Locks – Special application – For closures
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-27
2001-04-24
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For closures
C070S389000, C070S165000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220064
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a fuel filler assembly, in particular for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle fuel filler assemblies are known wherein the cap, once screwed onto the filler, is now locked by a key-operated locking device, e.g. using the ignition key of the vehicle itself, the key can be withdrawn from the lock cylinder (inside the cap) even when the cap is not fitted or is fitted improperly to the filler, so that danger exists when the vehicle is started up with a badly fitted or no cap, at all, resulting in possible leakage of fuel vapours or even actual fuel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel filler assembly to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, and which, in particular, is inexpensive and easy to produce and does not permit withdrawal of the key from the cap unless the cap is fitted properly to the filler.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fuel filler assembly, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a filler and a cap for closing a mouth of the filler. Said cap being provided internally with a cylinder rotated with an operating key. Reversible locking arrangement is provided for reversibly locking relative rotation of the cylinder with respect to said cap. A actuator means for selectively moving said reversible locking arrangement into a first operating position when the cap is detached from said filler, and a second operating position when the cap is to fitted close the filler. In the first operating position, said reversible locking arrangement secures the cylinder angularly to said cap to prevent relative rotation of the cylinder with respect to the cap and, hence, withdrawal of the operating key from the cylinder. In the second operating position, the reversible locking arrangement permits relative rotation of the cylinder with respect to the cap to permit withdrawal of the operating key from the cylinder.
The cylinder therefore only rotates inside the cap when set to the second operating position by the actuator which in turn only occurs when the cap is fitted correctly to close the filler. Conversely, when the cap is detached from the filler, the cylinder is secured angularly to the cap and prevented from being rotated into the position permitting withdrawal of the key. The filler assembly according to the invention is also expensive and easy to produce, and may be applied to various vehicles with no particularly complex alterations required.
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Barrett Suzanne Dino
I.T.W. Fastex Italia S.p.A.
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
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