Patent ID: 6308852
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B60K,Y10S

Abstract:
A tank cap that opens and closes a tank opening and engages with an opening engagement element disposed on a circumference of said tank opening, said tank cap comprising:a casing main body, which seals said tank opening, said casing main body including a casing engagement element configured to engage with said opening engagement element via rotation of said casing main body by a predetermined angle;a handle rotatably mounted on said casing main body; anda torque mechanism interposed between said handle and said casing main body and configured to transmit rotational torque applied to said handle to said casing main body,wherein said torque mechanism includesa handle engagement element disposed on an underside of said handle;a torque plate interposed between said casing main body and said handle, said torque plate having a plate engagement element configured to engage with said handle engagement element; anda main body engagement element disposed on said casing main body and configured to transmit rotational torque from said torque plate to said casing main body,wherein said plate engagement element is constructed and arranged to be in an engagement state, a first non-engaged state, or a second non-engaged state,wherein in said engagement state, said plate engagement element engages with said handle engagement element so that said rotational torque applied to said handle is transmitted to said casing main body when said handle is rotated in a closing direction of said tank opening,wherein in said first non-engaged state, said plate engagement element is released from said handle engagement element with a first rotational torque when said plate engagement element engages with said handle engagement element and said handle is rotated in said closing direction of said tank, andwherein in said second non-engaged state after being in said first non-engaged state, said plate engagement element is released from said handle engagement element with a second rotational torque when said handle is rotated in an opening direction of said tank, said second rotation torque being less than said first rotational torque.