VENT CONTROLLING GAS CAP WITH SHUT-OFF VALVE

• US 3,757,987 A
• Filed: 07/15/1971
• Issued: 09/11/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Marshall
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Marshall
• Inventors: Marshall, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, George T.
• Application Number:
  US05/162,805
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 220/24GT,44R,44B 215/22,21 137/43
• US Class Current: 220/203.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/0406 Filler caps for fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/33 Gasoline tank cap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0874 Vent opening or closing on tipping container

Abstract

A valve associated and assembled with a vent controlling arrangement in the closure cap of a fuel storage tank in a motor vehicle. The valve having a weighted member responsive to the influence of gravity to effect the opening and closing of the valve and accordingly the communication between the tank and vent controlling arrangement, the closing being when the tank is inverted to prevent fuel spillage.

Claims

1. In a closure cap for a normally upwardly extending tank filler neck, a filler neck closure member having a vent opening therein, valve housing means secured to said member and defining a vent passage open at one end to said vent opening, a first valve seat in said passage, a vent exhaust valve closable against said first seat, said exhaust valve having an aperture extending therethrough, a vent intake valve closable against said exhaust valve to block flow through said aperture, a second valve seat in said passage spaced from said first seat, a third valve closable against said second seat to block flow through said passage irrespective of closure of said exhaust and intake valves, and a movable weight operable against said third valve to cause closure thereof in response to inversion of the tank filler neck with the cap installed thereon.

2. In the closure cap of claim 1, said valve housing means comprising a housing having a shoulder forming said first valve seat and an end wall spaced from said shoulder, and including a spring interposed between said exhaust valve and end wall for biasing said exhaust valve closed.

3. In the closure cap of claim 2, said intake valve having a stem extending through said exhaust valve aperture, a retainer on the extended end of said stem, and a second spring interposed between said retainer and exhaust valve for biasing said intake valve closed.

4. In the closure cap of claim 3, said valve housing means including a valve body secured to said housing, said second seat being disposed in said valve body opposite said intake valve, said valve body defining a chamber loosely retaining said weight and having side walls extending between said chamber and second seat for slidably guiding opening and closing movements of said third valve.