Patent ID: 6257417
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: B01D,Y10S

Abstract:
A housing for an automotive filter, comprising:a housing to receive an oil filter element, said housing having a first end and a second end;an integral base on said first end of said housing;said base having a threaded orifice therein for mating said housing to a lubricating oil connector on an engine;housing walls extending from said base to form a container for an oil filter;a removable end cap to close said second end of said housing;means for securing said end cap to said housing including a spring clamp having a central member and two or more clamp arms, said clamp arms extending from said central member and substantially perpendicular to said central member, said clamp arms being biased toward said housing wall, means for attaching said central member to an outer surface of said end cap, means for latching said clamp arms to said housing including each said clamp arm having an orifice in a portion thereof adjacent to said housing wall, a plurality of ramped lugs spaced around a perimeter of said housing, each said lug having a ramped surface on a portion thereof proximal to said second end of said housing, each said lug having a matching lug on an opposite side of said housing, an angled surface on a distal portion of each said lug forming a notch in cooperation with said housing wall to engage a side of said orifice in said damp arm so that said clamp arm is latched to said lug, a ramped band integral with said housing and extending around a perimeter of said housing, said ramped band being adjacent said plurality of ramped lugs, and an inclined surface on said ramped band to lift said clamp arms away from said housing and out of engagement with said ramped lugs when said clamp arms are pushed onto said ramped band.