Liquid fuel funnel

• US 4,913,201 A
• Filed: 01/17/1989
• Issued: 04/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nick V. Agnoletto, Ronald C. Lucero
• Original Assignee: Nick V. Agnoletto, Ronald C. Lucero
• Inventors: Lucero, Ronald C., Agnoletto, Nick V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cusick, Ernest G.
• Application Number:
  US07/297,013
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 141/297-300, 141/310, 141/331-345, 141/98, 141/282, 141/387
• US Class Current: 141/334
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 11/02 without discharge valves

Abstract

The liquid fuel funnel features a no-drip configuration which includes an elongated generally horizontal fuel-receiving rear portion with an open top, which may bear a closeable lid, and a front, fuel-dispensing, spout portion which is preferably oval in transverse cross-section and which curves and tapers downwardly and forwardly to an open exit end which may bear a removable plug. That end may be generally vertical or at an angle thereto. The funnel can include one or more detents for releasably holding the funnel in a proper pouring position with the spout portion within and against a fuel container opening such as a vehicle gasoline tank opening. The detents can be on the bottom and top of the spout portion. The top detent can be on a long angled leaf spring or the like connected to and extending about the top of the spout portion. The funnel is preferably of metal and can be made economically of one-piece durable construction.

Claims

1. An improved non-drip, unitary liquid fuel funnel, said funnel comprising an elongated, integral, one piece body having:

(a) a rear fuel-receiving generally horizontal portion having an open top and interconnected closed sides, a real wall and bottom defining a central fuel-receiving space from end to end thereof; and

,

(b) a front, fuel-dispensing closed, generally tubular spout portion having an open front end portion integrally connected to said fuel-receiving portion and curving and tapering downwardly and forwardly from said fuel-receiving portion to an open front end portion, said spout portion having a central cavity extending from end to end thereof and communicating with said space and with said open front end of said funnel for dispensing fuel from said funnel,

(c) wherein the exterior of said spout portion of said funnel bears means adapted for releasably securing said funnel against a lip of a fuel-receiving container, such as a vehicle gasoline tank,

(d) wherein said releasable securing means comprises a bottom extension adapted to abut the bottom of said lip and a top flexible spring projecting rearwardly and at an acute angle upwardly from said spout portion and bearing a lip-abutting detent on the upper surface of said spring.

2. A funnel having a fuel-receiving portion to releasably retain a fluid container having a nozzle and having a substantially round cross-section, comprising an elongated, integral unitary body having,

(a) a rear portion having side and rear walls adapted to releasably receive said fluid container therein, and

(b) a front spout portion having an open front portion,

(c) wherein a section of said body interconnecting said front to rear portion is oval in cross-section so as to releasably hold said container and pass fluid from said container through said nozzle while permitting air to pass from the interior of said front end to the exterior of said funnel,

(d) wherein the exterior of said spout portion of said funnel bears means adapted for releasably securing said funnel against a lip of a fuel-receiving container, such as a vehicle gasoline tank,

(e) wherein said releasable securing means comprises a bottom extension adapted to abut the bottom of said lip and a top flexible spring projecting rearwardly and at an acute angle upwardly from said spout portion and bearing a lip-abutting detent on the upper surface of said spring.