Abstract:
A decorative radiator cap cover retention system provides for removable attachment of a radiator cap cover to a radiator cap using a retaining ring inside the radiator cap cover to removably attach the cap cover to the radiator cap. The inside of the radiator cap cover may have indentions conforming to the shape of the radiator cap and a groove for the retaining ring. Preferably, the number and shape of the intentions is sufficient to match the shape of many radiator caps.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is claims priority to our U.S. Patent Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/087,529, filed Aug. 8, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to heat exchangers for an automotive vehicle and, more specifically, to a system for removably attaching a decorative radiator cap cover to a radiator cap. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     One might expect the term “radiator” to apply to devices which transfer heat primarily by thermal radiation, while a device which relied primarily on natural or forced convection would be called a “convector”. In practice, the term “radiator” refers to any of a number of devices in which a liquid circulates through exposed pipes (often with fins or other means of increasing surface area), notwithstanding that such devices tend to transfer heat mainly by convection and might logically be called convectors. The term “convector” typically refers to a class of devices in which the source of heat is not directly exposed. 
     In automobiles with a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, a radiator is typically connected to channels running through the engine and cylinder head, through which a liquid (coolant) is pumped. This liquid is typically a half-and-half mixture of water and ethylene glycol or propylene glycol (with a small amount of corrosion inhibitor) known as antifreeze. The radiator transfers the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, thereby cooling the engine. Radiators are generally mounted in a position where they will receive airflow from the forward movement of the vehicle, such as behind the grill. Where engines are rear- or mid-mounted, it is typically still necessary to mount the radiator behind the front grill, so as to achieve sufficient airflow, even though this requires long coolant pipes. The coolant system in a typical well maintained vehicle is typically air and coolant tight, so that the coolant does not leak out, and it is typically maintained at a higher than atmospheric pressure when the radiator is operating to dissipate a maximum amount of engine heat. 
     In a typical radiator, a radiator cap provides two functions. First, it allows the addition of more coolant to the cooling system. Secondly, it works as a release valve, allowing excess coolant to escape when the pressure in the cooling system becomes excessive. Unfortunately, due to use, radiator caps can wear out over time, and need to be replaced. If they are not replaced, either excess pressure in the cooling system can cause leaks, or insufficient pressure is maintained, resulting in lesser cooling, and possibly engine damage. 
     Replacing radiator caps for many cars is fairly easy. They twist off, and the new one is just twisted on. However, a problem arises for replacing decorative radiator cap covers. Decorative radiator cap covers are typically bonded or glued to the actual radiator cap, and removing them is often hard, if not possible. This often results in significant extra expense, as the decorative radiator cap covers then need to be replaced along with the radiator caps with which they are integrated. This is especially a problem since decorative radiator cap covers often cost significantly more than the radiator caps that they are utilized with. 
     It would be advantageous to provide an easy and cost effective replacement system for decorative radiator cap covers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A decorative radiator cap cover retention system provides for removable attachment of a radiator cap cover to a radiator cap using a retaining ring inside the radiator cap cover to removably attach the cap cover to the radiator cap. The inside of the radiator cap cover may have indentions conforming to the shape of the radiator cap and a groove for the retaining ring. Preferably, the number and shape of the intentions is sufficient to match the shape of many radiator caps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a novel decorative radiator cap cover system, in accordance with one embodiment of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a side plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a decorative radiator cap cover, in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the decorative radiator cap cover shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A decorative radiator cap cover system allows for easy attachment to and removal of a radiator cap with a decorative radiator cap cover. Instead of having to purchase a new radiator cap cover every time the radiator cap has to be replaced, this invention allows the radiator cap cover to be mated to, easily attached to, and removed from more than one radiator caps over time, saving time and money. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a novel decorative radiator cap cover system, in accordance with one embodiment of the prior art. A radiator cap cover  12  fits over a radiator cap  14 . The radiator cap cover  12  is then affixed to the radiator cap  14  with a retaining ring  16  to form an assembled radiator cap and cover. The assembled radiator cap and cover can then be installed on the fill neck  18  of a radiator in the customary manner. The assembled radiator cap and cover can be removed and reinstalled onto the fill neck  18  of the radiator as often as is necessary. Then, when the radiator cap  14  wears out, the retaining ring  16  can be removed, another radiator cap  14  purchased, and the system can then be reassembled by attaching the radiator cap cover  12  to the new radiator cap  14  with the retaining ring  16 . 
     The radiator cap  14  is shown with four nubs  15 , knobs, or extrusions. This is exemplary, and radiator caps  14  may have more or fewer of them. Probably more typical are radiator caps with two nubs  15  on opposite side of the cap. As another alternative, some radiator caps  14  have a polygonal shape, such as hexagonal. All of these configurations are within the scope of the present invention. The primary purpose of these nubs  15 , knobs, extrusions, or polygonal shapes is to provide easier installation and removal of a radiator cap  14  on a fill neck  18  by making it easier for people to grab the radiator caps. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a side plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover system shown in  FIG. 1 . The radiator cap cover  12 , radiator cap  14 , retaining ring  16 , and radiator fill neck  18  are again shown, this time from the side. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a decorative radiator cap cover  12 , in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The radiator cap cover  12  is shaped like a lid or cap, with a hollow interior. However, on the inside outer rim of the radiator cap cover  12  are scallops or indentions  22  that match and fit the nubs  15  or geometric shape of the radiator caps  14  over which the radiator cap cover  12  may be installed. In the embodiment shown, twenty four ( 24 ) scallops or indentions  22  are shown, which allows the radiator cap cover  12  to work with most radiator caps  14 , whether they have different configurations of nubs  15 , or are of a polygonal shape. By mating the radiator cap  14  nubs  15  or polygonal shape to the scallops  22  on the inside of the radiator cap cover  12 , the radiator cap cover  12  can be utilized to install and/or remove the entire assembled radiator cap cover system, since rotating the radiator cap cover  12  results in an identical rotation of the radiator cap  14  to which it is removably attached. Other numbers of nubs  15  and shapes are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     Also, towards the bottom of the inside rim of the radiator cap cover  12  are located groves  26  for the retaining ring  16 . The retaining ring  16  may be a snap ring, a wire ring, or other similar retention means. The retaining ring  16  is inserted in these groves  26  during installation, removably attaching the radiator cap cover  12  to the radiator cap  14 . The retaining ring  16  can then be later removed from the radiator cap cover  12 , allowing for disassembly of the radiator cap cover assembly. Other retention means for mechanically removably coupling the radiator cap cover  12  to the radiator cap  14  are also within the scope of the present invention, including, but not limited to: set screws, roll pins, springs, or crimping the two parts together. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view,  FIG. 5  is a side plan view, and  FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the decorative radiator cap cover  12  shown in  FIG. 3 . The shape of the radiator cap cover  12  is exemplary, and other shapes are also within the scope of the present invention. Also note that  FIG. 6  shows twenty-four scallops or indentions  22  designed to mate with nubs  15  on radiator caps  14 . This is also exemplary, and other configurations are also within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the decorative radiator cap cover shown in  FIG. 6  taken along the section line marked  7 - 7 . The shape of the scallops or indentions  22  on the inside of the radiator cap cover  12  can be better seen here, as well as the location of the groove or notches  26  for the retaining ring  16 . Note that the grooves or notches  26  should be located to give enough room to allow the installation of the radiator cap  14  within the inside of the radiator cap cover  12 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention encompass all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.