Air filter construction

Claim 1

In combination with an engine-mounted carburetor having an air intake with a generally cylindrical exterior mounting, a filter construction comprising a flexible filteR element of compressible foam material adapted to permit the passage of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air before entering the carburetor, said filter element normally being of generally cylindrical configuration opened at one axial end thereof and closed at the opposite axial end thereof, flexible coil means positioned in the interior of said filter element for supporting said filter element and for permitting changing of the configuration of the filter construction, said coil means including a plurality of spaced convolutions supporting said filter element and allowing unrestricted passage of air therethrough and a plurality of mounting convolutions in surrounding retentative engagement with the exterior of said cylindrical mounting, said filter element adjacent its opened end surrounding said mounting convolutions, said flexible filter element and said coil means being free to flex together about said air intake mounting to assume selected configuration for close-quarters mounting with the engine, and clamping means extending around said filter element and said mounting convolutions to compress and deform a portion of said flexible filter element adjacent its open end against said mounting convolutions, whereby said mounting convolutions are retentively pressed against the exterior of said cylindrical air intake mounting and a seal is formed around said air intake mounting to prevent the passage of contaminates directly into the air intake.