US2125819A - Locking closure cap - Google Patents

Description

ug- 2, 1938 F. E. SCHNEIDER 2,125,819

LOCKING CLOSUHE .CAP I Filed sept. s', 1957 151,.; Y, If l, 11 v 25 f 30 12 72 l f f 16s Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKIN G CLOSURE CAP Fred E. Schneider, Grand Junction, Colo. Application September 3, 1937, Serial No. 162,382

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a locking closure cap for ller spouts of gasoline tanks and the like, and one of the important objects of the invention is the production of a simple and erlicient y" `locking cap for fuel tanks of automobiles and other vehicles, the locking means being so constructed as to prevent the unauthorized removal of the cap by unauthorized parties.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and efficient locking closure cap for the ller necks of fuel tanks and the like, the parts of which are so constructed as to per- Amit one standard size cover to be used for various sizes of ller necks, and which cap may only be removed by the insertion and manipulation of an authorized key and the proper manipulation of the cap upon the neck of the tank.

Other objects and advantages of this invention `will appear throughout the following specication and claims.

In thedrawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ller neck and :a portion of a fuel tank with certain parts in section, Vshowing the locking closure cap mounted thereon.;

`Figure ,2 is a vertical sectional view taken on LO Figure l; 3 is Aa horizontal sectional view taken .on line :.3-3 0i .Figure 1;

Figure 4 `is a horizontal sectional View taken .-,online 4-4 of Figure l;

Figure '5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2 with the anchoring members in an anchoring position;

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view with the anchoring members in a released position;

Figure 7 is a perspective View showing the under face of the cap, certain parts being removed and the cover being broken away; `0 Figure 8 is an inverted perspective view of the actuating plate for the anchoring members;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the locking plate;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the anchoring members;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the locking plate, showing a modied form of locking arm;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a modied form of locking plate.

`By referring to the drawing, it vwill be seen that Iii designates the filler neck of a fuel tank, such for instance, as a gasoline tank of an automobile, this neck I0 being of therconventional 5 type having an inturned cap retaining ilange (Cl. 'Z0-172) I I of the usual character, which flange I I is provided with the usual pair of opposed notches I2. A locking closure cap I3 is adapted to fit over the neck I0 and this cap I3 carries the usual gasket I4 which is adapted to fit between the 5 upper end of the neck I0 and the lower face of the cap I3. The cap I3 is preferably formed of cast material yand is preferably of a suitable diameter to t upon various sizes of tank necks, since the side flanges I5 thereof need not necesl0 sarily t snugly against the side of the neck I in order that the cap be retained upon the neck I8. The cap I3 is provided with an integral inwardly extending barrel I'I and a collar I6 which is concentrically mounted relative to the barrel 15 and of greater length than the barrel I'I, as shown in Figure 7. A conventional tumbler lock I8 of the barrel lock type known in some instances as .a'cylinder plug, is fitted in the barrel I'I and is held therein by an expansion split resilient ring I9 tting in suitable registering annular grooves formed in the lock I8 and the inner face of the barrel II. This structure permits the lock I8 to be forced into the barrel II and the ring I8 will snap into the groove formed inthe barrel II when a position of registration is reached, thereby automatically locking the barrel or cylinder lock I8 within the barrel against unauthorized or accidental displacement. Segmental blocks are cast as part of the cap I3 and span the distance between the collar I6 and the barrel I'I, these blocks being arranged in opposed relation and terminating short of the outer periphery of the collar I6 to provide opposed notches 2I. Studs 22 project from the under faces of the blocks 2|) which studs 22 extend through the apertures `23 formed in the locking plate 24. The heads ofthese studs 22 may be upset to provide rivets for firmly holding the locking plate 24 in engagement with the lower edge of the collar I6. This locking plate 24 is provided with a pair of opposed locking arms 25 which arms 25 are adapted to extend or drop down through the notches I2 in the flange II and by a quarter of a turn of the cap I3, the arms 25 will lock under the flange II in a position at'right angles to the notches I2, as shown in Figure 4. Y An actuating plate 2l is secured to the lower end of the barrel or cylinder lock I8 in a suitable manner whereby the rotation of the lock I8 through the medium of a suitable key inserted therein will rotate the plate 21 to the right or left. The lock I8 may be secured to the plate 2'I by means of the studs 28 passing through the apertures 28a formed in the plate 21. The ends of the studs 28 may be upset to constitute rivets or any other desired securing means may be ernployed. The plate 21 is provided with a pair of opposed ears 29 bent downwardly from the periphery thereof and these ears 29 extend through the arc-shaped slots 30 formed in the locking plate 24 to permit rotation of the plate 21.

A pair of anchoring members 3| are interposed between the Vplates 24 and 2l, as shown in Figure "2, and each'anchoring member 3| is provided w'ith an aperture 32 at its inner end,'the ears 29 extending through the apertures 32 as well` as through the arc-shaped slots 30 in the plate 24. The outer end of each anchoring mn'berl-! 'is provided with a transversely extending elongated slot 33 and the studs 22v carried by the blocks'2' extend through these slots"33"and"limit rthe'inward and outward movement of the anchoring members 3|. The outer locking ends`34 of'the members 3I project`through thenotches 2| in the co1lar I6 whe n the members 3| are' moved to ananchoring-position so as to extend into the notche,s l 2 of the .flange l l, Shown in Fieure 5, and prevent; tno cap. l3 .fron1 beins rotated for removal by, an lunautl'l-orized party. The anchoring membersi a are; movedhto 'an anchoring position as. tnebarrel or cylinder look is rotated in. the direction Snom brlthearliow, in Figure y5. and as thehbarrel or cylinder, lock carrying the .plate'l is rotated inthe lopposite,direction to the arrownshown Figurel 5, the outer ends 34 of theL lecking ngers A3| will be ldrawn inwardly withinthegnotchesmZI ofthel c ollar IS and out of engagement with, the notches I2 in the Iflange II, thereby permitting the` ,cap to be removed. f .It .should be understood thetwnen Ytine, key K, s inserted orme cylinder lookin ,unlocked Aw ith.respect to theI cap I3 sothat the cylinder lockjlismoVvableL-withj respect tothe cap I3, itishonly necessaryto rotate-fthecap I3 in .the 4direction of 1emoval,orin `,a fraction( opposite tothat shown bythe arrow -inn'l'igurel*to cause automatic withdrawal` of the, anchoring members. 3|., due. to the foottnat the inclined, Sides 3 |a of theanchorinsrnembere 3|. Wi1 1 1 de Upon the s idewaus ottnenotohesi!2nite, which the members '3|` Contact and,jcause jthe anchoring members 3| to Vbegmoved inwardly out of the notches .I2- VI riligure.' 11, I' have'hown aniodiedhfofm Tof locking ar,m wherein*the outer end 4 3 of the arm 44 carried bythe plateY 24a is folded back upon the same to a fuel tank neck with a flange of lessgdepth thanypsual, *Suchnchang'es of. this. character may be made, t .ac CQmmate the device to various standard-types of tanks and 'riecks.

,'As, shown' in Figure 12 ,I Vhave illustrated a modif-led type of Vlocking plate indicated bythe numeral1'35 which is'V somewhat similar to the structure shown 'in Figure 9 `with ltheexception V'that the lockinglgplate 35 isgprovidedI with'ananmillar. depending flange 36. Vformed integral-with f tlre plateg35. Guiding slots-39 areformed in the flange 36 through"which'tlfe'anchoring members 3| `mayextendl The; plate V35 is provided with apertures 40 for receiving studs 22Sand arc-shaped slots 4I' for receivingthe opposed; ears `29 ofthe plate..2'|. 'The "form, ofilocking 4plate shown -in 'Figure 9'may be'substituted for that type shownY .Tin .Figure 12 if; and when desired,V and'ris provided fwitli" arms "25 'similar to' the arms `42.

" The locking platehaving flanges 36, as shown in Flgur e"l2,fis"especially designed for useyin connection with Various sized filler necks, and in connection with a standard size cover. A1- though the locking plate may be of various sizes diametrically, all the perforations in the cap are uniform and various sizes of locking plates, as well as anchoring members, may be assembled therefore in any one of a number of standard sized covers. A further important feature of the present invention is the construction of the actuating plate illustrated and described above, and by employing these features just mentioned, the key in the lock need be rotated only about one-eighth of a turn or less, to lock or unlock wthe device. In actual practice it has been found 'that'byabare touch the anchoring members will slide outwardly very easily to the limit.

xAlthough I haver illustrated the device as being provided with a key-operated cylinder lock I8, it is obvious of course that the key-operated lock may be replaced by a combination lock and the like, without vdeparting from the spirit -ofthe invention. Y' l From the foregoing description it will be seen thata Very simple and efficient locking closure cap for filler spouts of gasoline tanks -or fuel tanks, and-the like, has been provided whereby the cap may bev locked in securedposition upon the neck to prevent the cap from being removed by .i an unauthorized partly. The plate '-24 is fixed and secured tothe cap I3 by means of the studs 22, and the cap vis dropped upon the.top of the neck in a position to allow the arms 25 to drop `through the notches-or openings I2 in the lflange II. The cap is then rotated for aquarter of a turn to the position shown in Figure Lland the key K in the lock I8 is rotated to rotate the plate 2 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure causing the ends 34 of the anchoring members 31| Vto bev extended into the notches I2 thereby' anchoring the cap against rotation, the arms 25 riding under the edge of the flange II Yof the neck- Illin the usual manner commonv to such caps and filler necks. The cap may be unlocked "by rotating the key Kin the opposite direction 4for withdrawing the anchoring members 31a-to the position shown in Figure` 6 vthereby allowing the cap I3 to berotated to ap0int wherethe arms 25 may be liftdlup through the openings I2. An alternate method of removingthe capw|3-is merely. toinsert the key` Kw into the cylinder lockQIB to render the lock I8 movable lwith( vrespect .toA the' cap 'I3 4and rotate ythe cap I3 in the ydirection of removal toicause.

the automaticl withdrawal'of` the anchoring .mem- -bers 3| to an unlocked position. It should be;5

understood that the 'arms 25 by fitting under' the edge ofthe flangel IA will lock the cap in position against *removal v and the anchoring members 3| will anchor the cap against rotation.

-It should be understood that the cap is pro-6 vided with an inwardly extending collar'JS of a standard diameter -tor fit snugly againstwthe inturned flange II of the neck I0, but the cap -I3 may be'of alarger size such as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 to t--varioussized necks "thereby allowing the deviceY to-be. applied to -vari- Rous types o--standard-tanks by merely substituting the different sized locking plates, suchfas theplatelI- orthe plate 35 and anchoringmember 3|.

I- Iavingdescribed the invention, Awhat I claim -as-'new is:-

1.-- A1ocking closuref'cap for a fuel tank which has aflange-withppenings therein including: a flockfadaptedgto befoperated for lockingengagement with said'cap, a retaining member carried by said cap and having ,means fitting in said opening and movable under said flange for holding said cap against removal, an anchoring member pivotally connected to said lock, and guide means carried by vsaid cap and engaging said anchoring member `for limiting the swinging movement of said anchoring member, said anchoring member being movable `to and from an engaging position with respect to said opening in said flange as said lock is rotated wth respect to said cap.

2. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has a flange with openings therein including: a lock adapted to be operated by a key, a retaining member carried by said cap and having means fitting in said openings in said flange and movable under said flange for holding said cap against removal, an actuating plate secured to the bottom of said lock and having depending opposed ears, anchoring members contacting said actuating plate and having apertures at their inner ends for receiving said ears, said anchoring members being slotted guide studs carried by said cap and passing through the slotted ends of said anchoring members, the anchoring members being movable from a retracted to an extended position by rotation of said lock whereby saidV anchoring members may be moved to and from an engaging position with the openings in said flange.

3. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has a flange with an opening therein including: a lock adapted to be operated for locking engagement with said cap, retaining means on said cap` adapted to be received by said opening and fit under said flange When in an vengaging position, an anchoring member carried by said cap and adapted to fit in said opening in said flange and actuated by said lock for movement to and from an anchoring position with respect to said opening, and said anchoring member having an inclined face for engagement with the side of said opening in said flange whereby said anchoring member will be automatically withdrawn from said opening in said flange when said lock is released and said cap is rotated in the direction for removal, said locking and anchoring means when in an engaging position providing means for holding said cap against rotation and removal.

4. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has a flange with openings including: a lock adapted to be operated for locking engagement with said cap, retaining means on said cap adapted to t in said openings and under said flange when in an engaging position, a plurality of anchoring members actuated by said lock and movable to and from anchoring engagement with said openings, said anchoring members radiating outwardly from said lock and having inclined edges contacting with the sides of said openings in said flange for causing said anchoring members to automatically move inwardly out of anchoring engagement with said openings as said cap is rotated in a direction for removal after said lock is released, said retaining and anchoring means when in an engaging position providing means for holding said cap against rotation and removal.

5. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has an inturned flange with openings therein including a cylinder lock adapted to be operated by a key, a retaining member carried by said cap and having flange-engaging means fitting in near their outer ends,`

. anchoring members said openings in said flange and movable under said flange for holding said cap against removal, an actuating plate securedto the bottom of said cylinder lock and having depending opposed ears,` anchoring members contacting said actuating plate and having apertures at their inner ends for receiving said ears, said anchoring members being slotted near their outer ends, guide studs carried by said cap and passing through the slotted ends of said anchoring members for limiting the outward swinging movement of the anchoring members, the anchoring members being movable fromA a retracted to an extended position by rotation of said cylinder lock whereby said anchoring members may be moved to and from an engaging position with respect to said openings in said inturned flange, said anchoring members being fitted between said actuating plate and said retaining member and extending in a bias direction with respect to said flange-engaging means, and said retaining member having arc-shaped slots through which `said opposed ears extend. 6. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has an inturned flange with openings therein including a cylinder lock adapted to be operated by a key, and having flange-engaging means fitting in said openings in said flange and movable under said flange for `holding said cap against removal, an actuating plate secured to the bottom of said cylinder lock and having depending opposed ears, anchoring members contacting said actuating plate and having apertures at their inner ends, guide studs carried by said cap and passing through the slotted ends of said anchoring members, for limiting the outward swinging movement of the anchoring members, the anchoring members being movable from a retracted to an extended position by rotation of said cylinder lock whereby said anchoring members may be moved to and from a locking position with respect to said openings in said inturned flange, said anchoring members being fitted between said actuating plate and said retaining plate and extending in a bias direction with respect to said flange-engaging means, said retaining plate having arc-shaped slots through which said opposed ears extend, said retaining plate having a depending peripheral flange, and said depending peripheral flange having slots formed therein through which said anchoring members extend.

7. A locking closure cap for a fuel tank which has an inturned flange with openings therein including a cylinder lock adapted to be operated by a key, a retaining member carried by said cap and having flange-engaging arms fitting in said openings in said flange and movable thereunder for holding said cap against removal, operable by said cylinder lock and movable to and from an engaging position with said openings of said flange for anchoring said cap against unauthorized removal, said cap having a depending integral barrel for receiving said cylinder, locking means for locking said cylinder lock within said barrel, a depending collar concentrically mounted with respect to said barrel and spaced therefrom, blocks arranged in opposed relation between said barrel and collar, and means for anchoring said anchoring member in engagement with said blocks.

8. A locking closure cap for a container which has a flange with openings therein, including: retaining means on said cap adapted to be rea retaining plate carried by said capV ceived by said openings and moved under said ange byrotation oisad cap. to lock it, upon said container; anchoring- .means on` said cap,

movable inland outiwithrespect to the-,center thereof andadapted, in its outer position', ytol'be received; by one ofsaid openings, said anchoringv means being so` constructedfand arranged that.

1ing depending legs fitting in` said openings in said flange and movable under said ange for holding said cap against; removal, an actuating plate adapted for limiting the rotationofY the key secured to the bottom of said cylinder and having depending ears, anchoring members contacting said actuating plate, and having apertures at`V their inner ends for receiving said ears, said anchoring members being slotted near their outer ends, andguide studs carried by saidv cap ,zand passing through the slottedf ends of said anchoring members for limiting the outward swinging movement of the anchoring members, the anchoring members being movable from a retracted to an extendedV position byY rotation of! "said cylinder. l

l0. A locking closure constituting a 'cap for fuel tank filler Vnecks whichy have flanges with openings therein; includinga cylinder adapted to be actuated by a key, a retaining member provided with extending arms carried by said cap, said arms ofv said retaining member adapted to t under said. flange for holding said cap against removal, an actuating plate adapted for limiting the rotating movement of the key secured to said cylinder and` having depending ears, anchoring membersv provided with apertures for receiving said ears, said anchoring members being slotted, guide st uds carried by said cap adapted to pass through said slotted portions of said anchoring members for controlling the movement of said anchoring members, said anchoring members being movable from a retracted to an extended position by rotation of said cylinder, said retainingv member provided with a depending peripheral flange having openings therein through which said anchoring members extend adapted t0. iit snugly within saidfillerl necks and adapted to lock said cap upon various sized ller necks against removal by unauthorized parties.

11'. A locking closure cap for a container which has a flange With openingsY therein, including: means on said cap adapted to be received by one of said openings and adapted to engage the ange after entering the opening and when the cap is rotated to prevent removal of said cap; anchoring means carried by said cap and adapted to be received by saidy openings, said anchoring means having means for moving said anchoring means inwardly toward the center of said cap and out of said openings when said cap is rotated in one direction for removal; means for eiecting outward movement of said' anchoring means; and means for locking said anchoring means in an outer position to anchor said cap against rotation and' removal.

Y FRED E. SCHNEIDER.

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