Patent Abstract:
A means to prevent the obstruction of fuel flow from the fuel source to the intake of an internal combustion engine by having an alternate and path for fuel to flow between the fuel source and the intake of an internal combustion engine. This invention takes advantage of prior art using existing manual fuel system primer to pump fuel from the fuel source to the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine then after the engine is primed with fuel an adjacent but connected fuel line is then available creating an additional fuel path from the fuel source to the fuel intake of the internal combustion engine.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/206,842, entitled “Fuel primer and pump bulb bypass apparatus for outboard engines”, filed on Aug. 18, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention pertains to a priming system for an internal combustion engine and more particularly to a priming system which allows an alternate direct path between the fuel source and the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine 
         [0003]    It is well know that flexible priming bulbs, which are manually squeezed to pump fuel from the fuel source to the intake of an internal combustion engine can fail over time. This failure can cause the fuel flow from the fuel source to the engine to be obstructed either partially or completely thus starving the engine of fuel causing either a reduction in revolutions per minute or complete engine failure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a means to prevent the obstruction of fuel flow from the fuel source to the intake of an internal combustion engine by having an alternate path for fuel to flow between the fuel source and the intake of an internal combustion engine. This invention takes advantage of prior art using existing fuel system primer to pump fuel from the fuel source to the fuel flow intake of an internal combustion engine then after the engine is primed with fuel an adjacent but connected fuel line is available creating an alternate fuel path from the fuel source to the fuel intake of the internal combustion engine 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Fuel priming pump utilizing a shut off valve  FIG. 1  # 3 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a Fuel priming pump utilizing a unidirectional check valve  FIG. 2  # 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    Unlike Other solutions in which the fuel priming systems have no redundancy in fuel flow to prevent failure caused by age, or malfunction of the primer bulb # 7 , the presently claimed invention provides an alternate, more direct route between the fuel source and the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine. 
         [0009]    Further, the presently claimed invention prevents mechanical failure of the internal combustion engine due the failure of the manual fuel primer bulb # 7 . 
         [0010]    Still further, the presently claimed invention allows fuel to be manually pumped from the fuel source to the fuel intake of an internal combustion engine 
         [0011]    The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Any benefits, advantages or solutions to problems described herein with regard to specific examples are not intended to be construed as a critical, required or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. 
         [0012]    The Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or more but not all examples of the invention, and the Abstract section is not intended to limit the invention or the claims in any way. 
       NON-LIMITING TERMINOLOGY 
       [0013]    The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. 
         [0014]    The use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an.” The same holds true for the use of definite articles. 
         [0015]    The term “coupled,”, as used herein, is defined as “connected” although not necessarily directly. 
         [0016]    The term “fuel line clamp” as used herein, includes multiple spring steel, plastic or radiator type fuel line securing hose clamps. 
         [0017]    The term “T and Y connector” as used herein, is defined as a fuel line connector with at least one fuel line connection for input and at least one fuel line connection for output, It may be flexible or rigid, connection end where fuel line attaches may be threaded or barbed, composed of metal or a fuel tolerant plastic, PVC, or neoprene material. 
         [0018]    The term “fuel line” as used herein, is defined as any type of rigid or flexible, metal, plastic, PVC, or rubber type of fuel tolerant tubing. 
         [0019]    The term “pump” as used herein, is defined as any type of manual or electric, flexible or rigid device that sucks fluid in at least one opening and propels fluid out through at least one different opening. 
         [0020]    unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. 
       First Example of Fuel Primer Pump 
       [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the views, a Fuel priming pump for introducing starting fuel into the intake system of an internal combustion engine and maintaining fuel flow to the intake system of an internal combustion engine in the event that that the fuel primer bulb # 7  fails. The assembly comprises of two T and Y connectors # 1 ,# 2 , for attaching fuel line in sizes between but not limited to 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm). Four sections of fuel line between the sizes but not limited to 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm) # 4 ,# 5 ,# 6 ,# 8 . A fuel primer bulb # 7  as well as either a unidirectional check valve  FIG. 2 . # 3 , or a shut off valve  FIG. 1 . # 3  which can be manually opened and closed. It also includes multiple spring steel, plastic or radiator type fuel line clamps # 9  which are used to securely fasten the fuel line segments # 4 ,# 5 ,# 6 ,# 8  to the T and Y fuel line connectors # 1 ,# 2 , as well as the fuel primer bulb # 7 , and the Fuel shut off valve  FIG. 1 . # 3  or the unidirectional check valve  FIG. 2 . # 3 . 
         [0022]    The Fuel priming pump allows fuel to travel between the fuel source and the intake system of an internal combustion engine via  2  pathways, The traditional fuel path # 10 , through the fuel primer bulb and an alternate pathway # 12 , which bypasses the fuel primer bulb # 7 . 
         [0023]    Operation of the fuel priming pump, involves priming the internal combustion engine with fuel. During this operation the Fuel shut off valve  FIG. 1 . # 3  is manually set to the closed position blocking the back flow of fuel to the fuel source via the alternate fuel path # 12 , if a unidirectional check valve is used  FIG. 2 . # 3  then no manual manipulation is required. The fuel priming bulb # 7  is then manually activated pumping fuel from the Fuel source through the first T and Y connector # 1 , it then travels through fuel line # 6 , into the fuel priming bulb # 7 . The fuel then exits the fuel priming bulb # 7  to fuel line # 8  which connects to the second T and Y connector # 2 , which follows the fuel path # 10 . The Fuel will then exit the Fuel priming pump and travels to the intake system of the internal combustion engine to prime the engine. The Fuel cannot back flow through fuel line # 5  because the shut off valve  FIG. 1  # 3  is closed, or a unidirectional check valve  FIG. 2 . # 3  is in place to prevent back flow of fuel away from the intake system of the internal combustion engine. 
         [0024]    Once the internal combustion engine is primed then the fuel shut off valve  FIG. 1  # 3 , is manually placed in the open position allowing an alternate fuel path# 12 , to the intake of the internal combustion engine, if a unidirectional check valve  FIG. 2 . # 3 , is used in place of the manual fuel shut off valve  FIG. 1 . # 3 , then no manual manipulation is needed to create an alternate Fuel path # 12 . Two independent fuel paths are available fuel path # 10 , and fuel path # 12 , thus allowing redundancy in the event of fuel flow obstruction caused by the failure of the fuel priming bulb # 7 . 
       Non-Limiting Examples 
       [0025]    Although the invention is described herein with reference to specific examples, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. 
         [0026]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0027]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5