US4010967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gasoline tank closure for a motor vehicle
Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates Inc
•
Filing: 1976-01-21
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1996-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A closure for a gasoline tank or radiator of an automobile having a permanent magnet for securing the closure to an adjacent portion of the vehicle upon removal so it will not be lost. The closure also includes a flashing light which is activated upon removal of the closure to remind a service station attendant to replace it.
Inventors
- 👤 Isaac Renteria, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/0406; F; F01; F01P; F01P11/00; F01P11/02; F01P11/0204; F01P11/0209; F01P11/0214; F01P11/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/03; Y10T292/11; Y10T292/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A closure for an automobile gas tank or radiator comprising: a cylindrical body having a top and a bottom wall adapted to be attached to an automobile gas tank or radiator, a light secured to said top wall, and electrical circuit means within said cylindrical body between said top and bottom walls for activating said light in response to removal of said closure from said automobile gas tank or radiator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A closure for an automobile gas tank or radiator comprising: a cylindrical body having a top and a bottom wall adapted to be attached to an automobile gas tank or radiator, a light secured to said top wall, and electrical circuit means within said cylindrical body between said top and bottom walls for activating said light in response to removal of said closure from said automobile gas tank or radiator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A closure in accordance with claim 1 including: a permanent magnet within said cylindrical body for attaching said closure to a convenient portion of said automobile when removed from said gas tank or radiator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
A closure in accordance with claim 1 including: a disc in said cylindrical body between said top and bottom walls dividing the interior of said cylindrical body into an upper and lower chamber, spring means between said disc and bottom wall in said cylindrical body normally compressed when the bottom wall of said closure is attached to the automobile gas tank or radiator, but which expands when said closure is removed, a plunger in said lower chamber having a vertical rod extending through said disc into said upper chamber fixed to said spring means, and said electrical circuit means including: a normally open switch in said upper chamber electrically connected between a source of electrical energy and said light in contact with the vertical rod of said plunger which when said spring means is compressed holds said switch in its normally open position, but when said spring means is expanded in response to removal of said closure from said automobile gas tank or radiator said vertical rod on said plunger is pulled away from said switch, closing said switch to activate said light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A closure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said spring means comprises a compressible sponge rubber mass between said disc and bottom wall filling the lower chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A closure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bottom wall of said cylindrical body is a free-floating disc and said cylindrical body includes an annular shoulder for retaining said free-floating disc within said cylindrical body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A closure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means includes: means for periodically interrupting said circuit to cause said light to flash upon removal of said closure from said automobile gas tank or radiator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A closure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said interrupting means includes an electrical relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A closure in accordance with claim 1 including a dome secured to the top wall of said cylindrical body around said light.
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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |