U.S. patent application number 15/255884 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for collapsible fuel container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kenneth Johnson. Invention is credited to Kenneth Johnson.
Application Number | 20180065778 15/255884 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61282171 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180065778 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Kenneth |
March 8, 2018 |
COLLAPSIBLE FUEL CONTAINER
Abstract
A fuel container comprising an enclosure configured to extend
and contract vertically, allowing the container to be in a fully
extended state or a fully collapsed state and further capable of
being within a motorcycle storage compartment.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Kenneth; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Johnson; Kenneth |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61282171 |
Appl. No.: |
15/255884 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/02 20130101;
B65D 21/086 20130101; B65D 2205/02 20130101; B65D 25/2826
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/08 20060101
B65D021/08; B65D 25/48 20060101 B65D025/48; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02; B65D 25/28 20060101 B65D025/28; B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00; B65D 43/24 20060101 B65D043/24 |
Claims
1. A fuel container, comprising: a) an enclosure bound by a top
surface and bottom surface; b) the top surface comprising a
ventilation opening and an at least second opening configured to
receive and dispense fuel; and c) a vertically expanded state and a
vertically collapsed state.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises at
least one moveable stacked pleat.
3. The fuel container of claim 1 having a cylindrical shape or a
box shape.
4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a
plurality of telescoping members interlocking with one another and
rotatably coupled through complimentary threading on each
telescoping member of the plurality of telescoping members.
5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a
plurality of telescoping members interlocking with one another by
way of frictional fitting.
6. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a carrying
handle coupled to the top surface.
7. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a plug
removably coupled to the ventilation opening configured to seal the
ventilation opening by a compression fit.
8. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a plug
removably coupled to the ventilation opening configured to seal the
ventilation opening via complimentary threading on the top surface
and the plug.
9. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the fuel container is
configured to fold in half along a horizontal central axis when in
the vertically collapsed state.
10. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a bladder
member coupled to at least the top surface.
11. The fuel container of claim 10, wherein the bladder member is
coupled to the top surface and bottom surface.
12. The fuel container of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is
structurally comprised of the bladder member.
13. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a raised
lipped edge disposed about the at least second opening configured
to receive and dispense fuel.
14. The fuel container of claim 13 further comprising threading
disposed on the raised lipped edge.
15. The fuel container of claim 14 further comprising a cap or a
nozzle removably coupled to the raised lipped edge.
16. The fuel container of claim 1 further comprising a cover flap
coupled to a spring-loaded latching mechanism configured to seal
the at least second opening configured to receive and dispense
fuel.
17. The fuel container of claim 16 further comprising a strap
configured to couple the cover flap to the top surface in an open
position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to automobile and motorcycle
fuel transportation. Specifically, a collapsible fuel container
that can be stored within a relatively small amount of space when
not in use.
[0002] With many motorcycles designed for use in a racetrack
setting, some models lack a fuel gauge to warn the rider when they
are running low on fuel reserves. When taking the motorcycle off
the racetrack and onto the road, this can leave a rider susceptible
to running out of fuel. Without the space to carry spare fuel, the
rider is left stranded with limited options; they must either push
the heavy motorbike to the nearest gas station, which could be any
distance away, or they must wait for a passerby to stop and offer
help. With typical motorcycles weighing anywhere from four hundred
to over a thousand pounds, pushing such a machine for long
distances is a monumental task. Even if a person stops to assist
the rider, there is no guarantee that that person will have a gas
can or any spare fuel, leaving the rider pushing the motorcycle
once again.
[0003] Fuel containers are designed to contain and transport fuel
for future or emergency use like the scenario described above. As
such, fuel containers are a regular staple in the automobile world.
However, in the motorcycling world, fuel containers of the prior
art prove problematic. Fuel containers of the prior art prove
problematic for motorcycles because motorcycles typically have very
little room for the storage of a typical fuel containers. Some fuel
containers in the prior art attempt to remedy the motorcycle
storage issue with the addition of large storage compartments or
hang-on containers alongside the rear wheel, but these solutions
can make balancing and riding difficult.
[0004] Additionally, current fuel containers designed to attach to
the rear wheel of a motorcycle are dangerous and inefficient.
Carrying a large amount of a highly-flammable liquid contradicts
the safety purpose of having extra fuel. Many times when turning
the motorbike, the rear wheel will tilt to an angle such that
anything attached to it risks coming into contact with the ground.
The friction between a wheel-mounted fuel container and the ground
while moving at even a moderate speed could cause a rupture in the
container or even an explosion. An alternative to these dangerous
and bulky containers that actively store fuel while riding would
present a much needed safety feature for motorcycle riders.
[0005] The present invention attempts to remedy the shortcomings of
prior art fuel containers for use in the motorcycle world by
providing a fuel container that is collapsible for storage in a
small compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed at a fuel container
capable of being collapsed, folded, and stored within a relatively
small space when not in use. In one embodiment, the invention
comprises a fuel container having an enclosure bound by a top
surface and bottom surface. The container is further configured to
have a vertically expanded state and a vertically collapsed state.
The top surface of the fuel container may comprise a ventilation
opening configured to be open or sealed located in one portion of
the top surface and a fuel receiving and dispensing opening
configured to be open or sealed in another portion of the top
surface. In some embodiments, spanning the distance of the top
surface, a handle is coupled to the top surface to comprise a
carrying handle.
[0007] In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises moveable stacked
pleats such that the height of the enclosure is varied as the
moveable stacked pleats are expanded and retracted.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the top surface of the container
contains a ventilation opening located in one corner and a threaded
fuel receiving and dispensing opening in an opposite corner. This
embodiment is configured to allow for a cap or nozzle accessory
that matches and can be attached via said threading system.
[0009] In another embodiment, the fuel container comprises a
bladder member made of industry standard non-flammable material
coupled to the container such that the bladder member is removable
from the inside of the fuel container for cleaning or replacement
purposes.
[0010] In another embodiment, the fuel container comprises an
internal bladder member made of industry standard non-flammable
material coupled to the top surface and bottom surface such that
the bladder member forms the enclosure.
[0011] In another embodiment, the ventilation opening on the top
surface of the fuel container comprises a push-button opening and
closing mechanism, such that a single depression of the mechanism
will open or close the ventilation opening.
[0012] It is to be understood by one of skill in the art that the
enclosure of any of the embodiments described above may comprise a
transverse cross-section shaped as including but not limited to a
square, rectangle, polygon, irregular polygon, circle, or
ellipse.
[0013] The methods, systems, and apparatuses are set forth in part
in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from
the description, or can be learned by practice of the methods,
apparatuses, and systems. The advantages of the methods,
apparatuses, and systems will be realized and attained by means of
the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following detailed description are
exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the
methods, apparatuses, and systems, as claimed. More details
concerning these embodiments, and others, are further described in
the following figures and detailed description set forth herein
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the collapsible fuel
container in a fully expanded configuration.
[0015] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the collapsible fuel
container in a fully collapsed configuration.
[0016] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the collapsible fuel
container in a partially collapsed configuration.
[0017] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the fuel container in a fully compressed configuration.
[0018] FIG. 1E is a close-up perspective view of the top facet of
the collapsible fuel container.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the collapsible fuel container in a fully extended
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the collapsible fuel container in a partially compressed
configuration.
[0021] FIG. 3A is a close-up perspective view of the top facet of
an alternative embodiment of the collapsible fuel container.
[0022] FIG. 3B is a close-up perspective view of the ventilation
opening and plug of an alternative embodiment of the collapsible
fuel container.
[0023] FIG. 3C is a close-up perspective view of the capped
receiving and dispensing opening of an alternative embodiment of
the collapsible fuel container.
[0024] FIG. 4A is a close-up perspective view of the top facet of
an alternative embodiment of the collapsible fuel container with a
spring-loaded cover flap.
[0025] FIG. 4B is a close-up perspective view of the cover flap,
coiled spring mechanism, and anchoring handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The present invention is described in reference to the
accompanying drawings and following embodiments that are presented
for the purpose of illustration and should not be construed to
limit the scope of the invention thereto.
[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
a collapsible fuel container 100 in a vertically expanded state
while FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view the collapsible fuel
container in a vertically collapsed state. The embodiment of FIG.
1A comprises: an enclosure 110 bound by a top surface 130 and a
bottom surface to form a main body 140, a ventilation opening 150,
at least a second opening 160 configured to receive and dispense
fuel, and carrying handle 170 coupled to and spanning the top
surface 130.
[0028] In one embodiment, the enclosure 110 comprises movable
stacked pleats 120. When the embodiment is in a fully vertically
expanded state, angles between each stacked pleat 120 approaches
180.degree., as the enclosure 110 vertically expands (See FIG. 1A).
When the embodiment is in a fully vertically collapsed state, the
angles between pleats approach 0.degree., and the pleats 120 fold
and stack together, effectively flattening the fuel container 100
to a fully collapsed state (See FIG. 1B).
[0029] In another embodiment of the fuel container 100, the
enclosure 110 is configured into a system of telescoping members
that interlock and are rotatably coupled via internal complimentary
threading such that rotating each member extends or contracts the
members relative to one another, achieving either a vertically
extended state or vertically collapsed state.
[0030] In another embodiment of the fuel container 100, a bladder
member made of industry standard, non-flammable material is
removably coupled to the fuel receiving and dispensing opening 160
or the top surface 130, such that the bladder member encompasses an
internal volume of the fuel container 100 and can be removed from
the fuel container 100 for replacement or cleaning purposes. In
another embodiment, the bladder member is coupled to the top
surface 130 and bottom surface of the main body 140, such that the
bladder member comprises the enclosure 110 of the fuel container
100.
[0031] It is to be understood by one of skill in the art that the
enclosure of any of the embodiments described herein may comprise a
transverse cross-section shaped as including, but not limited to, a
square, rectangle, polygon, irregular polygon, circle, or
ellipse.
[0032] In another embodiment of the fuel container, the top surface
130 and the bottom surface and enclosure 110 are configured to fold
in half along a horizontal central axis X shown in FIG. 1C, such
that the entire main body 140 is compressed and folded into a
further compacted state, as shown in FIG. 1D.
[0033] The main body 140 may be comprised of an industry standard
non-flammable material, such as a treated polyethylene or a similar
polymer. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate
that the transverse cross-sectional shape of the main body 140 may
be various geometric shapes including but not limited to
rectangles, polygons, irregular polygons, circles, and ellipses. By
way of example, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a square transverse
cross-section resulting in a main body 210 forming a box shape. By
additional way of example, FIGS. 2A and 2B show a circular
transverse cross-section resulting in a main body 210 forming a
cylindrical shape.
[0034] As described in previous embodiments, the top surface 130
may comprise a carrying handle 170 coupled thereto. The carrying
handle 170 is coupled to the top surface 130 of the fuel container
in such a manner that the top surface 130 is not penetrated and the
integrity of the fuel container 100 is preserved. A person of skill
in the art may couple the carrying handle 170 to the fuel container
100 in any manner including but not limited to molding, heat
staking, molded fasteners 190, snaps, or compression fits. The
handle 170 is further disposed on the top surface 130 such that it
divides the surface area and leaves the ventilation opening 150 on
one side of the handle 170 and the receiving and dispensing opening
160 on the other side. The handle 170 serves as a stabilizing
structure when pouring fuel from or when carrying a full fuel
container 100. The length of the carrying handle 170 is configured
to span the length of the top surface 130.
[0035] The receiving and dispensing opening 160 comprises a surface
area configured such that a standard fuel pump nozzle could be
inserted into the fuel container 100 for filling with minimal
effort. The receiving and dispensing opening 160 may additionally
comprise a lipped edge 180, shown in FIG. 1E, or length of raised
plastic spanning some length of the edge of the receiving and
dispensing opening 160 facing away from the ventilation opening
150. The lipped edge 180 acts as a guide for fuel exiting the inner
portion of the container. Someone skilled in the art would
appreciate that the shape of the receiving and dispensing opening
160 can be various shapes and sizes that allow for efficient
filling and emptying of the container.
[0036] In another embodiment, the fuel receiving and dispensing
opening 160 comprises a circular shape accompanied by a raised
lipped edge 330 that extends the entire circumference of the
opening 160. The raised lipped edge 330 is raised to a height such
that it forms a cylinder-like structure extending from the surface
130 of the fuel container 100. This extended raised lipped edge 330
comprises, either on its inner or outer surface, threading 340 such
that an industry standard cap 350 or pouring nozzle with similar
threading may be removably coupled to the fuel container by way of
the raised lipped edge 330. This threading allows the
interchangeable use of industry standard accessories with the fuel
container 100.
[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the fuel receiving
and dispensing opening 160 is accompanied by a cover flap 410. The
cover flap 410 comprises a shape similar to and larger than the
surface area of the receiving and dispensing opening 160, such that
when the cover flap 410 is in a closed configuration, the cover
flap 410 sufficiently seals the receiving and dispensing opening
160. The cover flap 410 may be coupled to a coiled spring-loaded
latching mechanism 420, which is in turn coupled to the main body
140 of the container, as shown in FIG. 4A. The coiled spring-loaded
latching mechanism 420 contains force tension such that when no
force is exerted to hold the cover flap 410 in an open position
(shown in FIG. 4A), the cover flap 410 will be pushed by the
spring-loaded latching mechanism 420 and swung into the closed
position. A person of skill in the art would recognize that the
cover flap 410 may be coupled to the top surface and open and close
via a preloaded hinge mechanism or a living hinge.
[0038] The cover flap 410 may also be coupled to an end of a strap
430 by way of heat staking or similar non-penetrating fastening
method, as shown in FIG. 4B. The strap 430 comprises a plurality of
fasteners 440 such that the strap 430 is configured to couple the
cover flap 410 to the top surface 130 or carrying handle 170,
thereby providing a force sufficient to hold the cover flap 410 in
the open position. By holding the cover flap 410 in the open
position, a user can pour fuel from the receiving and dispensing
opening 160 using both hands without the cover flap 410
closing.
[0039] As described in previous embodiments, the top surface 130
comprises a ventilation opening disposed there through. The
ventilation opening 150 comprises a sufficient surface area such
that any vapors within an interior portion of the invention may not
escape. In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS.
3A-3C, a length of material 310 is removably coupled by an end to
the ventilation opening 150 and removably coupled on another end to
a plug 320 for the ventilation opening 150. The plug 320 is
dimensioned such that it may be inserted into or onto the
ventilation opening 150 to create a substantially air-tight seal
between the inside of the main body 140 and the outside of the main
body 140. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the
ventilation opening plug 320 may be constructed in various fashions
to create the aforementioned air-tight seal. In one such
embodiment, a ventilation opening plug 320 may comprise a
spiral-threaded plug with a ventilation opening 150 comprising
spiral threading on its inner diameter, such that both the plug 320
and the ventilation opening 150 may be coupled by screwing the plug
320 into the ventilation opening 150 and interlocking the spiral
threads. In another such embodiment, the ventilation opening plug
is coupled to the ventilation opening 150 and comprises a
depressible plug such that the ventilation opening 150 may be
opened and closed by depressing said plug.
[0040] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and
appreciate that the foregoing description of the invention has been
made with reference to certain exemplary embodiments of the
invention, which describe a collapsible fuel container. Those of
skill in the art will understand that obvious variations in
construction, materials, dimensions or properties may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended
to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *