US20080000906A1 - Flush-mount fuel cap with valve - Google Patents
Flush-mount fuel cap with valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080000906A1 US20080000906A1 US11/427,813 US42781306A US2008000906A1 US 20080000906 A1 US20080000906 A1 US 20080000906A1 US 42781306 A US42781306 A US 42781306A US 2008000906 A1 US2008000906 A1 US 2008000906A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- body portion
- fuel
- cap
- valve
- inlet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/04—Tank inlets
- B60K15/0406—Filler caps for fuel tanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J35/00—Fuel tanks specially adapted for motorcycles or engine-assisted cycles; Arrangements thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/04—Tank inlets
Definitions
- the present invention relates to fuel caps, and more particularly to fuel caps for use with vehicles and engine-driven equipment.
- motorcycle fuel caps often include check valves through which an airflow may be drawn to replace the volume of used fuel in a fuel tank.
- check valves are often positioned near the top of the fuel caps, or at least closer to the top of the fuel caps than the bottom of the fuel caps. Positioning the check valves near the top of the fuel caps is often desired to locate the check valves above an upper surface of the fuel tanks to prevent liquid “runoff” (e.g., rain) on the fuel tanks from entering the fuel tank with the airflow.
- motorcycle fuel caps often include “drip edges” under which the airflow must first pass before being upwardly redirected to enter the check valves. The drip edge on the fuel caps functions as a barrier to prevent liquids from coming into contact with the check valve and entering the fuel tank.
- the present invention provides, in one aspect, a fuel cap adapted to close an inlet of a fuel tank.
- the fuel cap includes a body portion adapted to engage the inlet of the fuel tank.
- the body portion defines a central axis.
- the fuel cap also includes a valve coupled to the body portion. The valve selectively allows an airflow through the body portion.
- the fuel cap further includes a cap cover coupled to the body portion and movable along the central axis relative to the body portion.
- the present invention provides, in another aspect, a fuel tank assembly including a fuel tank having a fuel inlet in an upper surface of the fuel tank and a fuel cap engageable with the fuel inlet.
- the fuel cap includes a valve for selectively allowing an airflow through the fuel cap.
- An upper portion of the fuel cap is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the fuel tank when the fuel cap is engaged with the fuel inlet.
- the valve is positioned below the upper surface of the fuel tank when the fuel cap is engaged with the fuel inlet.
- the present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a fuel cap adapted to close an inlet of a fuel tank.
- the fuel cap includes a body portion adapted to engage the inlet of the fuel tank.
- the body portion defines a central axis.
- the fuel cap also includes a movable portion coupled to the body portion and movable along the central axis relative to the body portion.
- the movable portion includes a passageway therethrough.
- the fuel cap further includes a valve coupled to the body portion. The valve selectively allows an airflow through the body portion and the passageway of the movable portion.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle including a fuel cap embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fuel cap of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a partially-assembled view of the fuel cap of FIG. 2
- FIG. 4 is an assembled top view of the fuel cap of FIG. 2 , including a partial cutaway through a cap cover of the fuel cap.
- FIG. 5 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken through line 5 - 5 in FIG. 4 , illustrating the fuel cap in an extended position.
- FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken through line 6 - 6 in FIG. 4 , illustrating the fuel cap in a retracted position.
- FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of a fuel tank and the fuel cap of FIG. 2 , illustrating the fuel cap in the retracted position closing a fuel inlet in the fuel tank.
- FIGS. 8 a - 8 c are partial cutaway views of the fuel tank and the fuel cap of FIG. 2 , illustrating the fuel cap being actuated from its retracted position to its extended position for removal from the fuel inlet.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a motorcycle 10 including a drive assembly 14 , a frame 18 , a front fork assembly 22 , a swing arm or rear fork assembly 26 , a front wheel 30 , a rear wheel 34 , a seat 38 , and a fuel tank 42 .
- the frame 18 supports the drive assembly 14 , the front fork assembly 22 , the rear fork assembly 26 , the seat 38 , and the fuel tank 42 .
- the front fork assembly 22 is pivotally supported at a front end of the motorcycle 10 and supports the front wheel 30 .
- the front fork assembly 22 includes a pair of handle bars 46 for steering the motorcycle 10 .
- the rear fork assembly 26 is coupled to the frame 18 at a rear end of the motorcycle 10 and rotatably supports the rear wheel 34 .
- the seat 38 is coupled to the frame 18 and is configured for supporting a rider.
- the fuel tank 42 is supported by the frame 18 and provides fuel to the drive assembly 14 .
- the drive assembly 14 is preferably coupled to the frame 18 beneath the seat 38 between the front wheel 30 and the rear wheel 34 of the motorcycle 10 .
- the drive assembly 14 includes an engine 50 and a transmission 54 .
- the engine 50 and the transmission 54 comprise distinct, independent components of the drive assembly 14 .
- the engine 50 preferably comprises a V-twin engine 50 supported by the frame 18 forward of the transmission 54 .
- the engine 50 includes an output shaft (not shown), such as a crankshaft, which includes a primary drive sprocket (not shown) for driving a primary chain (not shown) in a conventional manner to power the transmission 54 .
- the fuel tank 42 includes a fuel inlet 58 that can be selectively closed by a fuel cap 62 .
- This style of fuel cap 62 is generally known as a “flush-mount” fuel cap 62 because an upper portion of the fuel cap 62 generally follows the contour of an upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 and the contour of a bezel 70 coupled to the fuel tank 42 and surrounding the fuel inlet 58 . As shown in FIG.
- the upper portion of the fuel cap 62 is not perfectly aligned with the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 , the upper portion of the fuel cap 62 is substantially aligned with the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 taking into consideration that the bezel 70 is effectively an extension of the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 , providing a substantially smooth transition from the upper surface 66 to the upper portion of the fuel cap 62 .
- the fuel cap 62 generally includes a body portion 74 having a central axis 78 , a movable or retractable portion 82 coupled to the body portion 74 and movable relative to the body portion 74 along the central axis 78 , and a cap cover 86 coupled to the retractable portion 82 and movable with the retractable portion 82 relative to the body portion 74 .
- the cap cover 86 and retractable portion 82 are axially movable between an extended position (see FIG.
- cap cover 86 is substantially above the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 , and a retracted position (see FIG. 6 ), in which an upper surface 88 of the cap cover 86 generally follows the contour of the bezel 70 , or alternatively the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 .
- the body portion 74 includes external threads 90 configured to engage corresponding internal threads 94 in the fuel inlet 58 (see also FIGS. 7-8 c ).
- An O-ring 98 is positioned in a circumferential groove 102 formed near an upper end 104 of the body portion 74 to provide a seal between the body portion 74 and the fuel inlet 58 when the fuel cap 62 is threaded into the fuel inlet 58 .
- other types of resilient seals may be utilized in place of the O-ring 98 to seal the fuel cap 62 to the fuel inlet 58 .
- the retractable portion 82 has an outer diameter D 1 less than an inner diameter D 2 of the body portion 74 , allowing the retractable portion 82 to retract into or nest with the body portion 74 .
- a radial gap G 1 between an outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 and an inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74 is sufficiently large to permit free movement of the retractable portion 82 within the body portion 74 .
- a plurality of axially-extending guide members 114 are raised from the outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 to engage the inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74 to substantially align the retractable portion 82 with the central axis 78 .
- the retractable portion 82 includes three guide members 114 spaced equi-angularly about the outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 .
- the retractable portion 82 may utilize more than three guide members 114 .
- the body portion 74 includes a plurality of internal projections or keys 118 extending radially inwardly toward the central axis 78 .
- the keys 118 are configured to engage corresponding grooves or keyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 (see also FIGS. 2 , 3 , 8 a , and 8 b ).
- the body portion 74 includes three keys 118 spaced equi-angularly about the inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74
- the retractable portion 82 includes three keyways 122 spaced equi-angularly about the outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 .
- the guide members 114 are positioned adjacent the keyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 (see FIG. 2 ).
- the body portion 74 and retractable portion 82 may utilize more or fewer than three mating keys 118 and keyways 122 , and the keyways 122 may be spaced from the guide members 114 .
- each of the keyways 122 opens up to a recess 126 formed in the outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 .
- each recess 126 extends upwardly from its respective keyway 122 toward an upper surface 130 of the retractable portion 82 .
- each recess 126 may terminate before reaching the upper surface 130 of the retractable portion 82 , such that the recess 126 is not exposed to the upper surface 130 of the retractable portion 82 .
- each recess 126 is formed with a raised portion 134 adjacent the respective keyway 122 opening up into the recess 126 .
- the retractable portion 82 includes a plurality of axially-extending projections 138 extending from an inner peripheral surface 142 of the retractable portion 82 radially inwardly toward the central axis 78 .
- the retractable portion 82 also includes, between respective projections 138 , a plurality of guide members 146 extending from the inner peripheral surface 142 of the retractable portion 82 radially inwardly toward the central axis 78 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the projections 138 extend further radially inwardly than the guide members 146 .
- the retractable portion 82 utilizes four equi-angularly spaced projections 138 , and three guide members 146 between each projection 138 .
- the retractable portion 82 may utilize more or fewer than four projections 138 , and more or fewer than three guide members 146 between respective projections 138 .
- the retractable portion 82 includes a plurality of arcuate tabs 150 extending upwardly from the upper surface 130 of the retractable portion 82 .
- the tabs 150 are substantially equally spaced from one another by a gap G 2 (see FIG. 4 ), the significance of which is described below.
- Each of the tabs 150 at their distal ends includes a ramp portion 154 having an inclined surface 158 relative to the upper surface 130 of the retractable portion 82 and an abutment surface 162 substantially parallel with the upper surface 130 .
- the cap cover 86 includes an axially-extending receiving portion 166 extending from a bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 .
- the receiving portion 166 has a substantially cylindrical shape and a plurality of axially-extending slots 174 formed therein. Each of the slots 174 extends from the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 to the distal end of the receiving portion 166 , the significance of which is described below.
- the cap cover 86 utilizes four equi-angularly spaced slots 174 corresponding with the four projections 138 on the retractable portion 82 .
- more or fewer than four slots 174 may be utilized in the receiving portion 166 of the cap cover 86 , depending on the number of proj ections 138 utilized on the retractable portion 82 .
- the cap cover 86 also includes a plurality of arcuate tabs 178 extending from the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 .
- each of the arcuate tabs 178 at their distal ends includes a ramp portion 182 having an inclined surface 186 relative to the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 and an abutment surface 190 substantially parallel with a plane normal to the central axis 78 .
- the cap cover 86 includes four equi-angularly spaced arcuate tabs 178 .
- Each of the tabs 178 is separated by a gap G 3 substantially corresponding with the width of the slots 174 in the receiving portion 166 (see FIG. 4 ). Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the gaps G 3 are substantially aligned with the slots 174 in the receiving portion 166 , and shallow channels or grooves 194 formed in the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 connect the slots 174 to the respective gaps G 3 .
- the fuel cap 62 includes a valve assembly 198 positioned substantially within the body portion 74 .
- the valve assembly 198 includes a valve 202 positioned near a bottom end 206 of the body portion 74 .
- the valve 202 is configured as a one-way valve 202 to allow “replacement air” to enter the fuel tank 42 as fuel in the fuel tank 42 is consumed, while substantially preventing liquid fuel or fuel vapor from exiting the fuel tank 42 through the valve 202 . As shown in FIGS.
- the retractable portion 82 includes a passageway 234 therethrough to receive the valve assembly 198 as the retractable portion 82 nests with the body portion 74 . As such, replacement air passes through the passageway 234 before reaching the valve 202 .
- the valve 202 includes a seal 210 and a diaphragm 214 biased against the seal 210 by a coil spring 218 .
- the seal 210 is configured as a substantially flat ring having an inner diameter D 3 less than an outer diameter D 4 of the diaphragm 214 .
- the one-way valve 202 may have a different configuration than that shown in the drawings.
- the valve assembly 198 also includes a valve body 222 having an upwardly-extending conduit or “snorkel” 226 (see FIGS. 2 , 5 , and 6 ).
- the valve assembly 198 further includes a bottom cover 230 supporting the valve 202 and valve body 222 in the body portion 74 .
- the bottom cover 230 includes a cylindrical receiving portion 234 having a circumferential groove 238 extending around an inner periphery of the receiving portion 234 .
- the lower end of the valve body 222 includes a lip 246 extending around an outer periphery of the lower end of the valve body 222 .
- valve body 222 The lower end of the valve body 222 is received within the receiving portion 234 , and the valve body 222 is secured to the bottom cover 230 by engaging the lip 246 and groove 238 .
- different structure may be utilized to secure the bottom cover 230 to the valve body 222 .
- the seal 210 is sandwiched between the valve body 222 and a lip 250 extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the receiving portion 234 .
- the diaphragm 214 is positioned between the seal 210 and a spring perch 254 formed in the bottom cover 230 .
- the coil spring 218 is positioned in the spring perch 254 and biases the diaphragm 214 against the seal 210 .
- the bottom cover 230 includes a plurality of apertures 258 surrounding the spring perch 254 .
- the bottom cover 230 also includes a circumferential groove 262 configured to receive a seal (e.g., an O-ring 266 ) for sealing the bottom cover 230 against the body portion 74 , and a plurality of arcuate tabs 270 having respective ramp portions 274 to engage respective lip portions 278 extending radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74 .
- a seal e.g., an O-ring 266
- arcuate tabs 270 having respective ramp portions 274 to engage respective lip portions 278 extending radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74 .
- multiple portions of the valve assembly 198 including the valve body 222 , seal 210 , and the bottom cover 230 , or any combination thereof, may be integrally formed as one piece rather than providing each portion separately.
- a coil spring 282 is positioned between the valve body 222 and the retractable portion 82 to bias the retractable portion 82 upwardly and in a direction away from the one-way valve 202 .
- a lower end of the spring 282 is supported on a spring perch 286 formed on the valve body 222
- an upper end of the spring 282 is supported within a cylindrical groove 290 formed in an interior surface of the retractable portion 82 facing the spring perch 286 on the valve body 222 .
- the valve assembly 198 may be pre-assembled before being coupled to the body portion 74 .
- the coil spring 218 is first lowered into the spring perch 254 on the bottom cover 230 , the diaphragm 214 is then lowered onto the coil spring 218 , the seal 210 is next lowered onto the lip 250 in the receiving portion 234 of the bottom cover 230 , and finally the valve body 222 is inserted into the receiving portion 234 to engage the lip 246 and the groove 238 as described above.
- the O-ring 266 may be positioned in the groove 262 in the bottom cover 230 as either the first or last step in the pre-assembly of the valve assembly 198 .
- the valve assembly 198 is then fully unitized and may be handled as one piece.
- the retractable portion 82 is inserted into the body portion 74 through the bottom end 206 of the body portion 74 .
- the retractable portion 82 may be oriented such that the keyways 122 align with the keys 118 on the body portion 74 to allow the retractable portion 82 to slide upwardly to its extended position.
- the coil spring 282 may then be inserted into the retractable portion 82 such that the upper end of the spring 282 sits in the cylindrical groove 290 .
- the valve assembly 198 may then be inserted into the body portion 74 and coupled to the body portion 74 by engaging the tabs 270 on the bottom cover 230 and the lip portions 278 on the body portion 74 .
- the cap cover 86 may be coupled with the retractable portion 82 .
- the cap cover 86 is first oriented such that the slots 174 in the receiving portion 166 are aligned with the corresponding projections 138 on the retractable portion 82 .
- the receiving portion 166 is then pressed axially into the retractable portion 82 , causing the projections 138 to slide through the slots 174 , during which time the guide members 146 engage an outer peripheral surface of the receiving portion 166 to provide additional alignment and support of the receiving portion 166 in the retractable portion 82 .
- the valve assembly 198 generally includes an upstream chamber 294 and a downstream chamber 298 separated by the one-way valve 202 .
- the one-way valve 202 selectively allows replacement air to pass through the fuel inlet 58 and enter the fuel tank 42 as fuel is consumed. More specifically, replacement air will enter the fuel tank 42 when the pressure differential between the upstream chamber 294 and downstream chamber 298 is large enough to overcome the tension in the coil spring 218 , therefore causing the diaphragm 214 to move axially downwardly and unseat from the seal 210 .
- the tension in the spring 218 will re-seat the diaphragm 214 against the seal 210 .
- the snorkel 226 draws such replacement air through an inlet 302 located above the upper end 104 of the body portion 74 .
- a combination of features on the cap cover 86 and retractable portion 82 combine to establish a labyrinth or a tortuous passageway through which replacement air must pass before reaching the inlet 302 of the snorkel 226 .
- a combination of a plurality of concentric walls 310 a , 310 b extending from the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 and a plurality of concentric walls 314 a , 314 b , 314 c on the upper end 104 of the body portion 74 form a portion of the tortuous passageway.
- the intermediate wall 314 b includes a plurality of equi-angularly spaced gaps G 4 (see FIG. 4 ) through which replacement air may pass.
- the intermediate wall 314 b on the body portion 74 fits between the concentric walls 310 a , 310 b on the cap cover 86 when the retractable portion 82 and cap cover 86 are moved to the retracted position.
- the distal ends of the concentric walls 310 a , 310 b on the cap cover 86 are positioned below the distal ends of the concentric walls 314 a , 314 b , 314 c on the body portion 74 , thereby creating multiple concentric channels 318 a - 318 d through which replacement air may pass in succession, from the radially-outermost channel 318 a to the radially-innermost channel 318 d (see FIG. 7 ).
- Replacement air may also pass from channel 318 b to channel 318 d via the gaps G 4 (see FIG. 4 ).
- the replacement air may pass through the gaps G 3 between the arcuate tabs 178 and those gaps G 2 between the arcuate tabs 150 that are aligned with the gaps G 3 (see FIG. 4 ).
- the grooves 194 formed in the bottom surface 170 of the cap cover 86 communicate the radially-innermost channel 318 d created by the inter-engagement or nesting of the walls 310 a , 310 b , 314 a , 314 b , 314 c with the interior of the receiving portion 166 .
- the inlet 302 of the snorkel 226 is exposed to the interior of the receiving portion 166 to draw replacement air from the interior of the receiving portion 166 .
- the tortuous passageway traveled by the replacement air requires the replacement air to pass through the channels 318 a - 318 d in succession, from the radially-outermost channel 318 a to the radially-innermost channel 318 d , through the aligned gaps G 3 and G 2 , and through the slots 174 in the receiving portion 166 before reaching the interior of the receiving portion 166 , where the replacement air can be drawn through the inlet 302 of the snorkel 226 when it is needed.
- FIG. 7 illustrates replacement air, indicated by arrow A, traveling through the tortuous passageway, down the snorkel 226 , through the one-way valve 202 , through the apertures 258 in the bottom cover 230 of the fuel cap 62 , and into the fuel tank 42 .
- the fuel cap 62 is shown in its retracted position closing the fuel inlet 58 of the fuel tank 42 .
- the upper surface 88 of the cap cover 86 generally follows the contour of the bezel 70 , or alternatively the contour of the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 , to provide the flush mount style.
- the inlet 302 of the snorkel 226 is positioned above the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 to draw replacement air from a location above the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 .
- liquid runoff e.g., rain
- the labyrinth or tortuous passageway created by the channels 318 a - 318 d , the gaps G 2 , G 3 , and the slots 174 in the receiving portion 166 increases the difficulty of the runoff from being introduced into the interior of the receiving portion 166 , while positioning the inlet 302 of the snorkel 226 at a level above the upper surface 66 of the fuel tank 42 increases the difficulty of the runoff from draining into the snorkel 226 from the interior of the receiving portion 166 .
- any collected liquid runoff can be drained from the fuel cap 62 by removing the fuel cap 62 from the fuel inlet 58 and inverting the fuel cap 62 to allow the liquid runoff to drain through the radial gap G 1 between the inner peripheral surface 110 of the body portion 74 and the outer peripheral surface 106 of the retractable portion 82 .
- the fuel cap 62 To remove the fuel cap 62 from the fuel inlet 58 , the fuel cap 62 must first be actuated to its extended position. To accomplish this, from the fuel cap's retracted position, the cap cover 86 is first depressed downwardly against the bias of the coil spring 282 to disengage the respective raised portions 134 adjacent each recess 126 from the respective radially inwardly-extending keys 118 on the body portion 74 . Then, as shown in FIG. 8 b , the cap cover 86 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction a relatively small amount (e.g., by about 10 degrees) to align the keys 118 with the respective keyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 . Then, as shown in FIG.
- a relatively small amount e.g., by about 10 degrees
- the fuel cap 62 is first screwed into the fuel inlet 58 until the O-ring 98 seals the body portion 74 against the fuel inlet 58 . Then, the cap cover 86 is depressed downwardly against the bias of the coil spring 282 until the raised portions 134 adjacent each recess 126 are below the respective keys 118 on the body portion 74 . The cap cover 86 is then rotated in a clockwise direction a relatively small amount (e.g., by about 10 degrees) to move the keyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 out of alignment with the respective keys 118 on the body portion 74 , then the cap cover 86 is released. The raised portions 134 adjacent each recess 126 maintain each key 118 in its respective recess 126 , and substantially prevent unintentional counter-clockwise rotation of the cap cover 86 to maintain the fuel cap 62 in its retracted position.
- a relatively small amount e.g., by about 10 degrees
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to fuel caps, and more particularly to fuel caps for use with vehicles and engine-driven equipment.
- Motorcycle fuel caps often include check valves through which an airflow may be drawn to replace the volume of used fuel in a fuel tank. Such check valves are often positioned near the top of the fuel caps, or at least closer to the top of the fuel caps than the bottom of the fuel caps. Positioning the check valves near the top of the fuel caps is often desired to locate the check valves above an upper surface of the fuel tanks to prevent liquid “runoff” (e.g., rain) on the fuel tanks from entering the fuel tank with the airflow. Motorcycle fuel caps often include “drip edges” under which the airflow must first pass before being upwardly redirected to enter the check valves. The drip edge on the fuel caps functions as a barrier to prevent liquids from coming into contact with the check valve and entering the fuel tank.
- The present invention provides, in one aspect, a fuel cap adapted to close an inlet of a fuel tank. The fuel cap includes a body portion adapted to engage the inlet of the fuel tank. The body portion defines a central axis. The fuel cap also includes a valve coupled to the body portion. The valve selectively allows an airflow through the body portion. The fuel cap further includes a cap cover coupled to the body portion and movable along the central axis relative to the body portion.
- The present invention provides, in another aspect, a fuel tank assembly including a fuel tank having a fuel inlet in an upper surface of the fuel tank and a fuel cap engageable with the fuel inlet. The fuel cap includes a valve for selectively allowing an airflow through the fuel cap. An upper portion of the fuel cap is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the fuel tank when the fuel cap is engaged with the fuel inlet. The valve is positioned below the upper surface of the fuel tank when the fuel cap is engaged with the fuel inlet.
- The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a fuel cap adapted to close an inlet of a fuel tank. The fuel cap includes a body portion adapted to engage the inlet of the fuel tank. The body portion defines a central axis. The fuel cap also includes a movable portion coupled to the body portion and movable along the central axis relative to the body portion. The movable portion includes a passageway therethrough. The fuel cap further includes a valve coupled to the body portion. The valve selectively allows an airflow through the body portion and the passageway of the movable portion.
- Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle including a fuel cap embodying the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fuel cap ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a partially-assembled view of the fuel cap ofFIG. 2 -
FIG. 4 is an assembled top view of the fuel cap ofFIG. 2 , including a partial cutaway through a cap cover of the fuel cap. -
FIG. 5 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken through line 5-5 inFIG. 4 , illustrating the fuel cap in an extended position. -
FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view taken through line 6-6 inFIG. 4 , illustrating the fuel cap in a retracted position. -
FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of a fuel tank and the fuel cap ofFIG. 2 , illustrating the fuel cap in the retracted position closing a fuel inlet in the fuel tank. -
FIGS. 8 a-8 c are partial cutaway views of the fuel tank and the fuel cap ofFIG. 2 , illustrating the fuel cap being actuated from its retracted position to its extended position for removal from the fuel inlet. - Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
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FIG. 1 illustrates amotorcycle 10 including adrive assembly 14, aframe 18, afront fork assembly 22, a swing arm orrear fork assembly 26, afront wheel 30, arear wheel 34, aseat 38, and afuel tank 42. Theframe 18 supports thedrive assembly 14, thefront fork assembly 22, therear fork assembly 26, theseat 38, and thefuel tank 42. Thefront fork assembly 22 is pivotally supported at a front end of themotorcycle 10 and supports thefront wheel 30. Thefront fork assembly 22 includes a pair ofhandle bars 46 for steering themotorcycle 10. Therear fork assembly 26 is coupled to theframe 18 at a rear end of themotorcycle 10 and rotatably supports therear wheel 34. Theseat 38 is coupled to theframe 18 and is configured for supporting a rider. Thefuel tank 42 is supported by theframe 18 and provides fuel to thedrive assembly 14. - The
drive assembly 14 is preferably coupled to theframe 18 beneath theseat 38 between thefront wheel 30 and therear wheel 34 of themotorcycle 10. With continued reference toFIG. 1 , thedrive assembly 14 includes anengine 50 and atransmission 54. Theengine 50 and thetransmission 54 comprise distinct, independent components of thedrive assembly 14. Theengine 50 preferably comprises a V-twin engine 50 supported by theframe 18 forward of thetransmission 54. Theengine 50 includes an output shaft (not shown), such as a crankshaft, which includes a primary drive sprocket (not shown) for driving a primary chain (not shown) in a conventional manner to power thetransmission 54. - With reference to
FIGS. 7-8 c, thefuel tank 42 includes afuel inlet 58 that can be selectively closed by afuel cap 62. This style offuel cap 62 is generally known as a “flush-mount”fuel cap 62 because an upper portion of thefuel cap 62 generally follows the contour of anupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42 and the contour of abezel 70 coupled to thefuel tank 42 and surrounding thefuel inlet 58. As shown inFIG. 7 , although the upper portion of thefuel cap 62 is not perfectly aligned with theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42, the upper portion of thefuel cap 62 is substantially aligned with theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42 taking into consideration that thebezel 70 is effectively an extension of theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42, providing a substantially smooth transition from theupper surface 66 to the upper portion of thefuel cap 62. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of thefuel cap 62 is shown. Thefuel cap 62 generally includes abody portion 74 having acentral axis 78, a movable orretractable portion 82 coupled to thebody portion 74 and movable relative to thebody portion 74 along thecentral axis 78, and acap cover 86 coupled to theretractable portion 82 and movable with theretractable portion 82 relative to thebody portion 74. To achieve the flush mounting with thebezel 70 and/orupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42, thecap cover 86 andretractable portion 82 are axially movable between an extended position (seeFIG. 5 ), in which thecap cover 86 is substantially above theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42, and a retracted position (seeFIG. 6 ), in which anupper surface 88 of thecap cover 86 generally follows the contour of thebezel 70, or alternatively theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , thebody portion 74 includesexternal threads 90 configured to engage correspondinginternal threads 94 in the fuel inlet 58 (see alsoFIGS. 7-8 c). An O-ring 98 is positioned in acircumferential groove 102 formed near anupper end 104 of thebody portion 74 to provide a seal between thebody portion 74 and thefuel inlet 58 when thefuel cap 62 is threaded into thefuel inlet 58. Alternatively, other types of resilient seals may be utilized in place of the O-ring 98 to seal thefuel cap 62 to thefuel inlet 58. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , theretractable portion 82 has an outer diameter D1 less than an inner diameter D2 of thebody portion 74, allowing theretractable portion 82 to retract into or nest with thebody portion 74. A radial gap G1 between an outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82 and an innerperipheral surface 110 of thebody portion 74 is sufficiently large to permit free movement of theretractable portion 82 within thebody portion 74. With reference toFIG. 2 , however, a plurality of axially-extendingguide members 114 are raised from the outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82 to engage the innerperipheral surface 110 of thebody portion 74 to substantially align theretractable portion 82 with thecentral axis 78. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, theretractable portion 82 includes threeguide members 114 spaced equi-angularly about the outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82. Alternatively, theretractable portion 82 may utilize more than threeguide members 114. - With reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thebody portion 74 includes a plurality of internal projections orkeys 118 extending radially inwardly toward thecentral axis 78. Thekeys 118 are configured to engage corresponding grooves orkeyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 (see alsoFIGS. 2 , 3, 8 a, and 8 b). Although only a single key is shown in the drawings, thebody portion 74 includes threekeys 118 spaced equi-angularly about the innerperipheral surface 110 of thebody portion 74, and theretractable portion 82 includes threekeyways 122 spaced equi-angularly about the outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82. Further, in the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, theguide members 114 are positioned adjacent thekeyways 122 in the retractable portion 82 (seeFIG. 2 ). Alternatively, thebody portion 74 andretractable portion 82 may utilize more or fewer than threemating keys 118 andkeyways 122, and thekeyways 122 may be spaced from theguide members 114. - With reference to
FIGS. 2 , 3, 8 a, and 8 b, each of thekeyways 122 opens up to arecess 126 formed in the outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, eachrecess 126 extends upwardly from itsrespective keyway 122 toward anupper surface 130 of theretractable portion 82. Alternatively, eachrecess 126 may terminate before reaching theupper surface 130 of theretractable portion 82, such that therecess 126 is not exposed to theupper surface 130 of theretractable portion 82. In addition, eachrecess 126 is formed with a raisedportion 134 adjacent therespective keyway 122 opening up into therecess 126. - With reference to
FIG. 3 , multiple structures for coupling thecap cover 86 to theretractable portion 82 are shown. Theretractable portion 82 includes a plurality of axially-extendingprojections 138 extending from an inner peripheral surface 142 of theretractable portion 82 radially inwardly toward thecentral axis 78. Theretractable portion 82 also includes, betweenrespective projections 138, a plurality ofguide members 146 extending from the inner peripheral surface 142 of theretractable portion 82 radially inwardly toward thecentral axis 78. As shown inFIG. 3 , theprojections 138 extend further radially inwardly than theguide members 146. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, theretractable portion 82 utilizes four equi-angularly spacedprojections 138, and threeguide members 146 between eachprojection 138. Alternatively, theretractable portion 82 may utilize more or fewer than fourprojections 138, and more or fewer than threeguide members 146 betweenrespective projections 138. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 , theretractable portion 82 includes a plurality ofarcuate tabs 150 extending upwardly from theupper surface 130 of theretractable portion 82. Thetabs 150 are substantially equally spaced from one another by a gap G2 (seeFIG. 4 ), the significance of which is described below. Each of thetabs 150 at their distal ends includes aramp portion 154 having aninclined surface 158 relative to theupper surface 130 of theretractable portion 82 and anabutment surface 162 substantially parallel with theupper surface 130. - The
cap cover 86 includes an axially-extendingreceiving portion 166 extending from abottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86. As shown inFIG. 3 , the receivingportion 166 has a substantially cylindrical shape and a plurality of axially-extendingslots 174 formed therein. Each of theslots 174 extends from thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86 to the distal end of the receivingportion 166, the significance of which is described below. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, thecap cover 86 utilizes four equi-angularly spacedslots 174 corresponding with the fourprojections 138 on theretractable portion 82. Alternatively, more or fewer than fourslots 174 may be utilized in the receivingportion 166 of thecap cover 86, depending on the number of proj ections 138 utilized on theretractable portion 82. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 , thecap cover 86 also includes a plurality ofarcuate tabs 178 extending from thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86. Like thetabs 150 on theretractable portion 82, each of thearcuate tabs 178 at their distal ends includes aramp portion 182 having aninclined surface 186 relative to thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86 and anabutment surface 190 substantially parallel with a plane normal to thecentral axis 78. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, thecap cover 86 includes four equi-angularly spacedarcuate tabs 178. Each of thetabs 178 is separated by a gap G3 substantially corresponding with the width of theslots 174 in the receiving portion 166 (seeFIG. 4 ). Further, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , the gaps G3 are substantially aligned with theslots 174 in the receivingportion 166, and shallow channels orgrooves 194 formed in thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86 connect theslots 174 to the respective gaps G3. - With reference to
FIGS. 2 , 5, and 6, thefuel cap 62 includes avalve assembly 198 positioned substantially within thebody portion 74. Thevalve assembly 198 includes avalve 202 positioned near abottom end 206 of thebody portion 74. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, thevalve 202 is configured as a one-way valve 202 to allow “replacement air” to enter thefuel tank 42 as fuel in thefuel tank 42 is consumed, while substantially preventing liquid fuel or fuel vapor from exiting thefuel tank 42 through thevalve 202. As shown inFIGS. 2 , 5, and 6, theretractable portion 82 includes apassageway 234 therethrough to receive thevalve assembly 198 as theretractable portion 82 nests with thebody portion 74. As such, replacement air passes through thepassageway 234 before reaching thevalve 202. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , thevalve 202 includes aseal 210 and adiaphragm 214 biased against theseal 210 by acoil spring 218. In the illustrated construction of thefuel cap 62, theseal 210 is configured as a substantially flat ring having an inner diameter D3 less than an outer diameter D4 of thediaphragm 214. Alternatively, the one-way valve 202 may have a different configuration than that shown in the drawings. - In the illustrated construction of the
fuel cap 62, thevalve assembly 198 also includes avalve body 222 having an upwardly-extending conduit or “snorkel” 226 (seeFIGS. 2 , 5, and 6). Thevalve assembly 198 further includes abottom cover 230 supporting thevalve 202 andvalve body 222 in thebody portion 74. With reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 , thebottom cover 230 includes acylindrical receiving portion 234 having acircumferential groove 238 extending around an inner periphery of the receivingportion 234. The lower end of thevalve body 222 includes alip 246 extending around an outer periphery of the lower end of thevalve body 222. The lower end of thevalve body 222 is received within the receivingportion 234, and thevalve body 222 is secured to thebottom cover 230 by engaging thelip 246 andgroove 238. Alternatively, different structure may be utilized to secure thebottom cover 230 to thevalve body 222. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , theseal 210 is sandwiched between thevalve body 222 and alip 250 extending radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the receivingportion 234. Thediaphragm 214, in turn, is positioned between theseal 210 and aspring perch 254 formed in thebottom cover 230. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , thecoil spring 218 is positioned in thespring perch 254 and biases thediaphragm 214 against theseal 210. Thebottom cover 230 includes a plurality ofapertures 258 surrounding thespring perch 254. - With reference to
FIGS. 2 , 5, and 6, thebottom cover 230 also includes acircumferential groove 262 configured to receive a seal (e.g., an O-ring 266) for sealing thebottom cover 230 against thebody portion 74, and a plurality ofarcuate tabs 270 havingrespective ramp portions 274 to engagerespective lip portions 278 extending radially inwardly from the innerperipheral surface 110 of thebody portion 74. Alternatively, multiple portions of thevalve assembly 198, including thevalve body 222,seal 210, and thebottom cover 230, or any combination thereof, may be integrally formed as one piece rather than providing each portion separately. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 2 , 5, and 6, acoil spring 282 is positioned between thevalve body 222 and theretractable portion 82 to bias theretractable portion 82 upwardly and in a direction away from the one-way valve 202. Particularly, a lower end of thespring 282 is supported on aspring perch 286 formed on thevalve body 222, while an upper end of thespring 282 is supported within acylindrical groove 290 formed in an interior surface of theretractable portion 82 facing thespring perch 286 on thevalve body 222. - With reference to
FIG. 2 , thevalve assembly 198 may be pre-assembled before being coupled to thebody portion 74. To pre-assemble thevalve assembly 198, thecoil spring 218 is first lowered into thespring perch 254 on thebottom cover 230, thediaphragm 214 is then lowered onto thecoil spring 218, theseal 210 is next lowered onto thelip 250 in the receivingportion 234 of thebottom cover 230, and finally thevalve body 222 is inserted into the receivingportion 234 to engage thelip 246 and thegroove 238 as described above. The O-ring 266 may be positioned in thegroove 262 in thebottom cover 230 as either the first or last step in the pre-assembly of thevalve assembly 198. Thevalve assembly 198 is then fully unitized and may be handled as one piece. - To complete the assembly of the
fuel cap 62, theretractable portion 82 is inserted into thebody portion 74 through thebottom end 206 of thebody portion 74. Theretractable portion 82 may be oriented such that thekeyways 122 align with thekeys 118 on thebody portion 74 to allow theretractable portion 82 to slide upwardly to its extended position. Thecoil spring 282 may then be inserted into theretractable portion 82 such that the upper end of thespring 282 sits in thecylindrical groove 290. Thevalve assembly 198 may then be inserted into thebody portion 74 and coupled to thebody portion 74 by engaging thetabs 270 on thebottom cover 230 and thelip portions 278 on thebody portion 74. - Finally, the
cap cover 86 may be coupled with theretractable portion 82. When coupling thecap cover 86 and theretractable portion 82, thecap cover 86 is first oriented such that theslots 174 in the receivingportion 166 are aligned with the correspondingprojections 138 on theretractable portion 82. The receivingportion 166 is then pressed axially into theretractable portion 82, causing theprojections 138 to slide through theslots 174, during which time theguide members 146 engage an outer peripheral surface of the receivingportion 166 to provide additional alignment and support of the receivingportion 166 in theretractable portion 82. Continued insertion of the receivingportion 166 into theretractable portion 82 causes the respectiveinclined surfaces arcuate tabs tabs 150 on theretractable portion 82 to deflect radially inwardly. Upon completion of the insertion of the receivingportion 166 into theretractable portion 82, thetabs 150 snap back to their undeformed shape to allow the respective abutment surfaces 162, 190 of thetabs retractable portion 82. - With reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thevalve assembly 198 generally includes anupstream chamber 294 and adownstream chamber 298 separated by the one-way valve 202. As previously discussed, the one-way valve 202 selectively allows replacement air to pass through thefuel inlet 58 and enter thefuel tank 42 as fuel is consumed. More specifically, replacement air will enter thefuel tank 42 when the pressure differential between theupstream chamber 294 anddownstream chamber 298 is large enough to overcome the tension in thecoil spring 218, therefore causing thediaphragm 214 to move axially downwardly and unseat from theseal 210. After the pressure in the upstream anddownstream chambers valve assembly 198 equalizes, the tension in thespring 218 will re-seat thediaphragm 214 against theseal 210. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , thesnorkel 226 draws such replacement air through aninlet 302 located above theupper end 104 of thebody portion 74. - A combination of features on the
cap cover 86 andretractable portion 82 combine to establish a labyrinth or a tortuous passageway through which replacement air must pass before reaching theinlet 302 of thesnorkel 226. With reference toFIG. 3 , a combination of a plurality of concentric walls 310 a, 310 b extending from thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86 and a plurality ofconcentric walls 314 a, 314 b, 314 c on theupper end 104 of thebody portion 74 form a portion of the tortuous passageway. Particularly, the intermediate wall 314 b includes a plurality of equi-angularly spaced gaps G4 (seeFIG. 4 ) through which replacement air may pass. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , the intermediate wall 314 b on thebody portion 74 fits between the concentric walls 310 a, 310 b on thecap cover 86 when theretractable portion 82 and cap cover 86 are moved to the retracted position. In other words, the distal ends of the concentric walls 310 a, 310 b on thecap cover 86 are positioned below the distal ends of theconcentric walls 314 a, 314 b, 314 c on thebody portion 74, thereby creating multipleconcentric channels 318 a-318 d through which replacement air may pass in succession, from the radially-outermost channel 318 a to the radially-innermost channel 318 d (seeFIG. 7 ). Replacement air may also pass from channel 318 b to channel 318 d via the gaps G4 (seeFIG. 4 ). - After passing through the
channels 318 a-318 d in succession, the replacement air may pass through the gaps G3 between thearcuate tabs 178 and those gaps G2 between thearcuate tabs 150 that are aligned with the gaps G3 (seeFIG. 4 ). As shown inFIGS. 3 and 7 , thegrooves 194 formed in thebottom surface 170 of thecap cover 86 communicate the radially-innermost channel 318 d created by the inter-engagement or nesting of thewalls 310 a, 310 b, 314 a, 314 b, 314 c with the interior of the receivingportion 166. Theinlet 302 of thesnorkel 226 is exposed to the interior of the receivingportion 166 to draw replacement air from the interior of the receivingportion 166. In summary, the tortuous passageway traveled by the replacement air requires the replacement air to pass through thechannels 318 a-318 d in succession, from the radially-outermost channel 318 a to the radially-innermost channel 318 d, through the aligned gaps G3 and G2, and through theslots 174 in the receivingportion 166 before reaching the interior of the receivingportion 166, where the replacement air can be drawn through theinlet 302 of thesnorkel 226 when it is needed.FIG. 7 illustrates replacement air, indicated by arrow A, traveling through the tortuous passageway, down thesnorkel 226, through the one-way valve 202, through theapertures 258 in thebottom cover 230 of thefuel cap 62, and into thefuel tank 42. - With continued reference to
FIG. 7 , thefuel cap 62 is shown in its retracted position closing thefuel inlet 58 of thefuel tank 42. In its retracted position, theupper surface 88 of thecap cover 86 generally follows the contour of thebezel 70, or alternatively the contour of theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42, to provide the flush mount style. As shown inFIG. 7 , theinlet 302 of thesnorkel 226 is positioned above theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42 to draw replacement air from a location above theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42. As a result, liquid runoff (e.g., rain) on theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42 is substantially prevented from draining into thesnorkel 226, and subsequently being introduced into thefuel tank 42 with replacement air. The labyrinth or tortuous passageway created by thechannels 318 a-318 d, the gaps G2, G3, and theslots 174 in the receivingportion 166 increases the difficulty of the runoff from being introduced into the interior of the receivingportion 166, while positioning theinlet 302 of thesnorkel 226 at a level above theupper surface 66 of thefuel tank 42 increases the difficulty of the runoff from draining into thesnorkel 226 from the interior of the receivingportion 166. Should any runoff leak through the tortuous passageway and into the interior of the receivingportion 166, most likely it will drain to the bottom of thebody portion 74 and collect or pool between thebody portion 74 and thevalve assembly 198. Any collected liquid runoff can be drained from thefuel cap 62 by removing thefuel cap 62 from thefuel inlet 58 and inverting thefuel cap 62 to allow the liquid runoff to drain through the radial gap G1 between the innerperipheral surface 110 of thebody portion 74 and the outerperipheral surface 106 of theretractable portion 82. - With reference to
FIG. 8 a, to remove thefuel cap 62 from thefuel inlet 58, thefuel cap 62 must first be actuated to its extended position. To accomplish this, from the fuel cap's retracted position, thecap cover 86 is first depressed downwardly against the bias of thecoil spring 282 to disengage the respective raisedportions 134 adjacent eachrecess 126 from the respective radially inwardly-extendingkeys 118 on thebody portion 74. Then, as shown inFIG. 8 b, thecap cover 86 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction a relatively small amount (e.g., by about 10 degrees) to align thekeys 118 with therespective keyways 122 in theretractable portion 82. Then, as shown inFIG. 8 c, once thekeys 118 andkeyways 122 are aligned the bias of thecoil spring 282 against theretractable portion 82 causes theretractable portion 82 to extend upwardly until respective end surfaces 322 of the keyways 122 (see alsoFIG. 3 ) come into abutment with thekeys 118. Thefuel cap 62 may then be unscrewed and removed from thefuel inlet 58. - To re-install the
fuel cap 62, thefuel cap 62 is first screwed into thefuel inlet 58 until the O-ring 98 seals thebody portion 74 against thefuel inlet 58. Then, thecap cover 86 is depressed downwardly against the bias of thecoil spring 282 until the raisedportions 134 adjacent eachrecess 126 are below therespective keys 118 on thebody portion 74. Thecap cover 86 is then rotated in a clockwise direction a relatively small amount (e.g., by about 10 degrees) to move thekeyways 122 in theretractable portion 82 out of alignment with therespective keys 118 on thebody portion 74, then thecap cover 86 is released. The raisedportions 134 adjacent eachrecess 126 maintain each key 118 in itsrespective recess 126, and substantially prevent unintentional counter-clockwise rotation of thecap cover 86 to maintain thefuel cap 62 in its retracted position. - Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/427,813 US20080000906A1 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-06-30 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
JP2007172588A JP5319085B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2007-06-29 | Fuel cap with valve mounted on the same surface |
DE102007030023A DE102007030023A1 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2007-06-29 | Cover for sealing a motorcycle's fuel tank has a body area for locking in the inlet of a fuel tank and a valve for allowing air to flow through the body area |
US13/756,647 US8807375B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2013-02-01 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/427,813 US20080000906A1 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-06-30 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/756,647 Continuation US8807375B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2013-02-01 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080000906A1 true US20080000906A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
Family
ID=38777198
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/427,813 Abandoned US20080000906A1 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-06-30 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
US13/756,647 Active US8807375B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2013-02-01 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/756,647 Active US8807375B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2013-02-01 | Flush-mount fuel cap with valve |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20080000906A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5319085B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102007030023A1 (en) |
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US20090256317A1 (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2009-10-15 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C. | Cover for fuel system component and method of making |
US20120055454A1 (en) * | 2010-09-08 | 2012-03-08 | Caterpillar, Inc | Fuel Cap Breather Apparatus |
US8353418B2 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2013-01-15 | Bemis Manufacturing Company | Pressure relief cap |
WO2015172068A1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-11-12 | Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC | Fuel tank assembly with triggered venting |
US20170151932A1 (en) * | 2012-07-12 | 2017-06-01 | Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage | Device for retaining a pipe, notably for windscreen washer liquid |
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JP6277969B2 (en) * | 2014-05-28 | 2018-02-14 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Lubrication device |
USD852444S1 (en) | 2016-08-16 | 2019-06-25 | Unger Marketing International, Llc | Bottle |
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US20020158072A1 (en) * | 2001-07-17 | 2002-10-31 | Hotch Matthew Jon | Improved flush fuel cap |
US6648160B2 (en) * | 2001-07-17 | 2003-11-18 | Matthew Jon Hotch | Flush fuel cap |
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Cited By (10)
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US20090256317A1 (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2009-10-15 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C. | Cover for fuel system component and method of making |
US8910815B2 (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2014-12-16 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C. | Cover for fuel system component and method of making |
US8353418B2 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2013-01-15 | Bemis Manufacturing Company | Pressure relief cap |
US20120055454A1 (en) * | 2010-09-08 | 2012-03-08 | Caterpillar, Inc | Fuel Cap Breather Apparatus |
US8555865B2 (en) * | 2010-09-08 | 2013-10-15 | Caterpillar Inc. | Fuel cap breather apparatus |
US20170151932A1 (en) * | 2012-07-12 | 2017-06-01 | Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage | Device for retaining a pipe, notably for windscreen washer liquid |
US10246058B2 (en) * | 2012-07-12 | 2019-04-02 | Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage | Device for retaining a pipe, notably for windscreen washer liquid |
WO2015172068A1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-11-12 | Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC | Fuel tank assembly with triggered venting |
US20170174071A1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2017-06-22 | Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC | Fuel tank assembly with triggered venting |
US9834090B2 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2017-12-05 | Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC | Fuel tank assembly with triggered venting |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE102007030023A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
US8807375B2 (en) | 2014-08-19 |
US20130200078A1 (en) | 2013-08-08 |
JP5319085B2 (en) | 2013-10-16 |
JP2008013170A (en) | 2008-01-24 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC., WISCONS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NICOSIA, TONY;DERUYTER, CRAIG;DIETZLER, KEN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017968/0473;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060703 TO 20060706 Owner name: GASLOCK GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NICOSIA, TONY;DERUYTER, CRAIG;DIETZLER, KEN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:017968/0473;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060703 TO 20060706 Owner name: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC., WISCONS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NICOSIA, TONY;DERUYTER, CRAIG;DIETZLER, KEN;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060703 TO 20060706;REEL/FRAME:017968/0473 Owner name: GASLOCK GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NICOSIA, TONY;DERUYTER, CRAIG;DIETZLER, KEN;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060703 TO 20060706;REEL/FRAME:017968/0473 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |