Willis E TupperAnn Arbor, MI

6820649, Nov 23, 2004

Jan 29, 2003

10/353399

Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI, 48169

F16K 11087

13762541, 137590

The invention is a ball valve for controlling the flow of fluids between one of two inlets and an outlet. The two inlets are substantially coaxially located, permitting a single inlet point in a fuel supply vessel, yet still allowing two pickup points from within the vessel, such as for a âmainâ and a âreserveâ source. The invention has a particular utility in fuel tanks for providing both a âmainâ and a âreserveâ fuel source, such as for internal combustion engines.

5906224, May 25, 1999

Apr 22, 1996

8/636204

Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI
Donald Koengeter - Chelsea MI

Dapco Industries - Dexter MI

F16K 11087

13762547

An improved, panel-mounted fuel reserve valve for a recreational vehicle fuel system. The valve body is molded plastic with a cruciform-symmetrical arrangement of throughbores defining the fuel inlets, the fuel outlet and a valve bore for receiving an internal valve assembly. In the illustrated embodiment the fuel inlets are coaxial, the fuel outlet and the valve bore are coaxial, and the internal valve assembly includes a ball valve element which mates with O-ring type seals associated with the fuel inlets. In a preferred form the valve includes molded hose connectors inserted in the fuel inlets, the hose connectors having valve seat portions which define retainers for the O-rings to hold them firmly and precisely against the ball valve element in the valve body. The invention is also a method for achieving the inventive valve body structure with little or no "flash" or injection leakage which would affect the valve sealing tolerances inside the valve body.

5307770, May 3, 1994

Jul 26, 1993

8/097160

Stephen D. Davis - Ann Arbor MI
Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI

Davco Manufacturing Corporation - Saline MI
Dapco Industries - Dexter MI

F02N 1700

12317911

A priming pump valve for use in conjunction with a fuel system, such as a diesel engine, that does not result in a lag in the fuel flow during normal system operation. The priming pump valve has a control valve movable between a first position for normal operation and a second position for priming that allows for efficient priming of the fuel system when in the priming mode and unrestricted flow of fuel during normal operation of the engine.

5115837, May 26, 1992

Sep 25, 1991

7/766614

Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI

F16K 1187

13762541

A fuel valve for use in the fuel system of motorized recreational vehicle, such as a motorcycle, snowmobile, or the like. The improved fuel valve generally includes a valve body, main and reserve inlet tubes attached to the valve body, a valve assembly disposed within the valve body, and a plurality of gaskets adapted to seal the valve assembly within the valve body. The valve assembly is adapted to rotate through open, reserve and closed positions to provide various fuel settings.

5071325, Dec 10, 1991

Mar 26, 1990

7/499049

Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI
Donald A. Koengeter - Chelsea MI

F04B 2102
F04B 3910

417496

The present invention is a fuel primer pump capable of manually injecting fuel into the carburetor of an internal combustion engine, and is adapted to include both enrichment and shut-off positions. The primer pump includes a housing sealed at one end by an end cap which defines inlet and outlet openings. An internal piston is disposed within the housing for manual pumping of fuel. A relatively free floating valve pin, mounted on the internal piston, prevents an unwanted flow of fuel through the primer pump when the pump is disposed in the shut-off position. The valve pin is slidably retained within a cavity in the piston which opens onto the face of the piston proximate the end cap defining the outlet passageway. The valve pin is spring biased toward the outlet passageway and centers itself in the passageway seat due to the free floating nature thereof. The valve pin becomes disengaged from the seat when the primer pump is placed in the enrichment position, allowing the flow of fuel through the primer pump.

4165816, Aug 28, 1979

Apr 10, 1978

5/894921

Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI

Dapco Industries - Dexter MI

B65D 5116

220203

A cap for a fuel tank such as is used with gasoline engines for chain saws, power mowers, snowmobiles, and the like, which require venting of the tank without danger of fuel leakage resulting from return flow through the vent passageway. The cap has an improved top wall assembly that provides the passageway that is utilized for the venting purposes and in which a check relief valve is housed.

5256040, Oct 26, 1993

Oct 9, 1992

7/959065

Stephen D. Davis - Ann Arbor MI
Willis E. Tupper - Pinckney MI

Davco Manufacturing Corp. - Saline MI
Dapco Industries - Dexter MI

F02M 116

417440

A priming pump valve for use in conjunction with a fuel system, such as a diesel engine, that does not result in a lag in the fuel flow during normal system operation. The priming pump valve has a control valve movable between a first position for normal operation and a second position for priming that allows for efficient priming of the fuel system when in the priming mode and unrestricted flow of fuel during normal operation of the engine.