Fuel Filler Door Interlock Assembly
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsTeru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
Claims17
An interlock apparatus for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto, the fuel filler door being operatively connected with the interlock apparatus, the interlock apparatus comprising:
- an interlock assembly mounted with respect to the body and operatively connected to the fuel filler door;
- wherein said interlock assembly has a first interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position;
- and
- wherein said interlock assembly has a second interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position.
An interlock assembly for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto, the fuel filler door being operatively connected with the interlock assembly, the interlock assembly comprising:
- a bracket member;
- a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member;
- a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a locking arm configured to selectively engage said bell crank member to limit the movement of said bell crank member;
- wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when the fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed;
- wherein said pin engages a bore defined by the slidable door when in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door;
- and
- wherein said locking arm engages said bell crank member to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is open.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- a selectively openable slidable door slidably mounted with respect to said body;
- a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted with respect to said body;
- an interlock assembly operatively connected to said fuel filler door, wherein said interlock assembly includes:
- a bracket member;
- a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member;
- a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a locking arm configured to engage said bell crank member to limit the movement of said bell crank member;
- wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when said fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when said fuel filler door is closed;
- wherein said pin engages a bore defined by said slidable door when said pin is in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door;
- and
- wherein said locking arm engages said bell crank member to substantially prevent the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.