Patent ID: 9296292
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B60K

Claim Text:
1. A capless fuel apparatus comprising: an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing open at each end, said housing defining a first and a second longitudinally spaced fluid ports, a first flapper valve associated with said first fluid port and a second flapper valve associated with said second fluid port, said flapper valves being movable between an open and a closed position and resiliently urged toward their respective closed positions, at least one reinforcing rib attached to and movable in unison with said first flapper valve, said reinforcing rib having a portion which extends through at least one receiving slot in said housing when said first flapper valve is in said open position so that, only when said first flapper valve is in said open position, a portion of said reinforcing rib extends through said housing, a pair of diametrically opposed latches pivotally mounted to said housing adjacent said second fluid port and pivotal about an axis perpendicular to an axis of said housing between a latch position and a release position, said latches engaging said second flapper valve when at least one of said latches is in said latch position and said second flapper valve in in said closed position to thereby prevent said second flapper valve moving to said open position, each latch having a cam surface which, when engaged, pivots said latch to said open position, wherein only a fuel nozzle of a predetermined size will engage both cam surfaces of both latches.