Abstract: The present invention comprises a shaft retaining collar and a knob adapted to receive and utilize the collar. The collar is integrally formed with a base portion having a protruding button extending outwardly in one direction and a pair of opposed spring fingers positioned opposite to the button. The collar is adapted to be assembled into a knob or other component to be mounted on a shaft and having an internal cavity sized to accept the collar. An internal, keyhole shaped aperture is formed in the central area of the collar. When so assembled within the knob, the collar may be moved from a first position in which a smaller diameter portion of the aperture straddles a groove formed in the shaft to secure the shaft against relative axial movement and a second position in which a larger diameter portion of the aperture is positioned to allow the shaft to be inserted or retracted.

Abstract: A heat shield retainer and method for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A roll-over vapor vent valve is provided having a mounting arrangement for weldably connecting the valve directly onto a polymeric fuel tank. The valve includes a main body casing having at least one inlet for communicating with the internal chamber of the polymeric fuel tank, an outlet for communicating with a point external to the fuel tank and a passageway which communicates with the at least one inlet and the outlet. A controlling mechanism is located within the casing for controlling fluid flow through the passageway between the at least one inlet and the outlet. The mounting arrangement is preferably integral with the main body casing and serves to weldably connect the casing to the polymeric fuel tank. The mounting arrangement may comprise an L-shaped flange which extends out from and encircles a lower portion of the main body casing to define a circumferential weld foot. Alternatively, the L-shaped flange may be bifurcated to define two circumferential weld feet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel tank comprising a generally planar fuel tank bottom and upstanding wall on the fuel tank bottom. A passage within the wall has a throat area for admitting fuel to the reservoir. A baffle attached to the wall and placed adjacent the throat area deflects fuel away from the passage. The reservoir is designed to contain a first minimum quantity of fuel when the vehicle is approximately level and a second minimum quantity of fuel when the vehicle is inclined, the second quantity of fuel being roughly one-third the first minimum quantity of fuel. The reservoir acts to confine fuel within an area to be withdrawn by a fuel pump or pick-up nozzle and supplied to an engine.

Abstract: A molded assembly comprising a wall made from a plastic sheet that is pliable at a first elevated temperature. A body having a penetrating portion and a connecting portion forms an aperture in the wall, the connecting portion extends through the aperture and is made from a material resistant to melting at the first temperature. The connecting portion is made from a material that will at least partially melt at the first temperature. The connecting portion engages one surface of the wall, whereby when the wall is raised to the first temperature, the connecting portion partially melts and becomes integral with the wall when returned to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A heat shield retainer and method is provided for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A blow molding process is disclosed for making the products having at least one substantially solid attachment projection unitary with and projecting outwardly from an exterior wall. The process comprises the steps of:(A) forming a molten plastic parison;(B) enclosing the parison within a cavity formed by cooperating blow molding die parts, a void in fluid communication with such cavity and having a configuration corresponding to that desired for the attachment projection being provided at a parting line between one and another of the die parts;(C) introducing fluid pressure into the parison to expand it outwardly within the cavity and to flow molten plastic into the void; and(D) opening the blow mold and removing the product.

Abstract: A molded plastic tank is disclosed to comprise a plastic tank wall and an externally flanged, closed-section conduit at least partially embedded in the wall. A method aspect of the invention for making certain embodiments of such molded plastic tank comprises the steps of:(A) forming a molten plastic parison;(B) locating an externally flanged conduit between the parison and a molding cavity surface;(C) closing the mold around the parison;(D) introducing fluid pressure into the parison to expand it outwardly against the cavity surface and at least partially envelop the flanges of the conduit; and(E) removing the finished plastic tank.