Flame arrester having helical flame arresting member

A flame arrester for extinguishing any backfire or flame passing through the flame arrester when installed on a carburetor or air intake system, the flame arrester comprising:

• a continuous, 5052 work hardening aluminum flame arresting member in the form of a helix having offset interstices between adjacent turns of the helix;
• a continuous, longitudinal stiffening groove formed in the helix;
• and
• means for housing the flame arresting member, wherein the housing means comprises:
• a cover extending over the flame arresting member, relative to the flame arrester installation position;
• a base receiving the bottom of the flame arresting member, relative to the flame arrester installation position, the base further having an opening adapted to receive the carburetor or air intake system;
• and
• a rivet for securing the cover to the base with the flame arresting member held therebetween.

A method for making a flame arresting member for extinguishing any flame passing through the member, the method comprising the steps of:

• imparting a predetermined uniform curvature to a flattened flame arresting material such that the material naturally forms a helix having a plurality of turns of a predetermined diameter, wherein a plane containing the width lies substantially perpendicular to the axis of the helix;
• forming a plurality of projections in the flattened flame arresting material such that the plurality of projections extend outwardly from the surface of the helix, and such that, when adjacent turns of the helix abut each other, offset interstices between the adjacent turns are formed;
• and
• cutting the flattened flame arresting material from the supply after a predetermined number of turns have been formed.