Improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016009173-A1
Application number	US-201414769485-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 17, 2014
Priority date	Feb 27, 2013
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly is configured to prevent an improper fuel-dispensing device from dispensing fuel into a fuel fill line of a vehicle. The assembly may include a cover including an open cavity defined by a circumferential wall and a front face wall, and a main body defining an internal chamber. At least one barrier door may be pivotally secured to the main body. The barrier door(s) is configured to close a nozzle-receiving channel that extends through the internal chamber. The barrier door(s) may include an integral pivot axle that is pivotally secured to an axle bearing within the main body. The barrier door(s) is configured to be pivoted open by inward urging of a proper or compatible fuel nozzle.

First claim

1 . An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly configured to prevent an improper fuel-dispensing device from dispensing fuel into a fuel fill line of a vehicle, the improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly comprising:
a cover including an (i) open cavity defined by a circumferential wall and a front face wall, and (ii) a main body defining an internal chamber; and at least one barrier door pivotally secured to the main body, wherein the at least one barrier door is configured to close a nozzle-receiving channel that extends through the internal chamber, wherein the at least one barrier door comprises an integral pivot axle that is pivotally secured to an axle bearing within the main body, and wherein the at least one barrier door is configured to be pivoted open by inward urging of a proper fuel nozzle.

2 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly is devoid of a separate and distinct pin or fastener that connects the at least one barrier door to the main body.

3 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover is devoid of one or more through through-holes configured to retain at least a portion of a pivot pin.

4 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier door comprises a covering panel integrally formed with a hinge that extends rearwardly and upwardly from the covering panel, wherein the pivot axle extends from the hinge.

5 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 4 , wherein the pivot axle comprises first and second opposed posts laterally extending from first and second sides, respectively, of an upper portion of the hinge.

6 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier door comprises a nozzle inlet barrier door and a nozzle outlet barrier door, wherein the nozzle inlet barrier door is positioned proximate to the front face wall, and wherein the nozzle outlet barrier door is positioned downstream from the inlet barrier door within the internal chamber.

7 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one restricting member within the internal chamber, wherein the at least one restricting member prevents a fuel nozzle of the improper fuel-dispensing device from passing further into the internal chamber.

8 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one restricting member comprises at least one rib having a leading end that is shorter than a trailing end.

9 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , further comprises at least one pressure relief valve operatively connected to the at least one barrier door.

10 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one torsion spring operatively connected to the at least one barrier door, wherein the at least one torsion spring biases the at least one barrier door into a closed position.

11 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle-latching member radially and inwardly extending from the circumferential wall, wherein the nozzle-latching member is outside of the internal chamber, and wherein the nozzle-latching member is configured to securely engage a portion of a proper fuel nozzle.

12 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier door comprises a locking feature that prevents a fuel nozzle of the improper fuel-dispensing device from opening the at least one barrier door.

13 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier door is located within the internal chamber.

14 . An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly configured to prevent an improper fuel-dispensing device from dispensing fuel into a fuel fill line of a vehicle, the improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly comprising:
a cover including (i) an open cavity defined by a circumferential wall and a front face wall, and (ii) a main body defining an internal chamber; a nozzle inlet barrier door pivotally secured to the main body proximate to the front face wall; and a nozzle outlet barrier door pivotally secured to the main body within the internal chamber downstream from the nozzle inlet barrier wall, wherein each of the nozzle inlet and outlet barrier doors is configured to close a nozzle-receiving channel that extends through the internal chamber, wherein each of the nozzle inlet and outlet barrier doors comprises an integral pivot axle that is pivotally secured to an axle bearing within the main body, and wherein each of the nozzle inlet and outlet barrier doors is configured to be pivoted open by inward urging of a proper fuel nozzle.

15 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 14 , wherein the improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly is devoid of a separate and distinct pin or fastener that connects either of the nozzle inlet or outlet barrier doors to the main body, and wherein the cover is devoid of one or more through through-holes configured to retain a portion of the distinct pin or fastener.

16 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 14 , wherein each of the nozzle inlet and outlet barrier doors comprises a covering panel integrally formed with a hinge that extends rearwardly and upwardly from the covering panel, wherein the pivot axle extends from the hinge, and wherein the pivot axle comprises first and second opposed posts laterally extending from first and second sides, respectively, of an upper portion of the hinge.

17 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 14 , further comprising at least one restricting member within the internal chamber, wherein the at least one restricting member prevents a fuel nozzle of the improper fuel-dispensing device from passing further into the internal chamber.

18 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 14 , further comprising:
a first pressure relief valve operatively connected to the nozzle inlet barrier door; and a second pressure relief valve operatively connected to the nozzle outlet barrier door.

19 . The improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a nozzle-latching member radially and inwardly extending from the circumferential wall, wherein the nozzle-latching member is outside of the internal chamber, and wherein the nozzle-latching member is configured to securely engage a portion of a proper fuel nozzle.

20 . An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly configured to prevent an improper fuel-dispensing device from dispensing fuel into a fuel fill line of a vehicle, the fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly comprising:
a cover including (i) an open cavity defined by a circumferential wall and a front face wall, and (ii) a main body defining an internal chamber, wherein the cover is devoid of one or more through through-holes configured to retain at least a portion of a pivot pin or separate and distinct fastener; a nozzle-latching member radially and inwardly extending from the circumferential wall, wherein the nozzle-latching member is outside of the internal chamber, and wherein the nozzle-latching member is configured to securely

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Sperando Stephen M
• Sutenbach Paul M

Classifications

• B60K2015/053

  with hinged connection to the vehicle body · CPC title

• B60K2015/0483

  Means to inhibit the introduction of too small or too big filler nozzles · CPC title

• B60K15/05

  Inlet covers · CPC title

• B60K2015/03296

  Pressure regulating valves · CPC title

• B60K15/04 Primary

  Tank inlets (B60K15/077 takes precedence) · CPC title