Fuel door assembly

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a fuel door assembly for gaining access to a gas tank in a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention is a fuel door assembly which incorporates a push-push latch mechanism which provides an auxiliary latch to hold the door in a partly opened position.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel door assembly of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated by line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel door assembly in a partially opened condition;

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel door assembly 10 of the present invention. The fuel door assembly 10 comprises a fuel door 12 and a fuel housing 14. At the bottom of the main compartment 16 of the fuel housing 14, as depicted in FIG. 1, is an opening to which a tube ultimately leading to a fuel tank may be connected.

#Housing 14 includes a side compartment 18 within which door 12 is connected by hinge member 20 for swinging opening and closing movement. Fuel door 12 also includes a latch 22 on its inner surface.

#As shown in FIG. 1, fuel door assembly 10 is in its fully closed condition wherein it is held by push-push lock 24. Lock 24 comprises a housing 26 of generally cylindrical shape and a piston 28, which is reciprocatingly movable between two fixed positions within housing 26.