Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-14
2001-11-27
Sotelo, Jesus D. (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
C220S327000, C440S08800J
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321677
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly, and more particularly to a vibration dampened fuel tank assembly having an integrated hold down system that may be molded directly into the fuel tank. Such a vibration dampened fuel tank assembly is particularly useful for vehicles that are subject to continuous repetitive vibrations such as watercraft.
Motorized watercraft are typically powered by an outboard engine that has a separate fuel tank. The fuel tank is commonly made from a plastic material such as polyethylene and is mounted within the watercraft by individual metal brackets that hold the fuel tank in place. The brackets are typically attached to a fixed surface of the watercraft such as the floor or a bulkhead and hold the fuel tank by sandwiching it between a portion of the bracket and the fixed surface.
During operation of the watercraft, however, these brackets are subject to significant stresses and often bend and/or pull away from their mounting points. For example, during sharp turns, the fuel in the fuel tank shifts back and forth. The momentum of the fuel within the fuel tank causes the tank to repetitively act against the brackets. The brackets can thereby become bent away from the tank and lead to the possibility that the tank will break free. Alternatively, the brackets themselves can pull away from the boat floor.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a fuel tank assembly that can effectively secure a fuel tank to a fixed surface while absorbing vibrations typical of the vehicle's environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to addressing the above-mentioned needs by providing a fuel tank assembly that securely affixes a fuel tank to a fixed surface and is capable of dampening high stress vibrations such as may be typically encountered in the dynamic operational environment of a watercraft.
The fuel tank assembly of the present invention generally includes a fuel tank that has integrated retention areas for horizontal and/or vertical retention of a fuel tank and a fastener system that is capable of dampening high stress vibrations typical of the environment in which a watercraft operates. The fuel tank is preferably manufactured from a plastic material so that the integrated retention areas can be molded into and specifically located on the fuel tank. By doing so, the fuel tank assembly may be used in a variety of watercraft and other vehicles. While the fuel tank may be made from any suitable plastic material, it is preferred that the fuel tank be made from a polyethylene such as high density polyethylene (HDPE).
The retention areas are recessed in the exterior wall of the fuel tank and include an access area and a mounting lip. The access area leads from the exterior wall to the mounting lip. The access area provides a space for the fastener system to be inserted and removed from the mounting lip and access of a tool to attach and detach the fastener system, as necessary. The preferred configuration of the access areas are as further described below. The mounting lip is preferably a U-shaped semi-annular opening with a protruding rim for receipt of the fastener system. The fastener system comprises a boltlike like member, at least one compression surface, and at least one vibration dampening member. The vibration dampening member preferably has a first and a second diameter wherein the first diameter fits within the mounting lip opening while the second diameter overlies the mounting lip. It is preferred that the bolt-like member and the compression surface be selected from a rigid material such as for example steel or a resin and the vibration dampening member be selected from a compressible material such as an elastomer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bolt-like member is a steel bolt or screw, the compression surface is a steel ring-type washer, and the vibration dampening member is a rubber bushing.
When mounted, the vibration dampening member fits within the mounting lip opening and the bolt-like member passes through the compression surface and vibration dampening member to engage a fixed surface such as a watercraft floor or bulkhead to securely mount the fuel tank. When the bolt-like member is tightened, the vibration dampening member is compressed axially by the washer such that the vibration dampening member expands radially to further engage the mounting lip opening. Accordingly, the fuel tank is effectively secured and the vibration dampening member absorbs the repetitive vibration of the watercraft's environment.
In a preferred embodiment, the fuel tank assembly of the present invention comprises a HDPE fuel tank that is molded to have an inner volume for storing fuel and an exterior wall. The exterior wall is generally in the shape of a six-sided box with each side having a substantially planar surface. Two of the planar sides include recessed retention areas that are each capable of receiving a fastener assembly comprised of a bolt, washer and rubber bushing. Each retention area is further located at vertical and horizontal corners, respectively, of the box.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3924597 (1975-12-01), Hatz et al.
patent: 4836123 (1989-06-01), Grinde et al.
patent: 5601205 (1997-02-01), Prechtel et al.
patent: 5967868 (1999-10-01), Ito et al.
Howard & Howard
Moeller Marine Products
Sotelo Jesus D.
LandOfFree
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