Joint through a vehicle frame
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorScott J. Volchko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint for a fluid line of a vehicle for conveying a fluid through a vehicle frame member includes a unitary body having a first end adapted for engagement to a first fluid conduit and a second end adapted for engagement to a second fluid conduit. The body is sized to span between first and second walls of the vehicle frame member. A bore extends axially through the body and fluidly connects the first and second fluid conduits. The joint includes at least one connector configured to engage the vehicle frame member for releasably mounting the joint to the vehicle frame member.
Claims16
A joint for a fluid line for conveying a fluid through a vehicle frame member comprising:
- a unitary body having a first end adapted for engagement to an associated first fluid conduit and a second end adapted for engagement to an associated second fluid conduit, the body being sized to span between first and second walls of an associated vehicle frame member;
- a bore extending axially through the body, the bore adapted to fluidly connect the associated first fluid conduit to the associated second fluid conduit;
- a first connector and a second connector each configured to engage the associated vehicle frame member for releasably mounting the joint to the associated vehicle frame member;
- and
- a separate stopper releasably mounted to the first connector;
- wherein the first connector includes first and second displaceable locking tabs, each locking tab having a first end connected to the body and a second end projecting outwardly from the body, the first and second locking tabs adapted to engage the first wall of the associated vehicle frame member
- wherein the second connector includes first and second displaceable alignment tabs, each alignment tab having a first end connected to the body and a second end projecting outwardly from the body toward the first connector, the first and second alignment tabs adapted to engage the second wall of the associated vehicle frame member,
- wherein the first and second connectors are integrally formed with the body to define a one-piece member.
A vehicle assembly comprising:
- a fuel line including a first fluid conduit and a separate second fluid conduit;
- a frame member including a first wall and a second wall spaced from the first wall;
- and
- a one-piece joint including:
- a body extending through the vehicle frame member for fluidly connecting the first fluid conduit to the second fluid conduit, the body having a first end configured to engage the first fluid conduit and a second end configured to engage the second fluid conduit, the first and second ends being located on opposite sides of the vehicle frame member, the body defining an internal fluid passage to conduct a fluid through the vehicle frame member,
- a first connector connected to the body for releasably engaging the first wall of the frame member, and
- a second connector connected to the body for releasably engaging the second wall of the frame member, the first and second connectors mounting the one-piece joint to the frame member, wherein each of the first and second connectors includes first and second displaceable tabs which at least partially project through the respective first and second walls of the vehicle frame member, wherein the first and second tabs of each connector are integrally formed with the body to define a unitary member;
- and
- a stopper separate from the joint and including first and second openings, the first and second tabs of the first connector extending at least partially through the openings for mounting the stopper to the joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.