US1786332A

US1786332A - Tank-closure lock

Info

Publication number: US1786332A
Application number: US316517A
Authority: US
Inventors: Aubrey O Bradshaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1928-11-01
Filing date: 1928-11-01
Publication date: 1930-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1947-12-23

Description

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 PATENT OFFICE AUBREY 0. BRADSHAW, F BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA -TANx-cLosURE Loox Application filed Novemberl, 1928. Serial No. 316,517.

This invention relates to improvements in tank locks, and more particularly to means forA locking caps on gas' tanks or they like,

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple form of locking means incorporated in a cap or plug and associated with the usual lling opening of a tank, whereby removal of the cap is prevented and thus eliminating the possibility of access to the interior of the tank by unauthorized persons.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a closure lock which .may be locked in position upon a tank filling opening by a downward pressure upon the cap.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a tank closure embodying a lock of such structureas to prevent removal of the cap, except through a straight upward lift of the cap, thereby obviating the possibility of prying oz or twisting of the cap from A still further object of the invention is the provision of a locking cap and adapter of extremely simple form, cheap to manufacture and readily applied to tanks now in general use, s

A still further-,object of the invention is the provision of closure lock having means whereby thelockais protected from rain, dust or other foreign matter, and yet 'permitting free passage of air through said lock to the interior of the tank.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a motor vehicle, having my lock applied to the filling open- 40 ing of the gasoline tank,

Figure 2 is a cross section illustrating the cap in locked position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the cap in unlocked position,

Figure 4 isa cross section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing theparts of the lock and their relation with one another,

Figure 6 is a modified form of mounting the lock upon a tank.

enlarged internally, as at 6, to provide a seat for a closure cap. The enlarged portion yiii!) 1s cut away and forms a circumferential seat 7, from which there extends an inwardly 'sloping cam surface 8. The cam surface is of a length to accommodate its associated cap, and at its termination there is provided a latch-engaging recess 9.

A closure cap 10 is provided, and in the present instance, comprises a central plug portion 11 having a diameter to snugly fit within the surface 8, and intermediate its length is formed with a flange 12 arranged to seat upon the seat 7 of the adapter. A recess 13 is formed between the flange 12 and the outer wall 14 of the cap, and within this recess there is disposed a packing gasket 15.

Centrally through the body 11 there is formed a bore 16 receiving a tubular 'rotary barrel 17 of the lock. v

As clearly shown in'Figs. 4 and 5, the plug body 11 is provided with 'a channel 18 in 80 which there is slidably arranged a pair of latch members 19. T he latch members are connected to the rotary barrel 17 by means of the plate 18a for their retractionA upon manipulation of the key 20. The plate 18a comprises a pair of pins 19l which are engaged within slots 20? of the latch members 19. It will thus be seen that upon rotation of the barrel 17, the latch members 19 will be retracted. The latch members 19, in the pres- 9" `ent instance, are substantially L-shaped,

having a bill 21. A helical spring 22 is inter osed between these bill portions 21, there y urging the latch members 19 outwardly, for engagement beneath the shoulder 9. A cover plate 23 is secured overthe latch members 19 Aand the spring 22 tohold them in their proper-relations.

. In order to protect the lock mechanism from dust, rain, or other extraneous matters,

the cap l() is provided with a threaded collar 24 encircling the bore 16, upon which a vent cap 25 is secured. It will thus be seen that the lock is amply protected against dust, rain, ctc., and at the same time allow for venting. of as which ma'y be produced in the tank 4. eference is now made to Fig.`y` 6, wherein I have illustrated a modied form of mounting the adapter neck upon a tank, without the use of rivets.. Thetmember' 1 is here shown as comprising a flange 26 suitably secured, as by welding, to the underside of the tank wall.

In effecting a closure with my device, the cap 10 is placed upon the open end of the adapter 1, the latchl members 19 being in their normal projected position, and resting upon the shoulder 7 A downward pressure of the cap will cause the latch members 19 to engage the cam surface 8, and due to' the inclination of the surface 8 will cause a backward movement of the'latches until they have entirely cleared the surfaceS. When the cap has been fully seated, the latch members 19 will be urged outwardly b the springs 22 to en age beneath the shoul ers 9, and thereby loc the cap against removal.

To release the cap,.the vent cap 25 is removed, the key 20 inserted and manipulated to rotate the barrel 17. Upon rotation of the barrel 17, the latch members 19 are retracted, whereupon the cap 10 may berremoved by a straight upward lift.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a locking ca Whichmay be readily installed upon a tan andone which obviates all possibility of removal of the cap by prying off or twisting of the cap from its seat, ldue to the lit betweenthe body 11 and enlargement 6. By the construction presented it is only possible to remove the cap by a straight upward lift. v

I am aware that prior patents have been granted upon closure ca s involving a locking means, but I do not lnow of any Where-- in the cap must be removed by a straight upward lift.

I claim:

1. In a closure for tanks, the combination with a tank having a filling neck, said neck having an annular enlargement intermediate its length, and having annular recesses at the upper and lower sides thereof, a closure ca arranged to seat in one of said recesses, saig cap havin a central plug portion fitting within sai annular enlargement and projected below said enlargement, a lock mount ed in said plug, said lock having latch members arranged to be projected from opposite' sides of said plug lower recess.

2. In a closure for tanks, the combination with a tank having a filling neck, said neck having an annular flange intermediate its or engagement in said surface, annular recesses at the 'upper and lower sides thereof, a closure ca arranged to seat in one of said recesses, said ca having a central plug portion fittingI within said annular flange and projecting below said flange, a lock mounted in said plug, said lock having s 'ring-pressed latch members arrange to e forced rearwardlyinto retracted position by said sloping flange, and outwardly into said lower recess when aligned therewith.

3. A lock comprising a closure plug, locking means and means for actuating said locking means both carried by the plug, and a filling neck with which the plug is cooperative, having an enlar ement located internally for concealment and to form a seat into which seat the locking means is projectable, said enlargement reinforcing the filling neck against collapse in the zone of the locking means.

AUBREY O. BRADSHAW.

length, said angehaving a sloping inner