BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fuel filler pipe retainer of the type used in automotive vehicles.
II. Description of Related Art
In automotive vehicles, a fuel filler pipe typically has an upper open end secured to a housing on the vehicle. The lower and opposite end of the fuel filler pipe is connected to the fuel tank for the vehicle. In the conventional fashion, the fuel tank for the vehicle is filled by inserting a fuel nozzle into the fuel filler pipe and activating or opening the nozzle.
The previously known fuel filler pipes are typically constructed of metal and have their upper end connected to the vehicle body or housing by screws. The use of screws to connect the fuel filler pipe to the vehicle housing, however, has a number of disadvantages.
First, the operation of screwing the fuel filler pipe to the vehicle housing is labor intensive and, therefore, relatively expensive to perform.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known fuel filler pipes that are secured to the vehicle housing by screws is that the attachment of the fuel filler pipe to the vehicle housing may be improperly performed. For example, screws may be unintentionally omitted between the housing and the fuel filler pipe or, alternatively, the screws may be improperly attached, stripped or the like. When this occurs, the actual attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the vehicle housing may be inadequate to survive all operating conditions to which the vehicle may be subjected.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a retainer for use in attaching the open end of a fuel filler pipe to a housing so that the open end of the fuel filler pipe registers with an opening in the housing which overcomes all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices.
In brief, the retainer includes an annular body disposed around the open end of the fuel filler pipe. Preferably, this annular body is constructed of a plastic or other synthetic material and is secured to the filler pipe against both axial and rotational movement. A flange extends from the body outwardly around at least a portion of the body. This flange is preferably spaced downwardly from the open end of the filler pipe.
At least one, and preferably several, annularly spaced resilient locking tabs are mounted to or formed as a part of the body and positioned immediately adjacent the flange so that a small opening is formed between a free end of the locking tabs and the flange. During insertion of the filler pipe with the attached annular body into the housing opening, the locking tabs are compressed inwardly by the housing. Following complete insertion, the locking tabs snap outwardly thus entrapping a portion of the housing in between the locking tabs and the flange. In doing so, the annular body with its attached filler pipe is securely fastened to the housing and, simultaneously, the housing is disposed around the annular body thus locking the annular body to the filler pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a portion of a fuel filler pipe;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the retainer assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an end view illustrating the retainer body;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view illustrating the attachment of the retainer with the fuel filler pipe to the vehicle housing; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the fuel filler pipe and retainer attached to the vehicle housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference first to FIG. 1, an exemplary fuel filler pipe 10 is illustrated having an open end 12 adapted to receive fuel. Typically, the fuel filler pipe 10 is circular in cross-sectional shape and has an enlarged diameter portion 14 adjacent its open end 12 and a reduced diameter portion 16. The reduced diameter portion 16 of the fuel filler pipe 10 is fluidly connected to a fuel tank (not shown) in an automotive vehicle.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the fuel filler pipe 10 illustrated includes an outwardly extending lip 18 around its open end. In addition, one or more indentations 20 are formed around the outer periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 14 of the fuel filler pipe 10 at a position spaced from the lip 18.
With reference now to FIG. 5, a retainer 22 is disposed around and secured to the fuel filler pipe 10 adjacent its open end 12. As subsequently described in greater detail, the retainer 22 operates to secure the fuel filler pipe 10 to the housing 24 so that the open end 12 of the fuel filler pipe 10 registers with and is inserted through an opening 26 in the vehicle housing 24.
With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, the retainer 22 comprises a generally annular body 28 and a flange 30 which extends radially outwardly from the body 28 adjacent one end. The flange 30 and body 28 are preferably of a one-piece construction and are preferably constructed from a plastic or other synthetic material.
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the retainer body 28 is preferably formed by two arcuate sections 40 and 42 which are pivotally secured together by a hinge section 44. The hinge section 44 is preferably a living hinge and thus formed by a reduced cross-sectional area portion of the annular body 28. The hinge section 44, furthermore, enables the arcuate sections 40 and 42 to pivot toward and away from each other between a release position, illustrated in FIG. 3, and a locked position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.
In order to retain the arcuate sections 40 and 42 in their locked position, an outwardly extending fastener 50 protrudes outwardly from one end 52 of the arcuate section 42. This locking projection 50 includes a ratchet portion 54 at its free end. Conversely, a recess 56 is formed at a free end 58 of the other arcuate section 40 so that, as the arcuate sections 40 and 42 are pivoted together to their locked position, the locking projection 50 is received within the recess 56. The recess 56 also includes ratchet teeth 60 which mesh with the ratchets 54 on the fastener 50 to hold the arcuate sections 40 and 42 together in their locked position.
With reference now particularly to FIG. 4, the retainer body 28 includes at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion 62. Each protrusion 62, furthermore, is dimensioned to nest within one of the indentations 20 formed on the outer periphery of the fuel fill pipe 10. Consequently, as the retainer 22 is positioned over the fuel fill pipe 10 adjacent its open end 12 and the arcuate sections 40 and 42 move to their locked position, the protrusion(s) 62 on the body 28 nests within the indentation(s) 20 on the fuel fill pipe 10 to lock the retainer 22 to the fuel fill pipe 10. Since the indentations 20 formed on the fuel fill pipe 10 are preferably annularly discontinuous as shown in FIG. 1, the mechanical engagement of the protrusions 62 in the indentations 20 effectively locks the retainer 22 to the pipe 10 against both rotational and axial movement.
With reference now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 4, at least one and preferably a plurality of annularly spaced locking tabs 70 are provided around the outer periphery of the retainer body 28. The resilient locking tabs 70 are preferably integrally formed with the body 28, and each tab 70 includes a free end 72 which is spaced from and generally parallel to the flange 30.
With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, after attachment of the retainer 22 to the end of the fuel fill pipe 10, the fuel fill pipe 10 is attached to the housing 24 by inserting the end 12 of the pipe 10 as well as a portion of the retainer 22 into the housing opening 26. The housing opening 26, furthermore, is the same or slightly greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the retainer body 28.
With reference now particularly to FIG. 6, during the insertion of the retainer 22 through the housing opening 26, the interference between the housing 24 and the locking tabs 70 compresses the locking tabs 70 inwardly and enables the insertion of the retainer 22 into the opening 26. The ends 72 of the locking tabs 70 are spaced away from the flange 30 by a distance at least as great as the wall thickness of the housing 24. Consequently, upon the full insertion of the retainer 22 into the housing opening 26 to the position shown in FIG. 6, the locking tabs 70 flex outwardly to their original shape as shown in FIG. 6. In doing so, a portion of the housing 24 is entrapped between the flange 30 and the free end 72 of the locking tabs 70 thus securely fastening the retainer 22 with its attached fuel fill pipe 10 to the housing 24.
Furthermore, upon attachment of the retainer 22 to the housing 24 as shown in FIG. 6, the housing 24 extends around the outer periphery of the retainer body 28. In doing so, the housing 24 ensures that the retainer 22 remains in its locked position even despite failure of the fastener 50.
Still referring to FIG. 6, the retainer flange 30 may optionally include at least one anti-rotation projection 80. Each projection 80, furthermore, protrudes substantially axially outwardly from the flange 30. These anti-rotation projections 80 are received within openings 82 formed in the housing 24 once the retainer 22 with its attached pipe 10 is moved to its fully inserted position. In doing so, the interference between the anti-rotation projection 80 and the housing openings 84 precludes rotational movement of the retainer 22 relative to the housing 24.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and yet highly effective means for attaching a fuel fill pipe to the housing of an automotive vehicle. Furthermore, Applicant's invention completely eliminates the need for screwed attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the vehicle housing while simultaneously ensuring a firm and secure attachment of the fuel filler pipe 10 to the housing 24.
Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20070056654
