Vented non-spill fuel cap assembly with fill indicator

• US 7,735,672 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voss Intellectual Property, LLC
• Original Assignee: Frederick Voss III
• Inventors: Voss, Frederick III
• Primary Examiner(s): Larkin; Daniel S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank; Rodney T
• Application Number:
  US11/675,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20080023476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 732/90.R, 220/202
• US Class Current: 220/202
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/0406 Filler caps for fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03217 Fuel level sensors

Abstract

A vented non-spill fuel cap assembly includes a self-sealing, releasable fluid coupling and a visible fill indicator. The fuel cap assembly permits transfer of fuel from a storage vessel such as a gas canister to a fuel tank equipped with the cap assembly in a manner which prevents escape and spillage of liquid fuel and vapors. Fuel is introduced from a supply canister or other source via a hose and coupling releasably matable with the self-sealing coupling on the cap assembly, without removal of the cap assembly. The indicator visibly indicates when the tank is full.

Claims

1. A fuel cap assembly for a fuel tank with a filler neck, said cap comprising a lid coupled to a collar, said collar being adapted to engage the filler neck of the fuel tank, said lid including an exterior and interior side, a first fluid coupling on the exterior side of the lid, a port on the interior side of the lid in fluid communication with the first coupling, said first coupling including a releasable valve biased into a closed position when the first coupling is not engaged by a compatible mating coupling, and said releasable valve biased into an open position when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling, and allowing fuel to flow through the compatible mating coupling and through the first fluid coupling and through the port and into the fuel tank without spillage when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling;

said fuel cap assembly further comprising an indicator assembly, said indicator assembly being attached to the lid and adapted to indicate when a full fuel level is attained.

2. The fuel cap assembly of claim 1, said indicator assembly being attached to the lid and adapted to indicate when a full fuel level is attained, said indicator assembly comprising an indicator port through the lid, a transparent exterior housing attached to the exterior side of the lid over the indicator port, a movable indicator slidingly disposed in the port and a buoyant float attached to the movable indicator on the interior side of the lid, said movable indicator including a head configured to move within the transparent exterior housing from a recessed position to a raised position under the influence of buoyancy.

3. A fuel cap assembly for a fuel tank with a filler neck, said cap comprising a lid coupled to a collar, said collar being adapted to engage the filler neck of the fuel tank, said lid including an exterior and interior side, a first fluid coupling on the exterior side of the lid, a port on the interior side of the lid in fluid communication with the first coupling, said first coupling including a releasable valve biased into a closed position when the first coupling is not engaged by a compatible mating coupling, and said releasable valve biased into an open position when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling, and allowing fuel to flow through the compatible mating coupling and through the first fluid coupling and through the port and into the fuel tank without spillage when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling;

said fuel cap assembly further comprising a protective cover configured to releasably engage the first fluid coupling when not in use.

4. The fuel cap assembly of claim 3, further comprising said protective covering being tethered to the cap assembly by a strap.

5. A fuel cap assembly for a fuel tank with a filler neck, said cap comprising a lid coupled to a collar, said collar being adapted to engage the filler neck of the fuel tank, said lid including an exterior and interior side, a first fluid coupling on the exterior side of the lid, a port on the interior side of the lid in fluid communication with the first coupling, said first coupling including a releasable valve biased into a closed position when the first coupling is not engaged by a compatible mating coupling, and said releasable valve biased into an open position when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling, and allowing fuel to flow through the compatible mating coupling and through the first fluid coupling and through the port and into the fuel tank without spillage when the first coupling is engaged by the compatible mating coupling;

further comprising a vent configured to allow gaseous communication between the atmosphere and fuel tank.

6. The fuel cap assembly of claim 5, said vent comprising a venting disc with an unsealed perimeter in communication with at least one air passage.

7. A fuel refilling system for a fuel tank with a filler neck, said system comprising:

a fuel cap assembly including a lid coupled to a collar, said collar being adapted to engage the filler neck of the fuel tank, said lid including an exterior and interior side, a first fluid coupling on the exterior side of the lid, a port on the interior side of the lid in fluid communication with the first coupling, said first coupling including a releasable valve biased into a closed position when the first coupling is not engaged by a compatible mating coupling; and

a fuel supply line terminating with the compatible mating coupling;

wherein the first fluid coupling is a quick disconnect coupling member and the compatible mating coupling is a quick disconnect coupling member configured to releasably engage the first fluid coupling.

8. The fuel refilling system of claim 7, wherein the first fluid coupling is a male quick disconnect coupling member and the compatible mating coupling is a female quick disconnect coupling member configured to releasably engage the first fluid coupling.

9. The fuel refilling system of claim 7, further comprising an indicator assembly, said indicator assembly being attached to the lid and adapted to indicate when a full fuel level is attained.

10. The fuel refilling system of claim 7, further comprising an indicator assembly, said indicator assembly being attached to the lid and adapted to indicate when a full fuel level is attained, said indicator assembly comprising an indicator port through the lid, a transparent exterior housing attached to the exterior side of the lid over the indicator port, a movable indicator slidingly disposed in the port and a buoyant float attached to the movable indicator on the interior side of the lid, said movable indicator including a head configured to move within the transparent exterior housing from a recessed position to a raised position under the influence of buoyancy.

11. The fuel refilling system of claim 7, further comprising a protective cover configured to releasably engage the first fluid coupling when not in use, said protective covering being tethered to the cap assembly by a strap.