US1372062A - Safety device for tanks - Google Patents

Description

W. G. CARRUTH.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR TANKS.

APPLICATION FIlED APH. 25. 1918. IIENEINED MIG. 9' 1920.

1,372,062. Patentd Mar. 22, 1921. Y

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PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G, GLBUTH, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SAIETY DEVICE FOR TANKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application #led April 25, 1918, Serial No. 230,852. Renewed August 9, 1020. Serial No. 402,608.

To all 'wlwm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. CARRUTH, a citizen of the United States, residin at Brooklyn in the county of Kings and tate of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements iu safety devices for tanks, and has particular relation to devices operative in connection with fuel supply tanks for motor vehi cles. The invention may be considered as an anti-theft structure in that it is designed primarily for two purposes, viz: (a) as a means for preventing theft of the motor vehicle itself through closing the supply of fuel from the tank to the carburetor, and

(b) the reventioii of theft of fuel from the 'tank itse f.

Various means have been employed in an attempt to prevent passage of fuel from the tank to the carbureter, these generally being arra ed with a valve interposed within the pipe line leading from theV tank to the carburetor, the purpose being to close this valve when the vehicle is unattended, a suitable locking device being employed to lock the valve in its closed position, a key being employed to open the valve when it is desired to again use the vehicle. This type of apparatus has the disadvantage of locating the valve structure external of thetank, making it possible to tap the line on each side of the valve and by-plss the fuel through a separate connection. While attempts have been made to meet this .condition by locatin the valve or closure within the tank-at the outlet for the tank oontents-such structures have heretofore been of a type which are more or less cumpli-- cated in operation, thus practically eliminating the advantages obtained by reason of the fact that the necessity for careful manipulation, etc. generally causes the owner to discard the apdparatus as more or less of a nuisance. In a ition, the structures heretofore employed in this typehave usually been located in alinement with the filling o ening, with the result that the structures o'er more or less o'f an obstruction during the filling o eration. Furthermore, the structures emp eyed in the latter ty e, while havin the closure located within t e tank, genera ly have the locking mechanism external of the tank and therefore accessible in a manner to permit of manipulation to move the closure to an open position.

The present invention is designed to provide a structure in which the closure is lo manipulation to move the closure froinitsseat excepting by one havin a key operative to release the internal loe ing means. In addition, the structure is arranged out of alinement with the filling o ening in order that no obstruction to the lling operation may be had. n addition to thus providing a ositive closure for the outlet of the tank ,'rectly under the control of the owner, I provide an anti-theft structure for preventing theft of the fuel contents of the tank through the filling opening, thus reducing the loss due to this practice. The structure for this pui'- pose operates to lock the closure for the filling opening against removal, with the lock also arranged internal of the tank.

In practice, the invention contemplates 'the use of both structures with common operating and control means, so that when t e owner desires to render the anti-theft mechanism active it will become active,v at both points, both being made inactive concurrently.

Another` feature of the invention `is .a structural arrangement such that no 'tools Ler keys need be employed to render the structural active, a projecting element being' moved into a more or less`housed relation to the tank when it is desired to provide activity, this movement automatically brin ing into operation a locking structure whic i retains 4the parts active until a releasing mechanismis made active,V the ylatter ref leasing the holding means and permitting the locking and closing devices to pass to inactivity.

To these and other ends,

ioo

therefore tlie natureof which will be` readily undertood iso drawings, and more parthe accompanyin d out 1n the appended ticularly pointe claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a portion of a tank,`showing the parts 1n position to close the outlet and lock the closure for the filling opening.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of parts shown in Flg. 1, the parts being shown in a ditl'erent position-practically at the completion of t e releasing movement provided by the key.

Fig. 3 is a view artly in section and partly in elevation in icating a way in which the apparatus may be applied to a tank havingT curved walls.

ig. 4 1s a fragmentary perspective vlew showlng a change in cross-sectional configuration in some of the elements.

In the drawings, 10 indicates a tank of suitable formation, such for instance as that for containing the fuel for a motor vehicle, the tank being showin as having an upper wall 10 and a lowerWall 10",l it being understood, of course, that these terms are more or less relative. The upper wall is shown as carrying a depending ilange 11 to form the filling opening for the tank, the fiange being shown as threaded to receive a closure 12 having a skirt 12adapted to be threaded to flange 11. Wall 10" carries the fuel outlet, the latter being indicated as provided by a fitting 13, secued to the wall and having a fuel passageway extending therethrough, the inner end of the passageway being located within the tank and having a form adapted to provide a seat for a closure Shown as in they form of a valve 14. The fitting' is connected up to the usual connections leading to a carbureter (not shown.)

Valve 14 is yieldably supported in any suitable manner by a stem 15, said stem, for illustrative purposes only, being shown as recessed at its lower end to receive the 'shank of the valve, the recess and shank being formed to permit relative movement in the direction o length of the stem, any suitable means for this purpose being adapted to be employed, that shown being in the form of a pin and slot connection, this arrangement permitting a limited length of movement of the valve to provide a flexible connection between the valve and stem, a sprin 16 being mounted on the shank of the va ve and tending to retain the valve seated when the stem is being moved downwardly, and at the same time eliminating an absolutely rigid connection between the stem and valve. If desired, fitting 1-3 may carry pins 17 which tend to guide the valve in its movements.

Stem 15 is mounted within a barrel ,or

hollow casing 18 forming part of a supporting structure for the operating mechanism, this structure being preferabl secured to the inner face of wall 105, the arrel 18 depending from this Wall. The barrel is shown as being provided with a cap 18 adapted to close the lower end thereof, this cap having an opening for the passage of stem 15.

Secured to the upper end of stem l5 is an actuntin and locking member 19, shown as threaded: to the stem and being provided with an annular groove 20 and with an inverted cone-shaped portion 21 to provide an inclined face 21a. The upper end of member 19 is shown as in the form of a pin 22 which extends through wail 10a of the tank.l

Mounted in an offset 18b of the barrel is a locking bolt 23 provided with a lateral projection 23 and a lug 23", the latter bein adapted to coperate with groove 20 to loc the stem in an inward position, bolt 23 being adapted to reciprocate in the offset to permit t 1e bolt to be retracted, a spring 24, interposed between the outer end of the bolt ported on a projection of the bolt-tending to retain the bolt in its inner or locking fr sition but permitting free retracting movements of the bolt., these latter movements being provided by suitable means, that shown being in the form of an actuating member 26 forming part of a lock structure 26. For purposes of illustration, the lock structure is shown as of the type of the Yale lock, the escutcheon of which is located on the outer side of wall 10", the tumbler section of the lock being located in a casing structure positioned above oii'set 18", projection 23 extending through an opening in the housing of bolt 23 and into the path of movement of actuating member 26,

The normal position of stem l5 is approximately that shown in Fig. 2 in which the upper face of cone-shaped portion 21 is, in proximity to the inner face of wall 10, pin 22 projecting a suitable distance above said wall. This view illustrates the position of parts at the `time when bolt 23 has been retracted, stem 15, member 19 and valve 14 being moved upward to this position by the action of a spring 2,7 surrounding stem 15, retraction of bolt 2d being had by the turning of a key 28 to operate actuating member 26, the connected structure, which includes member 19, shifting to. this position as soon as lug 23 has passed out of groove 20. These locks are generally of a ty e which provide for return movement of t e device is inactives Aswill be seen by referring to Fig. 1, the length of relative movement between the valve and stem 15 is less than the distance,

-titting 13. When it 1s desired to close this outlet, it is necessary only to move pin 22 to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus moving the entire connected structure including valve 14 and groove 20, the inward movement of the pin continuing until lug 23h again enters groove 20, valve 14 having in the meantime been seated. Lug 23h and member 19 below groove 20 are referably provided with inclined faces, so t at during this downward or inward movement of member 19, bolt 23 will be moved outward to permit member 19 to pass to proper position, whereupon spring 24 will act to throw bolt 23 inward to locate 1u 23" in roove 20.

The proportions o parts is preferably such that in the inward or locking osit'ion of member 19, the upper or outer en of pin 22 will be substantially flush with the outer face of wall 10 although this is not essential.

As will be seen, the movement of member 19 so as to seat valve 14 is not dependent upon the use of key 28, pin 22 being moved from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 1 by pressure applied by the hand or foot of the operator, dependinghupon the particular location of the device,t e ocking action taking place automatically with the locking mechanismlocated entirely within the tank and so locatedas to prevent tampering therewith from the exterior of the tank. Hence, the lock and key structure is employed only in connection with the movement of bolt 23 to release the locked condition of member 19, whereupon said member automatically returns to position to unseat valve 14.

In addition to controlling the outlet, member 19 is arranged to provide for locking closure 12 against an opening movement of the closure, this being provided by the use of a locking bolt 29 which is movable in an openin in flange 11 and into an opening 12" forme in the skirt 12l of the closure member, said o ning (which may be a recess) preferabl avinv aeoniguration which will permit o a smal movement of the closure when the bolt is .in its inner or locking` posi tion, this arrangement being provided in order to take care of possibilities of threading movement of closure 12 not being precisely the same in each instance when restored to osition after having been removed, sma l changes in this respect not preventing proper entrance of the inner end of bolt 29 into the opening or recess.

The opposite end of bolt 29 is provided with an inclined face 29* which copcrates wfith face 21n of member 19 to control the position of bolt 29, the latter having a lateral projection 30 carrying a guide pin 31, the latter in turn carrying a spring 32 interposed between a stationary part of the supporting structure and projection 30, this latter arrangement being such as to tend to retain bolt 29 in its inactive position as shown in Fig.' 2, in which bolt 29 is shown as retracted to a lposition where closure 12 can be .unscrewed for filling purposes.

When, however, pin 22 is moved inward,

faces 21 and 29a coperate to cause bolt 29 to move to the position shown in Fig. 1, the length of face 21* beingy such that with member 19 in its inner position, a portion of face 21I remains in contact with face 29, thus retaining bolt 29 in its projected position.

It will thus be seen that l have 4provided a device which, in inactive position, leaves the closure for the filling opening free to be opened, and valve 14 for the outlet to the tank entirely open, thus permitting the ordinary operations. If, for instance, the user of the automobile desires to place the device in its active position where supply of fuel to the carbureter is cut oi, pin 22 is depressed and automatically locked in its depressed position, thus closing the supply outlet for the carbureter, and at the same time projecting bolt 29 into the skirt of closure 12 to prevent removal of the closure` the parts remaining in this position until actuating member 21. is Jperated to retract bolt 23, when the device automatically passes to inactive position. As before pointed out` this movement of memlwr26l is had by the use of a proper key, the function. of which is sim ly to restore the inactivity of the device, t ere being no necessity for key manipulation when member 19 is moved to its locked position.

As will be seen, substantially the entire mechanism is located offset with respect to the filling opening,the only structure which ma extend into that opening being bolt 29, an this bolt is normally retracted out of the o ning, so that when closure 12 is removes:3 the entire filling opening is unobstructed, permitting the use of any desired means for filling operations.

In Fi 3 I have indicated the manner in which t e parts may be secured to a curved wall 10.

As will be understood, the particular form of lock employed is not material to the invention, it being essential only that an actuating member (as for instance 26 or its equivalent) be resented at a point where it may be made e ective on projection 23.

'foV

It will also be understood that the particular configuration of parts shown may be varied. For instance, barrel 18 may .be of angular crosssection, as shown, for 1nstance, in Fig. 4, in which case member 19 would have a complemental configuration, and groove 2O need simply be a slot 1n one wall and face 21a provided in another Wall, these being `obviously equivalent structures. And I also desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the more or less yieldabie connection between the valve and stem, since it is obvious that the pin and slot connection between the stem of valve 14 and stem 15 may be omitted, together with spring 1G, if found desirable, valve 14 and stem 15 being permanently secured together, thus providing a rigid connection between the valve 14 and stem 15, although it is preferred that the connection be in some form of a yielding or lost motion connection.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred arrangement and construction of parts, it will be readily understood that changes and modifications therein may be found desirable or necessary in meeting the exigencics of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make any and all such changes or modifications, in so fai' as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims when broadly construed.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet, and a rcmovable closure for the filling opening, of movable means within the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against opening movement, said means including a normally-inactive latching structure rendered active by means movement in providing the closing and locking action.

2. The combination with a tank having a lilling opening and un outlet, and a removable closure for the shii'iable means within the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against opening movement, said means being rendered active at will and including an clement permanently carried by said means and projecting from the tank during means inactivity. said element being shiftable to render said means active.

3. The combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet, and a 'removable closure for the filliin,r opening, of shiftable means within the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking lsaid closure against opening movement, said means being normally inactive and rendered active at will, and normally-inactive mechamsm rendered active by Ineens movement 'tiered active filling opening, of

to activity for maintainin such means activity, said mechanism being operative to restore means inactivity at will.

4. lThe combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet, and a removable closure for the filling opening, of shiftable means within the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against opening movement, said means being normally inactive and rendered active at will, and a normally-inactive lockstructure rendered active by means movement to activity for maintaining such means activity, said lock structure belng operative to restore means inactivity at will.

5. The combination with a tank having a lilling opening and an outlet, and a removable closure for the filling opening, of shiftable means within the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against opening movement, said means be ing normally inactive and including an element projecting from the tank during means inactivity and shiftable to render l the means active, and echanism coperative with the means in maintaining the closed and locked condition and operative in the restoration of means inactivity said mechanism being normally inactive and rensolely in the presence of such condition.

6. The combination with a tank having a filling openin an outlet located out of alinement witli the opening, and a removable closure for the filling opening, of means for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against opening movement, said means including an element adapted to cooperate with said closure, said element being positioned to prevent obstruction of the filling openin 7. The comination with a tank having a filling opening, an outlet located out of alinement with the opening, and a removable closure for the filling opening, of nor- 110 mally-inactive means Within the tank for locking said closure against opening movement, said means including a locking bolt within the tank and shiftable to colin-state with the closure to lock the closure, said h5 bolt being positioned to prevent obstruction of the filling opening, and mechanism operative at will to release said bolt from its locking position to permit closure movement.

8. The combination with a tank having a filling opening, an outlet located out of alinement with the opening. a removable closure for the filling opening, said closure having a skirt and an opening within the skirt. of means for locking said closure against opening movement` said means including a locking-bolt within the tank and shift-.aille into and out of said opening, said belt being positioned to prevent obstruction of the filling opening, a. member shiftable in directions angular to the direction of movement of the bolt to control the movements of the letter, and means for controlling the movements of the member.

9. The combination with a tank having an outlet, of a closure for seid. outlet, and means for controlling the movements of said closure, said means including an element adapted to be reciprocated in the direction of closure movement, saiflelemen t carrying the closure, a locking bolt movable in directions angular tothe direction of element movement, said element and bolt having eomplemental means for locking the element in position to retain the closure active, said bolt being' normally inactive, said element having n member nornmlly projecting` from the tank when the closure is inactive and shiftable inwardly to render `the bolt and closure active, and means 'for retracting said bolt to permit element movement to sbift the closure to inactive position.

10. The combination with a tank having' an outlet` of a Closure for said outlet. and means for controlling the movements of said closure. said means including an clement adapted to be reciproeated in the direction of closure movement, said element carrying the closure. a locking bolt movable in directions angular to the direction of element movement. said element and bolt having eomplemental means for automatically looking the element in position to retain tbe closure active. said bolt being normally inactive. said element having;r a member normally projecting from the tank when the closure is inactive and shiftable inwardliY to render the bolt and closure active. and means for retreating said bolt to permit element movementl to shift the closure to inuetive position. f

11. The combination with a tank havingr an outlet, of a closure for said outlet` and means for controlling the movements of said closure. said means including an element adapted to be reeiprooated iii the direction .of closure nmveinent, said element carrying;

the closure by o lost-1notion connection, :t looking bolt movable in directions angular to the direction of element nmvenmim said ein ment and bolt having oonipleniental menne Afor loekinigl the element in position to retain the Closure native, .said bolt being; normally inactive, said element having n member nor Hh mally projecting fro-ni the tank when tin; closure is inactive and filiifable inw-Ueli); to render the bolt and closure :ii-tive and in aff for retrait-ting said bolt to peri Y files inoveinei'lt io sliiit the closure to leavin w mi Hitiun.

l2. The coinbinntmn will@ :i tenir. 1i-wing; a filling opening :1nd an oni ,and a einem for the illing opening?, o' normally -insntiw mechanism for closing :said outlet Jilii fil? locking said rlosm'e against opening; mme ment` said means incinding a. sbiftabh ein ment carrying :i valve for said outlet` :i ioigli ing bolt movable into and out of' engagement with said closure seid bolt and lement inw ingr complmnentnl means for shifting said bolt into looking relation to the fiosni'e by element n'iovenients. a normaily-ii'iattive locking bolt for said element. seid latterbolt and the element having eompei'nentai menne for automatically looking tbe elenrnt in po sition to retain the outlet '*iisefl and tbe closure looked and rendermi :votive bv finiti" ingr oi the element. n member Carried bv tin: element and normallv projecting fiom tlia tank `for shifting the emment. and mens, for shi fting the element locliii'ig bolt to peau mit element movement to render the meebenism inactive..

l?. H. MCG-leisen'.

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