# US 7,461,673 B2 · Seal device for a tank filler neck in vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,461,673 B2 - Document ID: US7461673B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/974,018 - Filed: 2004-10-27 - Published: 2007-02-15 - Granted: 2008-12-09 - Earliest claimed: 2003-10-29 - Assignees: Alfred Engelmann Holding GmbH - Inventors: Marcus Busch; Etzhard Bultmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461673B2 ## CPC - B60K 15/0406: {Filler caps for fuel tanks} - B60K 2015/0429: {actuated by the nozzle} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract A closure device for tank filler necks in motor vehicles. The closure device has the object of configuring the tank filling operation to be more comfortable. This objective is achieved in that at least two closure elements are swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the closure elements having insertion bevels on their top that are designed in such a way that when a fuel nozzle is placed on them the closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A closure device for a tank filler neck in motor vehicles, comprising at least two closure elements adapted to be swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the at least two closure elements each having insertion bevels on a top thereof such that when a fuel nozzle is placed on the insertion bevels the at least two closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, wherein the at least two closure elements have projections and/or recesses that overlap each other in a closed state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the insertion bevels are a conical, roof-like or pyramidal shape or as a hyperboloid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the at least two closure elements are spring-loaded against an opening movement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the at least two closure elements have a swivel axis which is oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the tank filler neck. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the at least two closure elements comprise lips that overlap each other in a closed state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, further comprising seals disposed at contact areas between at least one of the closure elements and at the contact areas between the closure elements and the tank filler neck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of spring elements, braking devices and the at least two closure elements are mounted on a carrier that is attached to the tank filler neck. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the insertion bevels taper in a direction of the tank filler neck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, further comprising a torsion spring for spring loading the at least two closure elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, further comprising a swivel axis of the at least two closure elements oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the at least two closure elements are individually mounted and close the tank filler neck in a clamshell manner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The closure device as described in claim 1, wherein the at least two closure elements have lips, or lips and recesses, that overlap each other in a closed state to reinforce a sealing therebetween. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The closure device of claim 1, wherein the at least two closure elements each have downward extending walls configured to extend over a sidewall of the tank filler neck, the downward extending walls and the a portion under the insertion bevels including sealing members which are designed to engage with one another when the at least two closure elements are in the closed state. ### Claim 13 A closure device for a tank filler neck in motor vehicles, comprising at least two closure elements adapted to be swivel-mounted on the tank filler neck, the at least two closure elements having insertion bevels on a top thereof such that when a fuel nozzle is placed on the insertion bevels the closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and braking devices assigned to the at least two closure elements for delayed movement during opening and closing of the tank filler neck. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The closure device as described in claim 13, wherein the braking devices are silicone brakes. ### Claim 15 A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements adapted to be swivel mounted on a tank filler neck, the spring loaded closure elements include tapered insertion bevels designed in such a way that, when a fuel nozzle is placed on them, the spring loaded closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and a swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements is one of oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the spring loaded closure elements are individually mounted and close the tank filler neck in a clamshell manner. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The closure device as described in claim 15, wherein the swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension such that the spring loaded closure elements are mounted on a same axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The closure device as described in claim 15, further comprising seals disposed one on top of the other at contact areas of the spring loaded closure elements. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The closure device as described in claim 15, wherein at least one of elements, braking devices and the spring loaded closure elements are mounted on a carrier that is attached to the tank filler neck. ### Claim 19 A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements swivel mounted on tank filler necks, the spring loaded closure elements include tapered insertion bevels designed in such a way that, when a fuel nozzle is placed on them, the spring loaded closure elements swivel and open the tank filler neck, and braking devices assigned to the spring loaded closure elements that cause a delayed opening of the tank filler neck. ### Claim 20 A closure device, comprising spring loaded closure elements having a top portion configured to cover an opening of a filler neck and sidewalls configured to surround an outer wall of the filler neck, the spring loaded closure elements close about the top and side of the filler neck in a clamshell manner, and swivel to open the tank filler neck when a fuel nozzle is placed on insertion bevels on a top surface thereof. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The closure device of claim 20, further comprising a swivel axis of the spring loaded closure elements oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the tank filler neck so that the spring loaded closure elements are individually mounted. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The closure device of claim 20, wherein the spring loaded closure elements are prefabricated on a carrier which is configured to be mounted on the outer wall of the tank filler neck.