Patent ID: 7217361

Claim:
A filter comprising first and second axially spaced end caps, said second end cap having an axial flow opening therethrough, filter media extending axially between said end caps and extending in a closed-loop around a perimeter defining a hollow interior communicating with said axial flow opening, wherein fluid to be filtered flows laterally through said filter media and axially through said hollow interior and said axial flow opening, a pair of columns extending axially in said hollow interior between said end caps and laterally spaced from said axial flow opening on laterally distally opposite sides thereof and in non-circumscribing relation therewith, each column having a hollow sub-interior and receiving a respective post extending axially thereinto from a base for mounting the filter to the base, the posts applying axial compression force between said end caps on laterally distally opposite sides of said axial flow opening, said columns supporting said axial compression force on laterally distally opposite sides of said axial flow opening, wherein a first of said columns comprises first and second sleeves extending respectively from said first and second end caps axially towards and engaging each other and supporting said axial compression force, and the second of said columns comprises third and fourth sleeves extending respectively from said first and second end caps axially towards and engaging each other and supporting said axial compression force, wherein said first and second sleeves engage each other in axially overlapped telescoped non-threaded axially slidable relation, one of said first and second sleeves having a first annular sealing bead engaging the other of said first and second sleeves in axially slidable sealing relation providing an axially slidable seal sealing said sub-interior of said first column within said first and second sleeves from said hollow interior of said filter media to block contaminant flow therebetween, and wherein said third and fourth sleeves engage each other in axially overlapped telescoped non-threaded axially slidable relation, one of said third and fourth sleeves having a second annular sealing bead engaging the other of said third and fourth sleeves in axially slidable sealing relation providing an axially slidable seal sealing said sub-interior of said second column within said third and fourth sleeves from said interior of said filter media to block contaminant flow therebetween, wherein said filter media has an axial height between said first and second axial ends at respective said first and second end caps, and wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth sleeves has an axial height less than said axial height of said filter media, each said post having a hollow interior, and comprising a pair of bolts, each bolt extending axially through said hollow interior of a respective said post for applying said axial compression force, the respective said sleeves, post and bolt being concentric.