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US RE36,959 EGranted
Lockable pressure relief fuel cap
AssigneeStant Manufacturing Inc.
InventorJeffery Griffin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lockable pressure-release fuel cap is provided to close a filler neck. An actuation system within the fuel cap is operable to enable a user to vent fuel vapor pressure in the filler neck in response to rotation of a key in a lock unit included in the fuel cap prior to removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.
Claims104
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for threadably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means about an axis of rotation,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means for movement of the closure means in the cap-removing direction, and
- means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position, the actuating means being supported for reciprocating movement along the axis of rotation during movement of the lock means between the locked position and the unlocked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means for movement of the closure means in the cap-removing direction,
- means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position,
- race means for engaging the closure member, and
- drive hub means coupled to the shell means for engaging the race means to provide a cap-installing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means for movement of the closure means in a cap-installing direction, the drive hub means further including means for disengaging the cap-installing driving connection in response to movement of the shell means in a cap-removing direction.
4 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means for movement of the closure means in the cap-removing direction, and
- means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position, the lock means including a cam, the actuating means including plunger means for actuating the vent means, and the plunger means having cam follower means for urging the plunger means to a vent means-actuating position in response to movement of the cam during movement of the lock means to the unlocked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for threadably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere, and
- coupling means for providing a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position for movement of the closure means in a cap-removing direction, the coupling means including plunger means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- lock means coupled to the shell means for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap, the lock means being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,
- coupling means for establishing a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position for movement of the closure means in a cap-removing direction, and
- uncoupling means for automatically disabling the cap-removing driving connection in response to movement of the shell means relative to the closure means in the cap-installing direction when the lock means is in the locked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure member,
- lock means coupled to the shell means for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- removal hub means for engaging the closure member, and
- plunger means for engaging the removal hub means;
- the lock means, removable hub means, and plunger means cooperating to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position for movement of the closure means in a cap-removing direction.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure member,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- first means for providing a uni-directional cap-installing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means, the cap-installing driving connection being bypassed in response to movement of the shell means relative to the closure means in the cap-removing direction, and
- second means for providing a uni-directional cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position, the cap-removing driving connection being disabled by movement of the shell means relative to the closure means in the cap-installing direction when the lock means is in the locked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere, and
- coupling means for providing a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position for movement of the closure means in a cap-removing direction, the coupling means including a plunger means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position wherein the coupling means further includes removal hub means for engaging the closure means and the plunger means includes engagement means for drivingly connecting the plunger means to the removal hub means in response to the movement of the lock means to the unlocked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- closure means for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure means being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- shell means for providing a hand grip to permit manual rotation of the closure means,
- lock means coupled to the shell means and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- vent means for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere, and
- coupling means for providing a cap-removing driving connection between the shell means and the closure means in response to movement of the lock means from the locked position to the unlocked position for movement of the closure means in a cap-removing direction, the coupling means including a plunger means for actuating the vent means in response to movement of the lock means to the unlocked position wherein the coupling means further includes removal hub means rotationally coupled to the closure means, the plunger means actuating the vent means and engaging the removal hub means to rotationally lock the shell means to the closure means for rotation of the closure means in a cap-removing direction.
2 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising:
- a shell,
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position, the closure further including a radially outwardly extending flange coupled to the shank portion and arranged to lie within the shell,
- a gasket coupled to the closure,
- the shell positioned to lie adjacent to the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure, and
- a metal retainer, the entire metal retainer being positioned to lie above the gasket and a portion of the metal retainer being positioned to lie below the radially outwardly extending flange.
3 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell positioned to lie adjacent to the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure,
- a metal retainer coupled between the closure and shell,
- a lock mechanism coupled to the shell, the lock mechanism being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position and cooperating with the shell and the closure to establish a cap-removing driving connection therebetween for movement of the closure in a cap-removing direction, and
- a plunger formed to selectively engage the vent valve and a cam follower positioned on the plunger to engage the lock mechanism and move the plunger along the axis of rotation during movement of the lock to the unlocked position.
3 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell positioned to lie adjacent the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure,
- a metal retainer coupled between the closure and shell,
- a lock mechanism coupled to the shell, the lock mechanism being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position and cooperating with the shell and the closure to establish a cap-removing driving connection therebetween for movement of the closure in a cap-removing direction, and
- an elongated neck positioned to lie in the closure and configured for reciprocating movement along the axis of rotation to actuate the vent valve in response to movement of the lock mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.
3 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell positioned to lie adjacent the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure,
- a metal retainer coupled between the closure and shell, and
- a plunger formed for selective engagement with the vent valve.
2 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising:
- a shell,
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position, the closure further including a radially outwardly extending flange coupled to the shank portion and arranged to lie within the shell,
- a gasket coupled to the closure,
- the shell positioned to lie adjacent to the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure, and
- a metal member positioned to lie between the closure and shell, the metal member including an upper portion engaging the closure and a skirt extending away from the upper portion, the entire metal member being positioned to lie above the gasket and a portion of the metal member being positioned to lie below the radially outwardly extending flange.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising:
- a shell,
- a closure adapted for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure including a shank portion and being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position, the closure including a radially outwardly extending flange coupled to the shank portion and arranged to lie within the shell,
- a gasket coupled to the closure,
- the shell in communication with the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a lock mechanism coupled to the shell, the lock mechanism being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell and the closure for movement of the closure in a cap-removing direction, and
- a metal retainer positioned to lie between the closure and shell, the metal retainer including an upper portion engaging the closure member and a skirt extending away from the upper portion, the entire metal retainer being positioned to lie above the gasket and a portion of the metal retainer being positioned to lie below the radially outwardly extending flange.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure adapted for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell in communication with the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a lock mechanism coupled to the shell, the lock mechanism being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell and the closure for movement of the closure in a cap-removing direction,
- a metal retainer coupled between the closure and shell,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure and configured to equalize fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere, and
- a plunger supported for reciprocating movement along the axis of rotation and selectively actuating the vent valve in response to movement of the lock mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure adapted for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell in communication with the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve being configured to equalize fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- a lock mechanism coupled to the shell, the lock mechanism being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell and the closure for movement of the closure in the cap-removing direction, and
- a plunger being supported for reciprocating movement along the axis of rotation during movement of the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position, the plunger selectively actuating the vent valve in response to movement of the lock mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.
2 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure formed for engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell adapted to permit manual rotation of the closure,
- a vent valve for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- a lock coupled to the shell and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell and the closure for movement of the closure in the cap-removing direction, the lock including a cam, and
- a plunger configured to selectively actuate the vent valve in response to movement of the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position, the plunger including a cam follower selectively engaging the cam during movement of the lock to the unlocked position to urge the plunger to a
- vent-actuating position.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure including a threaded shank formed for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell adapted to permit manual rotation of the closure,
- a vent valve for equalizing fuel vapor pressure between the filler neck and the atmosphere,
- a lock coupled to the shell and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- a removal hub in communication with the shell and the closure to provide a cap-removing driving connection therebetween in response to movement of the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position to move the closure in a cap-removing direction, and
- a plunger configured to selectively actuate the vent valve in response to movement of the lock from the unlocked position.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure formed for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell adapted to permit manual rotation of the closure,
- a lock coupled to the shell and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- a plunger having a finger movable between an engaged position and a driving connection-maintaining position, the finger moving to the driving connection-maintaining position in response to movement of the lock to the unlocked position and moving to the engaged position in response to movement of the shell relative to the closure in the cap-installing direction, and
- uncoupling means for automatically disabling the cap-removing driving connection in response to movement of the shell relative to the closure in the cap-installing direction when the lock is in the locked
- position.
3 more elements
A lockable fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising
- a closure formed for rotatably engaging and closing the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position,
- a shell adapted to permit manual rotation of the closure,
- a lock coupled to the shell and movable from a locked position to an unlocked position for selectively locking and unlocking the fuel cap,
- a removal hub coupled to the closure, and
- a plunger selectively coupled to the removal hub, the lock, removal hub, and plunger cooperating to establish a cap-removing driving connection between the shell and the closure in response to movement of the lock to the unlocked position for movement of the closure in a cap-removing direction.
2 more elements
A fuel cap for closing a filler neck of a fuel tank, the cap comprising:
- a closure including a shank portion adapted to engage and close the filler neck, the closure being movable relative to the filler neck between a removed position and an installed position, the closure further including a radially outwardly extending flange coupled to the shank portion,
- a gasket coupled to the closure,
- a shell positioned to lie adjacent to the closure to permit manual rotation of the closure about an axis of rotation,
- a vent valve positioned to lie within the closure, and
- a metal retainer positioned to lie within the shell, the entire metal retainer being positioned to lie above the gasket, and a portion of the metal retainer being positioned to lie below the radially outwardly extending flange.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.