Larry Robert Mercer

US Patent:

58325891, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Jun 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/870111

Inventors:

Larry R. Mercer - Fayetteville NC
Anthony W. Usalis - Fayetteville NC
David G. Albers - Tulsa OK
James S. Jackson - Fayetteville NC

Assignee:

Purolator Products NA, Inc. - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

B23P 1100

US Classification:

2952502

Abstract:

A method of attaching a fuel line to a fuel filter is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of providing a tubular coupling base having first and second ends, affixing the first end to a filter, forming an intermediate portion providing wrench flats on the coupling base, connecting the second end of the coupling base with a fuel line, forming an annular surface on the coupling base between the wrench flats and the second end with a shoulder surface thereon, forming an annular reduced diameter groove on the coupling base between the annular surface and the second end, forming a bracket having a first portion with opposed parallel first and second planar surfaces and a second portion extending perpendicularly to the first portion, forming a circular opening extending through the first and second planar surfaces for receiving the annular surface, engaging the first planar surface with the shoulder surface, removably positioning a retaining ring in the groove of the coupling base to engage the second planar surface of the bracket to secure the bracket to the coupling base, providing protrusions on the first planar surface of the bracket, and providing at least one indentation on the shoulder surface of the coupling base for receiving at least one of the protrusions.

US Patent:

56580231, Aug 19, 1997

Filed:

Dec 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/358699

Inventors:

Larry R. Mercer - Fayetteville NC
Anthony W. Usalis - Fayetteville NC
David G. Albers - Tulsa OK
James S. Jackson - Fayetteville NC

Assignee:

Purolator Products NA, Inc. - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

F16L 2700

US Classification:

285184

Abstract:

A connection for attaching a fuel line to a fuel filter having a tubular coupling base affixed to a filter and having an intermediate portion providing wrench fiats, one end being connected with a fuel line, the coupling base being further defined by an annular surface adjacent the wrench flats forming a shoulder surface and an annular reduced diameter groove in the annular surface; a bracket of thin, stiff material having an opening therein receiving the coupling base annular surface, an inner surface of the bracket engaging the coupling base shoulder surface, the bracket having a fuel line receiving notch; a retaining ring positioned in the coupling base groove to engage the bracket and thereby secure the bracket to the coupling base; and protrusions in the bracket adjacent the opening providing an interfering relationship between the bracket and the coupling base shoulder surface to resist rotation of the bracket relative to the coupling base when the retaining ring is in position in the coupling base groove.