Fluid handling – With indicator – register – recorder – alarm or inspection means – Position or extent of motion indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-02-06
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
Position or extent of motion indicator
C137S377000, C137S899000, C280S835000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182691
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to motorcycles, and more particularly to covers for petcocks such as those found on motorcycles for fuel flow control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous applications exist where it is desirable to modify the appearance of equipment or machinery due to its relatively high visibility. The problems encountered in such modification vary considerably depending upon the final appearance sought and the shape, size and type of equipment or machinery involved. For example, the appearance of a user-operated lever extending from equipment or machinery may not be desirable. In applications such as a fuel petcock for a motorcycle, this appearance is relatively important because of the high visibility of the fuel petcock.
Improving the appearance of a petcock remains a design challenge by virtue of the shape of a petcock lever. A number of devices and assemblies exist for covering or dressing a petcock lever with a lever cover, several of which are found in the motorcycle art. However, each of these devices and assemblies has one or more significant design limitations. For example, one type of petcock cover requires the user to cut off part of the petcock level to install the petcock cover. Other types of conventional petcock covers require removal or disassembly of the petcock in order to install the petcock cover. Permanently modifying the petcock, removing the petcock, and/or disassembling the petcock and associated elements are all less than desirable solutions to the problem of attaching a petcock cover to a petcock.
Another problem existing in conventional petcock covers is the conflict between petcock functionality and aesthetics. Many petcock covers, which are aesthetically designed, have a less-than-optimal mechanical design. For example, certain petcock covers that require modification or removal of the petcock lever (the user-operable lever for opening, closing or changing the state of the petcock) are more difficult to grasp and turn due to their shape and/or size. Where such a cover is for a fuel petcock lever on a motorcycle, a rider may be required to remove his or her gloves to operate the modified petcock lever—an unsafe practice when (as is often the case) the rider desires to turn the petcock lever while the motorcycle is moving.
Also, many existing petcock covers fail to provide a user with information necessary to determine what position the petcock is in. Even where indicia of some sort is provided on the cover, such indicia is either insufficient to provide an unfamiliar user with such information, is unable due to the cover shape and/or size to provide such information, or is incapable of displaying such information in all positions of the petcock lever and/or cover.
A factor significantly limiting the design of petcock covers is the manner of attachment of the cover to the petcock. A balance must often be struck between a well-secured petcock cover and an aesthetically pleasing petcock cover.
In light of the problems and limitations of the prior art described above, a need exists for a petcock cover and assembly method which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a petcock while being easy to install, being capable of installation without modifying the petcock or requiring petcock removal or equipment disassembly, improving petcock access and manipulation by a user, enabling quick user recognition of petcock positions, and providing for a secure cover-to-petcock connection. Each embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The petcock cover assembly of the present invention includes a petcock retainer fitted to the petcock lever and a cover attached to the petcock retainer. The petcock retainer receives or is otherwise attached to the petcock lever to transmit torque from the cover to the petcock lever. Particularly where the petcock lever has an elongated arm shape, the petcock retainer has a U-shaped portion within which the petcock lever arm of the petcock is received. Walls of the U-shaped portion abut the lever arm when the petcock retainer is pivoted with the cover, thereby transmitting torque from the cover to the petcock retainer to the petcock lever. The petcock retainer preferably has at least one attachment portion by which the petcock retainer is attached to a rear portion of the cover.
The cover preferably covers the front and sides of the petcock, but at least covers either the front or a side of the petcock. The cover is preferably round in shape, with a round front wall and a side wall depending therefrom encircling the petcock lever. Fasteners preferably attach a surface on the rear of the cover to the petcock retainer to secure the cover to the petcock retainer. More preferably, threaded fasteners pass through apertures in the front wall of the cover and into matching apertures in the attachment portions of the petcock retainer to secure the cover to the petcock retainer. An insert preferably covers the front wall of the cover and the fasteners.
To assist in the identification of the petcock position, the petcock cover assembly can be provided with petcock position indicia on the side wall(s) and/or on the front of the cover. Preferably, indicia are provided in multiple locations on the side walls of the cover so that when the cover is rotated to various cover positions, indicia are visible from the same location beside the cover.
The petcock cover assembly is assembled upon a petcock lever by first fitting or attaching the petcock retainer to the petcock, then (or simultaneously) fastening the cover with petcock position indicia thereon to the petcock retainer. Threaded fasteners are preferably passed through apertures in the front wall of the cover and into corresponding threaded apertures in the attachment portions of the petcock retainer. When tightened, these fasteners secure the cover and the petcock retainer to the petcock lever for rotation therewith. Finally, the insert is preferably secured to the front of the cover to cover the fasteners and at least a portion of the front of the cover.
Still other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3931954 (1976-01-01), Guzzetta
patent: 4068859 (1978-01-01), Dittman
patent: 5636654 (1997-06-01), Helm
patent: 5993675 (1999-11-01), Hagerthy
1998 Custom Chrome catalog, p. 16.25.
1996 Kury Akyn Holding petcock cover installation instructions.
1997 J & P Cycles, p. 6-6.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Lee Kevin
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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