Filter element, air cleaner assembly, and methods

An air cleaner assembly comprising:

• (a) a housing having an interior volume and an access opening in communication with the interior volume;
• (b) a cover removably oriented over the access opening;
• (c) a filter element removably oriented in the interior volume of the housing;
• the filter element including radially extending plugs or ribs;
• (d) a two-part mating catch assembly;
• (i) a first part of the two-part mating catch assembly being secured to the cover;
• the first part including an over-center latch member;
• (ii) a second part of the two-part mating catch assembly being on one of the housing and the filter element and including a pivoting member;
• and
• (iii) the first part and second part of the catch assembly being positioned to releasably mate when the filter element is operably mounted within the housing interior volume, wherein the extending plugs or ribs are positioned to push down on the pivoting member, to allow engagement by the over-center latch with the second part.

A method of installing a filter element in a housing of an air cleaner;

• the method comprising:
• (a) orienting a filter element into the interior volume of a housing through an access opening in the housing;
• (b) orienting a cover over the access opening;
• and
• (c) releasably mating a first part and second part of a two-part mating catch assembly to secure the cover to the housing;
• (i) a first part of a two-part mating catch assembly being secured to the cover;
• the first part including a latch member;
• and
• (ii) a second part of the two-part mating catch assembly being on one of the housing and the filter element;
• the second part including one of:
• a radially inwardly deflectable flange with a flange tab and a fixed housing tab;
• or a pivoting member.