Fluid filter retaining device

Claim 1

A filtering device for use with a fluid flow system, said filtering device comprising: a housing having an axially extending interior chamber, an open top, said housing having an inlet and an outlet open to said chamber, said inlet connected to said fluid flow system; said housing having a seat formed within said chamber at a position spaced downwardly from said open top, said seat extending radially into said chamber and having an annular surface; a cover member detachably mounted to said housing to extend over said open top; means for detachably mounting said cover to said housing; and a filter unit removably insertable into said chamber through said open top to a filtering position in which said filter unit is positioned between said inlet and said outlet, said filter unit having a filter element with a continuous flange portion in abutment with said seat, a filter liner having a flared top portion and an elongated portion, said elongated portion being positioned within said filter element with said flared portion positioned between said flange, and a biasing means, said biasing means comprising a retaining ring member and a spring member mounted to said retaining ring member, said retaining ring member being positioned in abutment with said flared portion of said filter liner to maintain said filter liner and filter element in position against said seat.