Fuel cap and filler tube combination and method therefor

Abstract

A fuel cap and filler tube combination has a cap having a top and a circumferential skirt extending down from the top. The cap has a plurality of recesses in an interior section of the cap along the circumferential skirt. A filler tube having a first and second opening is provided. A channeling is in fluid communication with the first and second opening to allow a fluid to enter the first opening and exit the filler tube via the second opening. The filler tube has a plurality of protrusions equal in number to the plurality of recesses. The protrusions mate with the recesses to secure the cap to the filler tube. A ring member is coupled to an outer circumference of the filler tube at an upper end near the first opening. The ring member is made of a strong and resilient material. A pressure plate assembly is coupled to an under side of the cap. The pressure plate assembly exerts a downward pressure to cover the first opening when the cap is secured to the filler tube. The downward pressure keeps the protrusions mated with the recesses to secure the cap to the filler tube.

1 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination comprising: 
 a cap having a top and a circumferential skirt extending down from the top, the cap having a plurality of recesses in an interior section of the cap along the circumferential skirt;    a filler tube having a first and second opening, a channeling in fluid communication with the first and second opening to allow a fluid to enter the first opening and exit the filler tube via the second opening;    a ring member coupled to an outer circumference of the filler tube at an upper end near the first opening, the ring member having a plurality of protrusions equal in number to the plurality of recesses, the protrusions mating with the recesses to secure the cap to the ring member;    a pressure plate assembly coupled to an under side of the cap, the pressure plate assembly exerting a downward pressure to cover the first opening when the cap is secured to the filler tube, the downward pressure keeping the protrusions mated with the recesses to secure the cap to the ring member coupled to the filler tube, wherein the pressure plate assembly comprises:    a circular plate member, the circular plate sized so that a diameter is slightly smaller than a diameter of an interior section of the cap between edges of the circumferential skirt; and    a spring having a first end coupled to a central interior area of the cap and a second end coupled to a central area of the circular plate member.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the circular plate member is covered by an elastomer material which is compressible and resilient.  
   
   
       4 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the ring member is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       5 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an incline member coupled to each recess to partially form said recess and to guide the protrusion into the recesses.  
   
   
       6 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an apron member coupled to an upper exterior section of the filler tube to secure the fuel cap and filler tube combination to a fuel tank.  
   
   
       7 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination comprising: 
 a cap having a top and a circumferential skirt extending down from the top, the cap having a plurality of recesses in an interior section of the cap along the circumferential skirt;    a filler tube having a first and second opening, a channeling in fluid communication with the first and second opening to allow a fluid to enter the first opening and exit the filler tube via the second opening;    a ring member coupled to an outer circumference of the filler tube at an upper end near the first opening, the ring member having a plurality of protrusions equal in number to the plurality of recesses, the protrusions mating with the recesses to secure the cap to the ring member;    a pressure plate assembly coupled to an under side of the cap, the pressure plate assembly exerting a downward pressure to cover the first opening when the cap is secured to the filler tube, the downward pressure keeping the protrusions mated with the recesses to secure the cap to the filler tube, wherein the pressure plate assembly comprises:    a circular plate member, the circular plate sized so that a diameter is slightly smaller than a diameter of an interior section of the cap between edges of the circumferential skirt wherein the circular plate member is covered by an elastomer material which is compressible and resilient; and    a spring having a first end coupled to a central interior area of the cap and a second end coupled to a central area of the circular plate member.    
   
   
       8 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the ring member is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       9 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 7  further comprising an incline member coupled to each recess to partially form said recess and to secure protrusion into the recesses.  
   
   
       10 . A fuel cap and filler tube combination in accordance with  claim 7  further comprising an apron member coupled to an upper exterior section of the filler tube to secure the fuel cap and filler tube combination to a fuel tank.