US4896789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-leak fuel cap liner
Assignee: Tecumseh Products Co
•
Filing: 1989-02-17
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Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2009-02-17
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Federspiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/16; B65D51/1633; B65D51/1644; B65D51/165; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/035; B60K2015/03542; B60K2015/03547; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A vented cap assembly for a fuel reservoir of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, said cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element engaging an underside of said cap member and adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said liner element including a flexible generally dome-shaped diaphragm portion having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A vented cap assembly for a fuel reservoir of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, said cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element engaging an underside of said cap member and adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said liner element including a flexible generally dome-shaped diaphragm portion having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said liner element further includes a gasket portion disposed radially outwardly from said diaphragm portion, said gasket portion being in engagement with the underside of said cap member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 2, wherein said diaphragm portion of said liner element further comprises an annular connecting portion lying adjacent said gasket portion and engaging the underside of said cap member, a generally cylindrical sidewall portion extending axially inwardlyin a generally perpendicular direction from said connecting portion, and a dome integral with said sidewall portion, said dome further having said slit extending therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 3, wherein said slit is generally centrally disposed in said dome.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the liner element is made of a flexible, resilient material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the liner element is rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of the fuel tank comprises screw threads formed on an internal surface of said cap means and being adapted to engage mating screw threads formed on an external surface of the filler neck.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the cap is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the cap is made of steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member comprises an aperture formed in said cap member and extending therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 10, wherein said aperture is disposed substantially in the center of the top of said cap member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A vented cap assembly for a fuel tank of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, said cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element having a radially outer gasket portion and a radially inner flexible diaphragm portion, said radially outer gasket portion engaging with an underside of said cap member, said radially inner diaphragm portion being adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said diaphragm portion further being generally dome-shaped and having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
166 words
A vented cap assembly for a fuel tank of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, said cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element having a radially outer gasket portion and a radially inner flexible diaphragm portion, said radially outer gasket portion engaging with an underside of said cap member, said radially inner diaphragm portion being adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said diaphragm portion further being generally dome-shaped and having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 12 wherein said diaphragm portion of said liner element further comprises an annular connecting portion lying adjacent said gasket portion and engaging the underside of said cap member, a generally cylindrical sidewall portion extending axially inwardly in a generally perpendicular direction from said connecting portion, and a dome integral with said sidewall portion, said dome further having said slit extending therethrough, said cylindrical sidewall portion being sufficiently long to isolate said dome from twisting forces exerted on said annular connecting portion when said cap member is attached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 13, wherein said slit is generally centrally disposed in said dome.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 12, wherein said means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of the fuel tank comprises screw threads formed on an internal surface of said cap means and being adapted to engage mating screw threads formed on an external surface of the filler neck.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 12, wherein the liner element is rubber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 12, wherein said means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member comprises an aperture formed in said cap member and extending therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cap assembly as described in claim 17, wherein said aperture is disposed substantially in the center of the top of said cap member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
143 words
In combination with a fuel tank of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, a vented cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element engaging an underside of said cap member and adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said liner element including a flexible generally dome-shaped diaphragm portion having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
143 words
In combination with a fuel tank of the type having a filler neck and a fuel-receiving opening in the neck, a vented cap assembly comprising: a cap member including means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of a fuel tank; a liner element engaging an underside of said cap member and adapted to be disposed in the fuel-receiving opening when said cap assembly is attached to a filler neck, said liner element including a flexible generally dome-shaped diaphragm portion having a convex surface facing axially away from said underside of said cap member and a concave surface facing said underside of said cap member, said dome-shaped portion having a slit extending therethrough from the convex surface to the concave surface; and means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 19, wherein said liner element further includes a gasket portion disposed radially outwardly from said diaphragm portion, said gasket portion being in engagement with the underside of said cap member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 20, wherein said diaphragm portion of said liner element further comprises an annular connecting portion lying adjacent said gasket portion and engaging the underside of said cap member, a generally cylindrical sidewall portion extending axially inwardly in a generally perpendicular direction from said connecting portion, and a dome integral with said sidewall portion, said dome further having said slit extending therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 21, wherein said slit is generally centrally disposed in said dome.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 19, wherein said means for removably attaching the cap member to the filler neck of the fuel tank comprises screw threads formed on an internal surface of said cap means and engaged with mating screw threads formed on an external surface of the filler neck.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 19, wherein said means associated with said cap member for venting gases to and from the underside of said cap member comprises an aperture formed in said cap member and extending therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |