Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank, ignition means for starting the engine, and a carburetor for combining fuel with air to form a combustible mixture, the improvement of apparatus for drawing excess fuel vapors from the carburetor, said apparatus comprising: a conduit having an end extending into said carburetor and an outlet extending into said fuel tank for the passage oF excess fuel vapors through the conduit prior to the introduction of said excess vapors into the combustion chamber, pump means disposed in the conduit for creating an airstream through the latter in the direction of said tank to draw said excess fuel vapors through the conduit; and circuit means coupling said pump means with said ignition means whereby said pump means is activated by said ignition means whenever the engine is started to draw said excess fuel vapors from the carburetor through said conduit and deposit the vapors in said tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank, ignition means for starting the engine, and a carburetor for combining fuel with air to form a combustible mixture, the improvement of apparatus for drawing excess fuel vapors from the carburetor, said apparatus comprising: a conduit having an end extending into said carburetor and an outlet extending into said fuel tank for the passage oF excess fuel vapors through the conduit prior to the introduction of said excess vapors into the combustion chamber, pump means disposed in the conduit for creating an airstream through the latter in the direction of said tank to draw said excess fuel vapors through the conduit; and circuit means coupling said pump means with said ignition means whereby said pump means is activated by said ignition means whenever the engine is started to draw said excess fuel vapors from the carburetor through said conduit and deposit the vapors in said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention of claim 1, including a second conduit communicating said tank with said carburetor below the fuel level in the tank, and wherein said pump means includes pressure sensitive switch means coupled with said circuit means, said switch means being activated by said ignition means and operable to control operation of said pump means in accordance with the pressure in the first-mentioned conduit whereby a pressure head is maintained in said tank sufficient to force fuel from the latter through the second conduit and into said carburetor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said engine creates a suction head during operation, and including third conduit means coupling said tank with said suction head; fourth conduit means intercommunicating the first and second conduit means; and valve means operable to block the flow of fluid from said first conduit means into the tank while simultaneously directing the flow of fluid from the first conduit means into said second conduit means whereby the fuel in said second conduit means is delivered to said carburetor to run the engine and any fumes in said tank are evacuated through said third conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 3, wherein said valve means is also operable to block the flow of fluid through said fourth conduit means while simultaneously directing the flow of fluid from the first conduit means into said tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said tank has an opening therein for filling the tank with fuel; and including a removable cap for closing the opening; and a lever coupled with said valve for moving the latter from a first position blocking said third and fourth conduits to a second position blocking said first conduit, said lever being disposed to prevent removal of said cap when the lever is in the first position, and said cap being removable when the lever is in the second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said second conduit is provided with a one-way check valve at a point below the point of communication of the fourth conduit therewith, whereby fluid flowing from the fourth conduit into the second conduit is precluded from entering said tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein said engine includes air cleaner means coupled with said carburetor, and said first conduit extends into the interior of said air cleaner means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 7, wherein said air cleaner means has a passageway for the introduction of air, and including gate means operable to prevent escape of said excess fuel vapors from the air cleaner means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 8, wherein said air cleaner means includes pressure relief means operable to open said air cleaner means to the atmosphere in the event of excessive pressure buildup within the engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein is included a delivery nozzle for delivering fuel from a storage area to said tank, said nozzle being provided with coupling means for sealingly securing the nozzle to the tank whereby fuel is drawn from the storage area and into the tank in response to the reduced pressure in the tank as a result of the suction head of the engine being in communication therewith.