Safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus

• US 6,260,516 B1
• Filed: 12/01/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles Brister
• Original Assignee: Charles Brister
• Inventors: Brister, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US09/452,653
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.15, 123/41.54, 123/198.D
• US Class Current: 123/41.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/0406 Filler caps for fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0425 actuated by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0445 using hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/225 Walk behind vehicles, e.g. motorized wheel barrows
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/02 for hand-held tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus is disclosed for use with a powered implement such as a lawn mower, tiller, weed trimmer or the like. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism that can be mounted on the engine body or fuel tank that disallows removal of the filler cap until the engine has cooled to a predetermined temperature that will not cause the fuel to ignite.

Claims

1. A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying liquid fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising:

a) an internal combustion engine body that includes an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening for containing said liquid fuel, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said flange having a central axis;

b) a filler cap that fits 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 turn said fuel filler cap; and

c) a locking mechanism that includes an actuator that prevents the cap from being removed when the engine temperature is above a predetermined temperature that is below the ignition temperature of said liquid fuel or its vapor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein locking mechanism includes a switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch is a timer switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the actuator is a thermo-electric actuator.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a bimetallic strip mounted on the engine body.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted next to 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, and wherein the switch member is mounted on the engine body to engage the annular skirt.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 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 engine body to engage 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 and wherein the switch member is mounted on the engine body at a position that enables part of the switch to engage the annular skirt.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is a mechanism that includes a plunger that moves between operating and disabled positions, the plunger shifting positions when the engine reaches a temperature below said ignition temperature.

11. A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising:

a) an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, 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;

b) a filler cap that fits 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 turn said fuel filler cap; and

c) a locking mechanism interfaced between the engine body and filler cap that disallows removal of the filler cap including portions mounted respectively on the fuel tank and on the fuel filler cap when the engine temperature is near the ignition temperature of the fuel vapor.

12. A powered implement, comprising:

a) a frame;

b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame that includes an engine body;

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 cap 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 cap; and

e) a switch that disallows removal of the filler cap when the engine body has a temperature value that is at or near a temperature value that will ignite gasoline.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the switch is a thermoelectric switch.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the switch is a timer switch.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the switch is a mechanical switch that moves between operating and disabled positions, the switch including a member that shift positions when the engine reaches a selected temperature.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted on the fuel tank.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the switch includes a switch member mounted next to the filler cap that does not interfere with a sealing of the fuel filler flange with the filler cap.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the filler cap has a top, and an annular skirt with internal threads, and wherein the switch engages the annular skirt in between the threads and the top when the switch closes.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 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 to engage the annular skirt when the switch closes.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the filler cap has a top, an annular skirt with internal threads, and an unthreaded outer surface and wherein the switch member is positioned to engage the top when the switch closes.

21. A powered implement, comprising:

a) a frame;

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

c) the frame and engine supporting an exposed fuel tank for containing liquid fuel, said tank having a tank wall and a fill opening through said tank wall;

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

e) a filler cap 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 configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap; and

f) a locking mechanism interfaced between the engine and filler cap that disallows removal of the filler cap when the engine has a temperature that is near the ignition temperature of the vapor of said liquid fuel.