Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Multiple passage filling means for diverse materials or flows – With valve
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-13
2001-10-16
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Multiple passage filling means for diverse materials or flows
With valve
C141S350000, C220S086200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302169
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fuel nozzle restrictors and more specifically to a diesel fuel nozzle restrictors which prevents an unleaded gas nozzle from being used to fill a diesel fuel tank.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Currently, it appears that there is not a cost effective way of preventing a diesel fuel tank from being filled with unleaded gas. The consequences of running unleaded gas in a diesel engine may be catastrophic. The engine will at the very least need some repair and at the worst replacement. Unleaded fuel does not have the lubrication properties of diesel fuel and would result in ring an bearing failure if used in a diesel engine. U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,216 to Arnett et al. does disclose a nozzle restrictor, however the restrictor prevents a nozzle which is larger in diameter than a smaller unleaded fuel nozzle from filling the gas tank.
Before the introduction of unleaded fuels in 1974, automotive manufacturers needed to protect catalytic converters from being destroyed by leaded fuels. Arnett developed his device to restrict the burning of leaded fuels as required by the Environmental Protection Agency and to prevent damage to catalytic converters. An unleaded nozzle is smaller in diameter than the diesel nozzle and a leaded fuel nozzle is the same diameter as a diesel nozzle. A drawback to the Arnett device is that it may be tricked into opening by rocking an end of the unleaded nozzle in the discharge tube.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel tank from being filled with unleaded gasoline.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a nondiesel nozzle from being inserted into a filling spout of a diesel engine. The diesel fuel nozzle restrictor includes an attachment flange, nozzle tube, at least one release arm, and pivoting door. A top of the attachment flange is structured to receive a fuel cap. A bottom of the attachment flange is structured to be attached to an existing diesel vehicle fuel filler neck. The nozzle tube also extends from a bottom of the attachment flange. The closure cap is pivotally attached to a bottom of the nozzle tube. Each release arm is preferably attached to the nozzle tube at substantially a top thereof. The release arm is preferably fabricated from a strip of spring steel. A capture ledge is formed on an end of each release arm to restrict pivotal movement of the closure cap.
An actuation projection is formed at substantially an end of each release arm. An opening is formed through the wall of the nozzle tube to receive the actuation projection. To open the closure cap of the diesel fuel nozzle restrictor, the nozzle is inserted into the nozzle tube. The outer diameter of the diesel nozzle pushes the at least one release arm away from the nozzle tube and releases the capture ledge from under the closure cap. Insertion of the diesel fuel nozzle through the nozzle tube will cause the closure cap to open after the at least one capture ledge is removed from a bottom of the closure cap. In a second embodiment, an attachment flange is formed as an integral part of the opening of a diesel fuel filler neck.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel fuel tank from being filled with unleaded gasoline from an unleaded fuel nozzle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which may be attached to an existing diesel fuel filler neck, while utilizing the existing fuel cap.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which may be formed as an integral part of a diesel fuel filler neck.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel fuel tank from being filled with unleaded gasoline and save man hours that would be required to remove the unleaded fuel from the tank.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel fuel tank from being filled with unleaded gasoline and save fuel that would have to be discarded.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel fuel tank from being filled with unleaded gasoline and the problem of disposing of the unusable unleaded and diesel fuel mixture.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a diesel fuel nozzle restrictor which prevents a diesel engine from being damaged by unleaded gasoline.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3730216 (1973-05-01), Arnett et al.
patent: 5435358 (1995-07-01), Kempka et al.
patent: 6189581 (2001-02-01), Harris et al.
Douglas Steven O.
Ersler Donald J.
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