Access Cover For Gas Tank Filler Pipe Patents (Class 296/97.22)
  • Publication number: 20130082480
    Abstract: A tank closure system intended for closing a filling opening of a tank includes a tank cap, which closes the filling opening, and a tank flap, which covers the tank cap. The sides of the tank cap and the tank flap that face each other are designed to engage with one another in a positive locking manner by way of a defined shape, when the tank cap is situated in a predetermined position, in which the filling opening is closed, relative to the tank flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
  • Publication number: 20130076059
    Abstract: A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Daryl Zalan, Joshua Willard Ferguson, Troy Adam Nergaard, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
  • Patent number: 8382187
    Abstract: An automatic gas cap actuator system (10, 10?) for automatic locking and opening of the gas cap (26, 74) of a vehicle's fuel tank is provided. The system (10, 10?) has a gas cap (26, 74); and a cap actuator (16, 20, 48, 48?; 72) actuated by a non-manual power source (12, 12?). The cap actuator interfaces with the gas cap (26, 74) via an interface (39, 76) in a manner so as to be able to impart relative rotation between the gas cap and a fixing element (20, 78), so as to draw the cap into engagement with the filling tube (34, 52), the interface and the gas cap being disengageable so as to permit manual use at the will of the operator. A remote controller within reach of a vehicle operator actuates the motor (12, 12?). In an advantage, the cap (26, 74) can be locked or opened both electrically and manually. Using the electrical unlock, the cap (26, 74) unlocks and opens without any necessary manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Naim Guendouz, Walter Dysli, Marc Jeanneret
  • Patent number: 8382188
    Abstract: The connection of a vehicle fuel fill system access door to an access door hinge includes exposed guide members on the access door and the hinge to assist an installer in properly positioning and moving the access door relative to the hinge. Spacing structures between the access door and the access door hinge have a variable relationship for accommodating part variations. An audible sound is generated as the door is connected to indicate final positioning of the door on the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob S. Woodworth, Craig W. Gurtatowski, William A. Purdy
  • Patent number: 8371345
    Abstract: A structure for a fuel lid section has a fuel lid supported on a vehicle body via a hinge, a vehicle body recess openably covered by the fuel lid, a fuel filling opening placed in the vehicle body recess, and a cap-less mechanism provided at the fuel filling opening and enabling fuel filling operation without requiring attachment/detachment of a fuel cap. The structure also has an electricity conduction path extending from the fuel lid to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Sato, Shoichi Hokazono, Shinya Murabayashi
  • Patent number: 8360501
    Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle with a trough body having a bottom section which in final assembly position on the motor vehicle is located on the inside and provided with a through-opening for a fuel filler neck and a mounting section for the swivel-mounting of a swivel arm of a tank flap arranged laterally thereto. The swivel arm is swivel-mounted on the trough body between two end positions. On the inside of the mounting section at least one noise-dampening end stop element is arranged which interacts with the swivel arm or a counter stop element arranged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Christian Zentner
  • Patent number: 8353553
    Abstract: A drive for actuating a flap pivotably supported in or on an automobile includes a push-push kinematics. The kinematics includes a pushbar axially displaceably supported in a housing and having an external actuation end cooperating with the flap. A rotatable ring encloses the pushbar. A groove runs parallel to the pushbar axis and engages with a protrusion at the inner circumference of the ring. A first deflection face runs obliquely to the pushbar axis and cooperates with the protrusion of the ring to rotate this ring when the pushbar is pushed into the housing. A locking recess situated at the pushbar for receiving the protrusion when the pushbar is released, to lock the pushbar in the housing. A second deflection face runs obliquely to the pushbar axis and cooperates with the protrusion when the pushbar is moved out of the locked position by being pushed farther into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 8356082
    Abstract: A controller of a navigation device judges whether or not there are data for which reception has been interrupted, based on data stored in a memory. When there are data for which reception has been interrupted, a distribution request of remaining data of the interrupted reception is transmitted to a center (50) through a data updating unit (310). A memory (55) of the center (50) stores the distribution request of the remaining data for which reception has been interrupted, which is transmitted from the navigation device (110). A controller (57) extracts the remaining data from the memory (55) based on the distribution request stored in the memory (55), and transmits the remaining data to the navigation device (110) through the data updating unit (310). After energy such as fuel is refilled, the user does not need to wait until the completion of the data communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Seiichi Furuta
  • Patent number: 8292113
    Abstract: A push-up device for a fuel lid includes a holder adapted to be attached to a panel under the fuel lid, a cylindrical sleeve disposed in the holder and having a plurality of elongated grooves and a plurality of short grooves alternately arranged in a vertical direction at equal intervals in an inner surface thereof, a spring member disposed in the holder, a push rod disposed in the holder to protrude outwardly from the holder and engaging the spring member, and a cam disposed between the push rod and the cylindrical sleeve. When a depressing force is applied to the push rod in a fuel lid closing state, the cam located in the shoot grooves is moved to the elongated grooves, and when the depressing force is applied to the push rod, the cam located in the elongated grooves is moved to the short grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8276969
    Abstract: A fuel door assembly may use a vibration damper made as a single part with a contact surface of the vehicle body or a contact surface of the fuel door. In one embodiment, when the fuel door is moved to an open condition a contact surface of the fuel door contacts a contact surface of a vehicle body to dampen vibrations thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael E. Franz
  • Patent number: 8261581
    Abstract: A device for dispensing washing agents has a body defined in which is a reservoir for a liquid substance that can be dispensed. The reservoir has a charging passage that can be engaged by a plug. Operatively set between the body of the dispenser and the plug is an articulated connection, provided for keeping the plug mechanically connected to the dispenser even following upon removal of the plug from the charging passage. Preferably the articulated connection is of a “hide-away” type and comprises a movable member to which the plug is constrained so as to present a number of degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ELTEK S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Cerruti, Marco Moro
  • Publication number: 20120211488
    Abstract: The invention is to search for and create the specific jigs and fixtures for CNG filling receptacles connected to the fuel filler tanks for motor vehicles, by emphasizing on the convenience of refueling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Kasap Mulanon
  • Publication number: 20120161462
    Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle, having a recess body insertable into an opening of the vehicle body, which has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck in the area of a base section, and which has a flange-like fastening edge protruding radially outward facing away from the base section. A flexibly deformable and peripheral axial sealing tab is provided extending along the fastening edge, which extends axially outward in relation to the passage opening and comes into contact on an interior of a tank flap, which is located in the closed position and is mounted so it is pivotable on the recess body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Christian Zentner
  • Publication number: 20120153661
    Abstract: The connection of a vehicle fuel fill system access door to an access door hinge includes exposed guide members on the access door and the hinge to assist an installer in properly positioning and moving the access door relative to the hinge. Spacing structures between the access door and the access door hinge have a variable relationship for accommodating part variations. An audible sound is generated as the door is connected to indicate final positioning of the door on the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jacob S. Woodworth, Craig W. Gurtatowski, William A. Purdy
  • Publication number: 20120153660
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel door cover adapted for a shrink fit engagement upon a fuel door of a vehicle, typically displaying indicia chosen by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Golden
  • Patent number: 8186738
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a fuel supply device provided in a bowl indentation of the vehicle body. A closing cap closes the fuel supply device and a cover flap is articulated on the motor vehicle that, in the closed state, covers the bowl body of the body. Vehicles of the same model series must have different closing caps for different sales markets. Here, at least two different holding devices for holding the closing cap are therefore provided in the region of the fuel supply device. Differently designed closing caps for closing the fuel supply device can thus be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Winkler, Sven Falke
  • Patent number: 8162375
    Abstract: A vehicle refueling assembly includes a housing through which an inlet pipe is accessed and a door assembly that can be opened and closed relative to the housing. The door assembly includes a hinge and a decorative panel. The hinge includes a seal received in a ledge of the housing when the door assembly is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Gurtatowski, Joseph L. Rodawold, Jr., Jacob S. Woodworth
  • Publication number: 20120074727
    Abstract: The Car Gas Tank Substitute Door is a component that is connected to the other side of the gas tank, that will be utilize as a substitute gas panel door
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Calvin Poole
  • Patent number: 8141937
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure capable of preventing a bumper beam of another vehicle from riding over the rear part of the vehicle body. A vehicle body structure (10) is provided with a rear side door (13) located forward of a rear wheel (17) with respect to the vehicle body, and the rear side door is provided with a rear door beam (21) extended in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle body structure is provided with a side member upper section (56) extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from a rear wheel arch (33) and provided on a line extended from the rear door beam (21), and also with a side member lower section (57) extending on a down grade from the rear section (67) of the side member upper section toward a lower rear section (33c) of the rear wheel arch (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Toshizumi Yamaguchi, Hiro Nushii
  • Publication number: 20120049566
    Abstract: A tank inlet cover module is provided, which is installable in a motor vehicle, and a tank inlet cover mounted so it is pivotable thereon. The tank inlet cover module has a groove body having an end stop for limiting a pivot movement of the tank inlet cover. The tank inlet cover itself has a tank inlet cover body and a counter stop element, which interacts with the stop of the tank groove via a counter stop surface, furthermore, means being provided for damping a structure-borne noise propagation between counter stop element and the tank inlet cover body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20120049565
    Abstract: A vehicle lid device includes supply units which supply energy to a vehicle, openings corresponding to the supply units and provided in an outer surface of the vehicle, lids configured to open or close the respective openings, an opening operation unit configured to open each of the lids, a detecting unit which detects whether each of the lids is open or closed, and an action controller, the action controller controlling the opening action of each of the lids in accordance with the opening operation of the opening operation unit, the action controller forbidding opening actions of the lids other than a first lid when the detecting unit detects that the first lid is open among the lids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Jun SAITO
  • Patent number: 8122984
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: an engine driven with gasoline; a lid member opening/closing an opening of an accommodation room that accommodates a nozzle receiving unit when gasoline is supplied; a rotating electric machine driven on electric power; a charging/power feeding unit receiving electric power; a lid member opening/closing an opening of an accommodation room accommodating a charging/power feeding unit; and an open/close control mechanism setting the other of the lid member and the lid member in the closed position when one of the lid member and the lid member is set in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Miwa, Shigeki Kinomura, Makoto Hirai, Yoshiaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 8089228
    Abstract: An automated gas cap mechanism for opening and closing the fuel tank of a vehicle includes a housing with a filler compartment door mounted on a door support link that is coupled to an axle having first and second ends mounted in slots formed in the housing and configured to rotate and to move longitudinally in the housing. A crank is mounted on the axle and an arm on the crank is pivotally coupled to the door support link. A drive motor is operable to rotate the axle and crank to retract the filler compartment door into the housing and drive the axle in a linear direction to open a gas cap coupled to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Claudio R. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20110285165
    Abstract: Provided is a fitting adjustment structure for a lid in which, before a frame and a lid are incorporated into an opening portion, a height of a stopper can be adjusted with the lid being closed, to thereby eliminate the need for adjustment after the incorporation. The fitting adjustment structure for the lid includes: the opening portion formed on a panel; the lid which turns to open and close the opening portion; and the frame which is placed along a periphery of the opening portion, and supports the lid, in which: a screw hole is pierced in the frame; a stopper having an upper surface which abuts against a rear surface of the lid in a closed state is screwed with the screw hole; and a turning operation portion engageable with a rotating tool is provided at a lower end of the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki BABA, Junichi Yamamaru
  • Publication number: 20110285166
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided with an opened position holding mechanism. The opened position holding mechanism includes: an engagement pin which protrudes in a rear end portion of a second hinge arm; a support pin which protrudes in a base end portion of an extending portion of a link bracket; a hook bracket having a central portion which is turnably supported by the support pin; and an urging spring which pulls the hook bracket in one direction with respect to the support pin as the center. The hook bracket includes: a guide surface; and an engagement concave portion to be engaged with the engagement pin. The guide surface hits against the engagement pin in accordance with a lid opening operation, and a hit position therebetween relatively moves in a central direction in accordance with a turn with respect to the support pin as the center performed against the pulling force of the urging spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki BABA, Junichi Yamamaru
  • Patent number: 8028780
    Abstract: To ensure that an energy supply operation can be performed safely and smoothly on a vehicle having a plurality of energy ports such as a charging port, charging ports for supplying electric energy to a high voltage battery and a fuel supply port for supplying fuel to a fuel tank are provided in a vehicle body as energy supply ports. The fuel supply port and charging ports are respectively provided with lid members that are switched between a closed state and an open state by respective lock mechanisms. When closure of one lid member is released, all of the other lid members are prohibited from being switched to the open state, and therefore the number of energy supply ports having an open lid member is limited to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouhei Sagawa, Naoki Watabe, Takahito Shiina, Nobuhisa Yamaguchi, Takashi Tamura, Shingo Ishida
  • Publication number: 20110175389
    Abstract: A fuel door assembly may use a vibration damper made as a single part with a contact surface of the vehicle body or a contact surface of the fuel door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Michael E. Franz
  • Patent number: 7971922
    Abstract: A fuel filler housing and quarter inner panel for a vehicle may include a quarter inner panel portion including an opening hole for filling fuel and at least an inserting hole formed to be spaced outwardly from the opening hole, and a fuel filler housing portion including a filling hole communicating with the opening hole of the quarter inner panel portion and at least a latching port formed to be spaced outwardly from the filling hole to be inserted into the corresponding inserting holes of the quarter inner panel portion, wherein the fuel filler housing portion can be guided and fixed to the quarter inner panel portion by the inserting holes and the latching ports thereof when mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Moon Yang
  • Publication number: 20110140477
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel lid apparatus may include a lid and a linkage assembly that pivotally attaches the lid to the vehicle. The lid may be movable about the pivotal attachments between closed and open conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Ovidiu Cristian Mihai
  • Patent number: 7922231
    Abstract: A fuel door locking system for a fuel door and hinge arm combination in which the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm. The fuel door has a pin aperture. An abutment of the hinge arm is disposed adjacent said pin aperture. A locking pin is adapted for being inserted into the pin aperture with an interfering relationship with respect thereto which impedes the locking pin from being removed from the pin aperture. When the fuel door is slidably interfaced on the hinge arm and the locking pin is inserted into the pin aperture, then the abutment interferingly abuts the locking pin to prevent the fuel door from being slid off from the hinge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: James K. Schoenow
  • Patent number: 7914063
    Abstract: A fuel tank cover module for installation in a motor vehicle is described. The fuel tank cover module comprises a trough body and a hinge arm, which is fastened to the trough body and configured to receive a fuel tank cover and which is mounted pivotably about a pivot pin on the trough body and on its end remote from the pivot pin has a locking portion. The fuel tank cover module further comprises a locking element, which for locking and unlocking the fuel tank cover can be changed over by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages into the locking portion, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage into the locking portion. The control unit is disposed on the outside of the trough body in the region of the pivot pin. Furthermore, the locking element engages around the trough body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lars Lederer, Christian Zentner
  • Patent number: 7905535
    Abstract: A fuel filler door unit for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a hinged arm embodied for mounting a fuel filler door, which is supported about a pivot axis so as to be pivotable, a locking section moved together with the fuel filler door and a locking element, which can be moved for locking and unlocking the fuel filler door by means of a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage with the locking section. The locking element and/or the locking section comprise a beveled surface, which is arranged in such a manner that the locking element and the locking section glide along one another in response to a closing motion of the fuel filler door during a state, in which the locking element is in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christian Zentner, Heiko Betzen
  • Patent number: 7883137
    Abstract: The head for a filler pipe of a vehicle tank provided with an obturating assembly includes: a body having a passage aperture; and an obturator pivoting relative to the body between an obturating position and a freeing position. The obturator is elastically biased towards the obturating position by a spring. The obturator includes a seal disposed in the obturating position between the obturator and a sealing seat that the body comprises. The head includes a hinge to pivotally mount the obturator on the body. The relative positioning between the seat and the pivotal axis defined by the hinge is fixed. The seat is flat and the obturator includes a plug provided with the seal and a flap mounted on the body by the hinge and biased by the spring with the plug which is mounted on the flap by virtue of a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: I.T.W. DeFRANCE
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Bar
  • Publication number: 20110025087
    Abstract: An access door system includes a door, a bezel, and a hinge. The door is provided with an open position and a closed position. The hinge connects the door and the bezel and is provided with an end journaled to the bezel about an axis of rotation. The hinge rotating about the axis of rotation between a first position, whereat the door is open, and a second position, whereat the door is closed. One of the hinge or the bezel is provided with a detent receiving portion. The other of the door or the bezel is provided with a detent. The detent receiving portion releasably receives the detent to releasably hold the door in a position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: VOLVO GROUP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Sandro Ramos
  • Publication number: 20100295332
    Abstract: A refueling system is provided that has a door configured to be movable by the nozzle from a closed position that covers the fill opening to an open position that exposes the fill opening. The door has a first portion and a second portion connected with the first portion. The second portion bends with respect to the first portion when the first and the second portions are moved. Bending of the door may help to minimize the packaging space requirements for the system. For example, the door may bend along the length of the fill neck so that it has a smaller lateral dimension in the open position than in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Philip Benjey
  • Patent number: 7806456
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for limiting vehicle selector lever operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, two levers for detecting whether (i) the vehicle selector lever is in the park position, and (ii) a cap is on the vehicle fuel filler pipe, two locking keys coupled to the levers receiving information therefrom to enable or disable the vehicle selector lever and fuel filler lid depending upon the lever outputs, thereby, disabling the vehicle fuel filler lid when the vehicle selector lever is not in park position and disabling the vehicle selector lever when a cap is not on the vehicle fuel filler pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Kumars Zandparsa
  • Publication number: 20100237650
    Abstract: A filler cap tether includes attachment portions on both ends of a string-like member, of which one end-side attachment portion is connected to a filler cap to be removably mounted on an oil feeding port whereas the other end-side attachment portion is connected to the vehicle body-side corresponding portion. The filler cap tether includes a disengagement portion for permitting the filler cap and the vehicle body-side corresponding portion to enter into a disconnected state when a load with a predetermined value or above is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Ryo Takahashi, Shelley Ross Edward, Kensuke Ogose
  • Publication number: 20100230992
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a fuel supply device provided in a bowl indentation of the vehicle body. A closing cap closes the fuel supply device and a cover flap is articulated on the motor vehicle that, in the closed state, covers the bowl body of the body. Vehicles of the same model series must have different closing caps for different sales markets. Here, at least two different holding devices for holding the closing cap are therefore provided in the region of the fuel supply device. Differently designed closing caps for closing the fuel supply device can thus be received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd Winkler, Sven Falke
  • Patent number: 7766410
    Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Patent number: 7758098
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making accessible and closing an opening in a vehicle body, especially a filler neck compartment. According to the invention, a closing part is first displaced out of the body plane and then parallel to the vehicle body via two moving devices in order to make accessible a filler neck, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Marcus Busch
  • Patent number: 7753431
    Abstract: A gas fuel filling lid device for a vehicle using a high-pressure gas as the fuel has a fuel filling opening for filling the vehicle with the high-pressure gas fuel, a lid openably attached to the vehicle and covering the fuel filling opening, and a cap for the fuel filling opening. The filling opening cap is fitted to the inner surface of the lid and is connected to and disconnected from the fuel filling opening in operative association with opening and closing of the lid. The structure prevents the user from forgetting to close the filling opening cap and facilitates the connection and disconnection of the filling opening cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7740301
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel lid including a case that is fixed to a body open of a vehicle body for fueling and is connected with a fuel pipe; and a lid that is turnably attached to the case so as to open or close a case open formed on the case for fueling. The lid includes a lid base having a hinge by which the lid base is axially supported on the case; and a cover that covers an outer face of the lid base, and an engagement means including an engaging unit and an engaged unit is provided between the lid base and the cover, in which the lid base is provided with one of the engaging unit and the engaged unit and the cover is provided with the other unit, and through the engagement means, the lid base engages with the cover by a relative displacement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20100072774
    Abstract: The head for a fuel filler pipe of a vehicle tank provided with an obturating assembly comprises: a body having a passage aperture; and an obturator pivoting relative to said body between an obturating position and a freeing position, said obturator being elastically biased towards said obturating position by spring means, said obturator comprising a seal disposed, in said obturating position between said obturator and a sealing seat that said body comprises, said head comprising a hinge to pivotally mount said obturator on said body. The relative positioning between said seat and the pivotal axis defined by said hinge is fixed, said seat being flat and said obturator comprising a plug provided with said seal and a flap mounted on said body by means of said hinge and biased by said spring means with said plug which is mounted on said flap by virtue of ball joint means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: I.T.W. DE FRANCE
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Bar
  • Patent number: 7677631
    Abstract: An access assembly for a vehicle body. The access assembly includes a body panel movably mounted to the vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position and defining an access opening. A door assembly is provided on the body panel and has a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vehicle component is disposed in a substantially fixed position with respect to the vehicle body, the vehicle component having a receptacle that is substantially aligned with the access opening when the body panel is in the closed position. The access opening is exposed when the cover is in the open position, and the access opening is concealed when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Zischke, Mark D. Snyder, John Latimer, III
  • Publication number: 20090309386
    Abstract: A gas fuel filling lid device for a vehicle using a high-pressure gas as the fuel has a fuel filling opening for filling the vehicle with the high-pressure gas fuel, a lid openably attached to the vehicle and covering the fuel filling opening, and a cap for the fuel filling opening. The filling opening cap is fitted to the inner surface of the lid and is connected to and disconnected from the fuel filling opening in operative association with opening and closing of the lid. The structure prevents the user from forgetting to close the filling opening cap and facilitates the connection and disconnection of the filling opening cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Osamu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7618078
    Abstract: In a fuel flap, a first fastening element is attached to a hinge arm. The hinge arm has a second fastening element co-acting with the first fastening element in order to attach the fuel flap to the hinge arm at a predetermined position. The first fastening element includes at least two approximately parallel fastening ribs, at least one of the ribs having two spaced holes and the other has at least one hole, with the axes of the holes being parallel. The second fastening element includes at least three projections having a cross-section complementary to that of the holes. A resilient portion is formed to the hinge arm which upon engagement of the projection in holes is temporarily deformed and after the engagement of the projections in the holes is deformed back and cooperates with a locking portion of the fuel flap so that the fuel flap is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Gerner
  • Publication number: 20090267380
    Abstract: A fuel filler housing and quarter inner panel for a vehicle may include a quarter inner panel portion including an opening hole for filling fuel and at least an inserting hole formed to be spaced outwardly from the opening hole, and a fuel filler housing portion including a filling hole communicating with the opening hole of the quarter inner panel portion and at least a latching port formed to be spaced outwardly from the filling hole to be inserted into the corresponding inserting holes of the quarter inner panel portion, wherein the fuel filler housing portion can be guided and fixed to the quarter inner panel portion by the inserting holes and the latching ports thereof when mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Young Moon YANG
  • Publication number: 20090189410
    Abstract: A vehicle refueling assembly includes a housing through which an inlet pipe is accessed and a door assembly that can be opened and closed relative to the housing. The door assembly includes a hinge and a decorative panel. The hinge includes a seal received in a ledge of the housing when the door assembly is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: CRAIG W. GURTATOWSKI, Joseph L. Rodawold, JR., Jacob S. Woodworth
  • Patent number: 7566089
    Abstract: A construction for a fuel door assembly in which one or more different spring members may be coupled to the same assembly to provide for different operational characteristics. A novel construction for a fuel door assembly in which a spring member is provided and incorporated as part of the assembly securing engaging the other components assembly to prevent vibration and rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Van-Rob Inc.
    Inventor: Erick E. Alfaro
  • Patent number: 7549694
    Abstract: A filler neck housing assembly is disclosed that includes a reinforcement bracket having a ring-shaped portion and a reinforcement flange. The reinforcement bracket is assembled to a housing panel that defines a recessed area inside a body outer panel. The reinforcement bracket includes door stop flanges and hinge attachment flanges to which a fuel door is attached by a hinge and hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Scott, Michael Freeman