Patent ID: 7143783

Claim:
In a fuel tank cap having a tubular vent stem for venting fluids from a fuel tank, a valve apparatus comprising: a safety valve having a lower cavity adapted for engagement with the tubular vent stem so that the fluids may enter the safety valve; a first upper cavity and a second upper cavity; the upper cavities communicating with the lower cavity through channels offset to the vent stem; the upper cavities containing a first and second valve balls respectively, the first valve ball seated by gravity against a first valve seat, and a second valve ball seated by spring force against a second valve seat; the upper cavities having first and second restrictors respectively, the restrictors positioned for limiting movement of the valve balls within the cavities; and a cover sealingly engaged with the safety valve, thereby forming a chamber from which fluid may flow through at least one exit channel extending through the safety valve so as to find exit.