Abstract:
An air filter assembly typically for use with truck-trailer cobinations, has separable body and bottom sections, and an elongted threaded member rotatable for threaded securement between the body and bottom sections and for disengagement of the bottom section from the body section for the removal and replacement of a element via the lower portion of the body section.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Air filter assemblies of substantial size are typically mounted on the sides of the cabs of truck-trailer combinations. Air filter elements of such assemblies require periodic replacement. Replacement of the elements is generally accomplished by removal of a top portion of a filter assembly which is removed and then replaced after insertion of a new filter element. 
     In the removal of a filter element from an assembly, it is ordinarily necessary to remove adjacent devices from the truck or cab, these including such items as mirror brackets, search light assemblies, etc. Removal and replacement of such items often involve damage such as the scratching and flaking of paint coatings, denting of metal, etc. 
     Added charges are made for such removal and replacement of components not related to filter replacement, and is particularly aggravating to drivers and operators when additional charges are made in addition to those for filter replacement, oil changes and other services. 
     The present invention eliminates problems and service charges associated with removal of a filter element via upper portion or top of a filter assembly. Thus, the invention provides an air filter assembly for a motor vehicle, the cab truck portion thereof, comprising upper, body and bottom portions or sections, with a bottom section being removably attached to the body portion. An elongate member or rod extends from a wall of the bottom section to engage a threaded member in the upper portion, whereby the rod head portion is rotatable to engage its threaded end portion with, and to disengage it from, the threaded member in the upper portion for detachment of the bottom section from the body portion for the removal and replacement of the filter element. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a truck-trailer combination with a filter assembly of the invention thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter assembly according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of the filter assembly of FIG. 2, showing components thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the filter assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the lower portion of the filter assembly of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken at circle  6  in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken at line  7 — 7  in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken at line  8 — 8  in FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the filter assembly shown in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the filter assembly  10  of the invention is shown as comprising a housing having an upper detachable perforated intake section  12 , a removable cap  13 , a body section  14 , and a detachable bottom section  14 , and a detachable bottom section  16 . Extending laterally from the body section is an outlet tube  17  which is connected with a turbocharger engine for input of filtered air. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, a generally annular support member  18  with a transverse portion  20 , a generally axial portion, a radial portion  24 , and an end portion  26 , rests atop a bent end portion  28  of the wall of body section  14 . The transverse portion  20  is secured, as by spot-welding at  28 , to the lower section  14 . 
     A tube  30  is secured, as by spot-welding, in the opening of member  18 , and has an upper curved portion  32 . A bracket  34  extends across the tube  30  to support a metal guide  38  which is integral with the bracket. A lower reduced portion  40  of tube  30  receives thereabout generally tubular filter element  42  which is supported on bottom section  16  of the assembly. 
     Secured, as by welding, in the lower inner portion of the wall of body section  14  is an annular member  46  of generally L-shaped cross-section. 
     Bottom section  16  has an upper reduced portion  50  and an annular shoulder  52 . An annular resilient seal  54  is disposed between a portion  48  of member  46  and the shoulder portion  52  of bottom section  16  (FIG.  6 ). The portions  50 ,  52  and a portion  53  of the bottom section provide structural rigidity. Upper portion  56  of bottom section  16  is disposed between the lower end portion of the wall of body  14  and wall portion  53 . The bottom section has a radially inwardly and downwardly extending portion  58  and a transverse bottom wall  60  of upwardly inclined annular configuration and defining a central opening  64 . 
     An elongated rod  66  extends through opening  64  and is retained by its hexagonal head  68 . The rod extends axially of the filter assembly and through the guide  38  mounted in tube  30 , and thence into engagement with a nut  70  welded to a mounting shield  72  which is secured, as by welding, to the inner wall of cap  13  above  15  the perforated air-intake portion of the upper section. A pin or wavepin  84  extends through a transverse opening in rod  66 , as shown, and a rubber cushion member  86  is slidably disposed on the rod below the pin. 
     In removal of the filter element  42  from the filter assembly, head  68  of the rod is rotated, as by a wrench, to disengage its upper threaded end portion from the nut  70 , and the rod is then pulled downwardly to engage cushion  86  and pin  84  with bottom wall  62  of the bottom section  16 . By exerting manual force or a sudden pulling force on the rod, bottom section  16  of the assembly is moved from the body section by overcoming the friction or resistance of the seal  54 . The entire bottom section is then removed for replacement of the filter element  42 . A new filter element in the bottom section  16  is then disposed in the body section  14 , and rod  66  is threadedly secured in nut  70  on the body section  14 , and rod  66  is threadedly secured in nut  70  on the mounting shield  72  to effect reassembly. 
     Disposed about the lower portion of body  16  is a band  88  which extends over the lower portion of the wall of body section  14  and the upper portion of the bottom section  16 . It is preferably assembled onto the upper section by first subjecting the band to heat, thus to expand it, then positioning it to lower portion of the wall of body section  14 , thus to effect a very tight fit. The band provides structural strength, and enhances the appearance of the filter assembly in covering underlying structural features, including spot welding. It also prevents mud and road salt from entering into the structural features. The band may be embossed or imprinted with an appropriate logo or insignia, such as that of the manufacturer. 
     It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the preferred embodiments discussed above without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is established by the following claims and equivalents thereof.