Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-05-08
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Miscellaneous
C251S090000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227266
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to automobile accessories and more particularly to a collapsible gas lever lock that is inserted between the gas lever and the bottom of the gas pump handle to maintain the gas lever in the fueling position eliminating the need apply a constant squeezing force to the gas lever during the entire fueling operation; the compressible gas lever lock including a support assembly and a securing strap assembly; the support assembly including top and bottom support plates connected together by a spring and a fabric outer cover; each of the top and bottom support plates including a spring retainer structure extending outwardly therefrom between a base portion and an outermost portion; the outermost portion being of a greater diameter than the base portion; the spring having an inner coil diameter selected such that an end of the spring is snap fit over the outermost portion and resiliently returns to an inner diameter substantially equal to a bottom portion diameter such that the end of the spring is held in connection with the retaining structure; the securing strap assembly including a strap member and a strap faster element; the strap member having a first end permanently secured to one of the top and bottom support plates and a second end having a strap faster portion provided thereon that is companionate with the strap faster element; the strap faster element being secured to the same one of the top and bottom support plates as the first end of the strap member; the strap member being of a length such that, when the top and bottom support plates are fully compressed toward each other, the strap member is positionable around the support assembly and the strap faster portion securable to the strap fastener to hold the support assembly in the compressed configuration for carrying in a purse or pocket; one of the top and bottom support plates having a key ring attachment loop in connection therewith.
BACKGROUND ART
Many individuals find it difficult to maintain a constant grip of the gas lever of a gas refueling nozzle while refueling a vehicle. It would be a benefit to these individuals to have a gas lever lock that could be used to maintain the gas lever in the refueling position. Because the gas lever lock must be of a certain size to accomplish its task, most gas lever locks are difficult to carry in a purse or pocket. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a gas lever lock that was collapsible for carrying in a purse or pocket and extendable for use.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a collapsible gas lever lock that includes a support assembly and a securing strap assembly; the support assembly including top and bottom support plates connected together by a spring and a fabric outer cover; each of the top and bottom support plates including a spring retainer structure extending outwardly therefrom between a base portion and an outermost portion; the outermost portion being of a greater diameter than the base portion; the spring having an inner coil diameter selected such that an end of the spring is snap fit over the outermost portion and resiliently returns to an inner diameter substantially equal to a bottom portion diameter such that the end of the spring is held in connection with the retaining structure; the securing strap assembly including a strap member and a strap faster element; the strap member having a first end permanently secured to one of the top and bottom support plates and a second end having a strap faster portion provided thereon that is companionate with the strap faster element; the strap faster element being secured to the same one of the top and bottom support plates as the first end of the strap member; the strap member being of a length such that, when the top and bottom support plates are fully compressed toward each other, the strap member is positionable around the support assembly and the strap faster portion securable to the strap fastener to hold the support assembly in the compressed configuration for carrying in a purse or pocket; one of the top and bottom support plates having a key ring attachment loop in connection therewith.
Accordingly, a collapsible gas lever lock is provided. The collapsible gas lever lock includes a support assembly and a securing strap assembly; the support assembly including top and bottom support plates connected together by a spring and a fabric outer cover; each of the top and bottom support plates including a spring retainer structure extending outwardly therefrom between a base portion and an outermost portion; the outermost portion being of a greater diameter than the base portion; the spring having an inner coil diameter selected such that an end of the spring is snap fit over the outermost portion and resiliently returns to an inner diameter substantially equal to a bottom portion diameter such that the end of the spring is held in connection with the retaining structure; the securing strap assembly including a strap member and a strap faster element; the strap member having a first end permanently secured to one of the top and bottom support plates and a second end having a strap faster portion provided thereon that is companionate with the strap faster element; the strap faster element being secured to the same one of the top and bottom support plates as the first end of the strap member; the strap member being of a length such that, when the top and bottom support plates are fully compressed toward each other, the strap member is positionable around the support assembly and the strap faster portion securable to the strap fastener to hold the support assembly in the compressed configuration for carrying in a purse or pocket; one of the top and bottom support plates having a key ring attachment loop in connection therewith.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4210181 (1980-07-01), Clevenger
patent: 4683923 (1987-08-01), Harris
patent: 4722375 (1988-02-01), Fox
patent: 4811765 (1989-03-01), Giha
patent: 4846447 (1989-07-01), Hanna
patent: 4874151 (1989-10-01), Fritz
patent: 5752554 (1998-05-01), Campbell
Blackburn Artimio
Moore Vincent
Breaux Joseph N.
Jacyna J. Casimer
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