WO2017158383A1

WO2017158383A1 - Apparatus for use as an anti-siphon device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017158383A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/050757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard MEECHAN; Owen CHITTENDEN
Original assignee: Bute Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2017-03-17
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: GB201604652D0; GB201816976D0; GB2564792A

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for use as an anti-siphon device for a fuel tank or the like. There is also provided a security member, and a kit of parts comprising an anti-siphon device and a security member. In addition, there is provided a method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like. The anti-siphon device comprises a tubular member and one or more fixing bores that extend through the wall of the tubular member, the one or more fixing bores configured to receive one or more fixing devices configurable to engage with the filler neck to resist removal of the device. The tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive a security member, the security member being engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE AS AN ANTI-SIPHON DEVICE AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to anti-siphon devices for use in preventing the siphoning of fuel from fuel tanks. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved arrangement for preventing the device being removed, to a security member for use in such arrangement and to a method of installing and using such a device. Background of the Invention

There is a common problem of theft of fuel from tanks such as vehicle fuel tanks and static storage tanks. Frequently this is done by inserting a flexible tube through the filler and siphoning the fuel out. There are known anti-siphon devices which prevent this by placing in the fuel filler path an apertured barrier which allows the passage of fuel but obstructs a tube. The barrier may be in the form of a plate with small diameter apertures, a wire mesh, or the like. One known form of anti-siphon device, which is principally aimed at use on the fuel tanks of trucks, is in the nature of an adapter. The device is shaped and dimensioned such that it can be mounted on the mouth of the filler pipe in place of the usual filler cap, and can then be closed by the filler cap. To be effective, this type of anti-siphon device must be resistant to unauthorised removal.

It is known to lock the adapter in place by means of radial grub screws which are extended to engage the filler neck once the adapter is in position; however, a thief who is familiar with the arrangement could loosen the screws and remove the adapter. It is known to provide an anti- tamper cover over the screws, but the known arrangements require such a cover to be glued in place or to be deformed by hammering or swaging; such arrangements are difficult and time-consuming to install. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least some of the problems of the prior art. A further object of the invention is to provide a secure and easy to install anti-tamper cover or the like for an anti-siphon device and/or an anti-siphon device with, or able to be fitted with, a secure and easy to install anti-tamper cover or the like.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use as an anti-siphon device, the apparatus comprising:

a generally tubular member configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the tubular member having a peripheral wall defining a bore;

an apertured barrier extending across the bore of the tubular member so as to permit fluid flow while obstructing passage of a siphon tube; and

one or more fixing bores extending through the wall of the tubular member, the one or more fixing bores being configured to receive one or more fixing devices configurable to engage with the filler neck to resist removal of the device;

wherein the bore of the tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive a security member, the security member being engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices.

The groove may be a peripheral groove. The groove may be a circumferential groove.

The one or more fixing bores may extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member.

The one or more fixing bores may be threaded bores.

The one or more fixing devices may be moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

The one or more fixing devices may be screws or pins, or the like.

The one or more fixing devices may be grub screws. The security member may be a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

Optionally, the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove.

The split ring may comprise a gap located in its circumference.

When the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap may be from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm, and typically is approximately 1 mm.

The security member may be engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores. The one or more fixing devices may comprise heads. The security member may be engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

The groove may comprise a detent.

The security member may comprise a flared portion configured to engage the detent.

One end of the tubular member may be diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck. The diametrically enlarged end of the tubular member may be configured to receive a filler cap suitable for the filler neck.

The apparatus may further comprise a security member. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a security member for use with the apparatus of the first aspect, the security member comprising a split ring configurable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition, wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove in the bore of the tubular member.

The security member may comprise a flared portion configured to engage a detent in the groove in the bore of the tubular member. The split ring may comprise a gap located in its circumference.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a security member for use with an anti-siphon device, the anti-siphon device being configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the security member comprising a split ring configurable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition, wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the anti- siphon device, and in its expanded condition is sized to mitigate its removal from the anti-siphon device.

The security member may comprise a flared portion.

The security member in its contracted condition may be sized such that it may be inserted into a bore of a tubular member of the anti-siphon device, and in its expanded condition may be sized to fit into a groove in the bore of the tubular member of the anti-siphon device.

The security member may comprise a flared portion configured to engage a detent in the groove in the bore of the tubular member.

The split ring may comprise a gap located in its circumference.

When the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap may be from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm, and typically is approximately 1 mm. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for use with a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the kit of parts comprising:

(i) an anti-siphon device, the anti-siphon device comprising:

wherein the bore of the tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive a security member, the security member being engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices; and

(ii) a security member engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices.

The one or more fixing bores may extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member. The one or more fixing bores may be threaded bores. The one or more fixing devices may be moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck. The one or more fixing devices may be screws or pins, or the like.

The one or more fixing devices may be grub screws.

Optionally, herein the security member is a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

The split ring in its contracted condition may be sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition may be sized to fit into the groove.

The split ring may comprise a gap located in its circumference.

The security member may be engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

The one or more fixing devices may comprise heads, and wherein the security member is engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores. The groove may comprise a detent.

One end of the tubular member may be diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck.

The diametrically enlarged end of the tubular member may be configured to receive a filler cap suitable for the filler neck.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided use of the apparatus of the first aspect, the security member of the second aspect, the security member of the third aspect, or the kit of the fourth aspect in the installation of an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank, or the like.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, using the apparatus of the first aspect, the security member of the second aspect, the security member of the third aspect, or the kit of the fourth aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an anti-siphon device comprising a generally tubular

member configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like;

(ii) inserting at least the generally tubular member into the filler neck; (iii) fixing the anti-siphon device in place by inserting one or more fixing devices through one or more fixing bores extending through the wall of the tubular member such that the one or more fixing devices engage with the filler neck;

(iv) providing a security member, the security member being

engageable with the generally tubular member; and

(v) engaging the security member with the generally tubular member; wherein the bore of the tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive the security member, and the security member engages with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices.

The step of engaging the security member with the generally tubular member may comprise:

(a) contracting the security member to a size that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member; and

(b) expanding the security member to a size that it fits into the groove in the bore of the tubular member, thereby fitting the security member to the generally tubular member.

The groove may be a peripheral groove.

The groove may be a circumferential groove. The one or more fixing bores may extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member.

The one or more fixing bores may be threaded bores. The one or more fixing devices may be moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

The one or more fixing devices may be screws or pins, or the like.

The one or more fixing devices may be grub screws.

Optionally, the security member is a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

The split ring in its contracted condition may be sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition may be sized to fit into the groove. The split ring may comprise a gap located in its circumference.

Optionally, the security member engages with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores. The one or more fixing devices may comprise heads. The security member may engage with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores. The groove may comprise a detent. The security member may comprise a flared portion that engages the detent. One end of the tubular member may be diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck.

The split ring as described in the aspects above may be a snap ring.

The alternative features and different embodiments as described apply to each and every aspect and each and every embodiment thereof mutatis mutandis.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective and part cut-away view of an anti-siphon device fitted with a security member and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in position on a filler neck of a fuel tank;

Fig. 2 is a side view of an anti-siphon device;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an anti-siphon device;

Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of an anti-siphon device;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line A-A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view on the line B-B of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an anti-siphon device;

Fig. 8 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on the line F-F of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a true section corresponding to Fig. 7;

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of a security member and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view on the line A-A of Fig. 1 1

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a security member;

Figs. 14a and 14b show, in plan view, the operation of a security member; and

Figs. 15a and 15b show, in perspective view; a security member being positioned in an anti-siphon device.

Detailed Description

Referring to Fig. 1 , an anti-siphon device generally designated 10 is fitted to the filler neck 12 of a fuel tank 14. In this embodiment, the device 10 is designed to fit a standard 80mm fuel filler in place of the standard filler cap, and to receive the filler cap on the top of the device 10.

The anti-siphon device 10 comprises a body member 16 in the form of a generally tubular member defining a bore. An apertured partition 18 is formed across the lower end of the body member 16 and supports a mesh cup 20. The apertured partition 18 and mesh cup 20 together form a barrier to prevent the passage of a siphon tube into the fuel tank 14.

In use, the device 10 is inserted into the filler neck 12. A gasket 28 on the body member 16 provides a seal against the filler neck 12. The body member 16 is then locked in position by inserting a number of grub screws 22 (in this embodiment, four in number) in transverse threaded bores 24 and tightening these with an Allen key or the like until they engage firmly with the inner wall surface of the filler neck 12. The grub screws 22 act as fixing devices. Other fixing devices can be used such as screws or pins. The transverse threaded bores 24 act as fixing bores. The fixing devices are moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

A security member in the form of a split ring 26 is then positioned over the grub screws 22, as will be described in more detail below. The split ring 26 prevents, or at worst severely inhibits, a thief from disengaging the grub screws and removing the device 10. Referring also to Figs. 7 to 14, the split ring 26 is formed with a main cylindrical portion 30 and an upper, outwardly-flared portion 32. When in position, the flared portion 32 engages under a lip 34 on the inner surface of the bore of the body member 16. Fig. 14a shows the ends of the split ring 26 overlapped to allow easy insertion in the body member 16, once in position, the split ring is released and snaps back into the condition shown in Fig. 14b. The split ring 26 has a gap 52 (or split) in its circumference. When the split ring 26 is in the expanded state, the gap is approximately 1 mm, but can be between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1 .5 mm. In this context the expanded state could also be referred to as the relaxed state, which contrasts with the compressed state in which the two ends of the split ring 26 come together and may overlap.

Figs. 15a and 15b also illustrate the mode of operation. Figs. 2 to 10 show the body member 16 in greater detail. The body member consists of a top portion 36, a mid-portion 38 and a lower portion 40.

The lower portion 40 is cylindrical, with an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the filler neck 12. The lower portion 40 is provided with an array of transverse apertures 42. The sizes and positioning of the apertures, coupled with the spacing between the lower portion 40 and the filler neck 12, are chosen to minimise surging and blow-back of incoming fuel. However, this feature does not form part of the present invention and accordingly is not described in detail herein.

The intermediate portion 38 is of greater diameter than the lower portion 40 and is a snug fit within the filler neck 12. The intermediate portion 38 contains the threaded bores 24 for the grub screws 22, and the lip 34. In this embodiment, the lip 34 provides an upper edge to a groove 60 having a detent 44, and in which the flared portion 32 of the split ring 26 sits. In this embodiment, the lip 34 also provides an upper edge to the detent 44. The groove 60 and/or the detent 44 may be a peripheral groove/detent and/or a circumferential groove/detent. The flared portion 32 of the split ring 26 engages the detent 44 of the groove 60.

The split ring 26 has a contracted condition and an expanded condition. In the contracted condition the split ring 26 is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove 60, the flared portion 32 of the split ring 26 fitting into the detent 44 of the groove 60.

The top portion 36 is of yet greater diameter. The top portion 36 is formed (see particularly Figs. 7 to 9) with apertures 46 for receiving the

engagement lugs of a fuel cap and cam surfaces 48 for tightening the fuel cap into place. A lower surface 50 of the top portion 36 provides a seat for the gasket 28.

The groove is configured to receive the security member, the security member being engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the fixing devices by covering the fixing devices.

In one embodiment, there is provided the split ring as described herein. The split ring is a security member for use with an anti-siphon device, the anti-siphon device being configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like.

In another embodiment there is provided a kit of parts for use with a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the kit having the anti-siphon device and the split ring (security member) as described herein.

In a further embodiment, there is provided the use of the apparatus, the anti-siphon device, the security member, or the kit as described herein in the installation of an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like.

In a yet further embodiment, there is provided a method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, using the apparatus, the anti-siphon device, the security member, or the kit as described herein.

In a still further embodiment, there is provided a method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an anti-siphon device as described herein;

(ii) inserting at least the generally tubular member into the filler neck;

(iii) fixing the anti-siphon device in as described herein;

(iv) providing a security member as described herein; and (v) engaging the security member with the generally tubular member as described herein.

Engaging the security member with the generally tubular member comprises:

(a) contracting the security member to a size that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member as described herein; and

(b) expanding the security member to a size that it fits into the groove in the bore of the tubular member, thereby fitting the security member to the generally tubular member as described herein.

Modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiment. For example, the mesh cup could be omitted. The number of grub screws could be varied. Other forms of screw could be used, such as countersunk-headed screws engaging in countersunk bores.

While this invention has been described with reference to the sample embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications can be made to the structure and elements of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a whole.

Claims

An apparatus for use as an anti-siphon device, the apparatus comprising:

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the groove is a peripheral groove.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the groove is a circumferential groove.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fixing bores extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fixing bores are threaded bores.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fixing devices are moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fixing devices are screws or pins, or the like.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fixing devices are grub screws.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the

security member is a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove.

1 1 . An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the split ring comprises a gap located in its circumference.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein when the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap is from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the size of the gap ^' approximately 1 mm.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the security member is engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the one or more fixing devices comprise heads, and wherein the security member i engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the groove comprises a detent.

An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the security member comprises a flared portion configured to engage the detent.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one end of the tubular member is diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck. 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the diametrically

enlarged end of the tubular member is configured to receive a filler cap suitable for the filler neck. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a security member.

A security member for use with the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 20, the security member comprising a split ring configurable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition, wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove in the bore of the tubular member.

A security member as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the security member comprises a flared portion configured to engage a detent in the groove in the bore of the tubular member.

A security member as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the split ring comprises a gap located in its circumference.

A security member as claimed in claim 23, wherein when the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap is from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm.

A security member as claimed in claim 24, wherein the size of the gap is approximately 1 mm.

A security member for use with an anti-siphon device, the anti- siphon device being configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the security member comprising a split ring configurable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition, wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the anti-siphon device, and in its expanded condition is sized to mitigate its removal from the anti- siphon device.

A security member as claimed in claim 26, wherein the security member comprises a flared portion.

A security member as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the security member in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into a bore of a tubular member of the anti-siphon device, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into a groove in the bore of the tubular member of the anti-siphon device.

A security member as claimed in claim 28, wherein the security member comprises a flared portion configured to engage a detent in the groove in the bore of the tubular member.

A security member as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the split ring comprises a gap located in its circumference.

A security member as claimed in claim 30, wherein when the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap is from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm.

A security member as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the size of the gap is approximately 1 mm.

33. A kit of parts for use with a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the kit of parts comprising:

(i) an anti-siphon device, the anti-siphon device comprising: a generally tubular member configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the tubular member having a peripheral wall defining a bore;

one or more fixing bores extending through the wall of the tubular member, the one or more fixing bores being configured to receive one or more fixing devices configurable to engage with the filler neck to resist removal of the device; wherein the bore of the tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive a security member, the security member being engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices; and

A kit as claimed in claim 33, wherein the groove is a peripheral groove.

A kit as claimed in claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the groove is a circumferential groove.

36. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the one or more fixing bores extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the one or more fixing bores are threaded bores.

38. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the one or more fixing devices are moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

39. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the one or more fixing devices are screws or pins, or the like.

40. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 39, wherein the one or more fixing devices are grub screws.

A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 40, wherein the security member is a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

A kit as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the split ring in its contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove.

A kit as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the split ring comprises a gap located in its circumference.

A kit as claimed in claim 43, wherein when the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap is from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.5 mm.

45. A kit as claimed in claim 44, wherein the size of the gap is approximately 1 mm.

A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 45, wherein the security member is engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

A kit as claimed in claim 46, wherein the one or more fixing devices comprise heads, and wherein the security member is engageable with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47, wherein the groove comprises a detent.

A kit as claimed in claim 48, wherein the security member comprises a flared portion configured to engage the detent.

A kit as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 49, wherein one end of the tubular member is diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck.

A kit as claimed in claim 50, wherein the diametrically enlarged end of the tubular member is configured to receive a filler cap suitable for the filler neck.

52. Use of the apparatus of any one of claim 1 to 20, the security

member of any one of claims 21 to 25, the security member of any one of claims 26 to 32, or the kit of any one of claims 33 to 51 in the installation of an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like.

A method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, using the apparatus of any one of claim 1 to 20, the security member of any one of claims 21 to 25, the security member of any one of claims 26 to 32, or the kit of any one of claims 33 to 51 .

A method of installing an anti-siphon device on a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an anti-siphon device comprising a generally

tubular member configured to sit within a filler neck of a fuel tank or the like;

(ii) inserting at least the generally tubular member into the filler neck;

(iii) fixing the anti-siphon device in place by inserting one or

more fixing devices through one or more fixing bores extending through the wall of the tubular member such that the one or more fixing devices engage with the filler neck;

(iv) providing a security member, the security member being engageable with the generally tubular member; and

(v) engaging the security member with the generally tubular member;

wherein the bore of the tubular member comprises a groove configured to receive the security member, and the security member engages with the bore of the tubular member in a position to mitigate access to the one or more fixing devices. A method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the step of engaging the security member with the generally tubular member comprises:

A method as claimed in claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the groove is a peripheral groove.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 56, wherein the groove is a circumferential groove.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 57, wherein the one or more fixing bores extend substantially transversely through the wall of the tubular member.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the one or more fixing bores are threaded bores.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 59, wherein the one or more fixing devices are moveable within the one or more fixing bores to engage with the filler neck.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 60, wherein the one or more fixing devices are screws or pins, or the like.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 61 , wherein the one or more fixing devices are grub screws.

63. A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 62, wherein the security member is a split ring, the split ring having a contracted condition and an expanded condition.

64. A method as claimed in claim 63, wherein the split ring in its

contracted condition is sized such that it may be inserted into the bore of the tubular member, and in its expanded condition is sized to fit into the groove.

65. A method as claimed in claim 63 or claim 64, wherein the split ring comprises a gap located in its circumference.

66. A security member as claimed in claim 65, wherein when the split ring is in its expanded condition, the size of the gap is from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1 .5 mm.

67. A security member as claimed in claim 66, wherein the size of the gap is approximately 1 mm.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 67, wherein the security member engages with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

A method as claimed in claim 68, wherein the one or more fixing devices comprise heads, and wherein the security member engages with the bore of the tubular member in a position to cover the heads of the one or more fixing devices in the one or more fixing bores.

70. A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 69, wherein the groove comprises a detent.

71 . A method as claimed in claim 70, wherein the security member comprises a flared portion that engages the detent.

72. A method as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 71 , wherein one end of the tubular member is diametrically enlarged to overlie the end of the filler neck.

73. A method as claimed in claim 72, wherein the diametrically

enlarged end of the tubular member is configured to receive a filler cap suitable for the filler neck.