Fuel cap barrier kit

A fuel cap barrier kit is basically provided with a movable barrier and an attachment member. The movable barrier is dimensioned and structured to be attached to a vehicle body at a location in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of a fuel cap and is underneath a filler compartment door. The movable barrier is movable between an inlet accessible position in which the movable barrier permits user access to the fuel cap and an inlet blocking position in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of the fuel cap. The attachment member is configured to fixedly attach the movable barrier to the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a fuel cap barrier kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fuel cap barrier kit having a movable barrier for a vehicle filler compartment.

Background Information

Diesel vehicles are well known for being highly durable and fuel efficient. However, in order to meet modern emissions requirements, many diesel vehicles employ systems that use an additional fluid such as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) which is added to the exhaust of diesel engines to reduce emissions. DEF is a non-hazardous solution that is generally 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. DEF is sprayed into the exhaust stream of the diesel vehicle to breakdown dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water. Engine systems that employ the addition of DEF use a Selective Catalytic Reduction to spray DEF into the exhaust stream. DEF is not a fuel additive and should not come into contact with diesel fuel. Thus, DEF is stored in a separate tank from the fuel tank. Also to avoid confusion with the fuel tank filler inlet, the DEF tank filler inlet typically has a blue filler cap.

SUMMARY

In some diesel vehicles, the fuel tank filler inlet and the DEF tank filler inlet are provided next to each other. With such an arrangement of the fuel tank filler inlet and the DEF tank filler inlet, a person may accidently add DEF into the fuel tank. When DEF is introduced into the diesel fuel system and contacts the diesel fuel, DEF can be extremely aggressive and will crystalize. Even limited amounts of DEF can destroy the fuel system integrity and compromise major engine components.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cap barrier kit that comprises of a movable barrier and an attachment member. The movable barrier is dimensioned and structured to be attached to a vehicle body at a location in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of a fuel cap and is underneath a filler compartment door. The movable barrier is movable between an inlet accessible position in which the movable barrier permits user access to the fuel cap and an inlet blocking position in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of the fuel cap. The attachment member is configured to fixedly attach the movable barrier to the vehicle body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle body comprising vehicle body panel, a movable barrier and an attachment member. The vehicle body panel includes a filler compartment having a first filler inlet with a first cap, a second filler inlet with a second cap and a compartment door. The compartment door is movably arranged between a closed position overlying the first and second caps and an open position exposing the first and second caps. The movable barrier is attached to the vehicle body panel and disposed underneath the filler compartment door when the door is in the closed position. The movable barrier is movable between an inlet accessible position in which the movable barrier permits user access to the first cap and an inlet blocking position in which is disposed in front of the first cap. The attachment member fixedly attaches the movable barrier to the vehicle body panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIGS. 1 to 5, a diesel vehicle10is illustrated that is equipped with the present invention. While the diesel vehicle10is illustrated as a pickup truck, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the present invention can be applied to other vehicles as needed and/or desired. The diesel vehicle10will herein after be simply referred to as “the vehicle10” for the sake of brevity. In order to avoid accidently adding diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into a fuel diesel tank (not shown) of the vehicle10, a movable barrier12is installed on the vehicle10in accordance with the present invention. The movable barrier12is designed to add a step into the user thought process so as to make a user to think twice before adding a fluid into the fuel tank of the vehicle10. As explained below, the movable barrier12forces the user to move the movable barrier12before a fluid can be added into the diesel fuel tank of the vehicle10. In this way, it is less likely that a user will add DEF into the diesel fuel tank of the vehicle10.

Other than the addition of the movable barrier12, the vehicle10can be any diesel vehicle that includes a fluid filler inlet for adding an additive that is not to be mixed with the fuel in the diesel fuel tank of the vehicle. Accordingly, the structure of the vehicle10will only be discuss as needed to understand the application of the movable barrier12to the vehicle10. The vehicle10comprises, among other things, a body panel14having a filler compartment16and a filler compartment door18. The filler compartment16is a recessed portion of the body panel14. The filler compartment16has one end of a first filler inlet tube20attached to the filler compartment16. A first filler cap20ais tethered to the filler compartment door18by a tether T and screws into the end of the first filler inlet tube20. The filler compartment16further has one end of a second filler inlet tube22attached to the filler compartment16. A second filler cap22ascrews into the end of the second filler inlet tube22. In the first embodiment, the other end of the first filler inlet tube20is connected to the diesel fuel tank. Thus, the first filler inlet tube20is configured to receive diesel fuel. The other end of the second filler inlet tube22is connected to a DEF tank (not shown). Thus, the second filler inlet tube22is configured to receive diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The filler compartment door18is movably arranged (e.g., hinged) between a closed position and an open position in a conventional manner. In the closed position, the filler compartment door18overlies the first and second filler inlet tubes20and22. In the open position, the filler compartment door18exposes the first and second filler inlet tubes20and22so that they are accessible to a user to add the appropriate fluid. Preferably, when the filler compartment door18is closed, the filler compartment door18forms a smooth surface with the exterior of the vehicle10.

Now the movable barrier12will be discussed in more detail. In this first embodiment ofFIGS. 2 to 5, the movable barrier12can be preinstalled by the vehicle manufacturer as part of a new vehicle, or can be installed as a dealer accessory or an aftermarket added-on. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the movable barrier12can be part of a fuel cap barrier kit K1that is configured to be installed on the vehicle10as described below. For example, the fuel cap barrier kit K1includes the movable barrier12and an attachment member24(shown as a strip of the double-sided tape30with a pair of release sheets31). The fuel cap barrier kit K1has a container C, which is diagrammatically illustrated by dashed lines enclosing the movable barrier12and the attachment member24.

In the first embodiment, the movable barrier12is dimensioned and structured to be attached to the vehicle10inside the filler compartment16by the double-sided tape30of the attachment member24. Preferably, the movable barrier12is dimensioned and structured to be attached to the body panel14such that the movable barrier12is disposed underneath the filler compartment door18when the filler compartment door18is in the closed position. In this way, the movable barrier12is protected by the filler compartment door18and the exterior appearance of the vehicle10is not affected.

As mentioned above, since the first filler inlet tube20that receives diesel fuel is typically located adjacent the second filler inlet tube22that receives DEF, there is a possibility for DEF to be mistakenly added to the first filler inlet tube20. In particular, DEF does not need to be added as frequently as diesel fuel. As a result, when the user seeks to pump DEF into the vehicle10on the infrequent occasion, the user may mistakenly pump DEF into the first filler inlet tube20as a matter normal routine instead of into the second filler inlet tube22. When DEF is added to the first filler inlet tube20, the DEF will crystalize the diesel fuel, destroying the fuel system integrity and compromising major engine components.

As mentioned above, the movable barrier12is provided to introduce a step into the user thought process of a fuel filling routine to prevent the user from accidently pumping DEF fuel into the wrong filler inlet. That is, the movable barrier12provides an additional fuel filling step to induce the user to be more cognizant of the type of fluid (diesel fuel or DEF) that is being added to the first filler inlet tube20. Specifically, the placement of the movable barrier12in front of the first filler cap20arequires the user to move the movable barrier12out of the way to access the first filler cap20a. This additional step induces the user to reassess whether the fluid being pumped is diesel fuel or DEF before pumping the fluid into the first filler inlet tube20.

Thus, as best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, the movable barrier12is movable by the user between an inlet accessible position and an inlet blocking position. The movable barrier12permits user access to the first filler cap20ain the inlet accessible position, and is disposed in front of the first filler cap20ain the inlet blocking position. Thus, the inlet accessible position corresponds to a user operated position and the inlet blocking position corresponds to a rest position of the movable barrier12. Preferably, the movable barrier12cannot be maintained in the inlet accessible position without user input. In other words, the movable barrier12is preferably attached to the filler compartment16such that the user must continuously hold the movable barrier12in the inlet accessible position to pump to access the first filler cap20a. By requiring the user to continuously maintain the movable barrier12in the filler accessible position, the user is induced to be more cognizant about the type of fuel being pumped into the first filler inlet20. For example, DEF is typically added to the vehicle10from a 2.5 gallon container and it would be difficult for the user to add DEF to the first filler inlet20while also maintaining the movable barrier12out of the way. Thus, the configuration and placement of the movable barrier12adds difficulty and complexity for the user who is mistakenly pumping DEF into the first filler inlet20.

The movable barrier12is preferably attached to a surface of the filler compartment16in a vicinity (e.g., attachment area A inFIG. 2) of the first filler cap20asuch that the movable barrier12is disposed in front of the first filler cap20a. As shown inFIG. 3, the movable barrier12overlies the first filler cap20awhen it is attached to the body panel14. Preferably, the movable barrier12is disposed in front of the first filler cap20aand not in front of the second filler cap22awhen the movable barrier12is in the rest position (i.e., the inlet blocking position). In this manner, the first and second filler caps20aand22aare further distinguished to help remind the user that their respective filler inlet tubes20and22are configured to receive different types of fuel.

As shown, the movable barrier12according to the first embodiment includes a flexible sheet material28. The flexible sheet material28is preferably constructed of rubber or a flexible woven material impregnated with carbon so that the flexible sheet material28does not conduct electricity. As such, the flexible sheet material28of the movable barrier12of the first embodiment is configured as a curtain that is to be lifted by the user to access the first filler cap20a. Alternatively, the movable barrier12can be constructed of a fabric material and configured to be movable similar to vertical blinds. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that the movable barrier12can be constructed of a variety of types of flexible material that does not conduct electricity.

In the first embodiment as shown, the movable barrier12includes warning indicia W indicative of a warning message to a user. The warning indicia W preferably indicates to the user that the first filler inlet tube20is configured to receive diesel fuel only to remind the user not to pump DEF into the first filler inlet tube20. The warning indicia W can include one or more languages, preferably stating “NO DEF.” Of course, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that the warning indicia W can also simply include pictorial representations indicating that the first filler inlet tube20should only receive diesel fuel. The warning indicia W can be fixed to the movable barrier12by being embossed or recessed onto the flexible sheet material28. Alternatively, the warning indicia W can be disposed on an additional sheet or label (not shown) that is fixed to the movable barrier12. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that the warning indicia W can also be disposed directly on the body panel14, such as on the filler compartment door18or on the surface of the filler compartment16in the vicinity of the first and second filler caps20aand22a.

Preferably, the movable barrier12is secured to the filler compartment surface (the attachment area A) by the attachment member24. In other words, the attachment member24fixedly attaches the movable barrier12to the body panel14. In the first embodiment, the attachment member24includes the double-sided tape30as mentioned above, but is not limited to the illustrated attachment member. As best seen inFIG. 5, the double-sided tape30includes a base layer30ahaving two adhesive surfaces30bthat are each overlaid by one of the release sheets31. Additionally, it is also preferable that the double-sided tape30is pre-attached to the flexible sheet material28of the movable barrier12, as shown inFIG. 2. In other words, the base layer30ais pre-attached to the movable barrier12with only one release sheet30coverlaid on an adhesive surface30bof the base layer30ato be removed by the user. Thus, the attachment member24includes an adhesive for attaching the movable barrier12(i.e., the flexible sheet material28) to the vehicle10. In the first embodiment, the adhesive is provided on a backing material (i.e., the base layer30a) to form the double-sided tape30. Alternatively, the adhesive can be applied as glue onto the movable barrier12directly. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the movable barrier12can also be affixed to the body panel14via a variety of fastening members such as screws, studs or clips.

As shown, the attachment member24attaches an upper portion12aof the movable barrier12to the filler compartment16that that is adjacent to the first filler cap20a, as best seen inFIG. 2. In the first embodiment, the double-sided tape30is applied to the upper portion12aof the movable barrier12. As a result, the movable barrier12of the first embodiment is lifted by the user in an upward direction, as shown inFIG. 4. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the attachment member24can attach the movable barrier12, or be applied to the movable barrier12, at a bottom portion or at one of the lateral side portions of the movable barrier12, as needed and/or desired. As such, the movable barrier12can be moved by the user in a sideways or downward direction.

The movable barrier12does not need to be pre-mounted to the vehicle10as mentioned above. Instead, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the movable barrier12can be part of the fuel cap barrier kit K1that is configured to be assembled to the vehicle10as described above. For example, the fuel cap barrier kit K1can include the movable barrier12and the attachment member24(shown as a strip of the double-sided tape30) in the container C enclosing the movable barrier12and the attachment member24. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the kit K1can also include a bottle of glue, screws, clips, and other types of fastening members as being the attachment member24for the movable barrier12.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 to 11, a movable barrier112in accordance with a second embodiment will now be discussed. The movable barrier112of the second embodiment is also configured to be attached to the body panel14of the vehicle10for selectively blocking access to the first filler cap20asimilar to the first embodiment. Thus, for simplicity, components of the body panel14of the second embodiment will receive identical reference numerals as the first embodiment. Components of the movable barrier112having corresponding components in the movable barrier12will receive the same numbers but increased by 100.

The movable barrier112of the second embodiment includes a spring-loaded assembly having a base132and a barrier member134. The base132is configured to be mounted to the body panel14, preferably on a non-exposed surface of the body panel14. In other words, the barrier member134is configured to be partially disposed beneath the body panel14of the vehicle10. As seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, the base132of the movable barrier112is partially disposed in a cavity (not shown) of the vehicle10. The attachment of the movable barrier112to the body panel14will be further discussed below. The base132movably supports the barrier member134such that the filler compartment door18overlies the movable barrier112when the filler compartment door18is in the closed position. The barrier member134is slidable with respect to the base132between an operated position and a rest position. The barrier member134is biased to overlie the first filler cap20ain the rest position, as further explained below.

The barrier member134is movable with respect to the base132between the inlet accessible position and the inlet blocking position. The inlet accessible position corresponds to the operated position (FIG. 6) and the inlet blocking position corresponds to the rest position (FIG. 7) of the movable barrier112. Similar to the first embodiment, the barrier member134is disposed in front of the first filler cap20ain the inlet blocking position, and is moved into the inlet accessible permission to permit access to the first filler cap20a. In the second embodiment, the base132is configured as a support for the barrier member134in which the barrier member134moves with respect to the support. Similar to the first embodiment, the barrier member134is preferably disposed in front of the first filler cap20aand not the second filler cap22awhen the barrier member134is in the rest position.

The base132is a rigid structure that includes a pair of identical channels136connected by a connecting member138. In the second embodiment, each of the channels136includes a biasing element S to bias the barrier member134into the rest position in front of the first filler cap20a. Preferably, the biasing elements S are compression springs. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the first and second biasing elements S can be a variety of different types of biasing elements, as needed and/or desired.

The barrier member134is a rigid slidable member that includes a pair of shafts140and a pair of rollers141forming a pair of guide members. The rollers141are disposed in the channels136so that the barrier member134is movable along the channels136. Thus, in the second embodiment, the barrier member134includes a rigid slidable member. The barrier member134further includes a pair of protrusions142. The protrusions142are located adjacent to the shafts140. The protrusions142abut the biasing elements S. In this way, the biasing elements S of the base132are operatively arranged to bias the barrier member134to overlie the first filler cap20aof the first filler inlet tube20. Thus, the base132includes at least one biasing element S that is configured to bias the barrier member134into the inlet blocking position when the movable barrier112is attached to the vehicle10. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the base132can be configured to include just a single channel that receives one guide member of the barrier member134as needed and/or desired.

The biasing elements S are arranged in the channels136so that the biasing elements S contact the connecting member138and the protrusions142of the barrier member134. When the movable barrier112is assembled to the vehicle10, the biasing elements S bias the barrier member134towards the inlet blocking position. To access the fuel nozzle, the user slides the barrier member134with respect the base132, compressing the biasing elements S so that the movable barrier112is moved into the inlet accessible position.

Preferably, the barrier member134includes warning indicia W indicative of a warning message to the user that the first filler inlet tube20is configured to receive diesel fuel only. The warning indicia W can be fixed to the barrier member134by being recessed or molded onto the barrier member134. Alternatively, the warning indicia W can be disposed on an additional sheet or label that is fixed to the barrier member134. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that the indicia W can also be disposed directly on the body panel14, such as on the filler compartment door18or on the surface of the filler compartment16in the vicinity of the first and second filler caps20aand22a.

The base132and the barrier member134are preferably constructed of a rigid material with a low electrical conductivity such as carbon impregnated plastic and the like. Thus, the channels136and the connecting member138are preferably constructed of a carbon impregnated plastic. The attachment member24can be affixed to any one or all of the channels136and the connecting member138. The attachment of the base132to the vehicle10will be further discussed below.

As previously stated, the movable barrier112of the second embodiment is configured to be partially disposed beneath the body panel14of the vehicle10. As seen inFIGS. 6 and 7, the base132of the movable barrier112is partially disposed in a cavity (not shown) of the body panel12that is located laterally adjacent to the filler compartment16. In particular, the connecting member138and the channels136are mounted onto internal surfaces (not shown) of the cavity while the channels136partially extend from the cavity into the filler compartment16. The barrier member134slides laterally along the channels136to move from the filler compartment16into the cavity between the inlet blocking position and the inlet accessible position.

As stated above, the movable barrier112further includes two of the attachment members24that were discussed above. The base132is configured to be attached to the body panel14by the attachment member24. In the second embodiment as shown, the attachment member24includes an adhesive for attaching the barrier member134to the body panel14. Preferably, the adhesive includes the double sided-tape30that is pre-attached to the base132. For example, the base layer30aof the double sided-tape30can be pre-applied to the connecting member138, and also to the first and second channels136, with one of the release sheets31disposed on the adhesive surface30bto be removed by the user as necessary. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the adhesive can also include glue that is directly applied to the base132. The attachment member24can further include screws, studs or clips that attach the base132to the vehicle10.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the movable barrier112can be part of a kit K2that is to be assembled to the body panel14as described above. For example, the kit K2can include the movable barrier112and two of the attachment members24(two strips of the double-sided tape30). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the double sided-tape30can be pre-attached to the movable barrier112with only one release sheet31disposed on the adhesive surface30bof the base layer30ato be removed by the user. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the kit K2can include a bottle of glue, screws, clips, and the like as the attachment member for the movable barrier112.

Referring now toFIGS. 10 and 11, a movable barrier112′ of the second embodiment will now be discussed. The movable barrier112′ is basically identical to the movable barrier112except that the movable barrier112′ is mounted onto the vehicle10at a different location and operates based on gravity. Thus, the biasing elements S are omitted from the movable barrier112′. Due to the similarity of the movable barrier112′ with respect to the movable barrier112, corresponding components of the movable barrier112′ as the movable barrier112will receive identical reference numerals.

The base132of the modified movable barrier112′ is partially disposed through a cavity (not shown) in the body panel14that is vertically adjacent to the filler compartment16. The connecting member138and the channels136are disposed on internal surfaces (not shown) of the cavity and the filler compartment16. The channels136extend vertically from the cavity into the filler compartment16. The barrier member134is vertically slidable to move between the filler compartment16and the cavity, so to move between an inlet blocking position (FIG. 10) and an inlet accessible position (FIG. 11).

In particular, the channels136each receive one of the protrusions142of the barrier member134, respectively so that the barrier member134is vertically slidable in the channels136. The base132of the movable barrier112′ does not include biasing elements S as mentioned above. The barrier member134is biased towards the inlet blocking position by gravity in which the barrier member134abuts a bottom surface137of the filler compartment16, as seen inFIG. 10. The user slides the barrier member134in an upward direction into the cavity to access the first filler cap20a.

The base132of the movable barrier112′ is attached to the vehicle10by the attachment member24identically as the attachment for the movable member122and will not be further discussed. The movable barrier112′ and the movable barrier112in accordance with the second embodiment do not need to be pre-mounted to the vehicle10.

Referring now toFIGS. 12 to 16, a movable barrier212in accordance with a third embodiment is shown. The movable barrier212of the third embodiment is also configured to be attached to the body panel14of the vehicle10having the identical filler compartment16configuration as the first and second embodiments. Thus, for simplicity, components of the body panel14of the third embodiment will receive identical reference numerals as the previous embodiments. Components of the movable barrier212having corresponding components in the movable barrier112of the second embodiment will receive the same reference numeral but increased by 100. The movable barrier212is also configured to overlie the first filler cap20athat receives diesel fuel and not the second filler cap22athat receives DEF, and is designed to add a step into the user's fuel filling routine in order to prevent the user from mistakenly adding DEF into the first filler inlet tube20.

The movable barrier212includes a base232, a barrier member234and the attachment member24. The movable barrier212of the third embodiment is configured to be attached to the filler compartment16at a location adjacent to the first filler inlet tube20. The barrier member234is configured to overlie the first filler cap20aat a rest position that corresponds to an inlet blocking position (FIG. 12). The barrier member234is preferably a rigid bar having indicia W that is movably arranged relative to the base232to move between an inlet accessible position (FIG. 13) to access the first filler cap20aand the inlet blocking position that blocks the first filler cap20a(FIG. 12). In the movable barrier212, the barrier member234is pivotally arranged relative to the base232to move between the inlet accessible position and the inlet blocking position. Thus, the barrier member234of the third embodiment includes a rigid hinged member.

The base232includes a backing plate248, a pin250and a biasing element S. The backing plate248includes a pair of flanges252, each having a through hole252a. The barrier member234includes a through hole234aextending through a mounting portion254of the barrier member234. The biasing element S is arranged about the pin250which extends through the through holes252aof the backing plate248and the through hole234aof the barrier member234to movably secure the barrier member234to the backing plate248. Preferably, the base232and the barrier member234are constructed of carbon impregnated plastic. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the base232and barrier member234can be constructed of other types of rigid material that has a low electrical conductivity, as needed and/or desired.

The barrier member234is biased by the biasing element S of the base232. As best seen inFIG. 14, a first end S1of the biasing element S abuts the backing plate248and a second end S2of the basing spring S abuts a bottom surface of the barrier member234. In the third embodiment as shown, the biasing element S is a torsion spring. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art from this disclosure that the biasing element S can be an alternate type of spring, such as a clock spring, as needed and/or desired.

To access the first filler cap20a, the user pivots the barrier member234about the pin250away from a plane P having the first filler cap20a, as shown inFIG. 14. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the barrier member234and the biasing element S can be alternatively arranged about the pin250so that the barrier member234pivots in a variety of directions with respect to the base232, such as circumferentially about the pin250, as needed and/or desired.

The attachment member24of the movable barrier212includes an adhesive such as the double-sided tape30that affixes the backing plate248to the surface of the filler compartment16. The movable barrier212of the third embodiment does not need to be pre-mounted to the body panel14. Instead, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the movable barrier112can be part of a kit K3that is to be assembled to the body panel14as described above. For example, the kit K3can include the movable barrier212and the attachment member24, illustrated as a strip of the double-sided tape30. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the double-sided tape30can be pre-attached to the backing plate248with one release sheets31disposed over an adhesive surface30bof the base layer30ato be removed by the user to mount the backing plate248to the filler compartment16. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the kit K3can include a bottle of glue, screws, clips, and the like as the attachment member24for the movable barrier212.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “area”, “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above embodiment(s), the following directional terms “lateral” and “vertical” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped with the movable barrier. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the movable barrier.