Air cleaner having removable end cap

Claim 2

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a body having side portions and an open end, the side portions of the body including an outer edge portion adjacent to the open end, and an end cap adapted to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions which include a rim portion adapted to engage the outer edge portion of the body, at least one of the body and the end cap having a shroud connected therewith and inside the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto; a filter element captured between the body and the end cap within the housing and positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet, the filter element having a resilient portion, the resilient portion fitting entirely within the shroud and detached from the shroud, the resilient portion producing a spring force which urges the end cap away from the body; and a sealing bayonet connection formed in the body and the end cap for attaching the end cap to the body, the bayonet connection permitting the outer edge portion of the body to overlap the rim portion of the end cap providing a closed connection between the body and the end cap to sealingly close the housing at the bayonet connection and substantially prevent the flow of air therethrough, the bayonet connection being secured by resilient of the resilient portion.

Claim 3

An air cleaner as defined in claim 1, wherein the bayonet connection includes a plurality of tabs located on one of the body or the end cap and a plurality of slots formed on the other of the body or the end cap, each of the slots extending circumferentially and adapted to receive one of the tabs to removably connect the end cap to the body.

Claim 4

An air cleaner as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the slots includes a locking position in which the tab is secured in the slot.

Claim 5

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, the side portions of the body including an outer edge portion adjacent to the open end, and an end cap adapted to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions which include a rim portion adapted to engage the outer edge portion of the body, at least one of the body and the end cap having a generally cylindrical shroud connected therewith and inside the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto; a filter element positioned axially within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet, the filter element including a resilient portion providing a spring force to urge the end cap axially away from the body, the resilient portion fitting entirely within the shroud and detached therefrom; and a sealing bayonet connection formed in the body and the end cap for attaching the end cap to the body, the bayonet connection permitting the outer edge portion of the body to overlap the rim portion of the end cap providing a closed connection between the body and the end cap to sealingly close the housing at the bayonet connection and substantially prevent the flow of air therethrough, the bayonet connection including a plurality of tabs located on one of the body or the end cap and a plurality of slots formed on the other of the body or the end cap, each of the slots extending circumferentially and adapted to receive one of the tabs to removably connect the end cap to the body, at least one of the slots having a locking position where one of the tabs is held in the slot as the spring force urges the end cap away from the body.

Claim 6

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, the side portions of the body including an outer edge portion adjacent to the open end, and an end cap adapted to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions which include a rim portion adapted to engage the outer edge portion of the body, at least one of the body and the end cap having a generally cylindrical shroud connected therewith and inside the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto; a filter element positioned axially within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet, the filter element including a resilient portion providing a spring force to urge the end cap axially away from the body, the resilient portion fitting entirely within the shroud and detached therefrom; and a sealing bayonet connection formed in the body and the end cap for attaching the end cap to the body, the bayonet connection permitting the outer edge portion of the body to overlap the rim portion of the end cap providing a closed connection between the body and the end cap to sealingly close the housing at the bayonet connection and substantially prevent the flow of air therethrough, the bayonet connection including a plurality of tabs located on one of the body or the end cap and a plurality of slots formed on the other of the body or the end cap, each of the slots extending circumferentially and adapted to receive one of the tabs to removably connect the end cap to the body, at least one of the slots having a locking position where one of the tabs is held in the slot as the spring force urges the end cap away from the body.

Claim 7

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, and an end cap adapted to be attached to the body to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions, the housing including a shroud within the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto, the housing also including a positioning guide having a first end and a second end, the first end integrally formed with the housing, the second end extending outwardly within the housing and providing a curved tapered end; a primary filter element adapted to be positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet; and a secondary filter element located with the primary filter element, the secondary filter element engaging the shroud and the positioning guide to support the secondary filter element and to maintain the filter element in a substantially axial position, the curved tapered end facilitating the placement of the filter element onto the positioning guide.

Claim 8

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, and an end cap adapted to be attached to the body to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions, the housing including a shroud within the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto, the housing also including a positioning guide having a first end and a second end, the first end integrally formed with the housing, the second end extending outwardly within the housing and providing a curved tapered end; a primary filter element adapted to be positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet; and a secondary filter element located with the primary filter element, the secondary filter element engaging the shroud and the positioning guide to support the secondary filter element and to maintain the filter element in a substantially axial position, the curved tapered end facilitating the placement of the filter element onto the positioning guide.

Claim 9

An air cleaner as defined in claim 5, wherein the air outlet extends axially from the housing and wherein the first end of the positioning guide is formed in the air outlet.

Claim 10

An air cleaner as defined in claim 6, wherein the positioning guide comprises a plurality of radially extending fins.

Claim 11

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, and an end cap adapted to be attached to the body to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions; the housing include a shroud within the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto, the air outlet extending axially from the housing, a positioning guide being formed in the air outlet, the positioning guide including a plurality of radially extending fins each having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fins being integrally formed with the housing and extending generally parallel to the side portions of the housing, the second end of the fins projecting outwardly within the housing and providing a curved tapered surface; a primary filter element adapted to be positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlets; and a secondary filter element located with the primary filter element, the curved surface of the fins facilitating placement of the secondary filter element around the fins, the secondary filter element engaging the shroud and the positioning guide to support the secondary filter element and to maintain the secondary filter element in a substantially axial position.

Claim 12

An air cleaner which comprises: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, the housing comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a central axis and having side portions and an open end, and an end cap adapted to be attached to the body to close the open end of the body, the end cap having side portions; the housing include a shroud within the housing and spaced inwardly from the side portions and generally parallel thereto, the air outlet extending axially from the housing, a positioning guide being formed in the air outlet, the positioning guide including a plurality of radially extending fins each having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fins being integrally formed with the housing and extending generally parallel to the side portions of the housing, the second end of the fins projecting outwardly within the housing and providing a curved tapered surface; a primary filter element adapted to be positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlets; and a secondary filter element located with the primary filter element, the curved surface of the fins facilitating placement of the secondary filter element around the fins, the secondary filter element engaging the shroud and the positioning guide to support the secondary filter element and to maintain the secondary filter element in a substantially axial position.

Claim 13

An air cleaner as defined in claim 8, wherein the fins form a cross.

Claim 14

An air cleaner as defined as claim 1, wherein the outermost one of the outer edge portion of the body and the rim portion of the end cap is tapered inwardly to provide a generally flush inner surface adjacent to the bayonet connection.

Claim 15

An air cleaner as defined in claim 1, wherein the bayonet connection includes an outer rim supported by a plurality of gussets which extend from the rim to the side portions of one of the body or the end cap.

Claim 16

An air cleaner as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the tabs is hollow with a central support therein.