MODULAR RATCHET CAP

Abstract
A method of assembling selected modular ratchet cap assemblies. In one aspect, the method includes the acts of providing identical threaded portions, providing identical cover portions, providing a first vent module, providing a second vent module different from the first vent module, selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly, and selecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly. In other aspects, the method includes assembling first and second cap assemblies with identical cover portions and threaded portions, but having different pawl members providing different cap-installing torque limits. In other aspects, the method includes providing first and second cap assemblies with similar components, but having covers or portions thereof provided with different individualized characteristics for different applications.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first modular ratchet cap construction with a non-vented inner body;



FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the cap of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a top view of the cap of FIG. 1;



FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.



FIG. 5 is a first detail view of mating portions of the cap as shown in FIG. 4;



FIG. 6 is a second detail view of additional mating portions of the cap as shown in FIG. 4;



FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;



FIG. 8 is a vented inner body for optional direct replacement of the non-vented inner body shown in at least FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7;



FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second modular ratchet cap construction having a first type of vent module;



FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the cap of FIG. 9;



FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 9, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.



FIG. 12 is an exploded assembly view of a third modular ratchet cap construction having a second type of vent module;



FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 12, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.



FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly view of a fourth modular ratchet cap construction having a third type of vent module;



FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 14, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14



FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternate pawl member for optional direct replacement of the pawl members shown in at least FIGS. 9-15; and



FIG. 17 is atop view of an alternate cover portion for optional direct replacement of the cover portions shown in at least FIGS. 9-15.


Claims
  • 1. A method of assembling selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of: providing identical outer covers;providing identical inner portions having threads and having pawl teeth;providing a first pawl member positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the first pawl member operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of the one portion up to a first predetermined torque;providing a second pawl member positionable between any one of the outer covers and any one of the inner portions, the second pawl member operable to transmit a cap-installing torque from the one outer cover to the pawl teeth of one inner portion up to a second predetermined torque different from the first predetermined torque;selecting the first pawl member for assembly between a first one of the identical outer covers and a first one of the identical inner portions of a first cap assembly, the first pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the first cap assembly equal to the first predetermined torque;selecting the second pawl member for assembly between a second one of the identical outer covers and a second one of the identical inner portions of a second cap assembly, the second pawl member providing an installation torque limit for the second cap assembly equal to the second predetermined torque,coupling the first outer cover to the first inner portion with the first pawl member therebetween; andcoupling the second outer cover to the second inner portion with the second pawl member therebetween.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a first pawl member includes providing a first pawl member of a first material and wherein providing a second pawl member includes providing a second member of a second material, the second material providing a different resiliency than the first material.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the acts of: providing a first pawl arm on the first pawl member, the first pawl arm having a first thickness; andproviding a second pawl arm on the second pawl member, the second pawl arm having a second thickness less than the first thickness.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes directly engaging the first outer cover with the first inner portion in a snap engagement.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the first outer cover with the first inner portion includes engaging the first outer cover with an assembly ring in a snap engagement, the first inner portion being retained by the assembly ring and coupled to the first outer cover.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional composes being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly.
  • 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the additional components include identical gaskets, identical retainer portions, identical tether assemblies, and identical vent modules.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of fitting together inter-engaging recess and protrusions of the respective outer covers and pawl members of the first and second cap assemblies.
  • 9. A method of assembling; selected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of: providing a first outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the first outer cover having a first characteristic;providing a second outer cover adapted for manual manipulation by a user, the second outer cover having a second characteristic different from the first characteristic;providing identical inner members, each having engaging threads formed thereon;coupling the first outer cover with a first one of the identical inner members of the first cap assembly by snap engagement; andwherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a first particular application to which the first cap assembly mounts, and wherein the second characteristic includes at least one of a color, a symbol, and printed indicia individualized for a second particular application to which the second cap assembly mounts.
  • 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first outer cover includes a first detachable portion containing the first characteristic and the second outer cover includes a second detachable portion containing the second characteristic, the first and second detachable portions being exchangeable between the first and second outer covers.
  • 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first characteristic includes a color particularly adapted to match a color found on the first particular application.
  • 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first characteristic includes at least one of a symbol and printed indicia indicative of a material contained by the first cap assembly.
  • 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the act of providing mounting locations for internal and external tethers on both the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly.
  • 14. A method of assembling elected cap assemblies, the method comprising the acts of: providing identical threaded portions;providing identical cover portions;providing a first vent module;providing a second vent module different from the first vent module;selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly; andselecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly.
  • 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the acts of: snapping a first tether retainer to the first vent module;snapping a second tether retainer identical to the first tether retainer to the second vent module;coupling a first tether assembly to the first tether retainer; andcoupling a second tether assembly different from the first tether assembly to the second tether retainer.
  • 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the acts of: providing a third vent module different from the first and second vent modules; andselecting the third vent module and coupling together the third vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a third cap assembly.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first vent module includes an open-vented aperture, the second vent module includes an umbrella valve, and the third vent module includes a two-way controlled valve.
  • 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the act of assembling each one of the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly with additional components, all of the additional components being identical between the first cap assembly and the second cap assembly.
  • 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the additional components include an identical pawl member in each of the first and second cap assemblies for providing identical torque-limited coupling between respective cover portions and threaded portions.
  • 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the act of welding each of the first and second vent modules to the respective identical threaded portions.
Provisional Applications (5)
Number Date Country
60760670 Jan 2006 US
60760613 Jan 2006 US
60760674 Jan 2006 US
60862077 Oct 2006 US
60862074 Oct 2006 US