Tank closure

Jan. 31, 1939. r. s. fellows et al 2,145,758

TANK CLOSURE Original Filed Feb. 9, 1937

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Patented Jan. 31, 1939

2,145,758

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,145,758

TANK CLOSURE

Roy S. Fellows and Earl O. ImmeL Eugene, Oreg.

Application February 9, 1987, Serial No. 124,878 Renewed July 7, 1938

Claims. (Cl. 220—33) flange, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing to prevent unauthorized removal of the cap.

The construction of the downturned flange 13 spaces the cap 14 from the flange to provide a working chamber indicated at 16, for a pair of 5 plates 17 positioned at the under side of the cap. The cap 14 is formed with a central opening IS which provides means for filling the tank 5 through the anti-theft device 9, as will be readily apparent. The plates 17 are pivoted to the cap 10 as shown at 19 and a pair of closure segments 28 and 21, positioned on top of the cap are also secured to the respective plates by rivets or the like 22. Spacing blocks 23 are interposed between the plates 17 and the segments 29 and 21 to pre- 15 vent binding of the same against the upper and lower surfaces of the cap.

As will be understood from an inspection of Figure 5 of the drawing, the segments 20 and 21 cooperate to form a closure for the opening 18 20 of the cap.

The segments 20 and 21 are preferably in the form of half a disc having their straight edges in abutting engagement and the segment 21 is formed with a rib 22' which overlies the adjacent 25 edge of the segment 20 to cover the abutting edges of the same when in closed position.

A wire spring member 23' is provided for yieldably maintaining the segments in closed position, said spring member having its respective 30 ends inserted in recesses 24 formed in the plates 17, the intermediate portion of the spring having one or more convolutions 25 formed therein through which the screw 15 is inserted to secure the spring to the cap 14. As clearly illustrated in 35 Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, the ends of the spring extend from its associated recess 24 transversely of the plates 17 in a manner to yieldably urge the plates toward each other in a closed position. The plate 17 which is secured to the 40 closure segment 20 is provided at its inner edge with a notch 26 and the other of said plates, which is secured to the segment 21 is provided with a headed extension 27 seated in said notch and engages the sides of the notch to simul- 45 taneously open the segment 20 when pressure is exerted upon the rib 22' for the purpose of opening the segment 21. For this purpose the outer edge of the rib 22' is provided with a curved notch 28 adapted for engagement by the nozzle 50 of a filling hose whereby lateral pressure against the rib will spring the segment 21 and the segment 20 into an open position to permit insertion of the nozzle in the opening 18 for filling the tank. 50

The present invention relates to tank closures of the type adapted particularly for use in connection with automobile gasoline tanks and radiators.

The principal object of the present invention embodies the provision of a tank closure embodying a plurality of horizontally swingable closure segments adapted to be opened by pressure of a filling nozzle, together with spring means for 10 yieldably urging the segments into a closed position.

A further object is to provide a tank closure of this character associated with a cap permanently secured to the tank neck and including a 15 plurality of pivoted closure segments slidable horizontally across the top of the cap and secured to the cap in a manner to prevent removal therefrom.

Other objects and advantages reside in the 20 details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

2S Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a tank filler neck showing the closure in position thereon.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the closure > 30 showing the segments in closed position.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the segments in open position, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 5—5 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, in which for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a tank having a filling neck 6 extending upwardly therefrom, the upper edge of the neck bent inwardly and downwardly to provide a flange 7 for engagement by laterally projecting lugs 8 formed on a perforated theftproof device, forming the subject matter of a copending application, and which embodies a per⁴⁵ forated cylindrical member indicated generally at 9 having a flange 10 at its upper open end resting upon the top of the tank 6. A suitable gasket 11 is interposed between the flange and the neck to prevent rattling of the parts. The ⁵⁰ peripheral edge of the flange is stepped, as shown at 12 upon which is seated the down-turned flanged edge 13 of a closure cap 14, the latter being secured to the flange 10 by one or more screws ,, 15 which are inserted upwardly through the DO

2,145,758

It is believed the operation and advantage of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing without further detail explanation.