Safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus

• US 6,112,714 A
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles Brister
• Original Assignee: Charles Brister
• Inventors: Brister, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US09/288,402
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198 D, 123/198 DC, 123/630, 123/625
• US Class Current: 123/198.00D
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/02 for hand-held tools

Abstract

A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus is disclosed for use with a powered implement such as a lawnmower, tiller, weed trimmer or the like. The apparatus includes switch members mounted on the fuel cap and tank that disallow engine operation when the filler cap is separated from the tank such as during refueling.

Claims

1. A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that is started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising;

a) an exposed fuel tank having a tank wall with an exterior surface, a tank interior for holding fuel, and a fill opening;

b) an annular fuel filer flange positioned on the exterior surface of the tank wall, said annular flange having a central axis;

c) a filler cap that removably connects to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening when the cap center generally aligns with the flange central axis, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and manipulate said fuel filler cap during removal from said annular fuel filler flange; and

d) a switch that does not include any switch portions that are contained within the tank interior, interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap, that disables operation of the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch is a magnetic switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch is a photoelectric switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch is a mechanical switch that moves between operating and disabled positions, the switch including a member that shift positions when the fuel filler cap is separated from the fuel filler flange.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a magnetic switch mounted on the fuel tank and a magnet mounted on the filler cap.

6. A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that includes a magnoelectric generator for starting the engine, comprising:

an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening and an annular fuel filler flange at the fill opening surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said annular fuel filler flange having a central axis;

b) a filler cap that removably attaches to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening when the cap center generally aligns with the flange central axis said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and manipulate said fuel filler cap; and

c) a switch interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that disables the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange; and

d) wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted on the filler cap that does not interfere with a sealing of the fuel filler flange with the filler cap.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the fuel filler flange has a threaded portion, and the filler cap has a top and an annular skirt with threads thereon that engage the threaded portion of the flange, wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt in between the threads and the top.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface, wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface, wherein the switch member is mounted on the top.

10. A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to and internal combustion engine that is started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising:

a) an exposed fuel tank having a tank wall with an exterior surface a tank interior for holding fuel, and a fill opening;

b) an annular fuel filler flange positioned on the exterior surface of the tank wall, said flange including a flange wall extending a short distance from the filler opening in said fuel tank wall, said annular flange having a central axis;

c) a filler cap that removably connects to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening, said filler cap having a center, wherein the adjoining fuel tank outer surface is configured to enable a user to grip and manipulate said fuel filler cap;

d) a switch interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that disables the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange by rotating the cap about its center and about the annular flange central axis, said switch including switch portions mounted respectively on the exterior surface of the fuel tank, and on the fuel filler cap, both switch portions being positioned next to the assembly of filler cap and fuel filler flange when the cap forms a closure of the tank.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the switch is a magnetic switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the switch is a photoelectric switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the switch is a mechanical switch that moves between operating and disabled positions the switch including a member that shift positions when the fuel filler can is separated from the fuel filler flange.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the switch includes a magnetic switch mounted on the fuel tank and a magnet mounted on the filler cap.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted on the filler cap that does not interfere with a scaling of the fuel filler flange with the filler cap.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fuel filler flange has a threaded portion and the filler car has a top, and an annular skirt with threads thereon that engage the threaded portion of the flange, and wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt in between the threads and the top.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface and wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface and wherein the switch member is mounted on the top.

19. A powered implement, comprising:

a) a frame;

b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame that includes a magnetoelectric generator for starting the engine,

c) an exposed fuel tank having a fuel tank wall, a tank interior, a fill opening, a fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said flange extending a short distance from the filler opening in said fuel tank wall;

d) a filler cap that removably connects to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and manipulate said fuel filler cap;

e) a switch interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that disables the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange, said switch including switch portions mounted respectively on the fuel tank and on the fuel filler cap; and

f) wherein the switch does not include any portions that extend through an opening in the tank wall.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the switch is a magnetic switch.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the switch is a photoelectric switch.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the switch is a mechanical switch that moves between operating and disabled positions, the switch including a member that shift positions when the fuel filler cap is separated from the fuel filler flange.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the switch includes a magnetic switch mounted on the fuel tank and a magnet mounted on the filler cap.

37. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the cap is pivotally attached to the tank and further comprising a releasable latch that holds the can closed.

24. A powered implement, comprising:

a) a frame;

b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame that includes a magnetoelectric generator for starting the engine;

c) an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening a fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said flange extending a short distance from the filler opening in said fuel tank wall;

d) a filler can that fits the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configure to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler can;

e) a switch interfaced between the fuel tank and filler can that disables the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange, said switch including switch portions mounted respectively on the fuel tank and on the fuel filler cap; and

f) wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted on the filler cap that does not interfere with a sealing of the fuel filler flange with the filler cap.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the filler cap has a top, and an annular skirt with internal threads, and wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt in between the threads and the top.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface, wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface, wherein the switch member is mounted on the top.

28. A powered implement, comprising:

a) a frame;

b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame, said engine including a magnetoelectric generator for starting the engine;

c) the frame and engine supporting an exposed fuel tank having a tank wall surrounding a tank interior and a fill opening through said tank wall;

d) a fuel filler flange on said tank wall surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said flange extending a short distance from the fill opening in said fuel tank wall;

e) a filler cap that removably attaches to the fuel filler flange to form a closure of the tank at the fill opening, said filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and manipulate said fuel filler cap;

f) a switch interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that disables the magnetoelectric generator when the filler cap is removed from the fuel filler flange, said switch including switch portions mounted respectively on the fuel tank and on the fuel filler cap; and

g) wherein the switch includes a first portion mounted on the fuel tank wall eternally of the tank interior and a second portion mounted on the filler can, externally of the tank interior.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switch is a magnetic switch.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switch is a photoelectric switch.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switch is a mechanical switch that moves between operating and disabled positions, the switch including a member that shift positions when the fuel filler cap is separated from the fuel filler flange.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switch includes a magnetic switch mounted on the fuel tank and a magnet mounted on the filler cap.

33. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted on the filler cap that does not interfere with a scaling of the fuel filler flange with the filler cap.

34. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the fuel filler flange has a threaded portion and the filler cap has a top, and an annular skirt with threads thereon that engage the threaded portion of the flange, and wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt in between the threads and the top.

35. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface and wherein the switch member is mounted on the annular skirt.

36. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface and wherein the switch member is mounted on the top.

38. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the cap is pivotally attached to the tank and further comprising a releasable latch that holds the cap closed.