Vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus

Abstract

A vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus is provided that includes a cap member adapted to sealingly close a fuel port. The cap member includes a rotation-actuated locking mechanism for securing the cap member to the fuel port, and an articulating member movably connected to the vehicle at a pivot point. The articulating member is adapted to move the cap member about the pivot point between a closed position in which the cap member sealingly closes the fuel port and an open position in which the fuel port is open. A vehicle fuel port assembly is also provided.

1 . A vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus, comprising: 
 a cap member adapted to sealingly close a vehicle fuel port, the cap member including a rotation-actuated locking mechanism for securing or connecting the cap member to the fuel port; and    an articulating member movably connected to the vehicle at a pivot point, the articulating member adapted to move the cap member about the pivot point between a closed position in which the cap member sealingly closes the fuel port and an open position in which the fuel port is open.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation-actuated locking mechanism includes a first locking thread or barb adapted to mate with a second locking thread or barb in the fuel port.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the thread or barb may be tapered in an upwardly extending circumferential direction so that the cap member is drawn into sealing engagement with the fuel port as the cap member is rotated.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the thread or barb extends around only a portion of the cap member.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the thread or barb extends around substantially an entire circumference of the cap member or is helically coiled around the cap member.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a sealing member positioned between the cap member and the fuel port.  
   
   
       7 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating member includes a generally annular mounting portion disposed around a circumferential outer surface of the cap member.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cap member is adapted to rotate within the mounting portion, but is inhibited from axial movement by virtue of the mounting portion being trapped between a first flange portion and a second flange portion of the cap member.  
   
   
       9 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting portion is affixed or connected to a bracket that secures the mounting portion and the cap member to the vehicle for movement about the pivot point.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the bracket is configured to accommodate a vehicle body panel during rotation of the mounting portion and the cap member about the pivot point so that the bracket is substantially hidden when the cap member is moved to the closed position.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating member is biased toward the open position.  
   
   
       12 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a resiliently compressible member positioned to bias the articulating member toward the open position.  
   
   
       13 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the resiliently compressible member includes a compression spring.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member includes a first cap portion that includes the rotation-actuated locking mechanism and a second cap portion that may be separated from the first cap portion without the first cap portion sealingly disengaging the fuel port.  
   
   
       15 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an interface between the first and second cap portions includes a releasable connection mechanism that is able to withstand rotational forces imposed on the cap member during connection to and disconnection from the fuel port, but permits separation of the second cap portion from the first cap portion.  
   
   
       16 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member includes at least one gripping feature.  
   
   
       17 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the gripping feature includes a pair of recesses that allow a user to hand-grip a bridge between the recesses to rotate the cap member.  
   
   
       18 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the gripping feature includes a plurality of grooves or ridges in the cap member.  
   
   
       19 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap member includes a pressure regulating valve.  
   
   
       20 . The vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating member is at least partially exposed with respect to a vehicle body panel.  
   
   
       21 . A vehicle fuel port sealing apparatus, comprising: 
 a cap member adapted to sealingly close a vehicle fuel port, the cap member including a rotation-actuated locking mechanism that includes a first locking thread or barb adapted to mate with a second locking thread or barb in the fuel port;    a sealing member positioned between the cap member and the fuel port;    an articulating member movably connected to the vehicle at a pivot point and adapted to move the cap member about the pivot point between a closed position in which the cap member sealingly closes the fuel port and an open position in which the fuel port is open, the articulating member including a generally annular mounting portion disposed around a circumferential outer surface of the cap member and a bracket that secures the mounting portion and the cap member to the vehicle for movement about the pivot point; and    a resiliently compressible member positioned to bias the articulating member toward the open position.    
   
   
       22 . A vehicle fuel port assembly, comprising: 
 a fuel port;    a cap member adapted to sealingly close the fuel port, the cap member including a rotation-actuated locking mechanism for securing or connecting the cap member to the fuel port; and    an articulating member movably connected to the vehicle at a pivot point, the articulating member adapted to move the cap member about the pivot point between a closed position in which the cap member sealingly closes the fuel port and an open position in which the fuel port is open.