Cap device

Abstract

A tether mechanism includes a rotatable ring rotatably mounted to a ring mounting element, a linking member and a rotatable connector. The linking member has a long linking member main body, a first support end that is formed at one end of the linking member main body and is connected to the rotatable ring and a second support end connected to the fuel supply lid. The rotatable connector has a U-shaped connector, and the linking member main body can rotate relative to the rotatable ring around the longitudinal axis thereof.

1 . A cap device that includes a cap that opens and closes a tank opening, and a tether mechanism that connects the cap to a peripheral member on a periphery of the tank opening, 
 wherein the tether mechanism comprises:    a ring mounting element formed along an outer circumference of the cap;    a rotatable ring that is rotatably mounted to the ring mounting element;    a linking member that has (i) an elastic long linking member main body, (ii) a first support end that is formed at one end of the linking member main body and is connected to the rotatable ring and (iii) a second support end that is formed at the other end of the linking member main body and is connected to the peripheral member; and    a rotatable connector that is mounted such that the rotatable ring is supported rotatably relative to the peripheral member around a longitudinal axis of the linking member main body.    
   
   
       2 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector is disposed on the first support end and the rotatable ring.  
   
   
       3 . The cap device according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable connector includes a connector main body that is formed in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and the first support end is rotatably connected to the connector main body.  
   
   
       4 . The cap device according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a U-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The cap device according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a S-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The cap device according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a O-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The cap device according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a rectangular configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The cap device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first support end comprises an engaging protrusion that engages rotatably with the connector main body, and a deformable element that is formed between the engaging protrusion and the linking member main body.  
   
   
       9 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector is disposed on the second support end and the peripheral member.  
   
   
       10 . The cap device according to  claim 9 , wherein the rotatable connector includes a connector main body that is formed in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and the second support end is rotatably connected to the connector main body.  
   
   
       11 . The cap device according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a U-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The cap device according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a S-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The cap device according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector main body is formed in a rectangular configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector comprises an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the rotatable ring, a connector main body that is integrally formed with the first support end in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a mounting hole that is formed in the connector main body and engages rotatably with the engaging protrusion.  
   
   
       15 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector comprises an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the peripheral member, a connector main body that is integrally formed with the second support end in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a mounting hole that is formed in the connector main body and engages rotatably with the engaging protrusion.  
   
   
       16 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector comprises an engaging protrusion that is formed at the first support end, a mounting part that protrudes from the rotatable ring, and a mounting hole engaging hole that is formed in the mounting part and engages rotatably with the engaging protrusion.  
   
   
       17 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector comprises an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the first support end, a connector main body that is integrally formed with the rotatable ring in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a mounting hole that is formed in connector main body and engages rotatably with the engaging protrusion.  
   
   
       18 . The cap device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable connector comprises engaging protrusions that protrudes from the rotatable ring and the first support end respectively, a connector main body that is formed in a curved configuration and extends in the longitudinal direction, and mounting holes that is formed in connector main bodies and engage rotatably with the engaging protrusion respectively.