Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Filling member
Patent
1992-07-06
1994-04-26
Shoap, Allan N.
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Filling member
141312, 138172, 277178, 285337, 285338, 285224, 285235, 285910, B65D 2520
Patent
active
053059034
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device in fuel tanks, preferably for vehicles, the tank being provided with a mouth socket to which a filler tube is connected.
Previously, fuel tanks for vehicles within the car industry were made from deep-drawn, lead-covered sheet metal. In accordance with prior-art technology, an upper and a lower section are welded together and the tank thus formed is provided with a socket to which a filler tube is in turn connected. In order to prevent leakages from arising at the socket mouth, as may be caused by vibrations when the vehicle is running, a rubber hose is inserted between the socket and the filler tube and attached to said components with the aid of hose clamps. In particularly exposed positions reinforced rubber hoses are usually used.
In later years, synthetic resin tanks have come into use as they are now capable of satisfying the strength and security requirements on fuel tanks. However, the technology used in the manufacture of sheet metal tanks as concerns the interconnection between the socket and the filler tube has been adopted also for synthetic resin tanks. Thus, the socket, now manufactured from blow-moulded synthetic resin, is connected to the filler tube by means of a rubber hose and hose clamps. The joint between the tank and the filler tube is, however, a weak link. The rubber hose ages more rapidly than the rest of the components, particularly when used in positions where, during vehicle running it is exposed to sprays of water mixed with sand and salt from the roadway. This increases largely the risks for leakages caused by cracks in the tube, and also increases the risks for rupture of the tube, which could easily occur in the event of a collision. Obviously, fuel leakages constitute serious fire hazards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a device designed for direct connection of a rigid filler tube to a filler tank without the need of a hose. The device allows rotational and to some extent oscillating movements of the filler tube relatively to the fuel tank and even distortion of the fuel tank without any risk of leakage. The caracterizing features of this device appears from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the connection area between a fuel tank and a filler tube; and
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a seal incorporated into the device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
On the drawing only a small part of the fuel tank 1 is illustrated, the filler opening of which merges into a mouth socket 2. A filler tube 3 extends through the mouth socket 2 and projects somewhat into the tank 1.
In accordance with the invention a seal 4, having the particular configuration appearing from FIG. 2, is inserted between the mouth socket 2 and the filler tube 3. A first portion 5 of the seal 4 grippingly encloses the mouth edge 6 of the socket 2 while a second portion 7 and a third portion 8 of the seal are pressed against the socket 2 and the filler tube 3, respectively, in a manner similar to that of 0-rings. By means of a fourth portion 9 the seal 4 together with the filler tube 3 projects into the interior of the tank 1 and the inner marginal end portion 10 of the seal likewise presses against the filler tube 3 in the manner of an 0-ring. The seal 4 is also formed with a lip portion 11 which abuts the inner face of the mouth socket 2 in the area of the junction of said socket with the tank 1. Together with the seal portion 9 the lip 11 forms a pocket 12.
In the area of the gripping portion 5 the seal 4 is configured so as to define a space 13 towards the filler tube 3. In accordance with the invention, a washer 14 is forced onto the filler tube 3 so as to press against the latter and an outer, bent-over portion 15 of the washer 14 bridges said space 13 and grippingly engages the portion 5 of th
REFERENCES:
patent: 610262 (1898-09-01), Dikeman
patent: 3233907 (1966-02-01), Stanton
patent: 4088241 (1978-05-01), Hall et al.
patent: 4323166 (1982-04-01), Maeroff
AB Volvo
Cronin Stephen
Shoap Allan N.
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