US1707361A - Radiator cap - Google Patents

Description

April 9- G. H. MINER ET AL RADIATOR QAP Filed Oct. 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet p x M/ m 5 W J. M CLELLAND April 2, 1929. a. H. MINER ET AL RADIATOR CAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1921 FIE. 7.

FIE 4.

/N VE N 727R. 5-. H- MINER w../. M'L'LELLAND Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITEDSTATES PATENTIOFFICE.

GEORGE H. MINE Ann WILLIAM J. MQCLELLAND, on SAN rnnnorsoo, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNoRs, BY ivrnsnn ASSIGNMENTS, ro THE KINGSLEY-MILLER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01 ILLnvoIs.

RADIATOR CAP.

Application filed October 3, 1921. Serial No. 504,851.

The present invention relates to improvements in tank and other closure caps or plugs for ,general closure purposes but has particular reference to radiator caps for auto mobiles and other motor vehicles and resides in the provision of a cap which is constructed and arranged so that when once fitted into place it is automatically locked against removal, access to the radiator, tank or other object with which the cap is used, being had thru a closure permanently or non-removably attached to and formingv a part of the cap. i

The ordinary radiator cap for automobiles and the like is frequently lost due to failure to screw the cap back into place after filling the radiator and due to theunscrewing of the cap and falling of the same, off the neck while the vehicle is in motion. Radiator caps of the ordinary screw-(in-removable type are also frequently stolen, particularly when such caps support temperature and level indicators or ornaments. We are also aware of closure caps or plugs, particularly in the case of radiator caps, wherein a hinged closure is used instead; of a screw cap or plug, but these devices are not universally applicable to different makes of automobiles without necessitating changes in the construction of the neck of the radiator.

It is the primary obiect of the present in vention to provide aclosure cap or plug of the character described, which in the form of a radiator cap for automobiles and the like, may be readily applied to: various makes oi automobiles without necessitating any change in the construction oi? the neck oi? the i radiator, the device or our invention comprising essentially a body portion and a closure therefor, which is permanently, that is non-removably, attached to the body portion, the body portion being constructed so that it may be attached tothe neck of a 1'2 diatorby the simple expediency of removing the ordinary radiator cap and fitting the body portion in place, whereupon the body portion will automatically lock, and since it cannot be removed, the entire cap of this invention will become a permanent fixture upon the radiator, thus preventing loss of the cap thru inadvertence or carelessness, or by theft.

An. other object of the invention is to proride a initiator cap at the character de scribed which is constructed so that the means providing for access to the radiator thru the cap, serves as an ornament.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple and eil'ective locking arrangement :lt'orming a part of the cap oi. this invention, which arrangement is suchthat after removing the ordinary cap from the radiator and screwing the cap of the present invention in place, it will cause the cap of this invention to be permanently locked against being unscrewed. and removed from theneck, it being necessary to resort to machine work, such as drilling or boring, in. order to gain access to the locking means to eflt'eet a release thereof. i i

The invention further resides in the pro vision. of a cap otthe character described which includes means for supporting a temperature indicator. ornament or other device,

in such manner that the indicator, ornament or other dcvice will be locked against removal by unauthorized persons.

The invention possesses other advantages and features some of which, withtheforegoing will be set forth at length in the following description where we shall outline in full that term of the invention which we have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification. In said drawings we have shown one form of the construction. oi": our invention, but it to be ruiders tood that i we do not limitourselves to such form since the invention as expressed in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of i'orms.

Referring to the drawings: y

1 is a front elevation of the cap of this invention showing it as it would appear when in use.

Fig. 2 a front elevation. of: the cap show ing it with. the hinged closure open to permit of access to the radiator.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional viewo'ii the cap of this invention showing the side extensions or ornamental devices broken awayand partly in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the locking device.

Fig. 5 is a oi? Fig. 4, showing in part, a part of the cap with. which the locking device locks to eil'ect a permanent attachment oi? the cap to the ra-= diatom 1 a sectional view taken on line 5 5 hinged closure. The body portion is adapted to be screwed onto the neck of a radiator tion to permit of access to the neck. The

body portion is composed of two main parts,

one of which screws onto the neck of the radiator,'the other of which is locked .to the "first'named part so that access to the first named part, to provide'for unscrewing there- {of after once being screwed into place, is pre vented, thereby providing for permanent attachment of the cap as a whole. The locking means for locking the two parts of the body portion togetheris of such arrangement' that duringthe screwing of the body onto the. neckof the radiator, the two parts of the body of the cap move as one and after the body is screwed onto the neck, any attempt to unscrew the same causes the locking means to immediately release and permitthe upper of the two parts of the body to rotate freely upon the screwed on part.

Th'e hinged closure is; associated with the body thru the instrumentality of a connecting andlatching means which is of such construction'and arrangement that it may be 'inadetofserve as an ornainentaside from its utilitarian purposes. This is preferably accomplished by having lateral outward exi tensions on opposite sides of thebody of the cap,ihinging' one side of the closure cap to one of said extensions and releasably latching the opposite sides of the closure by means of'the other extension, the latter-extension being 'ii'vote'd'to the closure. Bothextensions are "extended s1'1flicientlybeyond the sides of the body to provide wing-like ornaments, orin fact ornaments of any nature'whats'oever, the

said extensions, while serving as ornaments,

actingat the sam'etime as a handle portion and a latch member respectively, so as to facilitate the handling of the cap in screwing the same in place'andthe holdingthereof lock ,nut of special construction, the indiwvhen opening and closing the hinged closure. "The hin'gedclosure may be formed with 1 an opening thru thebody so as to permit of the attachment of a temperature indicator,

ornament or other device and thru useof a cator or ornament or other device, may be docked to the cap to prevent unauthorized removal or theft thereof. I

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which embodiment exemplifies-a pre-" ferred form of our invention, 1 designates a per part 3 extends over the lower part so that it will cover and protect said part against being tampered with.

\Ve employ a novel device in connection with the two parts of the body portion 1, which device will cause said parts to be locked for corresponding rotation when screwing the cap onto the neck, but will allow the upper part to revolve freely upon the lower part immediately upon a turning of the cap such as would effect an unscrewing thereof, thus not affecting the lower part, which remains screwed in place. This locking device, preferably comprises a spring urged locking member 9, preferably in the form of a ball which is movable in a recess 10, formed in the lower part 4 of the body. The recess 10 is preferably extended inwardly from the outside of the body sothat the spring 11 will tend to force the ball 9. outwardly, at all times. In the same plane as the recess 9 there is formed in the opposed wall of the upper part 3 a notch or shallow recess 12 into which the ball 9 is adapted to engage so as to lock the parts 3 and 4 against relative movement.

The spring urged detent or ball 9, recess 10 and notch 12 are so arranged that when the cap is turned as in screwing the lower part onto the neck and the recess 10 and notch 12 register with one another, as shown in Fig.

'6, theball will extend into the recess and notch in such manner that the upper and lowerparts of the body are locked against free to turn relativeto the lower part,'which latter remains'screwed into place. The locking device is such that once assembled, access thereto cannot be had without boring thru the parts of the body or completely destroying the construction of the cap. Preferably, we place the spring and locking member in the recess 10 and move the lower part -1- upwardly'onto the upper part 3 in such manner that the inner side of the upper part will engage and hold the spring urged locking member'initherecessuntil the parts 3 and 4 are properly fitted. This locking arrangement is preferably located at a point between the shoulder 8 and upper end of the lower part 1 of the body.

In order to provide for rotatably connecting the parts 3 and l of the body with one another so that said parts will not be capable of being disassembled after being once rotatably connected, we form in the opposed faces of the parts at a point above the looking device, complementary annular grooves 1-1 of a depth just suiiicient to accommodate ball bearing members 15, which latter extend half into one groove and half into the other groove, as shown in Fig. 3. These balls are mounted in position by being dropped into the vertical bore 16 formed in the parts 3 and 4-. of the body, said bore communicating with the complementary grooves 1 1. The upper end of the part 4 engages in an annular groove 18 formed in a thickened annular portion 19 of the part 3 of the body. A bore 20 is-formed thru the thickened portion 19 and is adapted to register with the bore 16 to permit the balls to be dropped into place after assembling of the parts '3 and 4 of the body 1.

The upper edge of the part 3 or thickened portion 19 is formed with an annular washer groove or seat 21 in which a rubber washer or gasket 22 is snugly fitted, said washer covering the upper end of the bore 20. A plug 17 is fitted into the bore 20 so as to prevent access to the balls 15. V

Extending outwardly from one side of the part 3 of the body is a handle like extension or projection 23 which, for example, may be from 3 to 4 or more inches in length so that it maybe cut, stamped or cast as anornainent, for example, so as to represent a wing, as shown in the drawings. This extension is formed with an upwardly opening recess 24 which receives an car 25 projecting outwardly from the one side of the flanged closure 2. A pivot pin 26 is mounted in the recess and car so as to hingedly connectthe closure 111Ql1'lher 2 with the body of the cap. The lower annular edge 27 of the closure 2 is adapted to engage upon the washer or gasket 22. A recess 28 is formed on the lower edge of the closure and receives the upper edge of the part 3 soas to insure proper alinement and effect a tight seal between the closure and body of the cap.

Means is provided for looking or clamping the closure in place and comprises a short projection 30, formed on the part 3 opposite to the projection 23. This projection 30 is provided with a cam face 31 on its lower side adapted to cooperate with a cam surface 32 formed in a recess 34 of a lever or looking member 35. The member 35 is preferably of the same size and shape as the projection 23 and extends from the side of the cap as does said projection 23 so as to produce symmetry of appearance in the cap as a whole and en hance the ornamental quality of the device. The lever or looking 1nemher35 receives in the recess 34 an car 37 which car extends outwardly from the closure 2. A pin 38 is extended across the recess 34 and thru the car so as to pivotally secure the lever 35 in place.

To gain access to the radiator after the cap of our invention is mounted in place, or in other words, to fill the radiator, the lever 35 grasped and swung upwardly on its pivot from its horizontal locking position, shown in 1 and 3, so that the PlOjOGlllOI] 30 is withdrawn from the recess and the lower side of said lever 35 clears said projection 30. The closure with the lever is thenswung into position shown in Fig. 2, and the radiator is ready to be filled,

To close the cap the closure is swung 0 its pivot into closing position and the lever 35 moved from upright to horizontal position so that the projection 30 will extend into the recess 04:. As the lever is thus moved the cam faces 31 and 32 coope ate so that a wedging action such will tend to pull downward on the closure, takes place. As the closure is thus clamped or pulled downward, it compresses the rubber gr shot 22 and in this way is yieldingly clamped to form a tight seal, when the points at X of the cam surfaces 31 and 32 engage one another. The closure is thus tightly clamped in closing position and will not be subject to accidental opening incident to shocks and jars.

lnscrewing the cap upon a radiator, upon installing the cap, the two projections on the side may serve as handle portions, whereby an eiiective and easy turning of the cap will he provided for. Likewise, in opening and closing the cap, the operator may grasp the handle portion or projection 23 while manipulating the similarly formed but pivoted lever locking member 35. Thus the portions 23 and 35 serve as ornaments, as convenient handles, and one of them constitutes a clamp in g memberto hold the cap closed.

The closure 2 may be formed with an opening 39 in the top thereof where an ornament or ten'lperature indicator, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be secured to the closure by having its stem 40 extended thru the opening and atlixing a special nut lock 41 to the stem within the closure The nut lock comprises an ordinary nut 12 having a recess 43 extending therethru to the screw threads. A ball member 44 is mounted in the recess and is normally urged inwardly towards the stem by a small coil spring 45. The ball, spring and recess are so arranged that in turning the nut in place, the ball is forced into the recess and offers no resistance to such movement of the nut, but when the nut is turned as in unscrewing, the ball will be wedged between the nut and stem so as to prevent unscrewing of the nut. After the ball and spring are inserted the recess 13 is plugged as at l l to prevent tampering with ill) the locking means. After the nut is put on the stem, the device- A is permanently held upon the closure 2 and is'sa'fe uarded against theft, independent of the cap, and the entire cap and device A is, as a whole, securely and pern'ianently held and locked against removal from the radiator.

screwin of said bod )ortion a closure hinged to the body portion and arranged to be moved into and out of position for closing said opening, like extensions projecting from opposite sides of the bony portion and to both of which extensions said closure is pivotaly connected, one of said extensions being rigid with the body portion and the other of said extensions being capable of movement relative to said body portion and meanscooperating With the last named extension to provide for clamping and uncla'mping of said closure.

2. A radiator cap comprising a'body portion adapted to be fitted. upon the neck of a radiator, projections extending outwardly from opposite sides of said body, a closure pivoted on opposite sides to the said projections, one of said projections being rigidly supported by the body. and means associated with the body and with which the other projection cooperates to clamp the closure upon the body.

3. A radiator cap comprising a body portion adapted to be fitted upon the neck of a radiator, like projections extending outwardly from opposite sides of said body, a closure 1 pivoted on opposite sides to the said projections,one of said projections being rigidly supported by the body, and means associated with the body and with which the other projection cooperates to clamp the closure upon the body.

4'. In combination with a radiator cap, of a device supported on the cap, a screw threaded stem on said device extending thru said cap,

a nut turned on the stem beneath said cap and means in the nut which when the nut is turned as in unscrewing the same, will wedge between the nut and stem and prevent unscrewin of the nut.

5. The combination ol an internal collar having an opening therethrough and having external threads for attachment to the internally threaded filling opening of a radiator, an external collar fitting; around said internal collar and adapted to terminate adjacent the end of the said int" ually threaded opening, a closure for said external collar having an opening adapted to receive a motometer, a pivot pin permanently securing said closure to the external collar, and means locking together said collars against theft.

6. The combination of an internal collar having an opening therethrough and having external threads "for attachment to the internally threaded filling opening of a radiator, an external collar surrounding said internal collar and adapted to terminate adjacent the end of the said internally threaded opening, a closure for said external collar adapted to carry an auxiliary device, a pivot pin permanently securing said closure to the external collar, and means maintaining said collars in assembled relation against theft.

7. llleans for locking a radiator cap to a radiator colnprisin an internal collar adapted to fit a radiator nipple, locking means preventing the removal. of the cap from said collar but permitting relative rotation between said parts, and protective means preventing access to said collar from the interior of said cap.

8. Means for locking a radiator cap to a radiator comprising an in ternal collar adapted to fit a radiator nipple, lockingmeans permitting rotation of said cap about said collar in one direction only, and a second collar adapted to fit over said internal collar, a downwardly extending shirt on said second collar, said skirt functioning to protect said internal collar against access interiorly of said cap.

GEORGE H. MINER. lVILLIAM J. MGCLELLAND.

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