Abstract:
A connector is provided for use with an orifice with internally-retained cap. Unlike conventional connectors, the invention provides a passage for the restraint that retains the associated cap internal to the orifice and a fitting which engages the method used for the cap to seal the orifice. As a result the invention may be used to safely engage any neck, whether threaded, keyed or otherwise sealable, of any vessel, whether by threading, being keyed, or having a press-fit connection. The connector may also be eccentrically constructed so that it may be aligned nonconcentrically to the orifice.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/744,763 entitled, “Connector For Fluid Transfer For Use With An Orifice With Internally-Retained Cap” filed on Apr. 13, 2006 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention pertains to connectors that may be used in conjunction with the neck of any container having a cap which interlocks to the container neck and which is retained in connection with the container by means of a restraint internal to the container, 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Conventional connectors are well known in the art. Such connectors may be used in conjunction with funnels or hoses, in connection with canisters intended for tanks for containing fuels, or in connection with any other container intended to contain liquids or free-flowing solid particles, such as waste and sewage. Also well known are difficulties associated with connectors, particularly funnels or hoses, where the associated container cap is retained in connection with the container by means of a restraint internal to the container. Funnels are typically constructed to contain a significant volume above the orifice through which the material flows into the container below. Such volume often makes the funnel and connector unstable and subject to tipping, and slipping. Likewise hoses may create loads which cause the connector to be unstable. When the orifice through which the funnel or hose transports material contains a cap retained by an internal restraint, typically a chain, the funnel does not completely seat against the orifice, rendering the funnel or seat even more unstable. Fuel or other material may therefore not be transported through the funnel or hose but escape onto the outer surface of the vessel, which is particularly undesirable. For instance, in marine fueling applications, a common problem is “back splash” of fuel out of the orifice which results in the escape of fuel onto the outer surface of the vessel and into the water. It would therefore be advantageous for a connector to securely seat by rotation onto or within an orifice associated with a cap retained by a restraint internal to the container. It may also be desirable for the connector to securely seat without the need for rotation and without interference from the cap restraint, so that the connector may insert freely into the connecting portion of the orifice and securely seat to the orifice by a press-fit connection without interference by the cap restraint. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention disclosed herein provides a connector which includes a connecting base and a passage to permit the cap-retaining restraint to freely pass therethrough so that the connector may rotate freely along the connecting portion of the orifice and securely seat to the orifice without interference by the cap restraint. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    So that the manner in which the described features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0007]    In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of a connector terminating in a funnel for use with an internally-threaded orifice together with an internally-threaded orifice and cap retained by a chain. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of a connector terminating in a funnel, for use with an internally-threaded orifice, initially engaged with an internally-threaded orifice and cap retained by a chain. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a depiction of a connector terminating in a funnel, for use with an internally-threaded orifice, fully engaged with an internally-threaded orifice and cap retained by a chain. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a depiction of a connector terminating in an eccentric funnel, for use with an internally-threaded orifice, filly engaged with an internally-threaded orifice and cap retained by a chain. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a depiction of a connector mated to a hose for use with an internally-threaded orifice together with an internally-threaded orifice and cap retained by a chain. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a depiction of a connector for communicating with a tube or hose for use with an internally-threaded orifice having a pressure relief valve affixed thereto. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a depiction of a connector terminating in a funnel having a press fit connector. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts the preferred embodiment of the instant invention prior to installation where the connector  10  includes a conventional funnel. Alternatively, a hose may be used rather than a fennel, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The connector  10  includes a piping section  20  which may be a funnel of any shape, but in the case of funnels is most typically conic. Piping section  20  may alternatively be an eccentric funnel, such that it is not concentric with conduit  100  when sufficiently engaged. An engaging section  30  is positioned adjacent to and communicates with piping section  20 . Engaging section  30  has a lower edge, an upper edge, height, and thickness. Engaging section  30  includes fitting  40 , which use any interlocking method known in the art, but which is most often threading. In the preferred embodiment, connector  10  is used in conjunction with a conduit  100  that has internal threads  140 . Other interlocking methods, such as a keyed cap, are also well known in the art and may be the interlocking method of fitting  40 . 
         [0016]    Engaging section  30  includes a passage  50  sized to accommodate the restraint  130 , typically a chain  120 , which retains the cap  110  in conduit  100  of the container. One end of restraint  130  is affixed internal to the container. Passage  50 , which has a lower edge, an upper edge, width and height, may be a channel or slot or of any shape. In the preferred embodiment passage  50  extends above fitting  40 . In an alternative embodiment passage  50  does not extend above fitting  40  but instead stops within fitting  40  at a minimum position to permit connector  10  to rotate without restraint  130  binding between connector  10  and conduit  100 . In both instances the lower edge of passage  50  is co-planar to the lower edge of the engaging section  30  and the width of passage  50  is greater than the thickness of the restraint  130 . In a further alternative embodiment passage  50  does not extend through engaging section  30  but rather is a channel at the minimum depth to accommodate restraint  130  so that restraint  130  does not bind between connector  10  and conduit  100 . 
         [0017]    In the preferred embodiment passage  50  includes a further passage  60  sized to tightly accommodate restraint  130 . In the preferred embodiment passage  50  and further passage  60  are parallel to the centerline of conduit  100 . Alternatively passage  50  and further passage  60  may be aligned diagonal to the centerline, may be constructed in a curved fashion, or may be configured in other shapes so long as restraint  130  may pass therethrough without preventing operation of fitting  40 . 
         [0018]    The preferred embodiment also includes a gasket  70  sized to, or fitting about, engaging section  30  to seal against fluid communication from within piping section  20 . An external lip  80  is located intermediate piping section  20  and engaging section  30  that seats directly above conduit  100  and provides the surface against which gasket  70  rests. The exterior edge of external lip  80  extends beyond the exterior edge of conduit  100 . A keyway  90  may be included on external lip  80  and aligned with passage  50  or further passage  60  so that restraint  130  may pass through keyway  90  and not interfere with external lip  80  seating atop conduit  100 . Passage  50 , further passage  60 , and keyway  90  may be resized to accept any particular restraint  130 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts the preferred embodiment of the instant invention initially engaged during installation. In the preferred embodiment fitting  40  is interlocked with threads  140  of conduit  100 . Fitting  40  may be constructed of carbon-injection or other anti-static material to provide an electrical grounding connection to conduit  100  in operation. Likewise connector  10  may be entirely composed of carbon-injection or other anti-static material to provide an electrical grounding connection to conduit  100  in operation. After cap  110  is removed from conduit  100  and immediately prior to installation of connector  10 , restraint  130  passes through passage  50  of engaging section  30 . Connector  10  is then engaged with conduit  100 , rotating during such engagement until sufficiently engaging conduit  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once sufficiently engaged, gasket  70  seats against conduit  100  and prevents escape of material from connector  10 . 
         [0020]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , piping section  20  may be eccentric, such that it is not concentric with conduit  100  when connector  10  is sufficiently engaged but which may be normal to the ground, particularly where conduit  100  is not normal to the ground. 
         [0021]    Connector  10  is removed in the opposite fashion. Fitting  40  of connector  10  is disengaged from conduit  100 , freeing restraint  130 . Conduit  100  may then be closed by cap  110 . 
         [0022]    In a further embodiment engaging section  30  is removably attachable to piping section  20  such that various engaging sections  30 , each with its own fitting  40  of the particular style and size desired, may be interchangeably attached to piping section  20  depending on the method by which cap  110  attaches to conduit  100 . Engaging section  30  may be connected to piping section  20  by various systems known in the art including threaded connections and press-fit connections. 
         [0023]    In a farther alternative embodiment, connector  10  is used in connection with an external pump which provides a vacuum. Passage  50  is sufficiently sized to restraint  130  to provide a substantially lower flow rate through passage  50  than the flow rate through piping section  20 , such that a sufficient pressure differential may exist across connector  10  to draw fluid through conduit  100 . Additionally, passage  50  may be lined with flexible material so as to permit restraint  130  to pass therethrough while farther reducing the flow rate through passage  50 . In a her embodiment further passage  60  may also be sized to restraint  130  and may even be lined with flexible material so as to further reduce the flow rate therethrough. 
         [0024]    In a further alternative embodiment, connector  10  is used in connection with an external conduit  100  wherein cap  110  attaches to the exterior of conduit  100  by threads or other methods known in the art. In this embodiment, fitting  40  is located on the interior of engaging section  30 . Passage  50  extends through engaging section  30  to the point above conduit  100  when connector  10  is fully engaged while a gasket  70  sized to the interior of engaging section  30  may be included to seal against fluid communication from within piping section  20 . 
         [0025]    In a further alternative embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 6 , a pressure relief valve  200  is affixed to piping section  20 . Alternatively a ball valve, a manual valve or the like may be substituted. When a typical fueling nozzle is inserted into connector  10 , the pressure relief valve  200  allows for pressure adjustment, thus increasing the sensitivity of the typical fueling nozzle. Consequently, the automatic shut-off typical of such fueling nozzles is engaged to prevent over-fill. Additionally, as typical fueling nozzles are notorious for not working properly with all fueling operations, including in particular marine applications, due to the size and distance of the tank, as well as the vent, the inclusion of pressure relief valve  200  more accurately attains a proper fill level. 
         [0026]    In an alternative embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 7 , fitting  40  may be may be a press-fit connection sized to conduit  100  and may be used in conjunction with conduit  100  regardless of whether threads  140  are present. As result the portion of fitting  40  may be inserted into conduit  100  to provide a tight fit, which may be by a slightly conical shape or may be by creating friction with a surface such as foam or rubber which may expand to fit the inner diameter of conduit  100  regardless of the inner diameter. The covering may also be carbon-injected so as to provide an electrical grounding between the connector  10  and conduit  100   
         [0027]    In a further embodiment, an attachment point  96  may be located on connector  10  to retain cap  110  and/or restraint  130  against connector  10  during engagement of connector  10  to conduit  100 . As a result, cap  110  and restraint  130  do not rub against the body surrounding conduit  100  during installation, use, or removal. Further, the use of attachment point  96  may provide grounding of connector  10  to conduit  100  during use. 
         [0028]    In a further embodiment, not shown, any intermediate connector or adapter intended for use with a conduit  100 , such as that depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,163 issued to McKiernan, may be altered to include passage  50 . 
         [0029]    As can be understood by one skilled in the art, connector  10  may also be used to safely engage any threaded or keyed conduit  100 , or any other conduit  100  having a cap associated therewith, regardless of whether the restraint  130  is affixed internal or external to the conduit  100 . 
         [0030]    The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof.