Fuel filler cap for a model vehicle

• US 7,383,824 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Traxxas LP (Traxxas)
• Original Assignee: Traxxas LP (Traxxas)
• Inventors: Byers, Brent Whitfield, Roberts, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis; Thomas N
• Application Number:
  US11/682,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20070144609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 123/516, 123/518, 123/519, 123/520, 137/574, 137/589, 137/136, 141/391
• US Class Current: 123/516
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/24 Details or accessories for drive mechanisms, e.g. means for winding-up or starting toy engines
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 31/00 Gearing for toys gearing in general F16H
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/422 Driving wheels or live axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/13 with the spring, i.e. coil spring, or damper horizontally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/143 on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/148 on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/416 Ball or spherical joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/421 Pivoted lever mechanisms for mounting suspension elements, e.g. Watt linkage
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/50 Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/20 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/00 Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof means for maintaining substantially constant wheel camber during suspension movement B60G3/26; articulations for wheels B60G5/00; leaf spring attaching means B60G11/10, B60G11/12; trailing arm twist beam axle attaching means B60G21/052; articulations in general F16C
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/035 characterised by venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/30 the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0445 using hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/81 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/06 specially adapted to allow axial displacement

Abstract

A model vehicle fuel filler system is provided, comprising a fuel tank secured to a vehicle chassis, a fuel tank opening extending from the fuel tank, the opening having a rim tipped toward a lateral side of the vehicle chassis, thereby allowing a fuel filler bottle opening to be withdrawn away from the tank opening with less spillage.

Claims

1. A model vehicle fuel filling system, comprising:

a fuel tank configured to be mounted on a model vehicle, the fuel tank having an opening for adding fuel to the tank; and

one or more channels forming at least a portion of the interior, upper surface of the fuel tank and extending to the fuel tank opening, for directing air or vapor above fuel within the tank to the opening.

2. The model vehicle fuel filling system of claim 1, wherein the one or more channels extend upwardly from the interior, upper surface of the fuel tank.

3. The model vehicle fuel filling system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the one or more channels slopes upwardly toward the fuel tank opening.

4. The model vehicle fuel filling system of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion coupled together.

5. A model vehicle fuel storage device, comprising:

a fuel tank configured to be mounted on a model vehicle, the fuel tank having an opening for adding fuel to the fuel tank; and

a channel forming at least a portion of an interior, upper surface of the fuel tank and extending to the opening and comprising at least a portion of the channel sloping upwardly toward the opening.

6. The model vehicle fuel storage device of claim 5, further comprising:

a second channel in an interior, upper surface of the fuel tank and extending to the opening and comprising at least a portion of the second channel sloping upwardly toward the opening.

7. The model vehicle fuel storage device of claim 5, wherein the fuel tank further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion coupled together.

8. A model vehicle fuel storage system, comprising:

a fuel tank configured to be mounted on a model vehicle, the fuel tank having an opening for adding fuel to the tank such that the opening is proximate to an upper surface of the fuel tank; and

one or more channels forming at least a portion of an interior of the upper surface of the fuel tank extending along a portion of the upper surface and coupling with the opening.

9. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 8 further comprising at least a portion of at least one of the one or more channels sloping upwardly toward the opening.

10. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 8 comprising a plastic material.

11. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 10 wherein the fuel tank further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion coupled together.

12. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 8 further comprising a pressurization vent configured to apply a pressure level above atmospheric pressure to an interior of the fuel tank at least while an engine is operating.

13. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 8, wherein the one or more channels comprises a first channel and a second channel.

14. The model vehicle fuel storage system of claim 8, wherein the fuel tank further comprises an upper portion and a lower portion coupled together.