Connector installation structure for fuel tank
First Claim
1. A connector assembly comprising a connector and a holding sleeve adapted to be mounted on a surface,said connector having an inner portion with an inner end and, remote therefrom, an outer portion;
- said inner portion fitted in a hollow small diameter portion of said holding sleeve complementary thereto;
a pair of windows in said small diameter portion and a pair of locking grooves in said inner portion, said windows and said locking grooves being in register with each other and positioned opposite each other;
a spring clip having a generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of resilient legs, each of which extend out from a base and are substantially parallel to each other, one of each of said legs projecting through one of said pair of windows and into one of said pair of grooves, wherein said inner portion is retained in said small diameter portion and whereby said windows, said grooves and said spring clip act to correct misalignment between said connector and said holding sleeve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An installation structure can carry out a work of attaching a connector (1) to a fuel tank with one touch without using a particular equipment or requiring a great space. A holding sleeve (24) is secured to a lid plate (22) of the fuel tank with the sleeve projecting into an interior of the tank. The holding sleeve (24) is provided in its opposite outer peripheral positions with each of a pair of windows (30). An elastic clip (29) having a substantially U-shaped configuration is mounted on the holding sleeve (24) with each leg (33) of the clip (29) projecting into an interior of the sleeve (24) through each window (30). An inner connection portion (5) of the connector (1) is provided in its opposite outer peripheral position with each of a pair of engaging grooves (36). The portion (5) is also provided in its outer surface below each engaging groove (36) with an inclined guide face (38). When the portion (5) of the connector (1) is being inserted into the holding sleeve (24), the legs (33) are deflected outwardly by the guide faces (38). When the portion (5) is completely inserted in the sleeve (24), the legs (33) fit in the respective grooves (36) by their elastic recovery forces, thereby preventing the connector (1) from coming out of the lid plate (22).
32 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A connector assembly comprising a connector and a holding sleeve adapted to be mounted on a surface,
said connector having an inner portion with an inner end and, remote therefrom, an outer portion; -
said inner portion fitted in a hollow small diameter portion of said holding sleeve complementary thereto; a pair of windows in said small diameter portion and a pair of locking grooves in said inner portion, said windows and said locking grooves being in register with each other and positioned opposite each other; a spring clip having a generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of resilient legs, each of which extend out from a base and are substantially parallel to each other, one of each of said legs projecting through one of said pair of windows and into one of said pair of grooves, wherein said inner portion is retained in said small diameter portion and whereby said windows, said grooves and said spring clip act to correct misalignment between said connector and said holding sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification