1. A sundial comprising:
a curved reflector for reflecting an image of the sun; and
a dial-face connected with the curved reflector and comprising a front surface and an opposite rear surface, the dial-face comprising a plurality of time markers, and wherein the dial-face is at least partially transparent such that a reflection of an image of the sun on the front surface is at least partially visible on the front surface of the dial-face;
wherein the dial-face is movable to allow for adjustment of the sundial for operation at a plurality of different locations each having a different latitude; and
wherein the sundial is configured to permit viewing of a reflected image of the sun on the dial-face, and to provide at least an approximate indication of the time based on the position of the reflected image of the sun with respect to the time markers on the dial-face.
2. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the curved reflector is at least partially spherical.
3. The sundial of claim 2, wherein the curved reflector comprises a sphere.
4. The sundial of claim 3, wherein the dial-face is positioned within the sphere, and wherein the sphere is rotatable such that an angle of the dial-face with respect to a vertical plane may be adjusted to approximately a latitude of a location at which the sundial is used.
5. The sundial of claim 4, further comprising:
a plurality of latitude markings for orienting the sphere in accordance with the latitude of the location.
6. The sundial of claim 5, wherein the latitude markings are positioned on the sphere.
7. The sundial of claim 1, further comprising a stand configured to receive and support the curved reflector.
8. The sundial of claim 7, further comprising:
a plurality of latitude markings attached to the curved reflector, wherein the curved reflector is rotatable with respect to the stand, and wherein the curved reflector and the dial-face are rotatable together such that the angle of the dial-face with respect to a vertical plane may be adjusted to approximately the latitude of a location at which the sundial is used.
9. The sundial of claim 7, wherein the stand supports the curved reflector with no fixed points of connection between the stand and the curved reflector.
10. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the curved reflector is at least partially transparent.
11. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the dial-face comprises at least one of a copper mesh and a silica gel.
12. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the curved reflector comprises at least one of acrylic and glass.
13. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the plurality of time markers on the dial-face are evenly spaced.
14. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the sundial is configured such that the reflected image of the sun exhibits optical aberration during use.
15. The sundial of claim 1, wherein the dial-face is at least partially transparent such that the reflected image of the sun may be viewed on at least two opposing surfaces of the dial-face.
16. The sundial of claim 1, further comprising a directional indicator for aligning the dial-face with respect to a north-south direction.
17. The sundial of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of latitude markings for orienting the dial-face in accordance with the latitude of a particular location; and
a reference line for aligning the latitude markings with a particular latitude of a location at which the sundial is used, wherein the directional indicator comprises a line, and wherein the reference line is perpendicular to the directional indicator.
18. The sundial of claim 1, further comprising:
a reservoir configured to receive a liquid, wherein the curved reflector is configured to be placed in the reservoir.
19. The sundial of claim 18, further comprising a magnet connected to the curved reflector, wherein the magnet is configured to redirect the curved reflector when the curved reflector is placed within the liquid in the reservoir.
20. The sundial of claim 19, further comprising:
a radial gauge configured to permit adjustment of an angle of the magnet with respect to the curved reflector in accordance with a magnetic declination of a location at which the sundial is used.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A check valve assembly for a fuel tank filler tube comprising:
(a) a tubular body with a distal end forming an inlet and including first surfaces thereon adapted for connecting to a fuel filler tube for receiving fuel therefrom during refueling of the tank and second surfaces for connecting to a fuel tank spud;
(b) a valve seat formed on an end of said body proximal said second surfaces;
(c) said body having a plurality of deflectable portions formed on the exterior thereof adjacent said valve seat and including detent surfaces thereon;
(d) a flapper having a plurality of trunnions thereon with one of said trunnions having an extension thereon; and,
(e) a torsion spring received over said extension with one reaction end thereof contacting said flapper, with said trunnions disposed in pivotal engagement with said deflectable portion of said body and an opposite reaction end of said spring contacting the exterior of said body, wherein said spring biases said flapper in a direction to contact said valve seat.
2. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said flapper includes a raised surface thereon having said one reaction end of said spring slidably anchored thereto.
3. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said flapper includes an annular flexible seal disposed thereon for contacting said valve seat.
4. The valve assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said flapper includes a plurality of raised surfaces on the upstream side thereof for preventing a siphon hose upon insertion in said body, from contacting said annular seal.
5. The valve assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said annular seal is formed of elastomeric material.
6. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said deflectable portions of said body form a plurality of elongated apertures with said trunnions received therein.
7. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said direction of elongation of said apertures is inclined to the axis of said tubular body.
8. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes engagement surfaces on the exterior operable to engage corresponding surfaces in a tank spud for orienting said flapper.
9. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said extension is co-axial with said one trunnions.
10. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said spring is assembled to said extension to form a flapper subassembly
11. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said deflectable portions comprise a pair of deflectable fingers, each having a recess therein with one of said trunnions pivotally received therein.
12. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said deflectable portion cooperates with said body to form inclined slots for receiving said trunnion.
13. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said flapper includes an elastomer seal overmolded thereon.
14. The valve assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said seal is formed of one of silicone and neoprene elastomer.
15. A method of making a check valve for a fuel tank filler tube comprising:
(a) providing a tubular body and forming first surfaces thereon for connecting to a fuel filler tube and second surfaces for connecting to a fuel tank spud;
(b) forming a valve seat on the end of said body proximal said second surfaces;
(c) forming a plurality of deflectable portions on said body proximal said valve seat;
(d) forming a flapper with a pair of trunnions and disposing a torsion spring over one of said trunnions with one reaction end of said spring contacting said flapper;
(e) inserting and pivoting said trunnions on said deflectable portions and contacting the exterior of said body with a reaction end of said spring opposite the one end and biasing the flapper in a direction to contact the valve seat.
16. The method defined in claim 15 wherein said step of forming a plurality of deflectable portions includes forming a plurality of fingers and forming an elongated recess in each for pivotally receiving said trunnions.
17. The method defined in claim 15 wherein said step of forming a flapper includes disposing a flexible annular seal on a side of the flapper contacting said valve seat.
18. The method defined in claim 15 wherein said step of disposing a torsion spring includes slidably anchoring said one end to said flapper and forming a sub-assembly.
19. The method defined in claim 15, said step of forming deflectable portions includes forming elongated slots.
20. The method defined in claim 15, wherein said step of forming said second surfaces includes forming surfaces for snap locking with a spud for attachment to the tank.
21. The method defined in claim 15, wherein said step of forming a flapper includes overmolding an annular seal thereon.
22. The method defined in claim 15, wherein said step of forming a flapper includes overmolding a seal formed of one of silicone and neoprene elastomer.