Fuel door assembly

• US 5,836,638 A
• Filed: 12/09/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Slocum, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/762,097
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 296/97.22, 220/86.2, 220/DIG. 33, 292/341.15, 292/DIG. 4, 292/13, 292/17
• US Class Current: 296/97.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/053 with hinged connection to the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/33 Gasoline tank cap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/04 Automatic release latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/696 With movable dog, catch or striker

Abstract

A fuel door assembly comprises a housing having an open main compartment, a door covering the main compartment when in a closed position with respect thereto, and a push-push lock engagable with the door by means of a latch on its inner surface. The push-push lock is reciprocatingly operable between a first fixed position and a second fixed position. When in the first fixed position, the push-push lock holds the door in a completely closed condition. When in the second fixed position, the push-push lock holds the door in a partially opened condition, so that it may be grasped manually and moved to a fully opened condition. The fuel door assembly satisfies the styling desire for a flat hidden door lacking a finger opening, but at lower cost than that associated with a cable or electrical solenoid opening mechanism. The fuel door assembly further will not fly open if accidentally activated, such as by equipment in a car wash.

Claims

1. A fuel door assembly comprising:

a housing, said housing having an open main compartment including an opening to which a tube leading to a fuel tank may be attached;

a door, said door covering said main compartment when in a closed condition and being hingedly connected to said housing, said door including a latch by which it is maintained in said closed condition covering said main compartment; and

a push-push lock attached to said main compartment, said push-push lock being reciprocatingly operable between a first fixed position and a second fixed position and being engagable with said latch, said door being locked in a fully closed condition upon said main compartment when said push-push lock is in said first fixed position and partially opened with respect thereto when said push-push lock is in said second fixed position.

2. A fuel door assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a side compartment, and wherein said door is hingedly connected within said side compartment.

3. A fuel door assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said door further comprises a hinge element disposed in said side compartment when said door is in a fully closed condition, said hinge element having a notch facing an edge of said main compartment when said door is fully opened, said edge being snappingly engagable with said notch to maintain said door in a fully opened condition.