IP Library Granted Patent US 7,461,673
Granted Patent B2
US 7,461,673 · App. 10/974,018 · Granted Dec 9, 2008

Seal device for a tank filler neck in vehicles

Assignee: Alfred Engelmann Holding GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,461,673
App. No.
10/974,018
Granted
Dec 9, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A closure device for tank filler necks in motor vehicles. The closure device has the object of configuring the tank filling operation to be more comfortable. This objective is achieved in that at least two closure elements are swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the closure elements having insertion bevels on their top that are designed in such a way that when a fuel nozzle is placed on them the closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck.

Claims (22)

1. A closure device for a tank filler neck in motor vehicles, comprising at least two closure elements adapted to be swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the at least two closure elements each having insertion bevels on a top thereof such that when a fuel nozzle is placed on the insertion bevels the at least two closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, wherein the at least two closure elements have projections and/or recesses that overlap each other in a closed state.

2. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the insertion bevels are a conical, roof-like or pyramidal shape or as a hyperboloid.

3. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the at least two closure elements are spring-loaded against an opening movement.

4. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the at least two closure elements have a swivel axis which is oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the tank filler neck.

5. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the at least two closure elements comprise lips that overlap each other in a closed state.

6. The closure device as described in claim 1 , further comprising seals disposed at contact areas between at least one of the closure elements and at the contact areas between the closure elements and the tank filler neck.

7. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein at least one of spring elements, braking devices and the at least two closure elements are mounted on a carrier that is attached to the tank filler neck.

8. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the insertion bevels taper in a direction of the tank filler neck.

9. The closure device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a torsion spring for spring loading the at least two closure elements.

10. The closure device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a swivel axis of the at least two closure elements oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the at least two closure elements are individually mounted and close the tank filler neck in a clamshell manner.

11. The closure device as described in claim 1 , wherein the at least two closure elements have lips, or lips and recesses, that overlap each other in a closed state to reinforce a sealing therebetween.

12. The closure device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two closure elements each have downward extending walls configured to extend over a sidewall of the tank filler neck, the downward extending walls and the a portion under the insertion bevels including sealing members which are designed to engage with one another when the at least two closure elements are in the closed state.

13. A closure device for a tank filler neck in motor vehicles, comprising at least two closure elements adapted to be swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the at least two closure elements having insertion bevels on a top thereof such that when a fuel nozzle is placed on the insertion bevels the closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and braking devices assigned to the at least two closure elements for delayed movement during opening and closing of the tank filler neck.

14. The closure device as described in claim 13 , wherein the braking devices are silicone brakes.

15. A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements adapted to be swivel mounted on a tank filler neck, the spring loaded closure elements include tapered insertion bevels designed in such a way that, when a fuel nozzle is placed on them, the spring loaded closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and a swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements is one of oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the spring loaded closure elements are individually mounted and close the tank filler neck in a clamshell manner.

16. The closure device as described in claim 15 , wherein the swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension such that the spring loaded closure elements are mounted on a same axis.

17. The closure device as described in claim 15 , further comprising seals disposed one on top of the other at contact areas of the spring loaded closure elements.

18. The closure device as described in claim 15 , wherein at least one of elements, braking devices and the spring loaded closure elements are mounted on a carrier that is attached to the tank filler neck.

19. A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements swivel mounted on tank filler necks, the spring loaded closure elements include tapered insertion bevels designed in such a way that, when a fuel nozzle is placed on them, the spring loaded closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and braking devices assigned to the spring loaded closure elements that cause a delayed opening of the tank filler neck.

20. A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements having a top portion configured to cover an opening of a filler neck and sidewalls configured to surround an outer wall of the filler neck, the spring loaded closure elements close about the top and side of the filler neck in a clamshell manner, and swivel to open the tank filler neck when a fuel nozzle is placed on insertion bevels on a top surface thereof.

21. The closure device of claim 20 , further comprising a swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the spring loaded closure elements are individually mounted.

22. The closure device of claim 20 , wherein the spring loaded closure elements are prefabricated on a carrier which is configured to be mounted on the outer wall of the tank filler neck.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 18, 2011
From: VISIOCORP PATENTS S.A.R.L.
To: SMR PATENTS S.A.R.L.
Reel/Frame 025978/0781 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2008
From: ALFRED ENGELMANN HOLDING GMBH
To: VISIOCORP PATENTS S.A.R.L.
Reel/Frame 021978/0942 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2008
From: ALFRED ENGELMANN HOLDING GMBH
To: SCHEFENACKER-ENGELMANN SPIEGEL GMBH
Reel/Frame 021979/0270 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2005
From: BUSCH, MARCUS; BULTMANN, ETZHARD
To: ALFRED ENGELMANN HOLDING GMBH
Reel/Frame 016272/0880 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 103 50 471 · Oct 29, 2003 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070034286A1 · Feb 15, 2007