US3883030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breather cap apparatus for a spring-actuated brake mechanism
Assignee: Indian Head Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-15
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-01-15
Abstract
Abstract Breather cap apparatus is disclosed for closing off the spring chamber of a brake mechanism of the emergency chamber type including a cap member having a ring thereon secured to the head tube of the spring chamber and sealing off the chamber in a fluid-tight manner. The apparatus includes filtered air flow means for permitting free breathing in one air flow direction and controlled air flow in the opposite direction. Means are further provided for selectively engaging and disengaging the cap member from fluid-tight connection with the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 George P Mathews
- 👤 Robert B Hutter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/148; F16K15/1481; B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/08; B60T17/085; F16K15/1402; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7847; Y10T137/7848; Y10T137/7859; Y10T137/7861; Y10T137/7862; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/7888; Y10T137/789; Y10T137/794; Y10T137/8122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
Breather cap apparatus for closing off from the atmosphere the spring chamber of a brake mechanism comprising: a cap member comprised of a ring-shaped portion and a disc-shaped portion integrally connected; said ring-shaped portion including airtight means thereon for connecting said member to said spring chamber; said disc-shaped portion including leakproof means thereon for coupling said disc-shaped portion to said ring-shaped portion in a manner selectively sealing off the interior of said spring chamber from the atmosphere; air flow means associated with said disc-shaped portion for permitting free breathing in one air flow direction, from the interior of said spring chamber to said atmosphere, said air flow means including a plurality of spaced apertures in said disc-shaped portion and a resilient valve operatively connected to said disc-shaped portion, said valve closing off said apertures when seated in position on said disc-shaped portion, said disc-shaped portion including a raised, beaded ring thereon outside of said spaced apertures with said valve being sprung against said beaded ring to thereby be in a normally closed position; and said valve including means thereon at least at the point of contact with said beaded ring to prevent a perfect airtight seal between said beaded ring and said valve and permit a selectively controlled amount of air leakage therepast.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
Breather cap apparatus for closing off from the atmosphere the spring chamber of a brake mechanism comprising: a cap member comprised of a ring-shaped portion and a disc-shaped portion integrally connected; said ring-shaped portion including airtight means thereon for connecting said member to said spring chamber; said disc-shaped portion including leakproof means thereon for coupling said disc-shaped portion to said ring-shaped portion in a manner selectively sealing off the interior of said spring chamber from the atmosphere; air flow means associated with said disc-shaped portion for permitting free breathing in one air flow direction, from the interior of said spring chamber to said atmosphere, said air flow means including a plurality of spaced apertures in said disc-shaped portion and a resilient valve operatively connected to said disc-shaped portion, said valve closing off said apertures when seated in position on said disc-shaped portion, said disc-shaped portion including a raised, beaded ring thereon outside of said spaced apertures with said valve being sprung against said beaded ring to thereby be in a normally closed position; and said valve including means thereon at least at the point of contact with said beaded ring to prevent a perfect airtight seal between said beaded ring and said valve and permit a selectively controlled amount of air leakage therepast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air flow means includes a filter associated therewith and disposed between said disc-shape portion and the interior of said spring chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc-shaped portion includes an upstanding circumferential ring thereon, said circumferential ring encircling the valve and spaced therefrom and terminating in a generally sharp tapered edge at its uppermost point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said circumferential ring tapers upwardly from its widest portion at its junction with said disc-shaped portion to said tapered edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said tapered edge is spaced about 0.02 inch from said valve and terminates at a point approximately even with the uppermost portion of said valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc-shaped portion includes a centrally located upstanding pin, said apertures being circumferentially spaced about said pin and said valve having an aperture therein for receiving the pin of said disc-shaped portion and said disc-shaped portion having means to spring said valve to a normally closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said valve is generally flat and imperforate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc-shaped portion is integrally connected to said ring-shaped portion by a resilient hinge member, said disc-shaped portion including a tab member for grasping said disc-shaped portion to bend it about said hinge member and couple it to said ring-shaped portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ring-shaped portion is resilient and includes a bead member adapted to snap-fit into a circumferential groove onto said brake mechanism and an upstanding circumferential dish-shaped portion adapted to receive said disc-shaped portion in a fluid-tight manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said dish-shaped portion has a beaded edge at the upper end and said disc-shaped portion includes a downwardly ring-shaped extension portion having an undercut groove on its outer diameter for providing an interference fit with the beaded edge of said dish-shaped portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said dish-shaped portion has a beaded edge at the upper end and said disc-shaped portion includes a downwardly ring-shaped extension portion having an undercut groove on its outer diameter for providing an interference fit with a beaded edge of said dish-shaped portion, and wherein a genErally round filter is secured to the underside of said disc-shaped portion extending about the inner periphery of said ring-shaped extension portion when said disc-shaped portion is coupled to said ring-shaped portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said filter is comprised of a foam material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said dish-shaped portion includes a centrally located aperture therein for receiving said disc-shaped portion, said aperture having a central axis generally coincident with the central axis of said brake mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
194 words
Breather cap apparatus for closing off from the atmosphere the spring chamber of a brake mechanism comprising: a cap member comprised of a ring-shaped portion and a disc-shaped portion integrally connected; said ring-shaped portion including airtight means thereon for connecting said member to said spring chamber; said disc-shaped portion including leakproof means thereon for coupling said disc-shaped portion to said ring-shaped portion in a manner selectively sealing off the interior of said spring chamber from the atmosphere; and air flow means associated with said disc-shaped portion for permitting free breathing in one air flow direction from the interior of said spring chamber to said atmosphere, said air flow means including a plurality of spaced apertures in said disc-shaped portion and a resilient valve operatively connected to said disc-shaped portion, said valve closing off said apertures when seated in position on said disc-shaped portion, and said disc-shaped portion including an upstanding circumferential ring thereon, said circumferential ring encircling the valve and spaced therefrom and terminating in a generally sharp tapered edge at its uppermost point, said circumferential ring tapering upwardly from its widest portion at its junction with said disc-shaped portion to said tapered edge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
194 words
Breather cap apparatus for closing off from the atmosphere the spring chamber of a brake mechanism comprising: a cap member comprised of a ring-shaped portion and a disc-shaped portion integrally connected; said ring-shaped portion including airtight means thereon for connecting said member to said spring chamber; said disc-shaped portion including leakproof means thereon for coupling said disc-shaped portion to said ring-shaped portion in a manner selectively sealing off the interior of said spring chamber from the atmosphere; and air flow means associated with said disc-shaped portion for permitting free breathing in one air flow direction from the interior of said spring chamber to said atmosphere, said air flow means including a plurality of spaced apertures in said disc-shaped portion and a resilient valve operatively connected to said disc-shaped portion, said valve closing off said apertures when seated in position on said disc-shaped portion, and said disc-shaped portion including an upstanding circumferential ring thereon, said circumferential ring encircling the valve and spaced therefrom and terminating in a generally sharp tapered edge at its uppermost point, said circumferential ring tapering upwardly from its widest portion at its junction with said disc-shaped portion to said tapered edge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said tapered edge is spaced about 0.02 inch from said valve and terminates at a point approximately even with the uppermost portion of said valve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |