GB2050483A

GB2050483A - Vehicle Filling Connections and Lids Therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2050483A
Application number: GB8017803A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ITW Ateco GmbH
Current assignee: ITW Ateco GmbH
Priority date: 1979-06-06
Filing date: 1980-05-30
Publication date: 1981-01-07
Also published as: GB2053307A; GB2050483B; GB2053307B

Abstract

To deter theft from a vehicle fuel tank, an interlocking filling connection (10) and lid therefor (31) is provided. The lid has an axial hollow projection (43) extending into the filling connection and two bar locking elements (51, 52) which are adjustable between retracted and extended (as shown) positions by means of a locking device (35) accessible through an opening (41) in the lid. The filling connection has continuous circumferentially extending toothing (29), whose axial length is substantially greater than the thickness of the bar elements, so that the bar elements can cooperate with the toothing and prevent the rotation thereof necessary to remove the lid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle Filling Connections and Lids Therefor It is desirable to be able to deter theft from a vehicle fuel tank by interlocking a filling connection and a lid therefor of the kind (hereinafter referred to as the kind described) in which: the filling connection is capable of being fastened in an opening in a vehicle body to present inner and outer sections disposed respectively on the inside and the outside of the vehicle body; the inner section being connectable to a filler pipe leading to a fuel tank; the outer section being provided with an inner or outer thread onto which the lid may be screwed; and an axially effective sealing being arranged between the lid and the outer section to prevent escape of fuel by spillage after the lid has been screwed onto the outer section.

Filling connections for fuel tanks are either formed in one-piece with the filler pipe (filling tube) or as separate members. Because of the difficulties arising in assembly with the vehicle body of the one-piece arrangement, the separate filling connections are usually preferred. The separate filling connection, if consisting of metal, is connected to the filling tube by welding or soldering or is connected to the filling tube via an elastic sleeve and with the aid of pipe clips or the like, especially when it is made of synthetic material. A one-piece filling connection has become known which is formed of synthetic material and is adapted to be fastened in the body opening by being snap-positioned therein (German Offenlegungsschrift 25 53 881).

The lid which closes the filling connection on the outside is either designed as a bayonet type closure (which is the most widely spread type of embodiment) or is provided with an inner or outer thread for screwing onto the connection. In the case of the filling connection of the German publication there is provided an outer sawtooth thread onto which the lid which is likewise formed of synthetic material may be screwed by means of a corresponding inner thread on the lid. An annular seal is arranged on the inside of the thread of the lid and cooperates with the end face of the outer section of the connection. Another seal is arranged by the thread of the connection and co-operates with the lid inner surface.

The filling connection of the German publication has no locking device provided for the lid. Locking devices are, however, usually arranged inside the lid and with a bayonet type closure is effective to cause an idle movement of the lid. In connection with a screw thread formation, a predetermined axial position of the lid is necessary so that a bar of the locking device may be brought into the interlocking position. In both cases the adaptation of the axially effective sealing, between the lid and a corresponding seating surface of the connection, is predetermined and cannot be changed so that, in case of wear or fatigue, a reduction of the sealing effect will occur with the result that fuel may escape.

The invention is based upon the problem of providing a filling connection for vehicles driven by internal combustion engines in which a lid may be interlocked in any position that may be desired independently of its axial position.

According to the present invention, this problem is solved for a vehicle filling connection and lid therefor of the kind described, in combination, in that the lid is provided with an axial hollow projection extending into the filling connection and a bar, movably supported in the projection, which is adjustable transversely of the axis of the projection between a retracted and an extended position by means of a locking device arranged inside the projection, and in that the filling connection is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced protrusions and/or depressions with which a free end of the bar cooperates in the extended position thereof.

The filling connection is preferably formed of synthetic material, such as a plastics material.

If the lid is screwed onto the filling connection, the protrusions or depressions, which may have a length exceeding the thickness of the bar, make possible an interlocking engagement of the lid independently of the contact pressure force with which it is effective against the sealing. It is thus possible to screw the lid onto the connection with little contact pressure or with as great a contact pressure as may be desired and obtain an interlocking engagement in either of these positions and all the intermediate positions.

The corresponding abutments on the inside of the connection may have any shape that may be desired, all that has to be made sure is that they do not obstruct the introduction of a filling nozzle.

Provision is made in one embodiment of the invention for the inside of the connection to be provided with circumferentially extending toothing. The toothing in this case is preferably arranged at a position a short distance before a point where the filling connection is bent off in a direction towards the filling tube and becomes narrower in its cross sectional area. The invention does not make it a condition that the bar and toothing co-operate with each other without play.

Provision is, however, made in one embodiment of the invention for the free end of the bar to be shaped corresponding to the shape of the gap between adjacent teeth. In the interlocked position the bar is thus securely seated on the connection both axially and in the direction of rotation.

The locking device and the bar may again be designed in any suitable manner. Provision is made in one embodiment of the invention for this purpose for two diametrically arranged bar elements to be radially movably guided within the projection and through respective openings provided in the projection. Each bar element is advantageously provided with an arcuate slot disposed in a radial plane for the journal of a respective part of the locking device which is movable on a circular path. Inside the projection there are provided suitable guide means for the bar elements. This guiding arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention may consist in that an end wall of the projection pointing into the interior of the projection is provided with ribs on the inside thereof for guiding the bar elements.

The projection extends axially and is advantageously formed cylindrically or conically, with the latter shape being preferred. The inside of the filling connection is formed in correspondence with the manner in which the outside of the projection extends, so that the protrusions and depressions, such as the toothing, are arranged on a circular or conical ring area. The projection is closed towards the filling pipe by means of a wall which, according to another embodiment of the invention, comprises the axially effective sealing co-operating with a radial seating area of the connection. In this manner, the sealing is displaced inside a considerable distance thereby obtaining a particularly good sealing effect. The position of the sealing, besides, prevents fuel from getting into contact with the locking device.

If the lid is formed of synthetic material, such as a plastics material, it is advantageous to form the projection separately as a cup-shaped member which is adapted to be connected to the inside of the remainder of the lid by means of a suitable snap-type connection.

For the retention of the locking device inside the projection, provision is made in another embodiment of the invention for a hollow axial sleeve to be arranged inside the projection for the accommodation of a locking cylinder, said locking cylinder being provided with a resilient projection for snap engagement in a recess of the sleeve.

The axial sleeve is preferably shaped in one-piece with the lid.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a filling connection and lid therefor according to the present invention: Figure 2 shows an axial section through the filling connection and the lid in their interlocked condition; Figure 3 shows a radial section through the lid with, for diagrammatic purposes, the bar being retracted on the left and extended on the right; Figure 4 shows a front view of the filling connection with the lid removed; Figure 5 shows a front view of the filling connection and the lid; Figure 6 shows a rear view of the filling connection; and Figure 7 shows a vehicle body opening for reception of the filling connection and lid therefor of the present invention.

The vehicle filling connection shown in the drawings is generally designated with 10 and comprises two tubular portions 11, 12 including between them an obtuse angle. The tubular portion 11 itself comprises an outer portion 13 and an inner portion 14. The outer portion 13 is provided with a radial, conically bent-offflexible flange 1 5 with the inner portion 14 providing an outer conical area 16. The maximum diameter of said conical area 1 6 approximately corresponds to the diameter of an opening 1 7 in a vehicle body sheet 18. The body sheet 18 is formed of two layers.In the assembled condition the flange 1 5 lies in close contact against the outside of the body sheet 1 8 with the interposition of a flat annular seal 19, which is seated on a short cylindrical section between the flange 1 5 and the conical area 1 6. Several arresting noses 20 distributed over the circumference lie in close contact against the inside of the body sheet 18 in order to secure the connection 10 in the opening 1 7. Projections 20a projecting radially of the inner portion 14 provide for safety against rotation by being received in recesses 20b of the otherwise circular body opening.

The lower tubular portion 12 is connected to a filling pipe 22 filling the tank, via an elastic sleeve 21. Such a construction is known per se and, therefore, will not be discussed in any more detail.

In the bent-off region between the tubular portions 11 and 12 there is a connection 23 formed at the upper surface the axis of which extends in parallel with the axis of the tubular portion 11. A pipe or hose may be connected to the connection 23 which extends as far as to the highest location of the fuel tank in order to make possible an escape of air during the filling of the tank. An opening 24 between the tubular portion 12 and the pipe connection 23 is screened from the outside by means of an apron-like section 25.

A radial shoulder 26 is formed by a radial enlargement in the tubular portion 11 a short distance from the location of the bend between the portions 11 and 12, said shoulder serving as a sealing seat for an axially effective sealing still to be described. To improve the sealing effect, the shoulder 26 is provided with an annular bead 26a.

The inner bore of the tubular member 11, looking from the outside, first is approximately cylindrical as shown at 27 and then tapers conically as shown at 28. The conical bore section 28 is provided with circumferentially spaced axial teeth 29 extending as far as to the shoulder 26.

The teeth which are recognizable also in Figure 4, have a height of 1-2 mm and a triangular cross sectional shape.

A lid 31 is screwed onto an outer thread of the tubular portion 11. The lid is a shaped member having the configuration of a star and deepened in the form of a dish with a center opening 32 (see also Figure 5). The opening 32 forms the orifice of a stepped cylindrical bore 33 which is defined by a sleeve 34 formed integrally with the inside of the end face of the lid 31. At the opposite end thereof the sleeve 34, the axis of which besides coincides with the axis of the opening 32, is likewise open. The sleeve 34 with the bore 33 serves to accommodate a lock cylinder 35. The opening 32 is disposed adjacent to a concentric deepening 36 of the end face of the lid 31 which is provided with several arresting openings 37.A closure disc 39 provided with arresting feed 40 is fittingly inserted into the recess 36, with the arresting feed 40 passed through the arresting openings 37 in snapping engagement. The closure disc 39 leaves only a small circular opening 41 for the front section 42 of the locking cylinder 35 which is key-operated.

A pot-like element 43 consisting of a cylindrical section 44 and a conical section 45 is arranged axially at the inside of the end face of the lid 31. The cylindrical section 44 is connected to the inside of the lid 31 by means of arresting projections 46, said arresting projections 46 axially projecting from the inside of the lid. The pot-like projection 43, the axis of which coincides with the axis of the cylindrical sleeve 34 is provided at the end face thereof with a seating surface 47 or a sealing arrangement consisting of a slip ring and a flat seal. The flat seal gets into sealing engagement respectively with the shoulder 26 and the bead 26a. The sealing arrangement 48 is seated in an annular groove 49 of a circular projection 50 at the end face of the pot-shaped portion 43.

Inside the pot-shaped portion 43 there are arranged two diametrically disposed bar elements 51 and 52, then construction of which will still be dealt with in more detail in connection with Figure 3. In the outer end regions the bar elements 51 and 52 extend through radial openings in the conical portion 45 of the pot-shaped projection 43. In the position as shown in Figure 2 they are in engagement with the toothing 29 and prevent rotation of the lid 31.

On the inside the bars are guided along the inner surface of the end face of the pot-shaped portion 43 by guiding means still to be described.

On the outside they lie in close contact against the end face of the sleeve 34. As may be noted in addition from Figure 2, the extension of the toothing 29 in an axial direction is almost thrice the thickness of the bar elements 51 and 52.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the potshaped portion 43 in the region of the portion 45 in front of the bar elements 51 and 52. As will be seen from Figure 3, the potshaped portion 43 is provided on diametrically opposed sides with deepenings 53 of an almost rectangular cross sectional shape with the radius of the bottom of each deepening being concentric with the radius of the outer surface of the conical portion 45. One will furthermore recognize that the inner surface of the end face is provided with first pairs of ribs 54, 55 symmetrically opposed on both sides of the radial openings in the portion 45, the ribs thereof extending in parallel spaced arrangement and forming a guide for the radial outer portions 56 and 57, respectively, of the bar elements 51, 52.The portion of each bar element 51, 52 which projects from its radial opening is pointed in the form of a tooth whose peak 58, 59 corresponds in profile to about the gap between adjacent teeth of the toothing 29.

Second pairs of ribs 60 and 61, respectively provided on the outside of the ribs 54, 55 spaced through a distance and extending in parallel with them form a guide for the sections 62, 63 and 64, 65, respectively, of the interlocking elements 51, 52. The outer surfaces of the sections 62 to 65 are extending in parallel with the axis of movement of the interlocking element 51, 52 and prevent canting thereof. The sections 62 and 65 are in addition provided with outwardly pointing projections 66 and 67, respectively, cooperating with two spaced deepenings in the ribs 60 and 61, respectively, in order to obtain a releasable interlocking arrangement in the interlocking and unlocking position of the interlocking elements 51, 52. The unlocking position is shown on the left-hand side of the representation according to Figure 3.The interlocked position is shown on the right-hand side of Figure 3. In the section facing each other the interlocking elements 51,52 are joggled into each other with cooperating guiding surfaces being formed. Circularly shaped slots.70 and 71, respectively, are formed in sections 68, 69 facing each other, having the journals 72 and 73, respectively, of the lock cylinder 35 engaging therein. A rotation of the journals 72,73, by about a quarter circle will lead to a displacement of the bar elements 51, 52 between the interlocking and unlocking positions because the center of the slots 70, 71 is correspondingly offset with respect to the center of the turning circle of the journals 72, 73.

As will finally still be recognized from Figure 3, the sleeve 34 comprises a continuous elongated recess 74 for receiving a radial projection at the outer surface of the lock cylinder 35, in order to -secure the latter therein against rotation. A resilient nose (not shown) provided at the outer surface of the lock cylinder 35 is adated to be brought into snap engagement with a recess of the sleeve 34, in order to secure it axially.

The releasable arresting engagement of the bar elements 51, 52 in the interlocking position during final assembly serves as a so-called assembly reminder for the locking cylinder which is not always fitted. As the bar elements are always provided independently of whether a locking cylinder is fitted or not, an arresting engagement of the bar elements makes it possible to secure the position thereof when in the unlocked condition.

Claims

1. A vehicle filling connection and lid therefor of the kind described, in combination, characterised in that the lid is provided with an axial hollow projection extending into the filling connection and a bar, movably supported in the projection, which is adjustable transversely of the axis of the projection between a retracted and an extended position by means of a locking device arranged inside the projection, and in that the filling connection is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced protrusions and/or depressions with which a free end of the bar cooperates in the extended position thereof.

2. A combination according to claim 1, in which the protrusions and/or depressions are in the form of circumferentially extending toothing provided on the inner surface of the filling connection.

3. A combination according to claim 2, in which the shape of the free end of the bar is complementary to the shape of the gap between adjacent teeth.

4. A combination according to any preceding claim, in which the bar is in the form of two diametrically opposed bar elements extending from within the projection through respective openings in the projection.

5. A combination according to claim 4, in which each of the bar elements is provided with an arcuate slot disposed in a radial plane, with respect to the projection, for receiving respective parts of the locking device capable of movement on a circular path.

6. A combination according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which an inside end surface of the projection is provided with ribs for guiding the bar elements.

7. A combination according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the other ends of the bar elements face each other and are joggled with each other so that they help guide each other in the direction of movement of the bar elements.

8. A combination according to any preceding claim, in which the axially effective sealing is arranged on an outside end surface of the projection facing a radial seating on the connection.

9. A combination according to any preceding claim, in which a hollow axial sleeve is arranged inside the projection with a locking cylinder being snap-engaged within the hollow axial sleeve.

10. A combination according to any preceding claim, in which the lid is provided with a central opening through which the locking device is accessible, and the central opening is surrounded by a recess into which a disc is snap-engaged.

11. A combination according to any preceding claim, in which the axial length of the protrusions and/or depressions is substantially greater than the thickness of the bar in the axial direction of the projection.

1 2. A combination according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.