Patent ID: 9255556
Filing Date: 2016-02-09
CPC Classification: B23P,B60K,B60Y,F02M,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of mounting an in-tank pump in a tank having a top wall and a bottom wall with an access hole extending through the top wall, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting a baffle into the tank through the access hole, the baffle having a sidewall defining an interior space sized to receive the in-tank pump and including at least one opening to allow fuel to enter the interior space from the tank, the sidewall formed of a resilient flexible material radially compressible from a diameter larger than the access hole to a diameter smaller than the access hole using a funnel having a center hole positionable over the access hole in the tank and a top surface which tapers downwardly and inwardly toward the center hole, wherein the baffle is pushed through the center hole and into the access hole, the funnel acting to help compress the baffle as it is pushed through the center hole and guide the baffle past the edges of the access hole, the baffle also longitudinally compressible from a first length in a relaxed state to a shorter, second length, the resiliency of the sidewall biasing the sidewall toward its first length; b) longitudinally compressing the sidewall so that the baffle extends between the top and bottom walls of the tank; and c) installing the in-tank pump in the interior space of the baffle.