Closing device for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile

Closing means for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile, comprising:

• a cup-shaped first housing portion (100, 40) adapted to be fastened in an opening of the body of the automobile and having a bottom portion which is aligned with the filling tube,
• a closing slide member (116, 68) which on the side of the opening (114, 46) facing the filling tube is supported for linear or pivotal, respectively, movement by the first housing portion, the closing slide member being further moveable transverse to the axis of the opening (114, 46) and being biased towards a closing position by spring means, whereby the opening (116, 68) is closed,
• the closing slide member (116, 68) and a portion (70) of the housing portion together form a funnel-like guide means such that upon a movement of the end of a pipe of a fuel nozzle towards the guide means the closing slide member is moved into an open position whereby the nozzle can be moved further into the opening (114, 46),
• a tube-like second housing portion (102, 30) having a first and a second end (118, 120), the first end (118) being connectable to the first housing portion in the range of the bottom portion and the second end being sealingly attachable to the end of the filling tube, the second housing portion (102) having a second opening (122, 32) in the range of the first end (118) aligned with the first opening (114, 46) and
• a closing flap (124) for the second opening which is pivotally supported in the second housing portion and biased by spring means towards a closing position wherein the closing flap member engages a sealing edge (136) on the side of the opening (114) facing the tank, with a closing flap member being adapted to be pivoted into the open position by the fuel nozzle.