Patent ID: 7491328

Claim:
A fuel sampler/strainer assembly for receiving a specimen of the fuel tank contents of a fuel tank and returning the specimen to the fuel tank, said fuel tank of a type having either a ball and spring drain valve or a pet cock drain valve, said fuel sampler/strainer comprising: a) a housing formed of fuel resistant material, comprising: a transparent elongated main body, a fuel receiving portion at an upper end thereof, and a fuel exiting portion also at said upper end thereof non-concentrically spaced from said fuel receiving portion, said elongated main body having a closed lower end, wherein i. said fuel receiving portion is of generally tubular character and communicates with the open upper end of said elongated main body, said fuel receiving portion having a plurality of axially extending spaced-apart indentations in its upper end edge for alignment and cooperation with associated actuating arms of a pet cock drain valve, when such a pet cock drain valve is utilized, said fuel receiving portion having a receptacle, and wherein ii. said fuel exiting portion includes a filter screen functioning as a barrier to water and desired particulate debris; b) a solid rod removably attachable at a first end to said receptacle of said fuel receiving portion and extending along a central axis of said fuel receiving portion and beyond the upper end edge of said fuel receiving portion so as to engage and manipulate a ball and spring drain valve at a second end of said rod, when such a ball and spring drain valve is utilized; c) a first protective cap for fitting over said fuel receiving portion for containing evaporative fumes while the fuel sampler/strainer assembly is being stowed; and, d) a second protective cap for fitting over said fuel exiting portion and for protecting said screen and containing evaporative fumes when the fuel sampler/strainer assembly is being stowed, wherein said fuel receiving portion comprises drain tube gripping flaps for supporting the fuel sampler/strainer on a remotely actuated sump drain tube.