Patent ID: 7237682

Claim:
A cover assembly useable with a filter element having a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and bounded at opposite ends by a pair of end caps, one of the end caps having a series of elongated locking fingers integral with the one end cap and projecting outwardly, axially away from the one end cap, the cover assembly comprising: a cover member with a circular body portion, and an annular sleeve integral with and projecting axially away from a surface of the body portion from an attached end to an inner, distal end; the annular sleeve having a series of distinct axially-extending recesses in an outer surface thereof opening to an outer end of the sleeve, the recesses circumferentially spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the sleeve and dimensioned and arranged to axially receive the fingers on the one end cap of the filter element; and a collar member, surrounding and rotatably supported relative to the sleeve; and a retaining device axially retaining the collar member on the cover member, but allowing free rotation relative thereto the collar member including i) a threaded portion on an outer surface thereof, and ii) a series of distinct axial recesses in an inner surface thereof opening to an outer end of the collar member, the collar member rotatable into a position relative to the sleeve such that the recesses in the sleeve can be radially aligned with and oppositely positioned relative to the recesses in the collar member to define a series of distinct axial slots opening to an outer end of the cover assembly, and the fingers of the filter element can be axially inserted into the slots.