U.S. patent application number 11/902497 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for cap device and tether mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Hagano, Kazuhisa Ishida.
Application Number | 20080073352 11/902497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39223834 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080073352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hagano; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
Cap device and tether mechanism
Abstract
A tether mechanism includes a rotating ring rotatably supported
in a ring attachment portion formed along the outside edge of a
fuel cap, a storage portion formed on the outside portion of the
rotating ring, and a linkage member extendably and retractably
portion disposed in the storage portion. The linkage member
includes a stored portion integrally formed at one end of a linkage
member body of elongated cord shape, and having a stretchable and
contractable spring, and is extendable from and retractable into a
storage bay by elastic deformation of the spring through force
applied to the linkage member body in the lengthwise direction.
Inventors: |
Hagano; Hiroyuki;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; Ishida; Kazuhisa; (Aichi-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POSZ LAW GROUP, PLC
12040 SOUTH LAKES DRIVE
SUITE 101
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
Aichi-ken
JP
452-8564
|
Family ID: |
39223834 |
Appl. No.: |
11/902497 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/375 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 15/0406
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/375 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-262774 |
Claims
1. A cap device equipped with a tether mechanism for linking a cap
used to open and close a tank opening to a peripheral vehicle body
member of the tank opening, wherein the tether mechanism comprises:
a rotating ring that is rotatably attached to a ring attachment
portion formed along an outer circumference of the cap; a storage
portion that is formed on an outside portion of the rotating ring,
and has a storage bay; and a linkage member that has (i) a
cord-like flexible linkage member body with a first end and second
end, (ii) a stored portion integrally formed at the first end and
stored in the storage bay, and (iii) a vehicle body-supported end
formed at the second end and connectable to the vehicle body
member, wherein the stored portion is configured to pay out the
linkage member body from the storage bay, when force is applied to
the linkage member body in a lengthwise direction of the linkage
member body.
2. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the stored portion
includes (i) a spring stretchable and contractable within the
storage bay by force in the lengthwise direction, and (ii) a
fastening portion disposed at an end of the spring and fastened to
the storage portion.
3. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion
includes a storage portion-side stopper disposed on an inside wall
of the storage bay, and the stored portion includes a stored
portion-side stopper that comes into abutment against the storage
portion-side stopper to restrict the stored portion from being
released by more than a prescribed length from the storage bay.
4. The cap device according to claim 3, wherein the stored portion
includes (i) a spring stretchable and contractable within the
storage bay by force in the lengthwise direction, and (ii) a
fastening portion disposed at an end of the spring and fastened to
the storage portion, the spring being configured to be disposed
between the stored portion-side stopper and the fastening
portion.
5. The cap device according to claim 3, wherein the stored
portion-side stopper is a spherical shape that is moved through the
storage bay by force in the lengthwise direction.
6. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the stored portion
is formed with a non-circular cross section so as to restrict
rotation within the storage bay.
7. The cap device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating ring
includes an arcuate portion except the storage portion, the arcuate
portion being configured to be attachable to the ring attachment
portion by elastic deformation.
8. A tether mechanism for linking a cap used to open and close a
tank opening to a peripheral vehicle body member of the tank
opening, the tether mechanism comprising: a rotating ring that is
rotatably attached to a ring attachment portion formed along an
outer circumference of the cap; a storage portion that is formed on
an outside portion of the rotating ring, and has a storage bay; and
a linkage member that has (i) a cord-like flexible linkage member
body with a first end and second end, (ii) a stored portion
integrally formed at the first end and stored in the storage bay,
and (iii) a vehicle body-supported end formed at the second end and
connectable to the vehicle body member, wherein the stored portion
is configured to pay out the linkage member body from the storage
bay, when force is applied to the linkage member body in a
lengthwise direction of the linkage member body (37).
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from
Japanese Application No. 2006-262774 filed Sep. 27, 2006, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cap device equipped with
a tether mechanism for linking a cap used to open and close a tank
opening to a peripheral vehicle body member of the tank
opening.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A fuel cap is connected to a point in proximity to the
fueling mouth of the fuel tank by elongated linkage member such as
a tether, in order to prevent the fuel cap from becoming lost
during fueling. Known technologies for tethered fuel caps of this
kind are disclosed in JP-A 2000-233653 and JP-B 5-54452. However,
if the tether becomes twisted due to turning of the fuel cap, it
may hinder the opening and closing operation. Known designs that
address this problem include a design in which the tether is wound
around the peripheral portion of the fuel cap and a design in which
the tether stows in a stowage chamber inside the vehicle.
[0006] However, in the technology disclosed in JP-A 2000-233653,
the tether winding mechanism is complex, as well as a lack of
versatility owing to the need to predetermine the cap closure
location and the tether attachment location. The technology in JP-B
5-54452 is the need for appreciable space for installing the
stowage chamber inside the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0007] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is provided
with a cap device that is not susceptible to twisting of the
cord-like linkage member when the fuel cap is turned, and that has
a simple design and excellent versatility.
[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, a cap device is
equipped with a tether mechanism for linking a cap used to open and
close a tank opening to a peripheral vehicle body member of the
tank opening. The tether mechanism comprises: a rotating ring that
is rotatably attached to a ring attachment portion formed along an
outer circumference of the cap; a storage portion that is formed on
an outside portion of the rotating ring, and has a storage bay; and
a linkage member that has a cord-like flexible linkage member body
with a first end and second end, a stored portion integrally formed
at the first end and stored in the storage bay, and a vehicle
body-supported end formed at the second end and connectable to the
vehicle body member. The stored portion is configured to pay out
the linkage member body from the storage bay, when force is applied
to the linkage member body in a lengthwise direction of the linkage
member body.
[0009] In the cap device pertaining to the present invention, when
the linkage member is subjected to force exerted in the lengthwise
direction during the operation of turning the cap in order to close
the inlet, a rotating ring rotates with respect to the cover while
the stored portion is released from a storage portion, so that the
linkage member will not hinder the cap opening and closing
operation.
[0010] When the cap is suspended from the side panel of the vehicle
body, the stored portion of the linkage member will be released
from the storage portion due to the weight of the cap and become
suspended at a location away from the vehicle body, in which
condition fueling can be carried out. That is, during fueling, the
cap can be placed at a location away from the vehicle body, so as
to not interfere with the fuel gun.
[0011] Furthermore, since the storage portion for the tether
mechanism is provided to the rotating ring that is rotatably
supported at the periphery of the cap, the design is simple as
well. Moreover, since the stored portion of the linkage member is
extendably and retractably disposed in a storage portion which is
integrally formed with the rotating ring, the position at which the
linkage member is released from the storage portion is not set,
thus providing compatibility with various types of vehicles and
exceptional versatility.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there
can be employed an arrangement whereby the stored portion includes
a stretching contracting portion that stretches and contracts
within the storage portion due to force exerted in the lengthwise
direction, and a fastener portion disposed to one end of the
spring, and fastened to the storage portion. By means of this
arrangement, the spring, due to its spring action, can be stretched
by a low level of force in the lengthwise direction of the linkage
member, as well as being reliably kept stored in the storage
portion. Moreover, with the inlet closed, the stored portion of the
linkage member is kept stored in the storage portion, and thus only
a short section of the linkage member body remains exposed in
proximity to the inlet, so as to not obstruct the proximity of the
inlet.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
there can be employed an arrangement whereby the storage portion
includes a storage portion-side stopper situated on the inside wall
of the storage portion at the location of displacement of the
stored portion; and the stored portion includes the stored
portion-side stopper that comes into abutment against the storage
portion-side stopper thereby restricting the stored portion from
being released by more than a prescribed length from the storage
portion. By means of this arrangement, through abutment of the
stored portion-side stopper against the storage portion-side
stopper the stored portion is restricted from being let out by more
than a prescribed length from the storage portion, whereby the
spring will not stretch excessively to the point of becoming
damaged, nor will it interfere with other components.
[0014] The stored portion can be of a design formed with a
non-circular cross section so as to restrict rotation thereof
within the storage portion. By means of this design, the linkage
member will not become twisted or tangled, making it easier to
handle.
[0015] In yet another preferred embodiment of the stored portion,
there can be employed an arrangement provided with a stored
portion-side stopper of spherical shape that is moved through the
storage portion by force exerted in the lengthwise direction. By
means of this arrangement, since the spherical stored portion-side
stopper can rotate within the storage portion, twisting of the
linkage member body can be eliminated.
[0016] The rotating ring can be formed so as to be attachable to
the ring attachment portion by elastic deformation of an arcuate
section thereof where the storage portion is absent. This design
can simplify the assembly procedure of the rotating ring and the
tether mechanism.
[0017] These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the back part of an
automobile equipped with the cap device pertaining to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the fueling lid
open.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view depicting part of the fuel cap
installed in the filler pipe.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting the fuel cap.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting a tether
mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view depicting the tether
mechanism.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a tether mechanism pertaining to a
second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(1) General Structure of Cap Device
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the rear of an
automobile equipped with a cap device pertaining to a first
embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a perspective
view depicting the fueling lid open. A fueling bay 11 is formed in
the rear of a vehicle body panel 10 shown in FIG. 1, with the
opening of the bay 11 being covered by a fueling lid 12. The
fueling lid 12 is attached so as to open and close via a hinge 13.
An inlet 16a of a filler pipe 16 that leads to a fuel tank (not
shown) is positioned on the floor 11a of the bay 11. A detachable
fuel cap 20 provides closure to the inlet 16a.
(2) Structure of Fuel Cap 20
[0026] FIG. 3 is a sectional view depicting a part of the fuel cap
installed in the filler pipe. The fuel cap 20 has a casing 21 for
attachment to the filler pipe 16; a cover 22 attached to a flange
21b in the upper part of the casing 21; and a gasket GS installed
on the upper part of the casing 21. A mating projection 21a is
formed on the outside edge of the casing 21. The mating projection
21a mates with a mating rib 16b provided to the filler pipe 16.
Thus, by placing the fuel cap 20 in the inlet 16a and turning it
two or three times, the casing 21 will urge the gasket GS against
the inside wall of the filler pipe 16 to provide a seal between the
inside wall and the fuel cap 20. The cover 22 is of cup shape
formed by an upper wall 23 having an operating portion 23a adapted
to a rotating operation while gripped by the fingers, and a side
wall 24 of tubular shape extending from the outside edge of the
upper wall 23.
(3) Design of Tether Mechanism 30
[0027] A tether mechanism 30 is attached to the cover 22. FIG. 4 is
a perspective view depicting the fuel cap 20; and FIG. 5 is a
perspective view depicting a tether mechanism 30. The tether
mechanism 30 includes a ring attachment portion 25 (see FIG. 3)
formed by a slot that extends along the outside edge of the cover
22; a rotating ring 32 rotatably installed in the ring attachment
portion 25; a storage portion 34 integrally connected to the
rotating ring 32; and a linkage member 36 disposed in the storage
portion 34 so as to be partially extendable and retractable
therein. These components are formed of soft material such as
polyurethane (PUR) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPEE).
[0028] The rotating ring 32 depicted in FIG. 5 has an annular ring
body 32a; and projecting portions 32b, 32c formed on the inside
edge of the ring body 32a for reducing sliding friction between the
lower surface and the ring attachment portion 25. The ring body 32a
has inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of
the ring attachment portion 25, and is rotatably supported on the
ring attachment portion 25 so as to be contractable in diameter by
elastic deformation.
[0029] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view depicting the tether
mechanism. The storage portion 34 is formed in a section of the
outside edge of the rotating ring 32, and accommodates the linkage
member 36 so as to be partially extendable and retractable therein;
it includes a stowage receptacle portion 34a that forms a storage
bay 34S, a stowage cover 34b providing closure to the upper opening
of the stowage receptacle portion 34a, and a connecting portion 34c
that connects the stowage cover 34b with the stowage receptacle
portion 34a. At a first end of the stowage receptacle portion 34a
there are formed a stowage opening 34d that permits extension and
retraction of the linkage member 36, and a storage portion-side
stopper 34e that detains the linkage member 36. On the floor at the
other end of the stowage receptacle portion 34a there is formed a
fastening hole 34f that permits insertion of a fastener pin 34g
projecting from the back face of the stowage cover 34b.
[0030] The linkage member 36 has a linkage member body 37 of cord
shape with circular cross section; a stored portion 38 integrally
formed at a first end of the linkage member body 37; and a vehicle
body supporting end 39 formed at the other end of the linkage
member body 37. The stored portion 38 has a serpentine spring 38a
that is stretchable and contractable in the circumferential
direction within the storage bay 34S so as to provide spring
action; and a connecting portion 38b of cord shape with a circular
cross section connecting the spring 38a with the linkage member
body 37, and that is extendable from and retractable into the
storage bay 34S. Between the spring 38a and the connecting portion
38b of the stored portion 38 there is formed a stored portion-side
stopper 38c that comes into abutment against the storage
portion-side stopper 34e. At the other end of the stored portion 38
is formed a fastening portion 38d through which the fastening pin
34g is passed to fasten the stored portion 38. The stored
portion-side stopper 38c has rectangular shape in cross section;
the shape of the storage bay 34S is also of rectangular shape in
cross section but slightly larger than the retracting portion-side
stopper 38c, so that the stored portion 38 will not turn as it
moves through the storage bay 34S, thus preventing the linkage
member 36 from becoming twisted over its entire length.
[0031] The vehicle body-supported end 39 is a member of disk shape
having a support projection 39a. As shown in FIG. 2, the support
projection 39a is pivotably supported on a fastening portion 12a
formed on the back face side of the fueling lid 12, by means of
being press-fit into the fastening portion 12a.
[0032] (4) Tether Mechanism 30 Attachment Procedure
[0033] To attach the tether mechanism 30, as shown in FIG. 6, the
stored portion 38 of the linkage member 36 is stored in the storage
bay 34S of the storage portion 34. At this time, the linkage member
body 37 has been let out from the stowage opening 34d. Next, the
stowage cover 34b is shut to close the upper opening of the storage
portion 34. At this time, the fastening pin 34g is passed through
the fastening portion 38d and inserted into the fastening hole 34f
to fasten one end of the stored portion 38 to the storage portion
34. Then, to attach the tether mechanism 30 to the fuel cap 20, the
rotating ring 32 is press-fit into the ring attachment portion 25
as depicted in FIG. 3. At this time, since the section of the
rotating ring 32 where the storage portion 34 is absent is narrow
in width and easily stretched, the rotating ring can be installed
in the ring attachment portion 25 by stretching it in this section.
By so doing the stowage cover 34b of the storage portion 34 will be
restrained by the upper edge of the ring attachment portion 25,
preventing it from opening.
(5) Fuel Cap 20 Opening and Closing Operation
[0034] Next, the opening and closing operation of the fuel cap 20
will be described. With the fuel cap 20 removed as depicted in FIG.
1, the fuel cap 20 is inserted into the inlet 16a of a filler pipe
16 and turned two or three times to provide closure to the inlet
16a. At this time, since the rotating ring 32 depicted in FIG. 3 is
rotatable with respect to the cover 22, and since linkage member 36
stretches and contracts from the spring 38a thereof in response to
a low level of force when subjected to force by turning of the fuel
cap 20, the opening and closing operation will not be hindered by
the fuel cap 20. With the fuel cap 20 closing off the inlet 16a,
even if the spring 38a is in the stretched state when the hand is
taken off the fuel cap 20, the spring action of the spring 38a will
cause the connecting portion 38b section of the stored portion 38
to retract and stow away in the storage portion 34.
[0035] Next, the operation to remove the fuel cap 20 will be
described. When the fueling lid 12 is opened, the stored portion 38
of the linkage member 36 becomes extended in association with the
opening operation of the fueling lid 12. Specifically, the rotating
ring 32 is caused to turn while the linkage member 36 becomes
extended due to the spring action afforded by the serpentine shape
of the spring 38a of the stored portion 38. While the fueling lid
12 is connected to the fuel cap 20 via the linkage member 36, it
will not be subjected to force from the linkage member 36 at a
level high enough to impair opening and closing, and the opening
and closing operation can take place smoothly. When the hand is
taken off the fuel cap 20, the spring 38a of the linkage member 36
stretches due to the weight of the fuel cap 20, whereupon the cover
22 of the fuel cap 20 moves towards the vehicle exterior panel and
becomes suspended at a location away from the vehicle body panel
10, in which condition fueling can take place. That is, during
fueling, the fuel cap 20 can be positioned at a location away from
the vehicle body panel 10, so as to not interfere with the fuel
gun.
(6) Operation and Effect of the Embodiment
[0036] The preceding embodiment affords the following working
effects.
[0037] (6)-1 During the operation to close the inlet 16a by
rotating the fuel cap 20, when the linkage member 36 is subjected
to force in the lengthwise direction the rotating ring 32 rotates
with respect to the cover 22, and the spring 38a of the linkage
member 36 undergoes stretching and contracting at a low level of
force, so that the linkage member 36 does not impair the opening or
closing operation of the fuel cap 20.
[0038] (6)-2 The storage portion 34 of the tether mechanism 30 is
disposed on the rotating ring 32 which is rotatably supported on
the outside edge of the fuel cap 20, and thus does not require a
large space, and has a simple design.
[0039] (6)-3 When the fuel cap 20 is suspended from the fueling lid
12, the spring 38a of the linkage member 36 will stretch under the
weight of the fuel cap 20, and will hang down at a location away
from the vehicle body panel 10, in which condition fueling can take
place. That is, during fueling, the fuel cap 20 can be positioned
at a location away from the vehicle body panel 10 so as to not
interfere with the fuel gun, and so as to avoid the vehicle body
panel 10 from becoming soiled by fuel on the casing 21.
[0040] (6)-4 The stored portion 38 of the linkage member 36 is
extendably and retractably disposed in the storage portion 34 which
is integrally formed with the rotating ring 32, and therefore the
position at which the linkage member 36 is released from the
storage portion 34 is not set, thus providing compatibility with
various types of vehicles and exceptional versatility.
[0041] (6)-5 With the fuel cap 20 closing the inlet 16a, the stored
portion 38 of the linkage member 36 is kept stored in the storage
bay 34S of the storage portion 34 through the spring action of the
spring 38a, and thus only a short section of the linkage member
body 37 of the linkage member 36 remains exposed in proximity to
the inlet 16a, thus avoiding problems such as becoming caught in
the fueling lid 12 as it is closed.
[0042] (6)-6 Due to abutment of the stored portion-side stopper 38c
against the storage portion-side stopper 34e, the stored portion 38
of the linkage member 36 is restricted from being let out by more
than a prescribed length from the storage bay 34S, and therefore
the spring 38a will not stretch excessively to the point of
becoming damaged. Moreover, since the spring 38a does not exit the
storage bay 34S, it will not interfere with other components.
[0043] (6)-7 The stored portion 38 is formed with a non-circular
cross section so as to restrict rotation thereof within the storage
bay 34S, and thus the linkage member 36 will not become twisted or
tangled, making it easier to handle.
[0044] (6)-8 The rotating ring 32 can be attached to the ring
attachment portion 25 by elastic deformation of the arcuate section
thereof where the storage portion 34 is absent, simplifying the
assembly procedure.
(7) Other Embodiments
[0045] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment
described hereinabove, and can be reduced to practice in various
other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a tether mechanism 30B pertaining
to a second embodiment. The embodiment features a different design
for the stored portion 38B. Specifically, the stored portion 38B
has a connecting portion 38Bb of cord shape with a circular cross
section; and a stored portion-side stopper 38Bc of spherical shape
that moves through the storage bay 34S and is detained by a storage
portion-side stopper 34Be; a linking member body 37B is connected
to one end of this stored portion-side stopper 38Bc. By means of
this design, when force is applied to the linking member body 37B
in the lengthwise direction, the stored portion-side stopper 38Bc
of the stored portion 38B slides inside the storage bay 34S thereby
changing the length of the section of the linking member body 37B
exposed to the outside. Moreover, since the stored portion-side
stopper 38Bc is of spherical shape, the linking member body 37B can
rotate within the storage bay 34S, and twisting of the linking
member body 37B can be eliminated.
[0047] In the first embodiment, a spring of serpentine shape was
employed as the spring of the stored portion; however, the shape is
not limited to this, and any shape capable of stretching and
contraction, such as a coil spring, could be employed.
[0048] While the preceding embodiments described an arrangement
whereby the vehicle body-supported end 39 of the linkage member is
attached to the fueling lid 12, the attachment member is not
limited thereto, and could be some other component situated on the
vehicle body side in proximity to the inlet 16a, such as the floor
11a of the bay 11, provided that the component does not hinder the
opening or closing operation of the fuel cap 20.
[0049] The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been
provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the
invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others
skilled in the art to understand the invention for various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. The foregoing detailed description is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise embodiments disclosed. Modifications and equivalents will
be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and are
encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *