Modular ratchet cap

Abstract

A method of assembling selected modular ratchet cap assemblies. In one aspect, the method includes the acts of providing identical threaded portions, providing identical cover portions, providing a first vent module, providing a second vent module different from the first vent module, selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly, and selecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly. In other aspects, the method includes assembling first and second cap assemblies with identical cover portions and threaded portions, but having different pawl members providing different cap-installing torque limits. In other aspects, the method includes providing first and second cap assemblies with similar components, but having covers or portions thereof provided with different individualized characteristics for different applications.

1 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing identical outer covers;   providing identical inner portions having threads and having pawl teeth;   providing a first pawl member positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the first pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a first predetermined torque;   providing a second pawl member positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the second pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a second predetermined torque different from the first predetermined torque;   selecting the first pawl member for assembly between a first one of the identical outer covers and a first one of the identical inner portions of a first cap assembly, the first pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the first cap assembly equal to the first predetermined torque;   selecting the second pawl member for assembly between a second one of the identical outer covers and a second one of the identical inner portions of a second cap assembly, the second pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the second cap assembly equal to the second predetermined torque.   coupling the first outer cover to the first inner portion with the first pawl member therebetween; and   coupling the second outer cover to the second inner portion with the second pawl member therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a first pawl member includes providing a first pawl member of a first material, and wherein providing a second pawl member includes providing a second pawl member of a second material, the second material providing a different resiliency than the first material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the acts of:
 providing a first pawl arm on the first pawl member, the first pawl arm having a first thickness; and   providing a second pawl arm on the second pawl member, the second pawl arm having a second thickness less than the first thickness.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes directly engaging the first outer cover with the first inner portion in a snap engagement. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes engaging the first outer cover with an assembly ring in a snap engagement, the first inner portion being retained by the assembly ring and coupled to the first outer cover. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the act of fitting together inter-engaging recesses and protrusions of the respective outer covers and pawl members of the first and second cap assemblies. 
     
     
         9 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing identical outer covers;   providing identical inner portions having threads and having pawl teeth;   providing a first pawl member of a first material, the first pawl member being positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the first pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a first predetermined torque;   providing a second pawl member of a second material different than the first material, the second pawl member being positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the second pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a second predetermined torque different from the first predetermined torque;   selecting the first pawl member for assembly between a first one of the identical outer covers and a first one of the identical inner portions of a first cap assembly, the first pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the first cap assembly equal to the first predetermined torque;   selecting the second pawl member for assembly between a second one of the identical outer covers and a second one of the identical inner portions of a second cap assembly, the second pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the second cap assembly equal to the second predetermined torque.   coupling the first outer cover to the first inner portion with the first pawl member therebetween; and   coupling the second outer cover to the second inner portion with the second pawl member therebetween.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes directly engaging the first outer cover with the first inner portion in a snap engagement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes engaging the first outer cover with an assembly ring in a snap engagement, the first inner portion being retained by the assembly ring and coupled to the first outer cover. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the act of fitting together inter-engaging recesses and protrusions of the respective outer covers and pawl members of the first and second cap assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing identical outer covers;   providing identical inner portions having threads and having pawl teeth;   providing a first pawl member having a first thickness, the first pawl member being positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the first pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a first predetermined torque;   providing a second pawl member having a second thickness different than the first thickness, the second pawl member being positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the second pawl member being operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one inner portion up to a second predetermined torque different than the first predetermined torque;   selecting the first pawl member for assembly between a first one of the identical outer covers and a first one of the identical inner portions of a first cap assembly, the first pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the first cap assembly equal to the first predetermined torque;   selecting the second pawl member for assembly between a second one of the identical outer covers and a second one of the identical inner portions of a second cap assembly, the second pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the second cap assembly equal to the second predetermined torque.   coupling the first outer cover to the first inner portion with the first pawl member therebetween; and   coupling the second outer cover to the second inner portion with the second pawl member therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes directly engaging the first outer cover with the first inner portion in a snap engagement. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes engaging the first outer cover with an assembly ring in a snap engagement, the first inner portion being retained by the assembly ring and coupled to the first outer cover. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of fitting together inter-engaging recesses and protrusions of the respective outer covers and pawl members of the first and second cap assemblies.