Boat fuel overflow protection system

• US 6,237,645 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David B. Pountney
• Original Assignee: David B. Pountney
• Inventors: Pountney, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/640,547
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 141/4-7, 141/37, 141/44, 141/59, 141/66, 141/86, 141/87, 141/115, 141/121, 141/126, 141/301, 141/285, 141/309, 141/311 R, 141/324, 141/325, 141/346, 141/383, 141/311 A, 137/583, 137/584, 137/587
• US Class Current: 141/7
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 25/082 Arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents associated with tanks for fuel or the like not forming bunkers B63B17/0036
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/362 combined with over-fill preventing means indicating or measuring liquid level G01F23/00; level control G05D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86324 Tank with gas vent and inlet or outlet

Abstract

Apparatus and method to prevent fuel spillage from a fuel tank vent used with a boat mounted fuel tank having a filler tube leading thereto from a fuel filler fitting mounted to a surface of the boat and a vent line leading from the fuel tank to a vent extending through the hull of the boat. A member having a hollow interior and a removable closure member is mounted substantially flush with a surface of the boat and in close proximity to the fuel filler fitting. The member has a fitting in the interior thereof which is connected to a first section of vent tube leading from the fuel tank. The interior of the member is also connected to a second section of vent tube that leads to the vent extending through the hull of the boat. When the closure is on the member, the interior of the fuel tank is in communication with the vent. When the boat is to be fueled, the cap is removed from the member and a fuel overflow container is connected to the fitting. Then the interior of the fuel tank is in communication with the container and any fuel overflow from the first section of vent tubing is collected in the container. When fueling is complete, the collection container fitting is removed from the first mentioned fitting and the closure member is replaced on the member. The interior of the fuel tank is then in communication, through the first and second sections of vent tubing, with the hull-mounted vent.

Claims

1. A method of fueling a fuel tank on a boat which includes a fuel tank, a filler tube leading from an accessible fuel filler fitting to the fuel tank and a vent line for the fuel tank to a boat mounted vent comprising the steps of providing a first member having a hollow interior and a removable closure member for said hollow interior in close proximity to said fuel filler fitting, connecting a first section of said vent line to said hollow member from said fuel tank, connecting a second section of vent line between said first member and said hull mounted vent, removing said closure member when said boat is to be fueled and connecting an overflow container to said first section of said vent line in said first member and replacing said closure member when said boat is fueled.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 further including a fuel collection receptacle having a line extending therefrom adapted to be connected to said first nipple whereby when said closure member is removed from said first member and said line is connected to said first nipple the interior of said fuel tank is in communication with said collection receptacle.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first member is adapted to be mounted to the boat in close proximity to the fuel filler fitting.

2. For use in combination with a boat having a fuel tank mounted thereon and having a fuel filler fitting and tube leading to the tank from a fuel filler fitting mounted substantially flush with a surface of the boat and a vent line leading from the fuel tank to a boat hull vent extending through the hull of the boat, a first member having a hollow interior mounted substantially flush with a surface of the boat, said first member including a removable closure member, the interior of said first member being accessible when said closure member is removed from said first member, a first nipple extending into the hollow interior of said first member and adapted to receive a first length of the vent line extending from the fuel tank, a second nipple extending into said first member, said second nipple adapted to be connected to a second length of vent line leading from said second nipple to said vent whereby when said closure member is on said first member said fuel tank is in communication with said vent through said vent line lengths and said first member and when said closure member is removed from said first member communication between said fuel tank and said vent is interrupted.

5. Apparatus for use in the fuel vent line of a boat having a fuel tank mounted thereon and having a fuel filler tube leading thereto from a fuel filler fitting mounted to a surface of the boat, said apparatus being connectable between a first section of boat fuel tank vent line extending from the fuel tank and a second section of fuel tank vent line to a fuel tank vent on the boat, said apparatus comprising a first member having walls defining a hollow interior adapted to be mounted to a surface of a boat, a removable closure member for said first member for enclosing said hollow interior, the interior of said first member being accessible when said closure member is removed from said first member, first means for connecting a first section of said vent line from the fuel tank to the interior of said first member, second means for connecting the interior of said first member to a second section of said vent line leading to said vent, said first means being connectable to a portable fuel overflow container when said closure member is removed from said first member whereby when said first member is mounted to a boat and receives said closure member thereon said fuel tank is vented through said first fuel line vent section, said first member and said second fuel line vent section to said vent and when said closure member is removed from said first member said fuel tank vent line is interrupted.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first member has a mounting flange thereon adapted to be secured to a surface of the boat.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first means includes a tubular member having a coupling thereon within said first member adapted to be connected to a mating coupling on a fuel overflow container.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said couplings are a bayonet-type quick disconnect coupling.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a fuel overflow collection receptacle having a line extending therefrom adapted to be connected to said first means whereby when said closure member is removed from said first member and said collection receptacle is connected to said first means the interior of said fuel is in communication with said collection receptacle.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first member is adapted to be mounted to the boat in close proximity to the fuel filler fitting of the boat.

11. Apparatus for use in the fuel tank vent line of a power boat and connectable between a first section of fuel tank vent line extending from the fuel tank and a second section of fuel tank vent line extending to a vent on the boat comprising a first member having a hollow interior adapted to be mounted to a surface of a boat, a removable closure member for said first member for enclosing said hollow interior, the interior of said first member being accessible when said closure member is removed from said first member, a first tubular member extending through said first member into said hollow interior and having one end adapted to be connected to a portable fuel overflow container when said closure member is removed from said first member and to said first section of fuel tank vent line at the other end thereof, a second tubular member extending into a wall of said first member and in communication with said hollow interior, said second tubular member adapted to be connected to said section of fuel tank vent line whereby when said first member is mounted to the boat and receives said closure member thereon said fuel tank is vented to said vent through said first and second sections of fuel tank vent line and the interior of said first member and when said closure member is removed from said first member said fuel tank vent line is interrupted.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first member has a mounting flange thereon adapted to be secured to a surface of a boat.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first tubular member includes a coupling thereon within said hollow interior adapted to be connected to a mating coupling on a fuel overflow container.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said couplings are bayonet-type quick release couplings.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 mounted to a power boat having a fuel filler fitting on a surface of the boat and said first member is mounted on said surface in close proximity to the fuel filler fitting.