US3750825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-closing cap
Assignee: TDY Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1971-01-25
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A cap for closing a filler tube or the like having a spring hinge mechanism designed to maintain the cap in an open position when the cap is on one side of an over-center position and to snap the cap closed when the cap is pivoted to the other side of the over-center position. Means are provided to reduce the likelihood that the cap will remain in the opened position when the machinery to which the filler tube is attached is put into operation. In one embodiment, this is achieved by mounting the tube and the cap so that vibrations of the tube upon operation of the machinery will shake the cap past the over-center position to cause it to snap shut. In another embodiment, a cover is provided which is movable away from the tube to permit access to the cap and to move against the cap when closed to move the cap past the over-center position and to snap the cap closed.
Inventors
- 👤 C Bachle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:15
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D43/00; B65D43/14; B65D43/24; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/0406; B60K15/05; B64; B64D; B64D39/00; B60K2015/0419
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
In combination with a cap for a liquid filler tube or the like for machinery: means for mounting said cap for pivotal movement between an open position providing access to the filler tube and a closed position closing the top of the filler tube; a handle attached to said cap and pivotally mounted to said filler tube; and a spring member having one end attached to said tube and another end attached to said handle, said spring member operable to urge said cap toward a closed position when said cap is pivoted past an over-center position and, in the absence of vibration, to retain said cap in an open position when said cap is pivoted past said over-center position in the direction of said open position, and said spring member being responsive to vibration of said machinery for urging said cap past said over-center position toward said closed position to reduce the likelihood of said cap being in the open position while said machinery is in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
In combination with a cap for a liquid filler tube or the like for machinery: means for mounting said cap for pivotal movement between an open position providing access to the filler tube and a closed position closing the top of the filler tube; a handle attached to said cap and pivotally mounted to said filler tube; and a spring member having one end attached to said tube and another end attached to said handle, said spring member operable to urge said cap toward a closed position when said cap is pivoted past an over-center position and, in the absence of vibration, to retain said cap in an open position when said cap is pivoted past said over-center position in the direction of said open position, and said spring member being responsive to vibration of said machinery for urging said cap past said over-center position toward said closed position to reduce the likelihood of said cap being in the open position while said machinery is in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising an access cover movably mounted adjacent said filler tube, said access cover being movable away from said filler tube to provide access to said filler tube but being movable into said cap when said cap is in an open position in a direction which urges said cap to pivot past said over-center position toward the closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including stop means limiting movement of said cap past said over-center position in the opening direction to thereby cause slight movements of said cap from the open position to move said cap past said over-center position in the closing direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and in which said handle and said spring are formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a latch member to provide additional holding force to keep the cap member in the closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1277918A
Cited
US2143626A
Cited
US2314710A
Cited
US2606772A
Cited
US2812955A
Cited
US2893779A
Cited
US2865653A
Cited
US3580414A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |