The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the construction and mechanism of an improved fuel tank lock system. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a fuel tank lock for two- wheeler vehicles for swift locking/unlocking the fuel tank of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Generally, vehicles such as, but not limited to, two wheelers are provided with a cover for the fuel tank of the vehicle. To limit the accessibility of the fuel tank inlet to the user/driver of the vehicle, the fuel tank cover is further provided with a lock mechanism for locking the cover. For this purpose, various types of lock mechanisms have been devised for locking/unlocking the cover of the fuel tank inlet.

Conventionally, as shown in Figure 1, fuel tank lock systems comprise a lock mechanism incorporated with a fuel tank cap. For this purpose, the fuel tank cap (also referred to as fuel tank cover) is provided with a key insertion slot on the top side for being manually operable by a key. On the bottom side, the fuel tank cap comprises a lock mechanism having a locking lever which is configured to engage/disengage with a sealing face for locking/unlocking the fuel tank cap at the fuel tank inlet. Therefore, the fuel tank cap is generally in the locked condition and is unlocked to access the fuel tank for refuelling or servicing. However, one major disadvantage of such systems is that the locking lever, which is resiliently loaded, rubs against the sealing face during movement of the fuel tank cap from unlocked to locked position. The friction between the two rubbing surfaces hinders swift locking of the fuel tank cap as well as causes mechanical wear of the sealing face over a period of time. One more disadvantage of such locking mechanism is that the key of fuel tank cap can be removed from the key insertion slot, in the unlocked condition of the fuel tank cap. This may cause inconvenience to the user as the key may fall from the fuel tank cap during refuelling.

Therefore, the researchers have developed a technically advanced mechanism that overcomes the one or more disadvantages associated with the conventional fuel tank lock systems. More specifically, an improved a fuel tank locking system for vehicles (two wheelers, three wheelers and the like) for swift locking/unlocking of fuel tank cap whereby the key cannot be removed from the key insertion slot of the fuel tank cap in the unlocked condition so as to overcome one or more drawbacks stated above.

SUMMARY

One or more drawbacks of conventional fuel tank lock systems as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided by the improved fuel tank lock system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an improved fuel tank lock system for vehicles. The improved fuel tank lock system comprises a base assembly being secured at an opening of a fuel tank. The base assembly comprises a mounting ring having a neck portion. A cap assembly is removably configured with the base assembly. The cap assembly comprises a cover being securable with the base assembly for locking the opening of the fuel tank. A sealing ring being mounted below the cover. The sealing ring has a flanged sealing portion and a locking projection. A locking lever being disposed below the sealing ring; the locking lever being configured to translate laterally by means of a lock mechanism. The locking lever is engageable with the neck portion of the mounting ring in a locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The locking lever is engageable with the locking projection in an unlocked condition of the fuel tank lock system. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing ring is loaded longitudinally in a downward direction, by means of one or more primary springs.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the flanged sealing portion of the sealing ring is made from rubber; and the locking projection is made from a metallic material.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flanged sealing portion of the sealing ring is interposed between the cover and a top end of the neck portion in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system, so as to sealably cover the opening of the fuel tank.

In an embodiment, the locking projection of the sealing ring is located adjacent to a slant face of the neck portion of the mounting ring in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system.

In an embodiment, the locking lever is loaded laterally by means of a secondary spring.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking lever comprises a slot; wherein the slot is engageable with a bottom end of the neck portion in the locked condition of the fuel tank locking system.

In an embodiment, the slot is engageable with the locking projection in the unlocked condition of the fuel tank lock system.

In yet another embodiment, the lock mechanism comprises a rotor being rotatable by means of a key; wherein the rotor is configured to move the locking lever laterally by means of a leg being received in a channel of the locking lever, such that the locking lever translates laterally upon rotational movement of the rotor.

In an embodiment, the key is removable from the rotor of the lock mechanism only in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional fuel tank lock identified in prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of improved fuel tank lock system for vehicles in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the rotor of the lock mechanism improved fuel tank lock system of Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of the sealing ring of the improved fuel tank lock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the locking lever of the improved fuel tank lock system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the improved fuel tank lock system of Figure 2, wherein the fuel tank cover is in locked condition. Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the improved fuel tank lock system of Figure 2, wherein the fuel tank cover is in unlocked condition.

Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the improved fuel tank lock system of Figure 2, wherein the fuel tank cover is in partially open condition.

Figure 9 illustrates a sectional view of the improved fuel tank lock system of Figure 2, wherein the fuel tank cover is in completely open condition.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Before describing in detail, the various embodiments of the present disclosure it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with an improved fuel tank lock system for vehicles. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or device proceeded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present disclosure. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure is to provide an improved fuel tank lock system that has swift locking/unlocking of the fuel tank cap and is user friendly.

One more aim of the present disclosure is to provide an improved fuel tank lock system whereby the key cannot be removed from the key insertion slot of the fuel tank cap in the during re-fuelling of the vehicle.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided improved fuel tank lock system for vehicles. The improved fuel tank lock system comprises a base assembly being secured at an opening of a fuel tank. The base assembly comprises a mounting ring having a neck portion. A cap assembly is removably configured with the base assembly. The cap assembly comprises a cover being securable with the base assembly for locking the opening of the fuel tank. A sealing ring being mounted below the cover. The sealing ring has a flanged sealing portion and a locking projection. A locking lever being disposed below the sealing ring; the locking lever being configured to translate laterally by means of a lock mechanism. The locking lever is engageable with the neck portion of the mounting ring in a locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The locking lever is engageable with the locking projection in an unlocked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The sealing ring is loaded longitudinally in a downward direction, by means of one or more primary springs. The flanged sealing portion of the sealing ring is made from rubber; and the locking projection is made from a metallic material. The flanged sealing portion of the sealing ring is interposed between the cover and a top end of the neck portion in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system, so as to sealably cover the opening of the fuel tank. The locking projection of the sealing ring is located adjacent to a slant face of the neck portion of the mounting ring in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The locking lever is loaded laterally by means of a secondary spring. The locking lever comprises a slot; wherein the slot is engageable with a bottom end of the neck portion in the locked condition of the fuel tank locking system. The slot is engageable with the locking projection in the unlocked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The lock mechanism comprises a rotor being rotatable by means of a key; wherein the rotor is configured to move the locking lever laterally by means of a leg being received in a channel of the locking lever, such that the locking lever translates laterally upon rotational movement of the rotor.

In an embodiment, the key is removable from the rotor of the lock mechanism only in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 2 to 9. In the figures the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Now referring to the figures, in which Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure depicts an improved fuel tank lock system (100) for vehicles. As shown in Figure 2, the improved fuel tank lock system (100) comprises a base assembly (101) which is mounted at an opening of the fuel tank of the vehicle. For the purpose of simplicity, neither the fuel tank nor the vehicle is shown in the figures. The base assembly (101) comprises a mounting ring (1) having, but not limited to, a circular shape. It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the shape and configuration of the mounting ring (1) may be variable depending on the shape and configuration of the opening of the fuel tank inlet, ergonomic requirements of the vehicle etc. Accordingly, the base assembly (101) is mounted at the opening of the fuel tank so as to define an inlet of the fuel tank. The mounting ring (1) comprises a neck portion (la) (as shown in Figures 6 to 9). In the mounted condition, the neck portion (la) is located on a lower side of the mounting ring (la) so as to be concealed from the external surroundings. The neck portion (la) has a slant face (lb) being defined between a top end (lc) and bottom end (Id). In a non- limiting manner, the diameter at the bottom end (Id) is more than the diameter at the top end (lc).

As shown in Figure 2, the improved fuel tank lock system (100) further comprises a cap assembly (102) which is removably configured with the base assembly (101). The cap assembly (102) is adapted to restrict access to the inlet of the fuel tank of the vehicle. For this purpose, the cap assembly (102) comprises a cover (2) which is securable with the base assembly (101) for locking the inlet of the fuel tank. In a non-limiting embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 9, the cover (2) is mounted on the mounting ring (1) by means of a hinge (2a). The cover (2) has a top member (A) and a bottom member (B) which are securable together. A key hole (2b) is formed in the cover

(2) . In one embodiment, there may be provided a hinged lid (2c) to cover the key hole (2b) of the cover (2). Mounted on the bottom side of the said cover (2) is a lock mechanism for locking/unlocking the cap assembly (102). The cap assembly (102) further comprises a plurality of washers, sealing rings, fastening means and resilient means for assembling/securing the fuel tank cap assembly and preventing vaporization of the fuel in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. The lock mechanism comprises, amongst other components known in the art, a rotor

(3) being configured rotatably under resilient action. The rotor (3) is mounted concentrically with the key hole (2b) of the cover (2) and is rotatable by means of a correct key. The key is removable from the rotor (3) only in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system. As shown in Figure 3, the rotor (3) has a key insertion slot at an upper end. The key insertion slot may be accommodated in the key hole (2b) in the mounted condition. The rotor (3) has a generally cylindrical configuration. The rotor (3) comprises a leg (3a) disposed at a lower end of the rotor (3). The leg (3) is formed integrally such that the leg (3a) defines a rotary movement upon rotation of the rotor (3).

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cap assembly further comprises a sealing ring (4). In the mounted condition, the sealing ring (4) is located below the cover (2). In a non-limiting embodiment, there may be provided some other members, known in the art, along with the sealing ring (4) for better sealing of the fuel tank. The sealing ring (4), in the mounted condition, is loaded longitudinally in a downward direction along axis YY, by means of one or more primary springs (5). The sealing ring (4) comprises a flanged sealing portion (4a) formed peripherally and a locking projection (4b) formed downwardly along axis YY. In an embodiment, the flanged sealing portion (4a) may be made from a sealing material such as rubber to provide sealing of the fuel tank inlet. The sealing ring (4) is disposed co-axially with the rotor (3). The locking projection (4b) may be made from a metallic material. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sealing ring (4) may be made from a combination of a plurality of rubber rings and metallic rings/plates to define the flanged sealing portion (4a) and locking projection (4b) respectively. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the flanged sealing portion (4a) is more than the diameter at the neck portion (la) of the mounting ring (1). In the mounted condition, the flanged sealing portion (4a) is interposed between the top end (lc) of the neck portion (la) and the cover (2) so as to sealably cover the opening of the fuel tank. The locking projection (4b) of the sealing ring (4) is located adjacent to the slant face (lb) of the neck portion (la) of the mounting ring (1) in the locked condition of the fuel tank lock system (100) as shown in Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, the cap assembly (100) further comprises a locking lever (6) being disposed below the sealing ring (4). The locking lever comprises a locking arm (6a) extending transversely. The locking arm (6a) comprises a slot (6b). In an embodiment, the slot (6b) is engageable with the bottom end (Id) of the neck portion (la) in the locked condition of the fuel tank locking system (100) as shown in Figure 6. The slot (6b) is engageable with the locking projection (4b) in the unlocked condition of the fuel tank lock system (100) as shown in Figure 7. The locking lever further comprises a channel (6c) being formed perpendicularly with respect to the locking arm (6a) in a horizontal plane. The channel (6c) is configured to receive the leg (3a) of the rotor (3) such that the locking lever (6) translates horizontally in the direction of the locking arm (6a) during rotational movement of the rotor (3). In a non-limiting embodiment, the locking lever (6) is loaded resiliently in the direction XX of the locking arm (6a). For this purpose, as shown in Figure 2, the locking lever (6) comprises a secondary spring (7) accommodated at a lower side of the locking lever (6). The secondary spring (7) energizes the locking lever (6) laterally relative to a casing (C) of the cover (2).

Referring to Figure 6, in the running or idle condition of the vehicle, the fuel tank cap assembly (102) is in the locked condition. In this condition the slot (6b) of the locking arm (6a) is engaged with the bottom end (Id) of the mounting ring (1) and the locking projection (4b) of the sealing ring (4) is disengaged with the locking arm (4a). For the purpose of refuelling, when a user inserts the correct key in the key insertion slot of the rotor (3), and rotates the key, the rotor (3) rotates in the along with the key. This leads to the movement of the rotor leg (3a) in the channel (6c) of the locking lever (6) causing the locking arm (6a) to be retrieved from the bottom end (Id) of the mounting ring (1) as shown in Figure 7. Thus, the locking lever (6) is disengaged with the mounting ring (1) and the cap assembly (102) moves slightly upwards due to resilient action of the primary springs (5). In this condition, the primary springs energize the sealing ring downwardly and the locking projection (4b) of the sealing ring (4) gets engaged with the slot (6b) of the locking arm (6a), as shown in Figure 8. When user removes mechanical force from the key, the rotor (3) rotates back towards the locked condition. The locking projection (4b) prevents the locking lever (6) from returning to the initial locked condition and the rotor is restricted to be in the unlocked condition. In this condition, the key cannot be removed from the key insertion slot of the rotor (3). In this condition the cap is opened by the user for refuelling, as shown in Figure 9.

When the user manually closes the cover back to the locked condition, the flanged sealing portion (4a) of the sealing ring (4) abuts with the top end (lc) of the neck portion (la) of the mounting ring (1). This prevents further downward movement of the sealing ring. In this condition, the locking arm (6a) does not come in contact with the top end (lb) of the neck portion (la), thereby preventing damage to the top end (lc), as shown in Figure 8. When the user applies further force in the downward direction, the locking lever (6) moves in the downward direction with respect to the sealing ring (4). This downward movement of the locking lever (6) causes the locking projection (4b) to disengage with the slot (6b) of the locking arm (6a), as shown in Figure 7. In this condition, the secondary spring (7) is de-energized and the locking lever (6) translates laterally in the direction of the locking arm (6a). The lateral movement of the locking lever (6) is restricted when the slot (6b) gets engaged with the bottom end (Id) of the neck portion (la). In this position, the rotor (3) is rotated to its locked condition and the fuel tank is said to have been locked. The key can be removed from the key insertion slot of the rotor in this locked condition. List of reference numerals:

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.