Patent ID: 6935267
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A vented fuel filler for a boat, the boat having a hull and a deck with a single round hole to receive the filler, the boat having a fuel tank, a fuel tank fill hose communicating with the fuel tank, and a fuel tank vent hose communicating with the fuel tank, the vented fuel filler comprising: a body, the body having an inlet portion, the inlet portion being a hollow cylinder extending between opposite upper and lower ends, the inlet portion having inner and outer surfaces, the inlet portion having first and second grooves in the outer surface adjacent the upper end, each one of the first and second grooves extending in an arc between opposite ends, the inlet portion having threads at the upper end, the body having a fuel nozzle attached to the inlet portion lower end, the fuel nozzle being adapted for connection to the fuel tank fill hose, the body having a vent nozzle attached to the inlet portion adjacent the lower end, the vent nozzle being adapted for connection to the fuel tank vent hose, the inlet portion communicating with the fuel nozzle and the vent nozzle; a cover, the cover having a cap, the cap having a roof with a periphery, the roof having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cap having a skirt extending outward from the roof periphery, the cap having a boss centered on the roof bottom surface and extending downward therefrom, the cap having a plurality of teeth arranged annularly on the roof bottom surface, the teeth facing inward, the cover having an insert, the insert having a generally circular plate with a periphery, the plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the plate having at least one vent hole therethrough for venting air, the insert having an annular wall extending downward from the plate bottom surface, the wall having threads adapted to engage the body inlet portion threads, the insert having a boss extending downward from the plate bottom surface, the boss having a hole therethrough adapted to receive the cap boss, the insert having a plurality of teeth projecting outward from the plate periphery, the insert teeth being adapted to be selectively received in the cap teeth, so that the cap is selectively angularly positioned on the insert, the plate having at least one knob projecting upward from the plate top surface, the cover having attaching means for attaching the insert to the cap, so that upon assembly of the insert into the cap, the insert teeth will be received in the cap teeth, the cap boss will be received in the insert boss hole, and the knob will provide a space between the cap roof bottom surface and the insert plate top surface, wherein vent air will be allowed to flow around the teeth, across the plate top surface, and through the plate vent hole; sealing means for releasably sealing the cover to the body; and a first clamp and a second clamp, each one of the first and second clamps extending in an arc between opposite ends, each one of the first and second clamps having semicircular inner and outer edges, each one of the first and second clamps having at least one fastener hole therethrough, the first and second clamp inner edges being adapted to engage the body first and second grooves respectively, so that upon assembly of the vented fuel filler into the deck, the body inlet portion will be inserted in the deck hole from below, the first and second clamp inner edges will be inserted into the body first and second grooves respectively, and the first and second clamps will be fastened to the deck, whereby the vented fuel filler will be installed in the boat from below the deck.