portion, a threaded axially middle portion, and an axially inner portion. The filler neck includes a generally cylindrical tube having an axially outer portion, a threaded axially middle portion for receiving the threaded axially middle portion of the closure member, and a reduced-diameter axially inner portion. The reduced-diameter axially inner portion is positioned for receiving the axially inner portion of the closure member in a closely spaced relation to prevent radial movement of the axially inner portion of the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Harris, Billy G. Crute
  • Patent number: 4787529
    Abstract: A fuel cap for use in a vehicle fuel system filler neck is provided. The fuel cap includes a closure for closing the filler neck and a pressure relief valve that is movable between a filler neck-venting position and a non-venting position. A roll-over control assembly is provided for selectively utilizing liquid fuel and fuel vapor in the filler neck to exert a closing force on the pressure relief valve so that the pressure relief valve is moved to its non-venting position to block discharge of liquid fuel to the atmosphere through the pressure relief valve during vehicle rollover. The roll-over control assembly cooperates with the pressure relief valve to define a venting control chamber for containing fuel and a fuel vapor in a predetermined region to permit the fuel and fuel vapor to exert the closing force on the pressure relief valve. A passageway is provided for establishing communication of fuel and fuel vapor in the filler neck with the venting control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4785961
    Abstract: In a cap with valve, an annular projection is formed at an inner circumference of a fluid flow path of a cap body to be installed at an opening portion of a container. A valve body is an annular body and provided with an inner circumferential lip element projecting upward at inner circumferential edge and an outer circumferential lip element projecting downward at outer circumferential edge, and the outer circumferential lip element abuts on the annular projection of the cap body. A first disk-shaped support plate is arranged at upper side of the valve body and provided with a support member supporting the upper surface side of the outer circumferential lip element. The first support plate is biased downward by a first spring means from upper side. A second support plate is arranged at lower side of the valve body and provided with a support member supporting the lower surface side of the inner circumferential lip element and with a fluid flowing hole at the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Satoshi Toki, Masayuki Ide, Makoto Miura
  • Patent number: 4782978
    Abstract: A remotely releasable fuel filler door assembly has a limited and controlled opening motion provided by cooperating detents molded to relatively flexible spaced walls of a plastic hinge member and a plastic hinge box, so that the potential damage from an initial, wide opening is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Appleby, James Bolsworth, Charles M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4779755
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided with a vent system for lowering the actuation pressure of its internal pressure-relief valve in response to rotation of the fuel cap relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction. The vent system provides an operative connection between the cap handle and a pressure-relief valve in the cap. The vent system includes a spring for applying a closure-inducing force urging the pressure-relief valve against its valve seat to close a vent aperture in the cap, and a control system for regulating the magnitude of the closure-inducing force in response to rotation of the handle in a cap-removal direction. Use of the control system to lower the magnitude of the closure-inducing force permits the pressure-relief valve to move away from the valve seat to a venting position upon exposure to excessive fuel vapor pressure in the filler neck so that a fuel vapor-venting outlet through the cap is established during a removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4776486
    Abstract: A device for holding an automobile fuel-tank filler port cap comprises a mounting member secured to a position near the filler port, a ring-like holding member rotatably fitted in an annular groove of the cap, and a connecting member connecting the mounting and holding members. The connecting and holding members are folded over the mounting member when the cap is fitted on the filler port. When the cap is removed, all the members are extended into a strip-like form to hold the cap in a hanging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 4768677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank cap comprising a body, the upper portion of which is provided with a hole. Said hole exhibits a plurality of concave or convex sections which are formed along the inner periphery of the hole. A cover comprises a sleeve, which is formed on the inner periphery of the cover for insertion into the hole of the body, and has a plurality of axial slits. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of convex or concave sections formed along its outer periphery so as to mate with the concave or convex sections of the hole, respectively. When a clamping torque applied on the cap exceeds a predetermined value, an idle-rotation mechanism is established between the sleeve and the hole. The fuel tank cap and, more particularly, such a type of cap can effectively prevent the leakage of fuel in a vehicle fuel tank when the vehicle collides with another vehicle or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Nihon Radiator Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akira Kitsukawa
  • Patent number: 4765505
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided for closing the threaded filler neck of a fuel tank. The cap includes a housing having threads for engaging the filler neck, a seal for sealingly engaging said filler neck upon rotation of the housing in a first direction, and a handle for rotating the housing relative to the filler neck. The cap further includes a hub for providing a lost-motion driving connection between the handle and the housing. The lost motion of the hub acts to permit a predetermined amount of relative movement of the handle and the filler neck before the housing can be rotated relative to the filler neck sufficiently to break the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4762247
    Abstract: An orifice ring (1) for fixing to a self-sealing fuel tank cap (2) is described. Orifice ring (1) has a guide tube part (4) connected to the fuel tank cap (2) while leaving an air gap (3), said tube part passing into an inverted over marginal region (5) at its side remote from the fuel tank cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Temtec Fahrzeugtechnik Entwicklungsgessellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Angelika B. Temmesfeld
  • Patent number: 4744482
    Abstract: A protection assembly for protecting a body panel as well as a fuel inlet port which is provided in the body panel of a motor vehicle and normally closed by a removable cover cap when refueling of the vehicle is carried out. The assembly comprises a base member destined to be mounted internally in a recess formed in the body panel where the fuel inlet port is provided, which recess is usually covered by a cover member, a supporting member hinged to the base member so as to be unfoldably extended outwardly from the recess in the opened state thereof and serving to support a fueling pistol at the time of refueling the motor vehicle, and a retaining portion formed in the supporting member for serving to hold the removable cap detached from the fuel inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirobumi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 4738376
    Abstract: A plastic cap for insertion into the filler spout of a fuel tank including a base member with a downwardly extending sleeve and one or more annular outwardly extending ridges adapted to pass through and subsequently engage the interior neck of the filler spout securing the cap in place. The cap further includes a cover member integrally attached to the base member and adapted to seal the filler spout when placed in the closed position. When the cover member is in the open position, access to the filler spout is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: Richard N. Markus
  • Patent number: 4736863
    Abstract: A cap for closing the filler neck of a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The cap includes a valve body having an upper opening and movable between a normal lower position and an upper position. The valve body includes a ball disposed therein to seal the upper opening when the cap and filler neck are rolled over to a substantially inverted position and vent openings in the side wall that are located somewhat above the level of the ball when the cap and filler neck are substantially upright. When the valve body is in the normal lower position, fuel vapor is allowed to vent to the atmosphere through the vent openings and upper opening in the valve body. If the ball is upwardly and seals the upper opening prematurely, the fuel vapor will form the valve body to the upper position to allow the fuel vapor to continue to vent to the atmosphere around the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4722375
    Abstract: A trigger lock for fuel pump nozzles at service stations comprises a relatively thin, flat piece of plastic, wood, metal, rubber or other material formed to have four pairs of opposing side edge regions. Opposite side edge regions are spaced apart different distances for different pairs so that the lock can be used to hold the nozzle triggers of different types of nozzles in a "full-on" pumping position, different pairs of side edge regions being used for nozzles having different trigger strokes. Preferably the spacings are 21/4, 21/2, 23/4 and 3 inches to enable use with most nozzles used by independent fuel distributors, by major distributors and for pumping No. 2 diesel fuel. In a variation, the trigger lock is incorporated into a vehicle fuel cap, the lock functioning as the portion by which the cap is gripped to remove and install the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Inventor: Richard W. Fox
  • Patent number: 4714172
    Abstract: A vapor vent valve (16) comprises a housing (28) the interior of which is divided into two fluid chambers (32, 34) by a movable wall (30). The first chamber (32) provides a closable junction in the vapor recovery passageway (18, 20) between a liquid fuel tank (10) and a vapor storage canister (22). The second chamber (34) has a combined inlet/outlet (38) which is interconnected with a signal pressure region (44) in the fuel tank fill tube (12) adjacent to the fill tube cap (14). A valve plug (36) is fixed to the movable wall (30) so that when the pressure in the first fluid chamber (32), the signal pressure region (44 ) and the second fluid chamber (32) are substantially equivalent, the valve plug (36) is positioned to close the vapor recovery passageway (18, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: GT Development Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Morris
  • Patent number: 4712703
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank cap designed to be secured idly in the closed position by activating a lock. The cap presents an outer member which may be turned manually by the user, an inner member housed idly inside the outer member and designed to screw onto a filler, and a control member carried in idle and axially-locked manner on the inner member and secured angularly integral with the lock. The control member is secured, by means of a reversible threaded coupling, to the outer member which is designed to move axially in relation to the inner member and is provided with a saw-tooth ring gear designed to mesh with a corresponding ring gear on a flexible portion of the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Manrico Oddenino
  • Patent number: 4699189
    Abstract: A combined camp stove or camp lantern fuel tank reservoir cap and pressurizing assembly is presented in which a fuel tank cap body is adapted to include a hollow check-valve assembly base on the top thereof. Into the check-valve assembly base is inserted a check valve assembly. The cap body has an aperture therein so as to be fluidly connected to the base when a compressed air nipple from a hose is inserted into the check-valve assembly. The compressed air flows through the base, past a gasket in the body having a slit therein for air passage and through the body to pressurize a fuel reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: William K. Murray
  • Patent number: 4696409
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly for closing the open end of a fill spout of a fuel tank includes a built-in valve apparatus for venting the interior of the tank to the atmosphere. The valve apparatus further seals the liquid within the tank during certain operational conditions which could cause leakage of the liquid from the tank. Previous tank caps for closing the fill spout of liquid fuel tanks used various valve means to vent the tank, or to maintain a certain positive pressure within the tank. However, most previous liquid tank valve means were complex and would not prevent leakage of liquid from within the tank if the tank should be tipped drastically or upset. The vented fuel cap assembly of the present invention is of simple construction and will prevent leakage of fuel from the tank should the tank be tipped or inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4690293
    Abstract: A filler cap structure for a vehicular fuel tank particularly designed to prevent the discharge of fuel vapor to the ambient atmosphere and hence possible air pollution resulting therefrom upon filling of the fuel tank. The fuel tank has a filler tube closed by a filler cap. The filler tube is provided on its inner peripheral surface at a location inward of the bottom end of the filler cap with an annular seal seat. Defined by the annular seal seat, the inner peripheral surface of the fillter tube, and the bottom portion of the filler cap is an annular space which is connected through a communication tube with a canister. The annular space is sealed from the atmosphere by a first seal member disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the filler tube and the filler cap at a location outward of the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Uranishi, Takaaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 4685584
    Abstract: A fuel cap for closing the filler neck of an off-road vehicle. The fuel cap includes a cover having an opening therethrough and a concentric housing extending downwardly into the filler neck and connected to the cover. A valve body having an upper and a lower chamber disposed therein is fitted into the housing and extends downwardly into the filler neck. The upper chamber and lower chamber have vent openings which cooperate with the opening in the cover to provide a vent path to allow the fuel tank to vent fuel vapor to the atmosphere. The lower chamber includes a floatation ball to seal one of the vent openings in the lower chamber to prevent fuel spillage when the vehicle is subjected to a bump, or is operated on a grade. The upper chamber includes a steel ball which seals one of the vent openings in the upper chamber to prevent fuel spillage when the vehicle is overturned to a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4678097
    Abstract: A cap for closing a fuel fill neck of a vehicle is provided. The cap includes an axially extending housing that is adapted to engage and seal the neck. The cap further includes a first flange that extends radially outwardly from the axially upper portion of the housing and includes a groove formed therein to form a frangible portion. An outer cover is attached to the first flange that is adapted to be broken away upon impact. The cap further includes a second flange spaced axially below the first flange and configured to engage a gasket to seal the fill neck. The second flange is adapted to remain intact to seal the neck after the outer cover and the first flange are fractured and displaced from the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Billy G. Crute
  • Patent number: 4676390
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided for use in a threaded filler neck of a fuel system. The fuel cap includes a shell providing a hand grip and a closure rotatably engaging the threaded filler neck for closing the filler neck. The closure includes a seal for establishing a sealing engagement between the closure and the filler neck to block the escape of fuel and fuel vapor in the filler neck to the atmosphere. The cap also includes a pressure-vacuum valve assembly that extends through the closure for venting pressurized fuel vapor in the filler neck through the closure. The cap further includes an actuator providing an operative connection between the shell and the valve assembly so that rotation of the shell relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction will actuate the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4666058
    Abstract: A cap for closing the filler neck of a vehicle is provided. The cap includes a valve body and a vent adapted to allow a maximum amount of fuel vapor to vent to the atmosphere. The cap also includes a ball disposed within the valve body to seal the vent when the vehicle is rolled over to a substantially inverted position to prevent fuel from leaking from the cap. The cap further includes a baffle to prevent fuel from splashing through the vent when the vehicle is operated on a rough and uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4653711
    Abstract: A flat sheet of resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, is molded or cut to form a flat loop or ring encircling a central opening. A tensioning tab on one side of the loop projects into the opening toward the opposite side of the loop, and a retaining tab is mounted on a support which projects into the opening from the opposite side of the loop. The hanger has front and back surfaces, and the retaining tab projects outwardly away from the front surface of the loop. Adhesive on the back surface of the loop is used to support the hanger in a generally planar, vertical disposition on the vertical inside wall of a fuel tank access door in an automotive vehicle. When the access door is opened, the top of the loop may be resiliently folded downwardly away from the surface of the access door, and the neck of a fuel tank cap may be inserted into the central opening in the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Edward L. Marshell
  • Patent number: 4644984
    Abstract: The filler neck gas cap of a vehicle owner is utilized as a prop for maintaining the lever of a gasoline pump dispensing nozzle in open position without the necessity of manual operation.Recesses are formed in the periphery or on the end surface of the gas cap for nesting an intermediate portion of the gasoline pump dispensing nozzle operating lever or its guard when the gas cap is interposed therebetween. Resilient padding material within the respective recess increases the coefficient of sliding friction between the gas cap and the dispensing nozzle components when operatively connected therewith to maintain the gas cap in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Samuel R. Abraham
  • Patent number: 4638919
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank construction which includes a body portion defining a reservoir for a supply of diesel fuel and having a fuel inlet which is provided with a threaded portion or adaptor to which a seal cap or closure is detachably connected. The sealing cap and fuel inlet or adaptor are provided with complementary mating surfaces or threads which will function as a conscience indicator to alert a filling station attendant or person that the tank requires diesel fuel. This is attained by providing the tank cap with complementary thread portion requiring the attendant to remove the cap in a manner opposite to that required of gas tanks used for gasoline. Also, the tank cap may be made in a shape other than round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventor: Robert A. Feenick
  • Patent number: 4579247
    Abstract: A cap for a fuel tank has a cap body for screwing into the filler neck of the fuel tank with an "O" ring interposed therebetween, and a lid member for mating to the cap body, both the lid member and the cap body having coacting structure for mutual interengagement to maintain the lid member normally mated to the cap body but separable in break-away relationship from the cap body to leave the cap body intact within the filler neck upon application of external force, such as through collision, to the lid member. The coacting structure may take the form of engaging recesses, holes or grooves on one member and of engaging projections, tabs or pins on the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Nihon Radiator Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasui, Hidetoshi Ogida, Akira Kitsukawa
  • Patent number: 4579244
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap is provided having airtight engagement with the oiling port of a fuel tank. The cap is locked to the oiling port by a key cylinder. Removal of the cap from the oiling port is accomplished by initial rotation of the key cylinder to enable communication between the interior of the fuel tank and the ambient atmosphere through a passage which is adjacent to and substantially parallel with the key cylinder and further rotation of the key cylinder to disengage the cap from the oiling port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masakazu Fukuta
  • Patent number: 4575136
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Russell D. Keller
  • Patent number: 4544007
    Abstract: The filler neck gas cap of a vehicle owner is utilized as a prop for maintaining the lever of a gasoline pump dispensing nozzle in open position without the necessity of manual operation.In one embodiment, resilient material surrounds or is secured to diametrically opposite positions of the periphery of the gas cap.In another embodiment, resilient material is secured to axially opposite ends of the gas cap. The resilient material increases the coefficient of friction between the gas cap and nozzle lever and its guard when interposed therebetween while the lever is in nozzle open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventor: Samuel R. Abraham
  • Patent number: 4530537
    Abstract: A fuel filler assembly is retained in a concealed compartment in a closed position. A fuel receptacle linked with the door to the compartment moves together with the door for an angular positioning relative to a vehicle body. The door opening automatically places the receptacle into an inclined position for fuel intake and the door closing brings the receptacle back into the concealed compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: John J. Allen, Harold G. Meitl
  • Patent number: 4512499
    Abstract: A gas cap assembly for a gasoline tank. The gas cap assembly includes cup-shaped cap to be threaded on a neck bordering an opening in the tank. A tubular member is connected to the cap and extends inwardly of the tank with the lower end of the tubular member being generally conical and terminating in a drain opening. A plurality of ports are provided in the upper end portion of the tubular member adjacent the lower end of the cap. Located in the upper end of the tubular member is a conical member having an opening in its lower end that communicates with the interior of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corp.
    Inventor: Arvo F. Uuskallio