WO2015061813A2

WO2015061813A2 - Anti-siphoning. device

Info

Publication number: WO2015061813A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2014/000061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrik Costenwald Johannes LAMPRECHT
Original assignee: Lunoel Trading (Pty) Limited
Priority date: 2013-10-23
Filing date: 2014-10-21
Publication date: 2015-04-30
Also published as: WO2015061813A3; ZA201603520B

Abstract

An anti-siphoning device 10 for a vehicle fuel tank 12 comprises a first base portion 14 which Is shaped to complementary fit an Inlet defined by the fuel tank 12 and for receiving a breather unit 18 when secured relative to the inlet. The anti-siphoning device includes a second shield portion 20 which is attachable to the first base port-on 14 to shield the breather unit 18 and prevent the unauthorised tampering therewith and the siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank 12. When In use, the anti-siphoning device 10 prevents the unauthorised siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank 12.

Description

ANTf^SiFHONI G_. DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an anti-siphoning device for the breather of a fuel tank. BACKGROUND TQ THE INVENTION

Theft of fuei directly from vehicle fuel tanks is a de spread issue, and Is carried out in various ways.

One of these ways includes- a thief tampering with the breather of a fuel tank and fuei being siphoned out of the aperture, housing the breather, from the fuel tank and Into another container.

Various devices hav been engineered to prevent the siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank by tampering with the breather, including devices Inserted Into an aperture of the fuel tank to block any foreign object from being inserted therein or devices which are shaped and dimensioned to prevent the removal of^' the breather. Thieves have, however, been able to breach these devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide an anti-siphoning device for a vehicle fuei tank which, at least partially, alleviates the afaovemen^'tlone^'d problems.

SUM ARY OF THE INVENTIO

In accordance with this invention, there Is provided an anti-siphoning device for a vehicle fuel tank, the device comprising a first base portion shaped to complementaliy ft an inlet of the fuel tank and for receiving a breather unit when secured reiaiive to the inlet and a second shield portion attachable to the first base portion to shield the breather unit and prevent the unauthorised tampering therewith and siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank.

Th anti-siphonlng device may be configured to prevent Its unauthorised removal from the fuel tank, when in use, The anti-siphoning device may be swivelled relative to the fuel tank without the breather unit being unscrewed.

A flange may extend from the inlet of the fuel tank. The first base portion may be tubular in shape with the aperture defined by the tube abutting the outer surface of the flange, when in use. The aperture of the tube defined by the first base portion may include a seal to assist with the secure fit of the first base portion relative the flange.

The breather unit, which includes a threaded portion, may b received by the flange which defines a. collar including a counter threaded portion on its internal surface: Once the breather Is screwed into the collar the first base portion Is secured relative to the fuel tank. An adhesive / bonding substance may be used to further secure the fit of the breather relative the coilar..

A number of apertures may be located In the first base portion, for receiving securing means.

The second shield portion may fit onto the first base portion and Includes eom ie enfaiiy shaped apertures to those apertures located In the first base portion, for receiving securing means there through, thereby securing the first base portion to the second shield portion when In use. These apertures may be threaded and the securing means, may be in fine form of break-off screws.

The second shield portion may Include a seal which assists in a sealing fit between the first base portion and the second shield portion.

The second shield portion may include a further aperture in its side wall to allow for the escape of any fuel overflow from the breather. Unauthorised access to the breather through the aperture s limited. Tills farther aperture rnsy comprise an outlet ich ma be attachable to a breather tube.

The second shield portion may include an inner cavity to fit the breather attached to the fuel tank, and allow for the breather unit to function as normal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of exam pis only and with reference to the following noe-f;mlt;ng drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective top view of the first base portion and the second shield portion of the anthsiphoning device:

Figure 2 is .a perspective top view of the anti-siphonlng device:

Figure 3 Is a perspective side view of the antesiphoning device;

and

Figure 4 is a perspective top view of th first base portion with the attached breather unit befor attachment of the second shield portion,

D£T IL£D DjS if TIO OF HEj ¾!O

Reference numeral 10 refers to an anthslphoning device In accordance with the invention. Reference numeral 1 is representative of the inlet of a- fuel tank,

The anthsiphonlng device 1 0 for a vehicle fuel tank 12 comprises a first base portion 1,4 which is shaped to co lementail fit an inlet (not shown) defined by the fuel tank 12 and for receiving a breather unit 1 8 when secured relative to the inlet. The ants^'- siphoning dsvice includes a second shield portion 20 which Is attachable to the first base portion 14 to shield the breather unit 18 and prevent the unauthorised tampering therewith and the siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank 12, VVhen In use, the ami- siphoning device 1 0 prevents the unauthorised siphoning of fuel from the fuel tank 12, The first base portion 14 is tubular in shape and the aperture 22 defined by the tube, which includes a seal 30 for a secure fit abuts the outer surface (not shown) of a flange of the Inlet defined by the fuel tank 12. when in use.

The breather unit 18 Including a threaded portion (not shown) Is received by a collar defined by the flange (not shown) which includes a counter threaded portion (not shown). Once the breather unit 18 is screwed Into the collar the first base portion 1:4 is secured relative to the fuel tank 2. An adhesive / bonding substance may be used to further secure the fit of the breather unit 18 relative the collar.

The second shield portion 20 Includes a cavity 38 which fits the breather unit 18 attached' to the fuel tank 12, and allows for it to function as norma! The second shield^ portion 20 fits the first base portion 1 and both include a number of apertures 24 which are complementary shaped and dimensioned to receive securing means to secure the first base portion 14 relative to the second shield portio 20. These apertures 24 are threaded and the securing means 26 are break off screws. The ^■abutted fit between the first base portion 14 and the second shield portion 2D is enhanced by the presence of a seal 2:8.

The second shield portion 20 Includes a further aperture 32 in Its side wall to allow for the escape of any fuel overflow from the .breather 18, and it is limits unauthorised access to the breather unit 18 there through. This aperture 32 Includes an outlet 34 which is attachable to a breather tube 38.

The invention therefore provides a novel device for assisting in preventing the unauthorised tampering with a breather and^: subsequent access to a fuel tank for the unauthorised siphoning of fuel.

Claims

1. An anti-siphonlng dev ce for a vehicle fuel tank characterised n that the device comprises a first base portion shaped to complemenlaliy fit an iniei of the fuel tank and for receiving a. breather unit when secured relative the Inlet end a second shield portion attachable to the first base portion to shield the breather unit and prevent the unauthorised tampering therewith and siphoning of fuei from the fuel tank.

2. The anti-siphonlng device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized In that the anti- slpbdning device- is configured to prevent its unauthorised removal from the fuei tank.

3. The anii-slphoni.bg device as ^'Claimed^' ;n either one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ants-siphoning device Is able to be swivelled relative to the fuei tank without th breather unit being unscrewed.

4. Th anti-siphonlng. device as^: claimed In any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flange extends from the iniei of the fuel tank.

5. The anti-siphonlng device as claimed in claim 4, characterized In that the first base portion is tubular in shape with: the aperture defined by the tube abutting ine outer surface of the flange of the iniet of the fuel tank.

8. The anti-siphonlng device as claimed in either claim 4 or 5, characterized In that the aperture of the tubs defined by the first base portion Includes a seal to assist with the secure fit of the first base portion relative to the flange.

7. The anti-siphonlng device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breather unit includes a threaded portion. s

8. The ants-siphoning device as claimed in- claim 7. characterized in that the breather is received by the flange which defines a collar including a counter threaded portion on its internal surface.

9. The anti-siphoning device as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in thai the breather is screwed into the collar and the first base portion is secured relative to the fuel tank.

10. The anti-siphoning device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9. characte^rized In that an adhesive / bonding substance Is used to assist in furthe securing the fit of the breather relative to the collar.

^'1 1 . Th snth siphoning device as claimed In any one of the preceding^' claims, characterized In that a number of apertures are located In th first base portion, for receiving securing means.

12. The anti-siphoning device as ciairned in claim t, characterized in that the second shield portio fits onto the first base portion and Includes apertures shaped complementally to those apertures iocaied in the first base portion, for receiving securing means therethrough, thereby securing the first base portion to the second shield portion 3. The anti-siphoning devic as claimed in either claim: 1 1 or 12, characterized in that these apertures are threaded and the securing means are In the form of self- shearing screws.

14. The anti-siphoning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second shield portion Includes a seal which ensures a liquid - tight fit between the first base portion and the second shield portion.

15. The anti-siphoning device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second shield portion includes a further aperture in Its side wail to allow for the escape of any fuel overflow from the breather.

16. i hs enti-sipbonmg device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that unauthorised access to ihs breather through the aperture is limited. 7. The anil-siphoning device as claimed in either daim 15 or 16, characterized in that the further aperture rn the side ot the second shield portion comprises an outlet which Is attachable to a breather tube.

IS The anihsiphonmg device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second shield portion includes an Inner cavity to receive the breather attached to the fuel tank, and allow for the breather unit to function as normal.