US2145212A

US2145212A - Safety closure for filling tubes of tanks

Info

Publication number: US2145212A
Application number: US183808A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank A Edwards; Henry L Patnaude
Original assignee: FAE LOCK Co Inc
Current assignee: FAE LOCK Co Inc; FAE LOCK COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1938-01-07
Filing date: 1938-01-07
Publication date: 1939-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-24

Description

Jan, 24, 1939. F. A. ED ARDS ET AL v 7 ,1 ,2

SAFETY CLOSURE FOR FILLING TUBES OF TANKS Filed Jan. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l lnvenTors. Frank AEdWQ Henry LPQTnQU e ATTys.

F. A. EDWARDS ET AL 2,145,212

SAFETY CLOSURE FOR FILLING TUBES OF TANKS Jan. 24, 1939.

Filed Jan. 7,. 193a I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.8

2s e1 22 44 28 4s 1 3 0 47- n lnvenTors. 1 FrclnK AEdwords 54 Henry L. Pa'fncude s2 53 b MMIM Patented 1511.24, 1939 UNITED STATES'PFATENT OFFICE Frank A. Edwards, Arlingtomand. Henry L. Patnaude, Newtonville', 'Mass assignors to. Fae Lock Company, Inc., Cohasset, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts f Application January 7, 1938, serial No. 183,808

2 Claims. (01; 220 35) This invention relates to improvements in closures for the filling tube of a tank such as the tank for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to the fuel tanks of automobiles; and the object of the invention is to provide a safety closure having locking means which may be remotely controlled from such position as will prevent unauthorized access to the filling tank.

More particularly the invention relates to a closurefor the fillingtube of an automobile tank having locking mechanism which may be controlled by means mounted upon the dash or instrument board of the automobile and which is accessible only from withinthe car, so that when the doors of the car are closed and locked the filling tube cannot be opened and fuel surreptitiously removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety closure of the character above described in which the cap'for the filling tube is permanently connected to the tank and cannot be'inadvertently lost,

Another objectof the invention is to provide a closure of this character of such construction as will prevent entrance of water or dust into the tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety closure, for the filling tube of a fuel tank, of such construction that it'can be readily applied to usual standard forms of filling tubes for the gasoline tank of automobiles, and which canv beso secured to the filling tube from within as to prevent detachment when the cap is closed.

Another feature-of the invention is to provide a filling tube closure of the character described which will reduce the time required by the attendant of the gasoline station to openthe filling tube for the purpose of introduction of gasoline and to close the tube after-the. tank hasbeen These and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a detailside elevation of the filling tube and a closure embodyingthe invention illustrating the manner in which the remote control for the cap-locking device is illustrated as extending throughthe instrument board or dash of the automobilewhich is illustrated in vertical section;

55 Fig. 2 is a plan view of the filling tube with the closure embodying the invention applied to the upper end of the tube;-

Fig. 3 isa vertical diametrical sectional view through the. filling tube closure illustrating the cap in locked position; i

Fig. 4=is aplan view of the construction illustrated'. in Fig. 3 which diifers slightly from that illustrated inplanin Fig. 2;:

Fig. '5 is an end elevation on a smaller scale showing the cap for the closure in locked position; r

Fig. dis a detail view in vertical section illustrating the manner in which the plate upon which the'cap'is pivotally mounted is secured to the usual type of' filling tube from within and therefore'inacces'sible when the'cap is closed;

Fig. 'l'is a detail 'view in perspective illustrating one of the ring clamps for securing the plate upon the upper end of the filling tube as shown in Fi 6.

The filling tubes of automobile tanks of .usual standard construction are' provided at their upper ends-"with an inwardly extending flange having a downwardly projecting lip usually provided withtwo diametrically oppositely inclined or camshaped'edges, the flange and lips being'cut away at intervals topermit the introduction of a looking plate which-is secured to thecap and which when introduced and then turned part of a revolution' will engage'the inclined or cam-shaped face of the lip and thereby lock the cap in place upon the end of the tube.

' Thepresent invention comprises a closure for the filling tube which is adapted to be applied to filling tubes of this character and is in the form of" a flat metal=plate having a countersink to fit over the end of the filling tube with means to secure the plate tof the filling tube in such manner that when the cap is closed it will be inaccessible, thereby preventing removal of the appliance from the tube. The cap for the filling tube has a flat under surface complementary to that of the-plate, and is pivotally mounted to swing laterally with the flat faces in engagement a sufficient' distance to permit the upper end of the filling tube tobe exposed. Resilient means desirably are provided tending normally to force the cap to open position with automatically operable means for holding the cap in closed position and provided withremotely controlled means mounted in a convenient positionwithin the automobile forreleasing the locking. means when it is desiredto fill thetank;

The closure mechanism for the filling tube as illustratedin the "drawings comprises an annular plate I having a flat upper surface 2 and provided with a countersink 3 adapted to fit upon the end 4 of a filling tube of usual standard construction which is provided with an inwardly extending flange 5 and a downwardly extending lip 6 having a lower inclined or cam-shaped edge I. In such usual constructions the flange and lip are provided with diametrically opposite cut-away sections 8 through which the locking member of. usual caps may be introduced, and the cap turned through a portion of a revolution to cause the locking members to engage the inclined or cam-shaped edges of the lip I.

In the present construction the upper flat face 2 of the plate I is provided with an annular countersink 9 and the flange I thus provided desirably has near its edge an annular groove I I The plate I is locked upon the inwardly extending lipped flange -5 by a plurality, preferably two, ring clamps I2 of the general U-shape having a horizontal upper portion II3 desirably provided on its under face with arib I4 which engages the groove II of the flange I0 and a lower horizontal portion 'I5 which extends beneath and engages the inclined or cam-shaped edge 1 of the downwardly extending lip Bofthe filling. tube. The upper surface of the horizontal member I5 of the ring clamp is inclined slightly upwardly to prevent lateral displacement of the the inwardly extending flange IOof the closure,

plate I. Preferably also the upper flange I3 of the ring clamp I2 is provided with a hole I 'I having a screw threaded wall to receive a set screw I8 adapted to engage the wall of the groove I I and thereby positively prevent circumferential displacement of the clamping ring.

By reason of this construction the plate I is so locked to the upper end of the filling tube from within that when the cap is in closed position it is inaccessible. This locking mechanism furthermore is such that the plate cannot be rotated in a direction to enable the ring clamps to be removed through the cut-away portions 8 of the fllling tube flange and lip, and removal of the closure for the purpose of theft of fuel from the tank is therefore effectively prevented.

v The opening in the plate which registers with the upper end of the filling tube is closed by a circular metal cap I9 complementary to the plate I. The cap may if desired be provided with a chambered central portion to decrease its weight. The cap I9 is provided with a rearward extension or boss 2I complementary to a a similar extension 22 of the plate and is pivotally connected to the plate by a bolt 23 having a large head, 24 and provided at its lower end with a nut 25 which may be locked in adjusted position by a set screw 26. i i

Theextension of the cap 2I and the extension 22 of the plate are respectively provided with cylindrical countersinks 21 and 28 and a cylindrical sleeve 29, which is mounted in said countersinks, hasa lower head 30 which rotatablyfits upon the cylindrical stem of the bolt 23. A

spiral spring 3|, which encircles the bolt 23, is anchored at its lower end in the head 30 and has at its upper end an extension 32 which is mounted in a suitable diametrical bore in the cap I9. The lower end of the head desirably is provided with a diametrical recess 33 adapted to be engaged by a spanner wrench in order that the sleeve may be turned in a suitable direction to place the spring 3| under tension tending to swing the cap to a predetermined preferably open position. When the sleeve 29 is thus rotated to tension the spring it is secured in adjusted position by a set screw 34 which is mounted in the extension 2| of the plate.

Suitable means are provided for arresting the opening swinging movement of the cap. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the extension 22 of the plate is provided with a cut-away portion 35 provided at its ends with shoulders adapted to be engaged by a pin 36 which is fixedly mounted in said cap and travels in the path concentric with the wall of said cut-away portion. As illustrated in Fig.4 the. extension 2I of the cap is provided Witha downward projection 31 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 38 on the extension 22 of the plate I. r

The means for locking the cap in closed'position comprises a bolt 39 having a beveled upper end 40 (see Fig. 5) positioned to engage a suitable recess 4| extending upwardly from the under face of the extension 42 of the cap. The bolt 39 desirably is of rectangular form and reciprocably mounted in a complementary guideway in the upper end of a sleeve 63 having a screw threaded upper end which engages complementary screw threads in a vertical aperture through an extension 44 of the plate. The bolt 39'is provided with a screw threaded stem 45 having mounted upon it a nut 46 which is reciprocably mounted in, a cylindrical bore in the lower section of the sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve 43 is tapped and has secured to it the upper end of a nipple 41 having a small central aperture therethrough and an enlarged countersunk portion 48. A

spring 49, which is seated upon the upper end' of the nipple and at its upper end engages the nut 46, normally tends to force the bolt upwardly into locking position.

Suitable means are provided for connecting the bolt to a device which will permit-remote control of the locking bolt. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the screw threaded portion 45 ofthe bolt is provided with a hollow nut 50 having a head 5I provided with a small central aperture and a Wire 52 leading to the remote control device extends through the bore ingthe upper end of the sleeve and through the bore in the nut and is bent over within the hollow nut in such manner that when the wire is pulled lengthwise the nut 50 and the bolt 39 will be withdrawn from looking position. The bolt-actuating wire 50 desirably is enclosed ina coiled wire flexible sheath 53 one end of which extends into the countersink 48 of the nippleIII and is fixedly has its remote end secured to aknob 51 normally held against the rear face of the'instrument board or dash by the action of the spring 49.

The knob 51 therefore constitutes a remote control device which when drawn away from the instrument board pulls the locking bolt 39 downwardly thereby releasing it from engagement with the socket in the cap and permitting the cap to be swung from the closed position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 to open position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.

Obviously when all of the doors of the car are locked this bolt is inaccessible so that when the cap is in locked position it cannot be swung laterally to expose the open end of the filling tube. Theft of fuel is thereby'effectively prevented.

Complementary means are provided upon the plate and cap to prevent the cap from being pried up or broken off to permit access to the fuel. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the extension 44 of the plate has welded to it a boss 58 having an extension 59 adapted to overlie a boss or extension 60 which is integral with the extension 42 of the cap. An equivalent construction which is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a boss 6| integral with the extension 4! of the plate which has an inwardly extending flange 62 adapted to overlie a countersunk portion 63 of the extension 42 of the cap.

The bosses 58 and BI also act to limit the clos ing movement of the cap and to position the recess 4| in the cap in accurate alinement with the upper end of the bolt 39. The beveled upper end 40 of the bolt 39 enables the cap to be swung into locking position as the flat under face of the cap will, when it engages the beveled upper end of the bolt, force the bolt downwardly compressing the spring 49 until the recess 4| is in alinement with the bolt, whereupon the bolt will be thrust upwardly by the spring into the locking position illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the operation of the device the bolt 39 normally is maintained in upwardly extending position in engagement with the socket in the cap, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. When the operator of the automobile desires to refill the tank he stops at a filling station, thereupon pulls upon the knob 57 which is conveniently located upon the dash sufiiciently to withdraw the bolt 39 from locking position. The spring 3| thereupon swings the cap laterally to open position, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The attendant at the gasoline station may thereupon introduce the desired amount of gasoline into the tank and after having removed the filling hose swing the cap to closed position. Inasmuch as the bolt is restored by the spring 49 to locking position immediately when the operator of the car releases the knob 51 the cap is automatically locked in closed position. By reason of this construction the attendant is relieved of the necessity of removing the cap as is customary and placing it in a convenient location and afterwards restoring the cap to its locked position, thereby saving a considerable amount of time which otherwise would be required. Furthermore, there is no danger that the attendant of the gasoline station will fail to replace the cap or properly to lock the cap in place as the only act which he is required to accomplish is to swing the cap to closed position.

By reason of the pivotal connection between the cap and the plate which comprises a sleeve of large diameter which extends both into the plate and cap, the fiat contacting surfaces of the sleeve and cap are maintained in tight engageof the filling tube, thus further insuring inaccessibility to the filling tube by predatory individuals.

While the present invention has been more specifically described with reference to its applicability to the filling tubes of gasoline tanks of automobiles, it will be understood that the invention may be applied t9 the filling tube of any tank in which a remote control of the locking mechanism for the filling tube cap is desirable.

It will be understood'that the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are of an illustrative character and are not restrictive of the meaning and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. A safety appliance for closing a fuel tank filling tube having an internal flange provided with downwardly extending lips presenting spaced inclined lower edges comprising an an.- nular plate having a downwardly extending flange to fit the end of the filling tube and presenting an upper flat face provided with an inner annular countersunk portion having a' concentric groove, a plurality of spaced narrow ring-clamp members having means to engage respectively the groove of the countersink and one of the inclined edges of said lip, each of said ring clamps having a set screw engaging said plate to prevent displacement of said ring clamps, a cap having a fiat face complementary to and engaging the fiat face of said plate, means pivotally connecting said cap to said plate to permit the cap to swing laterally with said flat faces in contact, resilient means connecting said plate and said cap normally tending to swing said cap to open position, and remotely controlled means for locking said cap to said platewhen in closed position.

2. A safety appliance for closing a fuel tank filling tube comprising an annular plate having means fitting the end of said filling tube and internally secured thereto and presenting a fiat upper surface, a cap having a flat surface complementary to that of said plate closely engaging the same, means pivotally connecting the cap to the plate comprising a sleeve seated in complementary extensions of said plate and cap, a spring having one end secured to said cap and the other end to said sleeve and adapted to be so placed under tension by rotation of said sleeve as to swing the cap toa predetermined position,

means for securing the sleeve in adjusted position, abolt extending axially through said sleeve and 'said cap and remotely controlled means for locking said cap in closed position.

FRANK A. EDWARDS. HENRY L. PATNAUDE.