Receptacles – Closures – Pivotable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-06
2001-12-04
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Pivotable,
C220S326000, C220SDIG003, C292S087000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325240
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention relates to a refueling cap assembly for the refueling of automotive fuel tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most vehicle fuel tanks include a filler neck extending from the tank to allow a user to refill the tank with fuel. Some type of cap or cover is placed over the filler neck in order to seal the fuel tank from the atmosphere. Fuel tanks should be tightly capped to avoid the dangers of igniting the gasoline, to prevent environmental harm due to the escape of gasoline vapors and to reduce the intrusion of contaminates into the fuel tank.
The most common type of cover is a gas cap. Conventional gas cap assemblies are typically threaded onto the filler neck and include some type of locking handle. Each time the fuel tank is replenished, the gas cap must be unscrewed at the start of the refueling operation and then screwed back into position at the end of the refueling. Over time the interior ratcheting mechanism of the gas cap may wear out such that the gas cap may not be adequately secured to the filler neck or may be over-tightened. In the situation of the gas cap being over-tightened, the user may have great difficulty in subsequently removing the gas cap. In addition, the twisting removal of the gas caps creates a consistent inconvenience for the user, especially in inclement weather.
The prior art has also contemplated the use of a pivotal cover moveable between open and closed positions to open and close the filler neck. Examples of such pivotal covers for fuel tanks are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,327,946 and 5,503,199. An advantage of these designs is that the user does not have to remove the gas cap to fill the fuel tank. These prior art pivotal gas caps, however, require a separate locking device which must be independently actuated to facilitate the opening of the cover. Due to the confined spaces in which the pivotal cover is associated and the relatively small size of the locking device, the separate actuation of this device can be cumbersome and difficult to accomplish.
Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a gas cap cover which pivots between open and closed positions to open and close a filler neck of a fuel tank without actuating a separate locking device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a refueling cap assembly for selectively opening and closing a filler neck of a fuel tank. The cap assembly comprises a frame adapted for attachment to the filler neck of the fuel tank. A cover is pivotally mounted to the frame between open and closed positions for opening and closing the filler neck. A locking mechanism is mounted to the frame for selectively securing the cover to the filler neck in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a locking body between a locked position engaging at least a portion of the cover to secure the cover to the filler neck, and a release position releasing the cover from the filler neck. The cap assembly is characterized by the locking body being movable moveable in a flip flop manner and having one abutment to retain the locking body in the locked position when the cover is in the closed position, and a second abutment to retain the locking body in the released position when the cover is in the open position. The locking body flip flops between the locked and released positions upon repeated engagement of the cover with the locking mechanism.
Accordingly, the cap assembly may be opened and closed by simply actuating the cap itself. A separate locking device need not be actuated. This unique design creates a convenient means of opening and closing a filler neck of a fuel tank.
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Howard & Howard
Newhouse Nathan J.
Tesma International Inc.
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