US4254888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking gas tank cap
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-08-13
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A locking device for a tank having a spout and a cap attached to the spout, the device including a main body having a first and second hinging portion. The first and second hinging portions are hingedly connected with each other and have corresponding mating surfaces surrounding a depression whereby when the mating surfaces are in contact the depressions form a cavity. The cavity completely encompasses the cap and a portion of the spout including a split ring that is firmly engaging the spout. The split ring being firmly attached to the spout and within the cavity prevents a thief from pulling up on the main body to frictionally engage and twist the cap off by engaging the inside edge of an inwardly extending flange of the main body while the main body is being rotated. The cavity is also tall enough to prevent a thief from pushing down to frictionally engage the cap with the main body. A lock securely holds the first and second hinging portions in a closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Chandler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:18
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/06; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K15/04; B60K15/0406; B60K15/0409; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/14; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/01; F17C2205/0153; F17C2205/0173; F17C2205/03; F17C2205/0302; F17C2205/0308; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/33; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/554; Y10T70/5562; Y10T70/5566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A locking device in combination with a tank, having a spout and a cap detachably secured to the spout and removable by twisting the same, the device comprising: a ring means at least partially surrounding and firmly engaging the spout; a main body having first and second hinging portions hingedly connected with each other, said hinging portions having corresponding mating surfaces surrounding a depression whereby when the mating surfaces are in contact, the depressions form a cavity having an opening, said cavity being large enough to completely encompass the cap and the ring means secured to the spout, said hinging portions having radial inwardly extending flanges defining the opening to the cavity, said main body being free of said ring means but engaging the same when upward pressure is applied to the main body to prevent twisting of said cap by frictional engagement of the main body with the cap, and a locking means for securely holding the first and second hinging portions in a closed position that completely encompasses the cap and the ring means attached to the spout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A locking device in combination with a tank, having a spout and a cap detachably secured to the spout and removable by twisting the same, the device comprising: a ring means at least partially surrounding and firmly engaging the spout; a main body having first and second hinging portions hingedly connected with each other, said hinging portions having corresponding mating surfaces surrounding a depression whereby when the mating surfaces are in contact, the depressions form a cavity having an opening, said cavity being large enough to completely encompass the cap and the ring means secured to the spout, said hinging portions having radial inwardly extending flanges defining the opening to the cavity, said main body being free of said ring means but engaging the same when upward pressure is applied to the main body to prevent twisting of said cap by frictional engagement of the main body with the cap, and a locking means for securely holding the first and second hinging portions in a closed position that completely encompasses the cap and the ring means attached to the spout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first hinging portion further includes an overlapping section that is adjacent to the top of the second hinging portion when in a closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second hinging portions have first and second lugs respectively attached thereto with padlock receiving apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 3 further including a padlock means having a shackle extending through the apertures of the first and second lugs and holding the portions together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ring means is a circular split ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ring means is a split ring substantially circular except for two opposing portions that extend outwardly a sufficient distance to center the cavity of the main body with respect to the spout.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The locking device of claim 1 wherein the main body is made of a plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The locking device of claim 1 wherein the main body is made of steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cavity formed by the first and second hinging portions is sufficiently tall to prevent frictional engagement between the fuel cap and a top surface of the cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US943407A
Cited
US1948966A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |