Patent · US Expired

Locking fuel cap with plastic mechanism

US4299102A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
4References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 3, 1979
Grant dateNov 10, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T70/5606
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A threaded cap for sealing an automotive vehicle fuel tank is provided with a unitary molded central plastic core and a bonnet rotatably mounted on the plastic core. A pair of concentric races are defined on the plastic core. The inner race carries a unitary molded plastic frame which has a pair of resilient, closely spaced transverse cantilevered arms defining a gap therebetween. The frame is also provided with a resilient catch. A unitary molded plastic bolt is reciprocally movable along the gap to engage and disengage the core for rotation with the bonnet. The bolt has two detents which coact with the catch on the frame to hold the bolt at selected unlocking and locking dispositions of movement. The bolt includes a stud which projects into the gap between the arms so that the arms spring bias the bolt toward the locking disposition. A lock mechanism is used to shift the bolt to an unlocking disposition so that the fuel cap be disengaged from the fuel tank inlet pipe. Counter-rotation of the bonnet returns the bolt to a locking position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.