# US 8,740,002 B2 · Cap-installation signal system for filler neck cap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,002 B2 - Document ID: US8740002B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/041,235 - Filed: 2011-03-04 - Published: 2011-10-06 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-04 - Assignees: Stant USA Corp. - Applicants: John W. Ripberger, Jr.; Joshua L. Rude - Inventors: John W. Ripberger, Jr.; Joshua L. Rude - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740002B2 ## CPC - B60K 15/0406: {Filler caps for fuel tanks} - G08B 3/02: using only mechanical transmission - B60K 15/04: Tank inlets (B60K15/077 takes precedence) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A filler neck cap is adapted to mate with and close a filler neck. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to close the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure to cause the closure to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation when the closure is inserted in a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled directly to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure once the closure has reached a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck and ceases to rotate about the axis of rotation, and the finger and the lug cooperate to produce a discernable warning signal in response to temporary engagement of the lug and finger during rotation of the handle relative to the closure in the first direction to alert a user rotating the handle that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck and ceased to rotate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, wherein the closure is formed to include a lost-motion slot and the handle includes a shell coupled to the rotary spring and configured to provide an external hand grip and an anti-rotation post coupled to the shell to rotate therewith about the axis of rotation and to extend into the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the rotary spring is configured normally to rotate the handle in an opposite second direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure to establish an initial position of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the anti-rotation post is arranged to move in the lost-motion slot in response to rotation of the shell in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward an end wall associated with the lost-motion slot relative to the closure once the closure has been rotated in the filler neck to assume the filler-neck closing position, and the lug and finger are arranged to mate temporarily and produce the discernable warning signal during movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot between the initial position and a limit position engaging the end wall associated with the slot. ### Claim 3 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to close the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure to cause the closure to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation when the closure is inserted in a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure once the closure has reached a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck and ceases to rotate about the axis of rotation, and the finger and the lug cooperate to produce a discernable warning signal in response to temporary engagement of the lug and finger during rotation of the handle relative to the closure in the first direction to alert a user rotating the handle that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck and ceased to rotate, wherein the closure is formed to include a lost-motion slot and the handle includes a shell coupled to the rotary spring and configured to provide an external hand grip and an anti-rotation post coupled to the shell to rotate therewith about the axis of rotation and to extend into the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the rotary spring is configured normally to rotate the handle in an opposite second direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure to establish an initial position of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the anti-rotation post is arranged to move in the lost-motion slot in response to rotation of the shell in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward an end wall associated with the lost-motion slot relative to the closure once the closure has been rotated in the filler neck to assume the filler-neck closing position, and the lug and finger are arranged to mate temporarily and produce the discernable warning signal during movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot between the initial position and a limit position engaging the end wall associated with the slot, and wherein the closure includes a base adapted to mate with the filler neck and a torque-transmission member coupled to the base to rotate therewith and arranged to lie in confronting relation to the handle, the torque-transmission member is formed to include the lost-motion slot, and the finger is coupled to the base to rotate therewith. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cap-installation signal system of claim 3, wherein the torque-transmission member is formed to include a finger-receiving channel and the finger is arranged to extend upwardly from the base and through the finger-receiving channel to cause a free end of the finger to lie above the torque-transmission member in a position to intercept and contact temporarily the lug to produce the discernable warning signal during movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot formed in the torque-transmission member from the initial position toward the limit position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The cap-installation signal system of claim 3, wherein the torque-transmission member includes an annular web formed to include the lost-motion slot and a cup coupled to an interior edge of the annular web and configured to include a spring chamber receiving a lower portion of the rotary spring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cap-installation signal system of claim 5, wherein the shell includes an upper spring mount arranged to extend downwardly into a spring chamber formed in the cup, the cup includes a lower spring mount located in the spring chamber below the upper spring mount, and the rotary spring is a torsion spring having an upper tang coupled to the upper spring mount, a lower tang coupled to the lower spring mount, and a coiled portion arranged to wind around the axis of rotation and interconnect the upper and lower tangs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The cap-installation signal system of claim 5, wherein the closure further includes a pressure-relief system located below the cup in an interior region formed between the torque-transmission member and the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The cap-installation signal system of claim 5, wherein the base includes an annular upper plate arranged to underlie the annular web and the finger is coupled to the annular upper plate and arranged to extend upwardly through a finger-receiving channel formed in the torque-transmission member toward an underside of the shell. ### Claim 9 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to close the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure to cause the closure to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation when the closure is inserted in a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure once the closure has reached a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck and ceases to rotate about the axis of rotation, and the finger and the lug cooperate to produce a discernable warning signal in response to temporary engagement of the lug and finger during rotation of the handle relative to the closure in the first direction to alert a user rotating the handle that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck and ceased to rotate, wherein the closure is formed to include a lost-motion slot and the handle includes a shell coupled to the rotary spring and configured to provide an external hand grip and an anti-rotation post coupled to the shell to rotate therewith about the axis of rotation and to extend into the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the rotary spring is configured normally to rotate the handle in an opposite second direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure to establish an initial position of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the anti-rotation post is arranged to move in the lost-motion slot in response to rotation of the shell in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward an end wall associated with the lost-motion slot relative to the closure once the closure has been rotated in the filler neck to assume the filler-neck closing position, and the lug and finger are arranged to mate temporarily and produce the discernable warning signal during movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot between the initial position and a limit position engaging the end wall associated with the slot, and wherein the shell includes a top plate arranged to overlie the closure and a hand grip coupled to the top plate and arranged to extend away from the closure, the anti-rotation post is coupled to an underside of the top plate and arranged to extend downwardly into the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, and the lug is coupled to the underside of the top plate and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the anti-rotation post and extend downwardly toward the closure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cap-installation signal system of claim 9, wherein the finger of the handle-rotation limit signaler is made of a flexible material and arranged to extend upwardly toward the underside of the top plate of the shell and the lug of the handle-rotation limit signaler is arranged to engage and deflect the upwardly extending finger to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle about the axis of rotation relative to the closure once the closure stops rotating relative to the filler neck during installation of the closure in the filler neck. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The cap-installation signal system of claim 9, wherein the shell further includes an upper spring mount extending downwardly from the top plate into a spring chamber formed in the closure to mate with an upper end of the rotary spring located in the spring chamber, the closure further includes a lower spring mount located in the spring chamber and coupled to a lower end of the rotary spring, the shell further includes an annular rim coupled to a perimeter edge of the top plate, and each of the anti-rotation post and the lug are arranged to lie in a space provided between the upper spring mount and the annular rim. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, wherein a lost-motion slot formed in the closure has an arcuate shape and a center of curvature on the axis of rotation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, further comprising a closure-rotation blocker including an anti-rotation stop located in a stationary position in a filler neck formed to include a nozzle-receiving passageway closed by the closure once the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and a rotation-inhibitor tab coupled to an external portion of the closure to rotate therewith and arranged to mate with the anti-rotation stop during rotation of the closure about the axis of rotation in the first direction to block further rotation of the closure in the first direction without inhibiting further rotation of the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation in the first direction to allow temporary engagement of the lug on the handle as the handle rotates in the first direction relative to the closure to produce the discernable warning signal to inform a user rotating the handle that the closure has already reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cap-installation signal system of claim 13, wherein the rotary spring is configured to store energy during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure about the axis of rotation and then release energy once a user ungrips the handle after the discernable warning signal has been produced to provide means for rotating the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation in an opposite second direction to return the handle to a predetermined removal-ready position relative to the closure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, wherein the finger of the handle-rotation limit signaler is made of a flexible material and arranged to extend upwardly toward a top plate included in the handle and the lug is coupled to the top plate and arranged to engage and deflect the upwardly extending finger to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure once the closure stops rotating relative to the filler neck during installation of the closure in the filler neck. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cap-installation signal system of claim 15, wherein the closure includes a base adapted to mate with the filler neck and a torque-transmission member coupled to the base to rotate therewith and arranged to lie in confronting relation to the handle, the rotary spring is coupled to the torque-transmission member, and the finger is coupled to the base to rotate therewith. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The cap-installation signal system of claim 16, wherein the torque-transmission member is formed to include a finger-receiving channel and the finger is arranged to extend upwardly from the base and through the finger-receiving channel to cause a free end of the finger to lie above the torque-transmission member in a position to intercept and contact temporarily the lug to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the body of the closure. ### Claim 18 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to close the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure to cause the closure to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation when the closure is inserted in a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure once the closure has reached a filler neck-closing position in the filler neck and ceases to rotate about the axis of rotation, and the finger and the lug cooperate to produce a discernable warning signal in response to temporary engagement of the lug and finger during rotation of the handle relative to the closure in the first direction to alert a user rotating the handle that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck and ceased to rotate, wherein the finger of the handle-rotation limit signaler is made of a flexible material and arranged to extend upwardly toward a top plate included in the handle and the lug is coupled to the top plate and arranged to engage and deflect the upwardly extending finger to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure once the closure stops rotating relative to the filler neck during installation of the closure in the filler neck, wherein the closure includes a base adapted to mate with the filler neck and a torque-transmission member coupled to the base to rotate therewith and arranged to lie in confronting relation to the handle, the rotary spring is coupled to the torque-transmission member, and the finger is coupled to the base to rotate therewith, and wherein the torque-transmission member includes an annular web arranged to surround the rotary spring and a cup coupled to an interior edge of the annular web and configured to include a spring chamber receiving a lower portion of the rotary spring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The cap-installation signal system of claim 18, wherein the shell includes an upper spring mount arranged to extend downwardly into the spring chamber formed in the cup, the cup includes a lower spring mount located in the spring chamber below the upper spring mount, and the rotary spring is a torsion spring having an upper tang coupled to the upper spring mount, a lower tang coupled to the lower spring mount, and a coiled portion arranged to wind around the axis of rotation and interconnect the upper and lower tangs. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The cap-installation signal system of claim 18, wherein the closure further includes a pressure-relief system located below the cup in an interior region formed between the torque-transmission member and the base. ### Claim 21 (depends on 5) The cap-installation signal system of claim 5, wherein the base includes an annular upper plate arranged to underlie the annular web and the finger is coupled to the annular upper plate and arranged to extend upwardly through a finger-receiving channel formed in the torque-transmission member toward an underside of the shell. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, wherein the lug of the handle-rotation signaler is coupled to an underside of the handle and arranged to extend downwardly toward the closure, the finger of the handle-rotation limit signaler is made of a flexible material and arranged to extend upwardly toward the underside of the handle, and the lug of the handle-rotation limit signaler is arranged to engage and deflect the upwardly extending finger to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure once the closure stops rotating relative to the filler neck during installation of the closure in the filler neck. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The cap-installation signal system of claim 22, wherein the handle includes a top plate coupled to the lug and an upper spring mount extending downwardly from the top plate into a spring chamber formed in the closure to mate with an upper end of the rotary spring located in the spring chamber, the closure further includes a lower spring mount located in the spring chamber and coupled to a lower end of the rotary spring, the handle further includes an annular rim coupled to a perimeter edge of the top plate, and the lug is arranged to lie in a space provided between the upper spring mount and the annular rim. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The cap-installation signal system of claim 1, wherein the rotary spring is configured to store energy during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure about the axis of rotation and then release energy once a user ungrips the handle after the discernable warning signal has been produced to provide means for rotating the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation in an opposite second direction to return the handle to a predetermined removal-ready position relative to the closure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The cap-installation signal system of claim 24, wherein the closure is formed to include a spring chamber receiving a lower portion of the rotary spring, the handle includes an upper spring mount arranged to extend downwardly into the spring chamber, the closure further includes a lower spring mount located in the spring chamber below the upper spring mount, and the rotary spring is a torsion spring having an upper tang coupled to the upper spring mount, a lower tang coupled to the lower spring mount, and a coiled portion arranged to wind around the axis of rotation and interconnect the upper and lower tangs. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The cap-installation signal system of claim 15, further comprising a closure-rotation blocker including an anti-rotation stop located in a stationary position in a filler neck formed to include a nozzle-receiving passageway closed by the closure once the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and a rotation-inhibitor tab coupled to an external portion of the closure to rotate therewith and arranged to mate with the anti-rotation stop during rotation of the closure about the axis of rotation in the first direction to block further rotation of the closure in the first direction without inhibiting further rotation of the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation in the first direction to allow temporary engagement of the lug on the handle as the handle rotates relative to the closure to produce the discernable warning signal to inform a user rotating the handle that the closure has already reached the filler-neck closing position in the filler neck. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The cap-installation signal system of claim 26, wherein the closure is formed to include a lost-motion slot and the handle includes a shell coupled to the rotary spring and configured to provide an external hand grip and an anti-rotation post coupled to the shell to rotate therewith about the axis of rotation and to extend into the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the rotary spring is configured normally to rotate the handle in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation relative to the closure to establish an initial position of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot formed in the closure, the anti-rotation post is arranged to move in the lost-motion slot in response to clockwise rotation of the shell in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward an end wall associated with the lost-motion slot relative to the closure once the closure has been rotated in the filler neck to assume the filler-neck closing position, and the lug and finger are arranged to mate temporarily and produce the discernable warning signal during movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot between the initial position and a limit position engaging the end wall associated with the slot. ### Claim 28 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to rotatably engage and mate with a filler neck and close a mouth opening into a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure and configured to cause the closure to rotate in a first direction relative to the filler neck about the axis of rotation during engagement with the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, a closure-rotation blocker including an anti-rotation stop adapted to be coupled to the filler neck and lie in a stationary position in the nozzle-receiving passageway and a rotation-inhibitor tab coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and arranged to mate with the anti-rotation stop during rotation of the closure in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward a filler-neck closing position to provide a hard stop establish the filler-neck closing position and to block any further rotation of the closure in the first direction relative to the filler neck, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled directly to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept and engage temporarily the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure after the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and ceases to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation to produce a discernable warning signal to alert a user rotating the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and ceased to rotate further in the first direction. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The cap-installation signal system of claim 28, wherein the closure includes a base adapted to mate with the filler neck and an O-ring seal coupled to the base to move therewith and adapted to mate with the filler neck to establish a sealed connection therebetween and a torque-transmission member fixed to the base to lie in a stationary position on the base to rotate therewith and the finger is coupled to the base and arranged to extend upwardly toward the handle and past the torque-transmission member. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The cap-installation signal system of claim 29, wherein an upper end of the rotary spring is coupled to the handle and a lower end of the rotary spring is coupled to the torque-transmission member. ### Claim 31 A cap-installation signal system for a filler neck, the system comprising a handle rotatable about an axis of rotation, a closure adapted to rotatably engage and mate with a filler neck and close a mouth opening into a nozzle-receiving passageway formed in the filler neck, a rotary spring coupled to the handle and to the closure and configured to cause the closure to rotate in a first direction relative to the filler neck about the axis of rotation during engagement with the filler neck in response to rotation of the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation, a closure-rotation blocker including an anti-rotation stop adapted to be coupled to the filler neck and lie in a stationary position in the nozzle-receiving passageway and a rotation-inhibitor tab coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and arranged to mate with the anti-rotation stop during rotation of the closure in the first direction about the axis of rotation toward a filler-neck closing position to provide a hard stop establish the filler-neck closing position and to block any further rotation of the closure in the first direction relative to the filler neck, and a handle-rotation limit signaler including a finger coupled to the closure to rotate therewith and a lug coupled to the handle to rotate therewith and to intercept and engage temporarily the finger during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure after the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and ceases to rotate in the first direction about the axis of rotation to produce a discernable warning signal to alert a user rotating the handle in the first direction about the axis of rotation that the closure has reached the filler-neck closing position and ceased to rotate further in the first direction, wherein the closure includes a base adapted to mate with the filler neck and an O-ring seal coupled to the base to move therewith and adapted to mate with the filler neck to establish a sealed connection therebetween and a torque-transmission member fixed to the base to lie in a stationary position on the base to rotate therewith and the finger is coupled to the base and arranged to extend upwardly toward the handle and past the torque-transmission member, and wherein the torque-transmission member includes an annular web arranged to surround the rotary spring and a cup coupled to an interior edge of the annular web and formed to include a spring chamber receiving a lower portion of the rotary spring, a torque-transmission lug coupled to the annular web and arranged to extend into a lug-receiving slot formed in the base to fix the torque-transmission member in fixed relation to the base. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The cap-installation signal system of claim 31, wherein the torque-transmission member further includes a lower spring mount coupled to the cup and to a lower end of the rotary spring and located in the spring chamber. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The cap-installation signal system of claim 29, wherein the torque-transmission member is formed to receive a lost-motion slot, the handle includes an anti-rotation post arranged to extend into and move back and forth in the lost-motion slot during rotation of the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The cap-installation signal system of claim 33, wherein the lost-motion slot formed in the torque-transmission member has an arcuate shape and a center of curvature on the axis of rotation and the anti-rotation post is sized and arranged to engage an end wall associated with the anti-rotation post after limited movement of the anti-rotation post in the lost-motion slot during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure about the axis of rotation and after the closure arrives at the filler-neck closing position to block any further rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The cap-installation signal system of claim 29, wherein the torque-transmission member is formed to include a finger-receiving channel and the finger is arranged to extend upwardly from the base and through the finger-receiving channel to cause a free end of the finger to lie above the torque-transmission member in a position to intercept and contact temporarily the lug to produce the discernable warning signal during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the body of the closure. ### Claim 36 (depends on 28) The cap-installation signal system of claim 28, wherein the rotary spring is configured to store energy during rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the closure about the axis of rotation and then release energy once a user ungrips the handle after the discernable warning signal has been produced to provide means for rotating the handle relative to the closure about the axis of rotation in an opposite second direction to return the handle to a predetermined removal-ready position relative to the closure.