US2168395A

US2168395A - Funnel construction

Info

Publication number: US2168395A
Application number: US190829A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold A Damkroger
Original assignee: GEN METALWARE Co
Current assignee: GEN METALWARE Co; GENERAL METALWARE Co
Priority date: 1938-02-16
Filing date: 1938-02-16
Publication date: 1939-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1956-08-08

Description

g.- 1939- H. A. DAMKROGER 2,168,395

FUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Y Filed Feb. 16, 1938 /%4ROLDA .DAMKR06ER FIG. 4 9 M MW Patented Aug. 8, 1939 FUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Harold A. Damkroger,

Minneapolis, Minn assignor to General Metalwarc Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application February 16, 1938, Serial No. 190,829

3 Claims.

This invention relates to funnels and has for an object the provision of a construction by which the fuimel may be rigidly attached to the vessel with which it is used. The funnels herein 5 illustrated are designed to be used with vessels having removable cap closures such as automobile and tractor fuel tanks and the like.

In many motor vehicles, such as tractors and portable power units, the fuel tanks are located adjacent or above the motor. The filling of the fuel tanks of such units is hazardous because any spilled fuel falls upon the motor where it is likely to be ignited by the heat of the motor or the exhaust manifold. The hazard is increased when the filling is done in the field since fuel is usually transferred by pails or cans which must be balanced in an elevated position while the fuel is poured into the fuel tank of the motor unit. Wind, unsteady conditions, the weight of the cans or pails, and insecure funnels contribute to the hazard.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to obviate these difiiculties by providing a strong, heavily made funnel of minimum height, which is constructed so as to be readily and quickly attached to the fuel tank with which it is used. By such a construction all of the dangers due to an insecure funnel are obviated, and tank filling is facilitated by the fact that the weight of the filling can or pail may be placed upon the edge of the funnel.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a funnel construction which may be attached to the tank with which it is used, by turning through a part of one revolution.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a funnel construction which will remain fixed in place when attached, with the funnel spout opening centered with respect to the filler opening of the tank with which it is used.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a vent passage which is exterior to the funnel spout so as to segregate the down fiow of liquid and the up flow of vapor.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction in which the funnel is supported in fixed spaced relation with respect to the vessel with which it is used so as to provide a vent space and passageway.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a funnel construction which may. be used with non-vertical filler necks on tanks and which will remain in fixed-relation with respect to the filler neck when attached to such nonvertical filler neck.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a construction in which the funnel spout is of a diameter only slightly less than that of the filler neck with which it is used, and at the same time provide a free exit for vapors so that fluids will drain freely into the tank with which said funnel'is used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a funnel construction in which the weight of the funnel is supported independently of the funnel spout so as to protect this spout and contribute to the strength of the construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a funnel which is provided with a filtering screen so as to insure the delivery of fluid free from debris.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a removable filter screen which may be inserted or removed or replaced at will.

Other objects and features of the invention are those inherent and suggested by the drawing, and those inherent and suggested by the embodiments of the invention described hereinafter.

In the description hereinafter given, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters represent corresponding parts in all views and in which Figure 1 is an elevation view in section of a preferred embodiment of theinvention shown attached to a filler neck of a vessel neck with 30 which the funnel is used.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in section of a modification of the invention shown attached to a filler neck with which the funnel is used.

Figure 3 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the modification shown in Figure 2, showing the funnel spout and supporting sleeve.

Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary topview of the screening member of the modification shown in Figure 1 or 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in section of a second modification of the invention shown attached to a filler neck with which the funnel is used.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation of another modification, showing the funnel attached to the filler neck with which it is used.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the filler neck 7 construction with which the illustrated embodiments of the invention are used.

, A preferred form of the invention shown in Figure 1 consists of a funnel generally designaied i,. m ri in a c l n r al. sec ion? an a frustro-conical section 3 which are attached together. The cylindrical section 2 is headed to present a smooth top edge, and the upper edge 4 of the frustro-conical section 3 is flanged so as to receive the base of the cylindrical section 2 to which it is aflixed by spot welding, rolling or soldering. The funnel construction is provided with a spout 5 which may be formed integrally with the frustro-conical section 3, or separately, as desired. The junction of the spout 5, and the frustro-conical section comprises a recessed shoulder 6 which receives a Wire cloth screening member I which is held in place by means of snap ring 8, as shown in Figure 4.

The several embodiments of the invention illustrated herein are shown as being adapted for use with a vessel filler neck generally designated 9, such as that illustrated in Figure 7. This type 01 filler neck consists of a cylindrical portion having an inwardly turned top flange I0. The flange I0 is formed with reentrant surfaces having stop shoulders |2 thereon. The surfaces H and stop shoulders l2 constitute locking elements with which protruding lugs on a cap closure cooperate to close and seal the filler neck. The filler neck is usually provided with a base flange l3 by which it is attached to the vessel H! with which it is used.

According to the present invention the funnel is provided with a supporting surface which cooperates with the top surface l0 of filler neck 9 and locking elements which cooperate with surfaces II and stop l2 of the filler neck so as to position the funnel rigidly in locked relation with respect to the filler neck when the funnel is being used.

In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, the supporting element is a sleeve generally designated |6, which is formed with a conical flange at its upperend, by which the sleeve is attached to the frustro-conical section 3 of the funnel. The sleeve also includes an inwardly turned flange l8 which seats upon top surface ll] of the filler neck 3 when the funnel is being used. A cylindrical extension I!) from the inner diameter of flange i8 is provided with outwardly extending locking surfaces 20. These locking surfaces cooperate with the surface |8 of locking elements I of the fillerneck to draw the surface l8 into tight contact with the top surface H] of the filler neck when the funnel is rotated as a unit on the filler neck.

It will be noted that cylindrical portion l9 of the sleeve I6 is slightly larger than the external diameter of spout 5 so as to form an annular vent passage for vapors which are driven from the vessel as it is filled. The: vapors are carried off through openings 2| in the outer surface of the sleeve Hi. It is to be understood that the locking elements 20 may be formed separately from the sleeve l6, if desired, the criterion being to provide a locking element in spaced relationship from supporting surface i8 of the support ing sleeve by which the supporting sleeve, and consequently the funnel structure, is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the funnel neck with which it is used.

The modification shown in Figure 2 is similar to the modification shown in Figure 1, except that the supporting sleeve, generally designated I6, is not apertured for the passage of vapors, but instead is provided with a plurality of embossed surfaces 25 which are circumferentially spaced about the supporting surface I8. The embossedareasliserve to raise the supporting surface from the top surface H) of the filler neck and accordingly provide radial passageways for the flow of vapors.

In this modification the flow of vapors from the tank, as the tank is filled, is upwardly between the cylindrical surface l9 and the reentrant loclnng surface ll of the filler neck, and thence radially outward between the embossed surfaces 25, to atmosphere. As shown in Figure 7 the filler neck is cut away at points 21 so as to receive elements 20 of the funnel, and these cutaway portions accordingly enhance the venting function since they provide a free passage of vapors directly upward to the surface IB, whence the vapors flow radially outward between embossed areas 25-25. It will be noted that the embossed areas 2525 are located relative to elements 20 so that the areas lie on either side of cut-away portions 21 when the element 20 is rotated against shoulder l2 of the filler neck 9.

In the modification shown in Figure 5 the support of the funnel is derived from an especially formed spout, generally designated 28, which is attached to the frustro-conical section 3. The spout 28 combines the functions of the outer cylindrical sleeve I6 and spout 5 of the modifications illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and is formed with a recessed portion 29 so as to receive screening element 7. Spout 28 accordingly serves in the capacity of the outer cylindrical sleeve l6 of the modification shown in Figures 1 and 2, and also serves as a spout. The bottom surface 30 of the recessed shoulder 29 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced embossed areas 3| similar to the surface 25 in the modification shown in Figure 2. The embossed areas 3| serve to hold the surface 36 in spaced relationship to the top surface ID of the filler neck and thereby form vent passageways for the escape of vapors from the tank. In this modification the locking element of the funnel comprises a bar 32 which transversely pierces the spout 5 and protrudes therefrom so as to form a pair of locking elements 33 which cooperate with locking surfaces II and shoulders H. of the filler neck. A pair of protruding rivets may be substituted for bar 32 or a pair of lugs-welded onto the cylindrical portion 5 of the spout 28.

In the modification shown in Figure 6 the funnel construction is provided with a plurality of accordingly be considered as portions of the cylindrical element iii of Figure 1. As illustrated, the members 4|] are bent outwardly, as shown at 4|, and are attached to the conical section 3 of the funnel. Members 40 are bent inwardly at 42 so as to form a supporting ledge for the funnel. The inwardly extending portions 42 are preferably of such a length as to contact with the outer surface of spout 5 so as to provide additional support. A plurality of members 40 may be provided at spaced intervals about the periphery of the junction between the frustro-conical section 3 and spout 5. Several of the members are provided with a downwardly extending portion 43 and an outwardly extending ear 44 which in this mcdificationserves the purpose of a locking element for cooperation with the surfaces H and shoulders |2- of the filler neck. In this modification venting is provided by the circumferential space between the elements 25.

-In operation the cap closure of thefiller neck is removed and the funnel inserted with the looking elements in line with cut-away portions 21 of the filler neck. The funnel is then given a ninety degree turn, which has the effect of drawing the supporting surface into tight contact with the top surface [I] of the filler neck. The funnel is then in locked position and a can or pail may be rested upon the upper edge without danger of the funnel Wobbling. The'funnel will remain in locked relationship until rotated in the opposite direction and withdrawn from the filler neck. The locking arrangement shown here may obviously be modified, if desired, to accommodate for variations in design of filler necks with which the funnel is intended to be used, and such varia tions in design are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Having thus described the present invention, I claim:

1. A funnel construction comprising a conical section joined with a spout section, an external sleeve overlying said sections adjacent their junction, said sleeve being formed with a transverse bearing surface having a plurality of spaced areas embossed thereon, and a plurality of outwardly protruding locking fingers on said funnel in a plane spaced from the plane of said bearing surface.

2. A load sustaining funnel structure, for use upon a cylindrical fluid receiving tube which has a load sustaining end surface at right angles to the axis of the tube and internal cam edges for I normally receiving a cap closure, comprising a conical section, a spout attached thereto for delivering fluids from the conical section and means for supporting said conical section in load sustaining relation on the fluid receiving tube comprising a cylindrical member mounted on the conical section in a position to circumscribe the spout, said member being provided with a load supporting end surface in a plane at right angles to the axis of the spout, and means on the funnel for cooperative engagement with the internal cam edges of the tube when the funnel structure is placed thereon, for drawing the load supporting surface of the cylindrical member into contact with the load supporting surface of the tube.

3. A load sustaining funnel structure, for use upon a cylindrical fluid receiving tube which has a load sustaining end surface at right angles to the axis of the tube and internal cam edges for normally receiving a cap closure, comprising a conical section, a spout attached thereto for delivering fluids from the conical section and means for supporting said conical section in load sustaining relation on the fluid receiving tube comprising a cylindrical member mounted on the conical section in a position to circumscribe the spout, said member being provided with a load supporting end surface in a plane at right angles to the axis of the spout, and means on the funnel for cooperative engagement with the internal cam edges of the tube when the funnel structure is placed thereon, for drawing the load supporting surface of the cylindrical member into contact with the load supporting surface of the tube, said cylindrical member being formed with vent openings.

HAROLD A. DAMKROGER.