초록 ▼

A fuel cap is provided for threaded engagement with a vehicle fuel tank inlet in which a locking mechanism employs a key to move a lug from a stable locking position to an unstable unlocking position. The key may be immediately removed and the fuel cap may be threadably disengaged from the inlet and

A fuel cap is provided for threaded engagement with a vehicle fuel tank inlet in which a locking mechanism employs a key to move a lug from a stable locking position to an unstable unlocking position. The key may be immediately removed and the fuel cap may be threadably disengaged from the inlet and thereafter reengaged therewith once fuel has been introduced into the tank. The key need not be employed to lock the fuel cap, since once manipulation of the fuel cap to threadably engage the cap with the fuel inlet is initiated, the lug is moved from the unstable unlocking position to a stable locking position. The cap may thereafter not be threadably disengaged from the fuel tank inlet unless a key is employed to again shift the lug to the unstable unlocking position. A clutch mechanism is employed to prevent overtightening of the cap and consequent damage to the cap or fuel tank inlet, yet allow sufficient tightening to effectuate a vapor tight seal between the cap and the inlet.

대표청구항 ▼

A self locking vehicle fuel tank cap for use with an annular threaded fuel inlet comprising: a cover having annular walls for encircling said fuel tank inlet in coaxial fashion and having a transverse enclosing end member extending thereacross and equippped at the interior surface thereof with a gui

A self locking vehicle fuel tank cap for use with an annular threaded fuel inlet comprising: a cover having annular walls for encircling said fuel tank inlet in coaxial fashion and having a transverse enclosing end member extending thereacross and equippped at the interior surface thereof with a guideway defining a transverse path adjacent to said end member and intersecting the cover axis; a transverse lug disposed for longitudinal movement in said guideway between a longitudinally displaced unstable unlocking position and a stable locking position; resilient biasing means for driving said lug toward said stable locking position and having means for urging said lug from said unlocking to said locking position and means for opposing unaided movement of said lug from said unlocking to said locking position; a central core assembly threaded for coaxial engagement with said fuel tank inlet and having transverse interiorally directed radial projection means extending from the perimeter thereof aligned for coaction with said lug, including first coaction means relative rotation of said lug and said projection means in one direction with said lug initially in said unlocking position causes said projection means to force said lug from said unstable unlocking position to said stable locking position thereby overcoming said means for opposing unaided movement; and including second coaction means whereby relative rotation of said lug and said projection means in the opposite direction of rotation with said lug initially in said unlocking position causes said lug to engage said projection means for rotation therewith, and relative rotation of said lug and said projection means otherwise causes engagement therebetween for rotation together in only said one direction.