Background Heavy vehicles, e. g. trucks, are often provided with brackets which are fastened, for example, to the vehicle frame, and to which fuel tanks with a first cross-sectional shape, e. g. of substantially rectangular cross-section, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank, are intended to be fitted. The fuel tanks are usually fitted to the brackets by the fuel tank being first placed on at least one bracket. Thereafter the fuel tank is secured to the bracket by a fastening means usually comprising at least one steel strap which is fastened to the bracket and which, together with the bracket, surrounds the circumference of the fuel tank so that the tank is held fast to the bracket even when the vehicle is in motion.

A problem with brackets of this kind is that when for any reason, e. g. because of legal requirements in various countries, it is desired to fit the vehicle with a fuel tank which has a second cross-sectional shape differing from the first cross-sectional shape, e. g., in this case, of substantially circular cross-section, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank, a special bracket for this second type of fuel tank has to be fitted to the vehicle instead of the usual bracket which is provided for fuel tanks of the type with the first cross-sectional shape. In the event of any reconstruction of a vehicle, it may happen that legal requirements make it necessary to remove previously fitted brackets of one type and then fit brackets of another type, a troublesome and time-consuming operation. It may also become necessary to design, manufacture and hold stocks of brackets of various different types, thereby leading to increased costs.

Brief description of the invention The problem of having to remove previously fitted brackets of one type and then fit brackets of another type and having to design, manufacture and hold stocks of brackets of various different types is solved according to the invention by arranging an adapter for a fuel tank for a vehicle, which adapter adapts a bracket intended to accommodate a fuel tank with a first cross-sectional shape transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank to accommodating a fuel tank with a second cross-sectional shape, differing from the first cross-sectional shape, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank, by one side of the adapter being connected to the bracket and its other side being shaped according to a fuel tank with the second cross-sectional shape.

The adapter having the characteristics of claim 1 affords the advantages of it being unnecessary to remove previously fitted brackets of one type and then fit brackets of another type, and of not having to design, manufacture and hold stocks of brackets of various different types, thereby making assembly simpler in that there is no need to choose between various types of brackets, while at the same time both fitting time and the cost of brackets can be kept down.

Brief description of the drawings The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts schematically a view of a frame for a heavy vehicle with two brackets fitted and a fuel tank which is of substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to its longitudinal direction, Figure 2 depicts schematically a view of a frame for a heavy vehicle with two brackets fitted and a fuel tank which is of substantially circular cross-section transverse to its longitudinal direction,

Figure 3 depicts schematically a view of a bracket without adapter.

Figure 4 depicts schematically a view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 5 depicts schematically a view of a bracket according to Figure 3 with, fitted to it, an adapter according to Figure 4.

Description of preferred embodiments The same reference notations denote the same characteristics in the various diagrams.

The invention will now be exemplified with reference to fuel tanks with two different cross-sectional shapes: firstly a first fuel tank with a first cross-sectional shape of substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank ; and secondly, a second fuel tank with a second cross-sectional shape, differing from the first cross-sectional shape, of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank. It should be noted that these two cross-sectional shapes of fuel tanks are only chosen by way of examples and are in no way to be construed as limiting the extent of protection defined in the claims. What is essential for the invention is that a first fuel tank has a first cross-sectional shape and that a second fuel tank has a second cross-sectional shape which differs from the first cross-sectional shape. Examples of conceivable cross-sectional shape types beyond the already mentioned substantially rectangular cross-section and the substantially circular cross-section include, for example, triangular cross-section, oval cross-section and multi-angled cross-section. Unlike the embodiment below, both the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank may have cross-sectional shapes of the same type, i. e. both may be of circular cross-section, in which case the cross-sectional shapes differ in their dimensions.

Figure 1 depicts schematically a view of a frame 2 for a heavy vehicle 4 with two brackets 6,8 fitted and a fuel tank 9 which is of substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to its longitudinal direction.

Figure 2 depicts schematically a view of a frame 2 for a heavy vehicle 4 with two brackets 6,8 fitted and a fuel tank 10 which is of substantially circular cross-section transverse to its longitudinal direction. Figure 2 shows only one (the left) part of the frame 2, but the arrangement is often symmetrical about a vertical plane through the middle of the vehicle 4 in the latter's longitudinal direction, which means that in such cases there is also a correspondingly arranged fuel tank on the other side of the frame 2. The frame 2 usually comprises mainly two longitudinal parallel side-members 12,14 connected together by a number of transverse members 16,18.

According to the invention, there has to be at least one bracket 6,8 per fuel tank 10, and in cases where there is only one bracket 6,8 it is'placed centrally to the fuel tank 10 and is made wide enough to secure the fuel tank 10 immovably to the frame 2.

However, it is usual to arrange two to four brackets 6,8 per fuel tank 10, which are usually situated substantially evenly along the length of the fuel tank 10 so that they can secure the fuel tank immovably to the frame 2. It is also possible to arrange more than four brackets 6,8 per fuel tank 10. If there are two or more fuel tanks 10 on a vehicle 4, they may be fastened to the vehicle 4 by the same number of brackets 6,8 as one another or by different numbers of brackets 6,8, irrespective of whether the fuel tanks 10 are of equal dimensions or not.

In the remainder of the description, the invention will be exemplified by an embodiment with two brackets 6,8 and one fuel tank 10.

When the brackets 6,8 have been fitted to the frame 2, a fuel tank 10 is usually fitted to the brackets 6,8 by first placing the fuel tank 10 on at least one bracket 6,8, in this embodiment on the two brackets 6,8. Thereafter the fuel tank 10 is secured to the bracket 6,8, in this embodiment preferably to the two brackets 6,8, by fastening means 20,22 usually comprising at least one steel strap 24,26 which is fastened to a bracket

6,8 and which together with the bracket 6,8 surrounds the circumference of the fuel tank 10, thereby holding the fuel tank 10 fast to the bracket 6,8 even when the vehicle is in motion.

In this embodiment, the invention is exemplified by use of brackets 6,8 which can of themselves hold the fuel tank 10 in position so long as the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. However, the invention is not limited to brackets of this type, as it is also possible to use brackets which cannot of themselves hold the fuel tank 10 in position so long as the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface.

The bracket 6,8 is usually fastened to the vehicle frame 2 by threaded connection 28,30 but may also be welded to, riveted to or fastened in some other way to the vehicle frame 2.

This embodiment of the invention relates to an adapter 32 for a fuel tank 10 for a vehicle 4 whereby the adapter 32 adapts a bracket 6,8 intended to accommodate a fuel tank 9 of substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 9 to accommodating a fuel tank 10 of substantially circular cross- section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 10, by one side of the adapter 32 being connected to the bracket 6,8 and its other side being shaped according to a fuel tank 10 of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 10. This results in the advantages of it being unnecessary to remove previously fitted brackets of one type and then fit brackets of another type, and of not having to design, manufacture and hold stocks of brackets of several different types, thereby simplifying assembly in that there is no need to choose between various types of bracket, while at the same time fitting time and the cost of brackets can be kept down.

Figure 3 depicts schematically a view of a bracket 6,8 without adapter. According to this embodiment, the bracket 6,8 may be of any desired shape so long as the bracket 6,8 can hold a fuel tank 10 in position while the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. The bracket 6,8 is further provided with fastening means 20,22 whereby the

fuel tank 10 is held in position on the bracket 6,8 even when the vehicle is in motion.

According to this embodiment, however, the bracket 6,8 is substantially L-shaped so as to be able to hold a fuel tank 10 in position while the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. Moreover, the bracket 6,8 according to this embodiment has a substantially U-shaped cross-section to increase the flexural and torsional rigidity of bracket 6,8. The fastening means 20,22 according to this embodiment comprises a steel strip 24,26 which has its two ends 19,21 each fastened articulatedly to the respective end 5,7 of the bracket 6,8. The length of the strap 24,26 may be adjusted according to this embodiment by means of a tensioning device 23 which is arranged on the strip 24,26 and is of the kind which occurs on hose clamps.

Figure 4 depicts schematically a view of an adapter 32 according to an embodiment of the invention. The adapter 32 preferably has substantially a U-shaped cross-section and is preferably so dimensioned that the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the adapter 32 can be placed up and down in the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the bracket 6,8 so that there is a void 34 between the adapter 32 and the bracket 6,8.

To adapt the shape of the adapter 32 to the shape of a fuel tank 10 of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 10, the adapter 32 may for example take the form of a rectangular sheetmetal section bent to imitate the shape of a fuel tank 10 of substantially circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 10. Portions 36,38 of the lateral web of this bent sheetmetal section are preferably cut thereafter to increase the surface area of the adapter 32 which comes into contact with the bottom of the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the bracket 6,8 when the adapter 32 is fitted to the bracket 6,8. To prevent abrasion between the adapter 32 and the fuel tank 10, the adapter 32 is preferably provided with a damping surface layer 40, preferably in the form of a rubber sheath 40 into which the adapter 32 is inserted before being placed in the bracket 6,8.

In such cases the dimensions of the adapter 32 have to be reduced somewhat so that the adapter 32 will fit into the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the bracket 6,8.

The adapter 32 being of substantially U-shaped cross-section may also mean that portions of the adapter 32 have a different cross-section, e. g. rectangular as in the cases

where the adapter 32 is made from a rectangular sheetmetal section and only portions 36,38 of the lateral web are cut.

It is also possible to mould the adapter 32 in plastic or aluminium, in which case the desired shape is preferably achieved directly in the moulding process in order to minimise the number of processing steps for the moulded adapter 32. If the adapter 32 is made of plastic, it need not necessarily be provided with a damping surface layer 40.

The adapter 32 is preferably held fast in the bracket 6,8 merely by friction between them. It is also possible to arrange further fastening means, e. g. in the form of snap connection, adhesive connection, threaded connection etc.

Figure 5 depicts schematically a view of a bracket 6,8 according to Figure 3 with fitted adapter 32 according to Figure 4. The bracket 6,8 is substantially L-shaped so as to be able to hold a fuel tank 10 in position while the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. Moreover, the bracket 6,8 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section to increase the flexural and torsional rigidity of the bracket 6,8. The fastening means 20,22 comprises a steel strap 24,26 which has its two ends 19,21 each fastened articulatedly to the respective end 5,7 of the bracket 6,8. The length of the strap 24,26 may be adjusted by means of a tensioning device 23 which is arranged on the strap 24,26 and which is of the kind which occurs on hose clamps. The adapter 32 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is so dimensioned that the substantially U- shaped cross-section of the adapter 32 can be placed up and down in the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the bracket 6,8 so that there is a void 34 between the adapter 32 and the bracket 6,8. To prevent abrasion between the adapter 32 and the fuel tank 10, the adapter 32 has a damping surface layer 40. Should the adapter 32 be fitted detachably to the bracket 6,8, the adapter 32 will be easy to remove so that the bracket 6,8 again becomes adapted to accommodating a fuel tank 9 of substantially rectangular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank 9.

The invention has been exemplified by use of brackets 6,8 which can of themselves hold the fuel tank 10 in position so long as the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level

surface. As mentioned above, however, the invention is not limited to brackets of this type, as it is also possible to use brackets which cannot of themselves hold the fuel tank 10 in position so long as the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. This latter type of bracket may for example be provided by taking the exemplifying L- shaped bracket and turning it through 90° clockwise so that the result is a bracket shaped like the righthand half of a letter T which cannot of itself hold the fuel tank 10 in position so long as the vehicle 4 is standing still on a level surface. A bracket of this second type may be used if it is desired to increase the fuel capacity while maintaining the vehicle's ground clearance or if it is desired to increase the ground clearance while maintaining the vehicle's fuel capacity.

Straps made of steel have been mentioned as fastening means. Other materials may also be used, e. g. synthetic materials. Other fastening means may also be used, e. g. clamping tape or curved steel rails.