Fuel tank and method for making same

Abstract

A fuel tank having a top shell with an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery and a bottom shell also having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery. The top and bottom shells are dimensioned so that, with the top shell positioned on top of the bottom shell, an outer peripheral portion of the top shell flange flatly abuts against an outer peripheral portion of the bottom shell flange and these outer peripheral portions are secured together. A component support has an outer edge portion sandwiched in between the flanges at a position spaced inwardly from the flange outer peripheral portions. The flanges and the outer edge portion of the component support are then bent to a plane oblique to the component support to thereby mechanically lock the outer edge portion of the component support and the flanges together.

1 . A fuel tank construction comprising:
 a top shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery,   a bottom shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery, said top and bottom shells being dimensioned such that with said top shell being positioned on top of said bottom shell an outer peripheral portion of said top shell flange flatly abuts against an outer peripheral portion of said bottom shell flange, said outer peripheral portions of said flanges being secured together, said top and bottom shell forming a fuel storage chamber therebetween,   a component support having an outer edge portion sandwiched in between said flanges at a position spaced inwardly from said flange outer peripheral portions,   said flanges and said outer edge portion of said component support being bent to a plane oblique to a plane of said component support to thereby mechanically lock said outer edge portion of said component support and said flanges together.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 1  wherein said outer peripheral portions of said flanges are welded together. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 1  wherein said top shell, said bottom shell and said component support are constructed of a metal. 
   
   
       4 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 1  wherein a portion of said component support extends outwardly from said flanges and forms a mounting bracket. 
   
   
       5 . A fuel tank construction comprising:
 a top shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery,   a bottom shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery, said top and bottom shells being dimensioned such that with said top shell being positioned on top of said bottom shell an outer peripheral portion of said top shell flange flatly abuts against an outer peripheral portion of said bottom shell flange, said outer peripheral portions of said flanges being secured together, said top and bottom shell forming a fuel storage chamber therebetween,   a component support having an outer edge portion sandwiched in between said flanges at a position spaced inwardly from said flange outer peripheral portions,   said flanges and said outer edge portion of said component support being secured together by bending said flanges and said outer edge portion of said component support to a plane oblique to a plane of said component support to thereby mechanically lock said outer edge portion of said component support and said flanges together.   
   
   
       6 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 5  wherein said outer peripheral portions of said flanges are welded together. 
   
   
       7 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 5  wherein said top shell, said bottom shell and said component support are constructed of a metal. 
   
   
       8 . The fuel tank as defined in  claim 5  wherein a portion of said component support extends outwardly from said flanges and forms a mounting bracket. 
   
   
       9 . A method of constructing a fuel tank construction comprising:
 forming a top shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery,   forming a bottom shell having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery,   positioning said top and bottom shells together so that with said top shell being positioned on top of said bottom shell an outer peripheral portion of said top shell flange flatly abuts against an outer peripheral portion of said bottom shell flange,   securing said outer peripheral portions of said flanges being together so that said top and bottom shell form a fuel storage chamber therebetween,   positioning an outer edge portion of a component in between said flanges at a position spaced inwardly from said flange outer peripheral portions,   bending said flanges and said outer edge portion of said component support to a plane oblique to a plane of said component support to thereby mechanically lock said outer edge portion of said component support and said flanges together.   
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 9  wherein said securing step comprises welding. 
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 9  wherein said top shell, said bottom shell and said component support are constructed of a metal.