U.S. patent application number 11/042840 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for pro-tek see-thru gas cap.
Invention is credited to Michael Colavita.
Application Number | 20060163250 11/042840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695648 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060163250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colavita; Michael |
July 27, 2006 |
Pro-tek see-thru gas cap
Abstract
Fuel cap with a see-thru top that is both functional and
decorative. The fuel cap body made from billet aluminum, plastic,
or completely acrylic is like any stock fuel cap for that
application. Oriented as a inverted hollow cup with inner female
threads that allow it to be placed on a fuel tank filler opening
with matching male threads. Centered at the top of the cap is a
round hole that accepts a clear lens made of any glass or acrylic,
poly, fuel-resistant material. This lens has a beveled top so it
can be placed into the fuel cap body from the top and secured from
the inside with a Viton O-ring. Using this method retains the clear
lens in place and also seals the mating surfaces preventing fuel
leakage. Protruding from the top center of this clear lens is a
nipple with a knurled end. Bored vertically thru this nipple is a
vent hole that allows fuel tank venting and positive/negative
pressure relief. A vent tube is attacted to this nipple on one end
and can be routed to vent overboard. It can also accept a vent cap
mounted vertically at the top end of the vent tube. The vent cap
incorporating a one-way checkvalve would have two functions: it
would allow outside air to enter the fuel tank via the vent tube
and fuel cap as fuel is normally consumed in the fuel tank, and
also keep fuel from running overboard in the event the vehicle was
to roll on it's side.
Inventors: |
Colavita; Michael;
(Barnegat, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL COLAVITA
1536 WEST BAY AVE
BARNEGAT
NJ
08005
US
|
Family ID: |
36695648 |
Appl. No.: |
11/042840 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/203.28 ;
220/303; 220/304; 220/376; 220/377 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 37/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/203.28 ;
220/303; 220/304; 220/377; 220/376 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00; B65D 53/00 20060101
B65D053/00 |
Claims
1. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru
top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank
without removing the cap. comprising: means for a perspective view
of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with the invention;
means for providing a window to visually see thru the main fuel cap
body; means for retaining the clear top to the main body, and
provide a seal preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to
said means for providing a window to visually see thru the main
fuel cap body; means for venting the fuel tank for positive and
negative pressure differential; and means for the main body of the
gas cap, rigidly connected to said means for providing a window to
visually see thru the main fuel cap body.
2. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap
in accordance with the invention. comprises a pro-tek see-thru gas
cap.
3. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for providing a window to visually see thru the main
fuel cap body. comprises a clear top.
4. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for retaining the clear top to the main body, and
provide a seal preventing fuel leakage. comprises a retaining
o-ring.
5. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative
pressure differential. comprises a vent hose.
6. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said means for the main body of the gas cap. comprises a main
body.
7. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru
top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank
without removing the cap. comprising: a pro-tek see-thru gas cap,
for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in
accordance with the invention; a clear top, for providing a window
to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; a retaining o-ring,
for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal
preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to said Clear Top; a
vent hose, for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative
pressure differential; and a main body, for the main body of the
gas cap, rigidly connected to said Clear Top.
8. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 7, further
comprising: a fuel cap gasket, for sealing the main body to the
fuel tank spout.
9. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 7, further
comprising: a vent cap, for venting fuel tank, preventing fuel from
running overboard in the event the fuel tank is turned on it's
side.
10. The pro-tek see-thru gas cap as recited in claim 8, further
comprising: a vent cap, for venting fuel tank, preventing fuel from
running overboard in the event the fuel tank is turned on it's
side.
11. A pro-tek see-thru gas cap for a gas cap with a clear see thru
top for the purpose of being able to see the fuel in a fuel tank
without removing the cap. comprising: a pro-tek see-thru gas cap,
for a perspective view of the pro-tek see-thru gas cap in
accordance with the invention; a clear top, for providing a window
to visually see thru the main fuel cap body; a retaining o-ring,
for retaining the clear top to the main body, and provide a seal
preventing fuel leakage, elastically connected to said Clear Top; a
fuel cap gasket, for sealing the main body to the fuel tank spout;
a vent hose, for venting the fuel tank for positive and negative
pressure differential; a vent cap, for venting fuel tank,
preventing fuel from running overboard in the event the fuel tank
is turned on it's side; and a main body, for the main body of the
gas cap., rigidly connected to said Clear Top.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cap that has a clear
top as to allow one to see the fuel in a fuel tank without the need
to remove the cap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Most of todays modern street motorcycles are equipped with a
fuel gauge so a rider can manage his or her fuel when riding. But
all-terrain vehicles such as, dirtbikes, motocross, enduro bikes,
quads, atvs, jetskis, and snowmobiles do not have a means of
monitoring fuel level. There are many reasons for this simplicity,
production cost, lack of an electrical system, high vibration and
fuel sloshing problems. Off road vehicles are exposed to the most
grueling punishment. Any mechanical fuel sensing gauge would be
prone to failure due to the high vibration, and fuel sloshing
caused by a vehicle traversing irregular terrain.
[0003] In order to allow a rider of many of the off-road vehicles
mentioned above, manufactures have incorporated a reserve position
on the fuel supply valves. This allows a rider to normally ride the
vehicle with the fuel valve in the ON position until fuel
starvation occurs. At that point, to help the rider get to a
refueling point, the fuel valve would be placed in the reserve
position allowing a small portion of remaining fuel (reserve fuel)
to be used in the tank.
[0004] A reserve fuel valve will only allow a rider a small amount
of fuel to get to a refuel point after fuel is exhausted in the
normal ON position. The rider has no way of monitoring fuel level
while riding. With no early indication that the vehicle is about to
run out of fuel a dangerous situation can occur. For example:
maneuvering over an obstacle where engine power is needed and power
is unexpectedly lost due to fuel starvation. This could be a very
unsafe situation.
[0005] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
means of visually gauging the fuel level from the top of the fuel
cap without the need to remove the cap from the fuel tank.
[0006] It is another object of this invention to visually verify
that the fuel tank was previously filled to full capacity without
removing the fuel cap while on an unstable platform therefore
preventing fuel spillage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a fuel cap with a see-thru top that is both functional and
decorative. The fuel cap body made from billet aluminum, plastic,
or completely acrylic is like any stock fuel cap designed for that
application. Oriented as a inverted hollow cup with inner female
threads that allow it to be placed on a fuel tank filler opening
with matching male threads. Centered at the top of the cap is a
round hole that accepts a clear lens made of glass, poly, or any
clear fuel resistant material. This lens has a beveled top so it
can be placed into the main fuel cap body from the top and secured
from the inside with a Viton O-ring. Using this method retains the
clear lens in place and also seals the mating surface preventing
fuel leakage. Protruding from the top center of this clear lens is
a nipple. Bored vertically thru this nipple is a vent hole that
allows fuel tank venting, and positive/negative pressure relief. A
vent tube is attached to this nipple on one end and can be routed
to vent overboard. It can also accept a vent cap mounted vertically
at the top end of the vent tube. The vent cap incorporating a
one-way checkvalve would have two functions: it would allow outside
air to enter the fuel tank via the vent tube and fuel cap as fuel
is normally consumed in the fuel tank and would also keep fuel from
running overboard in the event the vehicle was to roll on to it's
side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap
in accordance with the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of a Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of a Side view of Clear Top.
[0014] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and
components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout
the FIGURES.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Pro-Tek See-Thru Gas Cap
10, in accordance with the invention. The Main Body 11 may be
fabricated of aluminum, plastic, metal or any other suitable
material. Moreover, the Main Body 11 is circular in the perfered
embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as any
other geometrical shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the
user.
[0016] The Clear top 12 can be fabricated of a clear acryiic,
plastic, glass or any other suitable material. The Clear top 12 is
beveled so it can be inserted from the top on to the Main Body 11.
Once inserted, it would sit flush with the top of the Main Body
11.
[0017] Securing the Clear top 12 to the Main Body 11 is a Retaining
O-ring 14 that would be stretched onto the machined groove in the
lower portion of the Clear top 12 from the bottom end of the Main
Body 11. This Retaining O-ring 14 would securely retain the Clear
top 12 in place, and also act as a seal preventing a fuel leak.
[0018] The Fuel Cap Gasket 16 is then placed thru the bottom of the
Main Body 11. It's purpose to secure a leak proof seal when the
fuel cap 10 is tightened onto the fuel tank.
[0019] The Clear top 12 would incorporate a nipple with a vertical
hole bored thru it. This would allow a Vent Hose 18 to be placed
and secured over the nipple. The Vent Hose 18 can be any length and
can be routed anywhere venting the fuel tank to the atmosphere.
[0020] A Vent Cap 20 can also be placed on top of the Vent House 18
to vent the fuel tank. This Vent Cap 20 can have a one-way check
valve incorporated inside allowing standard atmosphere air to enter
the fuel tank as fuel is normally consumed by the powerplant and
prevent fuel from flowing of the tank when the vehicle is turned on
it's side.
[0021] FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 show the Pro-Tek See-Thru
Fuel Cap from the top, bottom, and side view.
[0022] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and
covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute
departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
[0023] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be
protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently
appended claims.
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