Fuel filler pipe retainer

Abstract

A retainer for attaching an open end of a fuel filler pipe to a housing so that the open end of the fuel filler pipe registers with an opening in the housing. The retainer assembly includes an annular body disposed around and secured to the open end of the filler pipe. A resilient locking clip is mounted on the body and this locking clip lockingly engages a portion of the housing upon insertion of the annular body to a locking position into the housing opening.

1 . A retainer for use in attaching an open end of a fuel filler pipe to a housing so that the open end of the fuel filler pipe registers with an opening in the housing, said retainer assembly comprising: 
 an annular body disposed around the open end of the filler pipe,    at least one resilient locking tab mounted to said body, said locking tab lockingly engaging a portion of the housing upon insertion of said annular body to a locking position into the housing opening.    
   
   
       2 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said retainer is of a one-piece construction.  
   
   
       3 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  and comprising a plurality of annularly spaced locking tabs mounted to said body.  
   
   
       4 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said retainer is made of plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  and comprising an annular flange extending outwardly from said body, said flange dimensioned to abut against the housing upon insertion of said body into the housing opening to said locking position.  
   
   
       6 . The invention as defined in  claim 5  wherein a portion of the housing is entrapped between said flange and said locking tab when said body is inserted to said locking position.  
   
   
       7 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fuel filler pipe includes an indentation and where said body includes a protrusion which nests into the indentation to thereby attach said retainer assembly to the fuel filler pipe against rotational and axial movement.  
   
   
       8 . The invention as defined in  claim 1  wherein said retainer comprises two arcuate sections and a hinge which pivotally secures one end of one arcuate section to one end of the other arcuate section so that the other ends of said arcuate sections are pivotal toward and away from each other between an attached position in which said retainer is attached to said pipe and a release position in which said retainer disengages from said pipe.  
   
   
       9 . The invention as defined in  claim 8  and comprising a fastener for holding said arcuate sections in said attached position.  
   
   
       10 . The invention as defined in  claim 9  wherein said fastener comprises a ratchet which extends outwardly from one end of said split ring which cooperates with a catch mounted to the other end of the split ring.  
   
   
       11 . The invention as defined in  claim 8  wherein said hinge section comprises a reduced area portion of said body.  
   
   
       12 . The invention as defined in  claim 5  and comprising an anti-rotation projection on said flange which registers with an opening in the housing when said retainer is inserted to said locking position.  
   
   
       13 . A fuel filler pipe assembly for use with an automotive housing having an opening comprising: 
 a fuel filler pipe having an open end,    a retainer having an annular body disposed around the open end of said filler pipe,    at least one resilient locking tab mounted to said body, said locking tab lockingly engaging a portion of the housing upon insertion of said annular body into the housing opening to a locked position.    
   
   
       14 . The invention as defined in  claim 13  wherein said retainer is of a one-piece plastic construction.  
   
   
       15 . The invention as defined in  claim 13  and comprising a plurality of annularly spaced locking tabs mounted to said body.  
   
   
       16 . The invention as defined in  claim 13  and comprising an annular flange extending outwardly from said body, said flange dimensioned to abut against the housing upon insertion of said body into the housing opening to said locking position.  
   
   
       17 . The invention as defined in  claim 16  wherein a portion of the housing is entrapped between said flange and said locking tab when said body is inserted to said locking position.  
   
   
       18 . The invention as defined in  claim 13  wherein said fuel filler pipe includes an indentation and wherein said body includes a protrusion which nests in said indentation to thereby attach said retainer to said fuel filler pipe against axial and rotational movement.  
   
   
       19 . The invention as defined in  claim 13  wherein said retainer comprises two arcuate sections and a hinge which pivotally secures one end of one arcuate section to one end of the other arcuate section so that the other ends of said arcuate sections are pivotal toward and away from each other between an attached position in which said retainer is attached to said pipe and a release position in which said retainer disengages from said pipe.  
   
   
       20 . The invention as defined in  claim 19  and comprising a fastener integrally formed with said body for holding said arcuate sections in said attached position.