Fluid handling – Systems – Tank with internally extending flow guide – pipe or conduit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-20
2001-01-30
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit
C137S565010, C251S149600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178999
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel supply adapter for fuel cans such as transportable metal or plastic cans.
BACKGROUND
Fuel cans are used to transport fuel to remote locations, for example for military or fire fighting applications. Cans known in the art are made of metal or plastic, and have pouring necks with inner threads adapted to receive a pouring spout, and outer threads for receiving a closing cap. To deliver fuel to an engine having a fuel supply pump, it is necessary to either transfer the fuel to a can already provided with the appropriate adapter, drill a hole in the top surface of the fuel transport can and install an adapter in the hole, or install a separate adapter over the pouring neck of the can. This latter type of adapters is usually fitted on the outer threads of the pouring neck, and thereby need to be transported apart from the can and installed after the cap has been removed. In each of the above cases, accessories need to be carried apart from the can and the fuel cannot be readily supplied in case of an emergency.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fuel supply adapter for a fuel can that may be transported inside the fuel can.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a fuel supply adapter that may be used with standard existing fuel cans.
Accordingly the present invention provides a fuel supply adapter for pumping fuel out of a fuel can through a fuel pump. The fuel can has a bottom and a pouring neck, and the pouring neck has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface being usually provided with threads.
The adapter includes a generally cylindrical body insertable inside the pouring neck of the fuel can. The cylindrical body has a U-shaped cross-section, which defines a hollow top portion and a closed bottom portion having a predetermined thickness. The top portion has an outer surface provided with means for engagement with the inner surface of the pouring neck.
The adapter further includes connecting means extending through the closed bottom portion. The connecting means have a top extremity for connecting the adapter to the fuel pump, this top extremity projecting inside the top portion. The connecting means also have a lower extremity projecting from the closed bottom portion inside the fuel can when the adapter is inserted inside its pouring neck.
Also included in the adapter is a supply tube connectable to the lower extremity of the connecting means, and having a length sufficient to reach the bottom of the fuel can when the adapter is inserted inside the pouring neck.
Advantageously, the adapter according to the present invention is removably installed inside the pouring neck of the fuel can, and may be transported in this manner with the can itself. Also, it is adapted to be used with fuel cans that already answer to transportation and military standards. In addition, no special tool is required to install or remove the adapter according to the present invention.
The present invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1846877 (1932-02-01), Knapp
patent: 3510102 (1970-05-01), Sungaila
patent: 4494570 (1985-01-01), Adkins
patent: 4590964 (1986-05-01), Beardmore
Chambers A. Michael
Nixon & Vanderhye PC
Presta Frank P.
Wildfire Fire Equipment Inc.
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