Retention means for air cleaner element

Claim 1

A centrifugal fluid cleaner comprising: a. an outer container having first and second ends; b. a primary fluid filter assembly having first and second ends with a first fluid passage formed therethrough, the primary filter assembly removably supported in the outer container and forming a second fluid passage therewith; c. fluid inlet means communicating with one end of the second passage for receiving unfiltered fluid; d. a first outlet communicating with the opposite end of the second passage for receiving and exhausting impure particles; e. a second outlet for receiving and conducting filtered fluid from the fluid cleaner, comprising 1. an opening formed in the first end of the outer container; 2. and a fluid conducting outlet member of predetermined size and shape communicating with the opening and projecting outwarDly therefrom, the fluid conducting member having an inner face in which a groove is formed; f. fluid control means for effecting a spiral fluid flow in the second passage between the inlet means and the first outlet, thereby imparting centrifugal force to impure particles in the second fluid passage; g. and a secondary fluid filter assembly having first and second ends with a third fluid passage formed therethrough, the second end being closed; h. the first end of the secondary filter assembly being sealably insertable into said outlet member, and removably supported independent of the first filter assembly by supporting means comprising 1. a plurality of spring clips affixed to the first end of the secondary filter assembly, each clip having a ridge portion receivable in said groove in spring-biased relation therewith upon insertion of said first end of the secondary filter assembly into said outlet member.