Patent Application
20090084466
Modern automobile gas tank fuel systems provide for reduced gasoline vapor loss. This is typically done by reducing a diameter of the gas tank filler neck. For older vehicles with larger diameter filler necks an adaptor described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/843,607 filed Aug. 22, 2007 to Quigg may be used.
However, some older vehicles have utilized end plates on larger diameter gas tank filler necks which have a central opening, or aperture, for accepting the fill nozzle with a plurality of holes thereabout to provide for venting of the tank while fuel is dispensed thereinto.
Unfortunately, such end plates do not provide adequate displacement of a nozzle collar which enable the dispensing of gasoline or the use of the adaptor described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/843,607. Such modern nozzles have an accordion collar there apart which must be displaced from a nozzle end in order to commence dispensement of gasoline into a gas tank. The displacement of the accordion collar insures positive contact of the collar with the automobile gasoline tank filler neck.
The present invention provides for a automobile gas tank adaptor for use with such automobiles in order to provide efficient coupling with a modern gasoline dispensing nozzles.
A automobile gas tank adaptor is provided for an automobile having a gasoline tank filler neck with an end plate having a central opening for a dispensing nozzle with surrounding vent holes in the end plate.
Specifically, the adaptor includes a cylindrical element having a bottom with an inside and outside diameter and a sidewall extending outwardly from the bottom. This side wall has a thickness sufficient to support a gasoline dispensing nozzle collar as the nozzle is pushed through the cylindrical element. A plurality of spaced apart holes are disposed in the bottom for alignment with the vent holes in order to provide venting for a gas tank while being filled. The vented gasoline being vacuumed between the nozzle and the collar.
At least one pin is provided which protrudes from the bottom for engaging one of the vent holes and enabling alignment of the spaced apart holes with the vent holes. Preferably, a plurality of pins are provided which protrude from the bottom and the pins and holes are spaced in a pattern for enabling the pins to engage corresponding vent holes in the automobile gasoline tank filler neck end plate and the holes to be aligned with corresponding vent holes in the end plate not engaged by the pins.
The advantages and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the appended drawings, of which:
With reference to
With reference again to
The adaptor 10 includes a cylindrical element 22 that includes a bottom 32 having an opening 36 for enabling passage of the nozzle 24 therethrough. A gasket 40 provides a seal between the adaptor 10 and the nozzle 24 as illustrated in
A plurality of spaced apart holes 44 are disposed in the radial pattern in the bottom 32 about the aperture 36 which are alignable with the vent holes 28 when the adaptor 10 is placed in position on the end plate 18 of the fill neck 14, as shown in
In that regard, at least one pin 50 preferably a plurality of pins 50, 52, 54 protrude from the adaptor bottom 32 and are aligned with the vent holes 28 for engagement therewith and also for aligning the bottom holes 44 with the vent holes 28, as shown in
Alignment of the holes 44 with the vent holes 28 enables the venting of gasoline vapors from the gas tank (not shown) through the neck 14 as illustrated by the arrow 56.
As shown in
Although there has been hereinabove described a specific gas tank adaptor in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
