IP Library Granted Patent US 8,720,764
Granted Patent B2
US 8,720,764 · App. 13/173,867 · Granted May 13, 2014

Fuel cell adapter

Inventor: Peter D. Ploss (Grayslake, IL)
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,720,764
App. No.
13/173,867
Granted
May 13, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fuel cell adapter to be received in a combustion tool fuel cell cavity, the cavity having a predetermined diameter, and the adapter having a post extending longitudinally along an axis. First and second platforms are positioned at a first and second end of the post and they extend laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance slightly less than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity. A flange extends from the post between the first and second ends of the post and has at least one portion extending laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance, when combined with the post, slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity. The flange is formed of a resilient material and a thickness so as to permit the flange to be deformed as the adapter is inserted into the fuel cell cavity.

Claims (28)

1. An adapter for a fuel cell, received in a fuel cell cavity of a combustion tool, the fuel cell cavity having a predetermined diameter, the adapter comprising:

a post extending longitudinally along an axis,

a first platform positioned at a first end of the post and having at least one portion extending laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance slightly less than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

a second platform positioned at a second end of the post and having at least one portion extending laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance slightly less than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

a flange extending from the post between the first and second ends of the post and having at least one portion extending laterally outwardly from the post to occupy a distance, when combined with the post, slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

the flange being formed of a resilient material and a thickness so as to permit the flange to be deformed as the adapter is inserted into the fuel cell cavity.

2. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the post is located along a central axis and the first and second platforms and the flange extend radially outwardly from the post in at least two radial directions.

3. The adapter according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second platforms comprise circular disks, each with a center point centered at the axis of the post and having a diameter slightly smaller than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity.

4. The adapter according to claim 2 , wherein the flange comprises a circular disk having a diameter slightly larger than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity.

5. The adapter according to claim 4 , wherein the flange has a tapering thickness towards an outer periphery of the circular disk.

6. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the post comprises a lateral cross section having a plurality of outwardly extending lobes.

7. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter is made of molded polypropylene.

8. An adapter for a fuel cell, received in a fuel cell cavity of a combustion tool, the fuel cell cavity having a predetermined diameter, the adapter comprising:

a central post extending along an axis, a first circular disk positioned at a first end of said central post with a center point of the first circular disk centered at the axis of the post and having a first diameter slightly smaller than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

a second circular disk positioned at a second end of the central post with a center point of the second circular disk centered at the axis of the post and having a second diameter substantially identical to the first diameter of the first circular disk,

a flange extending in at least two radial directions from the central post between the first and second ends of the central post and having a radial dimension slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

the flange being formed of a resilient material and a thickness so as to permit the flange to be deformed as the adapter is inserted into the fuel cell cavity.

9. The adapter according to claim 8 , wherein the flange comprises a circular disk with a center point centered at the axis of the post.

10. The adapter according to claim 9 , wherein the circular disk flange has a tapering thickness towards its outer periphery.

11. The adapter according to claim 8 , wherein the post comprises a lateral cross section having outwardly extending lobes.

12. The adapter according to claim 8 , wherein the adapter is made of molded polypropylene.

13. An adapter for a fuel cell, received in a fuel cell cavity of a combustion tool, the fuel cell cavity having a predetermined diameter, the adapter comprising:

a central post extending along an axis and comprising a lateral cross section having outwardly extending lobes,

a first circular disk positioned at a first end of said central post with a center point of the first circular disk centered at the axis of the post and having a first diameter slightly smaller than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

a second circular disk positioned at a second end of the central post with a center point of the second circular disk centered at the axis of the post and having a second diameter substantially identical to the first diameter of the first circular disk,

a flange comprising a circular disk extending radially from the central post between the first and second ends of the central post and having a radial dimension slightly greater than the predetermined diameter of the fuel cell cavity,

the flange being formed of a resilient material and a thickness so as to permit the flange to be deformed as the adapter is inserted into the fuel cell cavity, the flange having a tapering thickness towards its outer periphery.

14. The adapter according to claim 13 , wherein the adapter is made of molded polypropylene.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2011
From: PLOSS, PETER D.
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 026531/0032 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130004863A1 · Jan 3, 2013