Safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus
OwnerCharles Bristerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus is disclosed for use with a powered implement such as a lawnmower, tiller, weed trimmer or the like. The apparatus includes a switch member mounted on a fuel cap and tank that disallow engine operation when the filler cap is separated from the tank such as during refueling. In another embodiment, 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.
Claims45
A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising:
- a) an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall having outer surface, said flange having a central axis;
- b) a filler cap having a cap center, the cap being connectable to 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, at a position next to the tank wall;
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- c) a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that is activated to a safety mode when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature, said mechanism including a connector that interfaces between the outer surface of the fuel tank and the cap.
A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to and internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, 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;
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- c) a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that alerts a user not to add fuel to the fuel tank if the engine temperature exceeds the fuel ignition temperature for the fuel to be supplied to the engine.
A powered implement, comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame;
- c) an exposed fuel tank having a tank wall with a fill opening, a generally cylindrically shaped fuel filler flange extending from the tank wall and surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall 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 closely positioned, and configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap;
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- e) safety interface device interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that signals to a user that fuel should not be added to the tank.
A powered implement, comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) an internal combustion engine mounted on the frame, said engine including a magnetoelectric generator for starting the engine;
- c) the frame and engine supporting an exposed fuel tank having a tank wall and a fill opening through said tank wall for receiving fuel for powering the engine;
- d) a fuel filler flange on said tank surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank outer surface, said flange extending a short distance from tank wall and surrounding the filler opening;
- 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;
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- f) a device interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that responds to an attempt by a user to open the filler cap when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature that is near the ignition temperature of the fuel that powers the engine.
A safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine that can be started with a magnetoelectric generator, comprising:
- a) an exposed fuel tank having a fill opening, upper surface, an annular fuel filler flange surrounded by an adjoining fuel tank wall having outer surface, said flange having a central axis;
- b) a filler cap having a cap center, the cap being connectable to 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, the filler cap have a plurality of recesses spaced around the cap, the filler cap and adjoining fuel tank outer surface being configured to enable a user to grip and turn said fuel filler cap, at a position next to the tank wall;
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- c) a mechanism interfaced between the fuel tank and filler cap that is activated to a safety mode when the engine is at an elevated, operating temperature, the mechanism including a connector that interfaces between the fuel tank and at least one of the plurality of recesses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.