Safety lock, especially for vehicle fuel tanks

• US 5,706,967 A
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Web GmbH Verbindungstechnik
• Original Assignee: WEH GmbH Eerbindungstechnik
• Inventors: Weh, Erwin, Weh, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollard, Steven M.
• Application Number:
  US08/765,100
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 220/203.01, 220/203.07, 220/281, 220/315, 220/316, 403/31, 403/36, 403/37, 403/328
• US Class Current: 220/203.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03006 Gas tanks B60K15/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03381 for preventing explosions
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 35/00 Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/123 for gas bottles, cylinders or reservoirs for tank vehicles or for railway tank wagons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0308 Protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0373 Adapters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0382 Constructional details of valves, regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/036 Avoiding leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/22 with fluid pressure responsive component

Abstract

In order to improve the security and ease of operation of a safety lock, especially for vehicle fuel tanks, comprising a plug (3) with a sealing section (3a) which can be fitted on the aperture of a connector nipple (2), a locking device (5), especially in the form of clamping jaws by means of which the plug (3) fitted on the connector nipple (2) can be releasably secured thereto, an actuating device (7), especially in the form of a push-on sleeve, and a vent (10) to release pressure which is connected to the connector nipple (2) in the region of the sealing section (3a). It is proposed that inside the safety lock (1) be fitted an axially movable piston (8) coupled to a locking component (9), for the actuating device (7).

Claims

1. Safety closure, particularly for vehicle gas tanks, comprising:

a plug (3) with a sealing portion (3a) mountable on the opening of a connector fitting (2);

a locking device (5), particularly in the form of a collet, by means of which the plug (3) mounted on the connector fitting (2) is releasably connectable to the connector fitting (2);

an actuating device (7), particularly in the form of a sliding sleeve; and

an evacuation device (10) for pressure release, which communicates with the connector fitting (2) in the region of the sealing portion (3a);

characterized in that

there is provided in the interior of the safety closure (1) an axially displaceable piston (8) which is coupled to a locking member (9) for the actuating device (7).

2. Safety closure according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the locking member (9) is formed by at least one ball, which is engageably mounted in an annular groove (7a) on the actuating device (7).

3. Safety closure according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the locking member (9) is mounted in a radially-extending bore (3c) in the plug (3).

4. Safety closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston (8) is urged by a pressure spring (8b) in the direction of the connector fitting (2).

5. Safety closure according to claim 4, characterized in that the pressure spring (8b) is interchangeably mounted in the safety closure (1) in order to set the locking pressure.

6. Safety closure according to claim 5, characterized in that in order to exchange the pressure spring (8b), there is provided an externally-accessible securing ring (14), which is attached by means of a securing member (15) on the plug (3).

7. Safety closure according to claim 1, characterized in that there is coupled to the piston (8) a central bolt (18b) which is movable relative to the plug (3), and this relative movement is provided as a pressure indication.

8. Safety closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the bolt (18b) is simultaneously formed as a component of the evacuation device (10).

9. Safety closure according to claim 7, characterized in that there is attached to the bolt (18b) a press-button (18) for actuating the evacuation device (10).

10. Safety closure according to claim 9, characterized in that the press-button (18) is disposed in a countersunk manner on the end face facing away from the connector fitting (2).

11. Safety closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston (8) has on the outer periphery a control surface (8c) with different external diameters (D1, D2), which in a first position of the piston (8) holds the locking member (9) in positive engagement with the actuating device (7) while in another position of the piston (8) the locking member (9) is disengaged from the actuating device (7).