Fuel filler pipe retainer
A retainer for attaching an 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. The retainer assembly includes an annular body disposed around and secured to the open end of the filler pipe. A resilient locking clip is mounted on the body and this locking clip lockingly engages a portion of the housing upon insertion of the annular body to a locking position into the housing opening.
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 INVENTIONThe 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 DRAWINGA 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:
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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.
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Furthermore, upon attachment of the retainer 22 to the housing 24 as shown in
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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.
Claims
1. A retainer for use in attaching an 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, said retainer assembly comprising:
- an annular body disposed around the open end of the filler pipe,
- at least one resilient locking tab mounted to said body, said locking tab lockingly engaging a portion of the housing upon insertion of said annular body to a locking position into the housing opening.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer is of a one-piece construction.
3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a plurality of annularly spaced locking tabs mounted to said body.
4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer is made of plastic.
5. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising an annular flange extending outwardly from said body, said flange dimensioned to abut against the housing upon insertion of said body into the housing opening to said locking position.
6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein a portion of the housing is entrapped between said flange and said locking tab when said body is inserted to said locking position.
7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the fuel filler pipe includes an indentation and where said body includes a protrusion which nests into the indentation to thereby attach said retainer assembly to the fuel filler pipe against rotational and axial movement.
8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer comprises two arcuate sections and a hinge which pivotally secures one end of one arcuate section to one end of the other arcuate section so that the other ends of said arcuate sections are pivotal toward and away from each other between an attached position in which said retainer is attached to said pipe and a release position in which said retainer disengages from said pipe.
9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and comprising a fastener for holding said arcuate sections in said attached position.
10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said fastener comprises a ratchet which extends outwardly from one end of said split ring which cooperates with a catch mounted to the other end of the split ring.
11. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said hinge section comprises a reduced area portion of said body.
12. The invention as defined in claim 5 and comprising an anti-rotation projection on said flange which registers with an opening in the housing when said retainer is inserted to said locking position.
13. A fuel filler pipe assembly for use with an automotive housing having an opening comprising:
- a fuel filler pipe having an open end,
- a retainer having an annular body disposed around the open end of said filler pipe,
- at least one resilient locking tab mounted to said body, said locking tab lockingly engaging a portion of the housing upon insertion of said annular body into the housing opening to a locked position.
14. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said retainer is of a one-piece plastic construction.
15. The invention as defined in claim 13 and comprising a plurality of annularly spaced locking tabs mounted to said body.
16. The invention as defined in claim 13 and comprising an annular flange extending outwardly from said body, said flange dimensioned to abut against the housing upon insertion of said body into the housing opening to said locking position.
17. The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein a portion of the housing is entrapped between said flange and said locking tab when said body is inserted to said locking position.
18. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said fuel filler pipe includes an indentation and wherein said body includes a protrusion which nests in said indentation to thereby attach said retainer to said fuel filler pipe against axial and rotational movement.
19. The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said retainer comprises two arcuate sections and a hinge which pivotally secures one end of one arcuate section to one end of the other arcuate section so that the other ends of said arcuate sections are pivotal toward and away from each other between an attached position in which said retainer is attached to said pipe and a release position in which said retainer disengages from said pipe.
20. The invention as defined in claim 19 and comprising a fastener integrally formed with said body for holding said arcuate sections in said attached position.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2007
Inventors: Douglas Poley (Grass Lake, MI), Daniel Smith (Chelsea, MI)
Application Number: 11/224,514
International Classification: B65B 1/04 (20060101);