Device for checking filler cap installation

• US 4,583,072 A
• Filed: 02/09/1983
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Matsushita, Kiyomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Queen, Tyrone
• Application Number:
  US06/465,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 D, 340/52 R, 340/686, 340/687, 200/61.62, 200/61.60, 200/61.59, 220/DIG. 32, 220/33, 220/288, 220/DIG. 33, 180/286, 180/287, 180/289, 362/79
• US Class Current: 340/457
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/16 adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift

Abstract

A pair of first and second switches are arranged in series and operative to connect a warning lamp disposed within a passenger compartment of a vehicle to an electric power source. The first switch is adapted to close when an engine ignition system is turned on, and the second switch is adapted to close when a fuel tank filler cap is improperly installed.

Claims

1. A device for checking a filler cap for proper installation to a fuel tank filler tube of an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment and an engine ignition system, said device comprising:

an electric power source;

an assembly disposed within the passenger compartment and operative to produce a warning signal when connected to said electric power source;

a pair of first and second switches connected in series circuit and operative to connect said assembly to said electric power source, said first switch being adapted to close when the engine ignition system is turned on and said second switch being adapted to close when the filler cap is improperly installed; and

a filler cap closing an opening for access to said filler tube, wherein the filler cap includes a cap plug to be screwed into said filler tube and a cap handle drivingly connected to said cap plug, and wherein said second switch comprises a bracket attached to said filler lid, said bracket comprising a pair of parallel first and second bracket sections spaced axially of said filler tube, a detector pin reciprocative in said bracket sections and having a first end projecting from said first bracket section for abutment with said cap handle and a second end projecting from said second bracket section, a movable contact mounted on said second end of said detector pin and movable together therewith between an abutting position with said second bracket section and an abutting position with said filler cap, and a spring constantly urging said detector pin in the direction causing said movable contact to abut with said second bracket section.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said detector pin is made of a non-conductive material while said bracket is made of a conductive material so that both said filler lid and said second bracket section function as a pair of stationary contacts that cooperate with said movable contact to constitute a switching mechanism.