Patent US3815776A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3815776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gas cap assembly
Assignee: McCord Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-26
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Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A gas cap assembly is provided for the filler tube of a vehicle gas tank including a clutch coupling a closure member with a manually graspable control member. A plurality of radially deflectable pawls integral with the closure member and a plurality of protrusions, having surfaces engagable with the pawls, integral with the control member coact in the operation of the clutch. When the cap assembly is screwed onto the filler tube, the radially deflectable pawls are intermittently deflected to allow 360* relative rotation between the closure member and the control member, if the torque applied to the control member exceeds a predetermined maximum. In this manner, the torque that can be applied to tighten the closure member in the filler tube is limited to the predetermined maximum. When the cap is removed from the filler tube, the pawls engage the surfaces of the protrusions in a manner preventing relative rotation between the closure member and the control member irrespective of the torque applied to the control member; the pawls of the clutch are not deflected by the protrusions when the cap is removed. The cap assembly also includes two valves. An air inlet valve permits air to enter the gas tank as gas is pumped out. A pressure release valve insures against excessive pressure build-up in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 R Macmillan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/0406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A gas cap assembly, comprising: a closure member having a threaded portion for threadedly engaging a threaded opening; a manually graspable control member; and a clutch having first and second coacting means one of which is integral with said closure member and the other of which is integral with said control member for allowing 360* relative rotation between said members in one direction in response to a predetermined torque yet preventing relative rotation between said members in the opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A gas cap assembly, comprising: a closure member having a threaded portion for threadedly engaging a threaded opening; a manually graspable control member; and a clutch having first and second coacting means one of which is integral with said closure member and the other of which is integral with said control member for allowing 360* relative rotation between said members in one direction in response to a predetermined torque yet preventing relative rotation between said members in the opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second coacting means of said clutch comprise respectively at least one radially deflectable pawl and at least one protrusion having surfaces engagable with said pawl and wherein at least one of said first and second coacting means of said clutch includes a ramp effective to radially deflect said pawl in response to said predetermined torque.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2, including a plurality of pawls spaced circumferentially about and integral with said closure membeR.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3, including a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially about and integral with said control member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein each pawl comprises a cantilever disposed generally circumferentially about said closure member including a ramp extending inwardly from the outer circumferential extremity thereof and a radial surface extending inwardly from said outer circumferential extremity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein each protrusion includes a ramp disposed to selectively coact with said ramps of said pawls to deflect said pawls in response to said predetermined torque to thereby allow relative rotation between said members and a radial surface disposed to selectively coact with said radial surfaces of said pawls to prevent relative rotation between said members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said closure member includes a radially extending flange with said pawls spaced about the periphery of said flange and wherein said control member includes retaining means coacting with said flange for retaining said control member in assembly with said closure member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7, including sealing means disposed about said closure member adjacent said flange.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said closure member is generally tubular and wherein said cap assembly includes valve means supported by said closure member for allowing fluid flow through said tubular closure member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein said closure member includes an annular support portion disposed radially thereof and wherein said assembly includes valve means carried by said annular support portion for controlling fluid flow through said tubular closure member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said valve means includes an annular seal, a disk, and biasing means urging said disk into sealing relationship with said seal yet allowing said disk to lift from said seal in response to a predetermined pressure within the volume sealed by said cap assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said disk has at least one aperture and wherein said valve means further includes a flapper valve to allow fluid flow through said aperture into the volume sealed by said cap assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said disk includes an annular ridge normally in sealing engagement with said annular seal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said biasing means includes a spring locator engaging said control member and a spring disposed between said spring locator and said disk urging said disk into sealing engagement with said seal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said spring locator comprises a disk and an axially extending cone engaging said control member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said valve means further includes a cylindrical passage for fluid through said tubular closure member and a filter disposed within said cylindrical passage and about said cone shaped portion of said spring locator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein said valve means further includes at least one vent hole in said closure member to allow fluid flow to and from the volume sealed by said cap assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1, including valve means supported by said closure member for selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said closure member includes an annular support portion disposed radially thereof and wherein said assembly includes valve means carried by said annular support portion for controlling fluid flow through said tubular closure member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein said valve means includes an annular seal, a disk, and biasing means urging said disk into sealing relationship with said seal yet allowing said disk to lift from Said seal in response to a predetermined pressure within the volume sealed by said cap assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |