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US3703245A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Filler cap

Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
•
Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1991-08-19
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Abstract

Abstract A filler cap for a motor vehicle fuel tank includes pairs of axially spaced locking and retaining tabs which successively engage the filler neck cam. When the first pair of tabs are disengaged, the second pair engage the cam to prevent direct removal of the cap and permit gradual pressure release from the tank. When the second pair of tabs are disengaged, the cap is completely removable from the filler neck.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert W Brewer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 19:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/0406; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/32

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 233 words
A filler cap for a fuel tank filler neck having an opening defined by projecting camming surfaces which are circumferentially spaced by axially extending cap withdrawal slots, said filler cap comprising: a cover member including a lid portion; a cup member carried by the lid portion and axially receivable in said opening; outwardly projecting locking tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced from said lid portion, said locking tabs being spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and engaging said camming surfaces upon closing movement of said cover member to seat said cover member against said filler neck, said locking tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces at a first released position wherein said locking tabs are aligned with and axially withdrawable through said slots; outwardly projecting retaining tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced thereon remote from said locking tabs and said lid portion, said retaining tabs being circumferentially spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and being axially spaced relative to said locking tabs so as to engage said camming surfaces when the cover member is in said first released position thereby preventing direct removal of said cap, said retaining tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces by additional opening movement of said cover member to a second released position wherein said retaining tabs are aligned with the slots and said cap is fully removable from said filler neck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 233 words
A filler cap for a fuel tank filler neck having an opening defined by projecting camming surfaces which are circumferentially spaced by axially extending cap withdrawal slots, said filler cap comprising: a cover member including a lid portion; a cup member carried by the lid portion and axially receivable in said opening; outwardly projecting locking tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced from said lid portion, said locking tabs being spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and engaging said camming surfaces upon closing movement of said cover member to seat said cover member against said filler neck, said locking tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces at a first released position wherein said locking tabs are aligned with and axially withdrawable through said slots; outwardly projecting retaining tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced thereon remote from said locking tabs and said lid portion, said retaining tabs being circumferentially spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and being axially spaced relative to said locking tabs so as to engage said camming surfaces when the cover member is in said first released position thereby preventing direct removal of said cap, said retaining tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces by additional opening movement of said cover member to a second released position wherein said retaining tabs are aligned with the slots and said cap is fully removable from said filler neck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 233 words
A filler cap for a fuel tank filler neck having an opening defined by projecting camming surfaces which are circumferentially spaced by axially extending cap withdrawal slots, said filler cap comprising: a cover member including a lid portion; a cup member carried by the lid portion and axially receivable in said opening; outwardly projecting locking tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced from said lid portion, said locking tabs being spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and engaging said camming surfaces upon closing movement of said cover member to seat said cover member against said filler neck, said locking tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces at a first released position wherein said locking tabs are aligned with and axially withdrawable through said slots; outwardly projecting retaining tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced thereon remote from said locking tabs and said lid portion, said retaining tabs being circumferentially spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and being axially spaced relative to said locking tabs so as to engage said camming surfaces when the cover member is in said first released position thereby preventing direct removal of said cap, said retaining tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces by additional opening movement of said cover member to a second released position wherein said retaining tabs are aligned with the slots and said cap is fully removable from said filler neck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 233 words
A filler cap for a fuel tank filler neck having an opening defined by projecting camming surfaces which are circumferentially spaced by axially extending cap withdrawal slots, said filler cap comprising: a cover member including a lid portion; a cup member carried by the lid portion and axially receivable in said opening; outwardly projecting locking tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced from said lid portion, said locking tabs being spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and engaging said camming surfaces upon closing movement of said cover member to seat said cover member against said filler neck, said locking tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces at a first released position wherein said locking tabs are aligned with and axially withdrawable through said slots; outwardly projecting retaining tabs formed on said cup member and axially spaced thereon remote from said locking tabs and said lid portion, said retaining tabs being circumferentially spaced equal to said withdrawal slots and being axially spaced relative to said locking tabs so as to engage said camming surfaces when the cover member is in said first released position thereby preventing direct removal of said cap, said retaining tabs being disengaged from said camming surfaces by additional opening movement of said cover member to a second released position wherein said retaining tabs are aligned with the slots and said cap is fully removable from said filler neck.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1866818A Cited
US1845409A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-11-21 1976-05-22 1976-11-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-11-21 1980-05-22 1980-11-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-11-21 1984-05-22 1984-11-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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