Fuel door assembly
US5836638A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/696
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fuel door assembly comprises a housing having an open main compartment, a door covering the main compartment when in a closed position with respect thereto, and a push-push lock engagable with the door by means of a latch on its inner surface. The push-push lock is reciprocatingly operable between a first fixed position and a second fixed position. When in the first fixed position, the push-push lock holds the door in a completely closed condition. When in the second fixed position, the push-push lock holds the door in a partially opened condition, so that it may be grasped manually and moved to a fully opened condition. The fuel door assembly satisfies the styling desire for a flat hidden door lacking a finger opening, but at lower cost than that associated with a cable or electrical solenoid opening mechanism. The fuel door assembly further will not fly open if accidentally activated, such as by equipment in a car wash.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.