Ergonomic handle for fuel cap

The ergonomic handle for a fuel cap pivotably engages to a top surface of the cap and is movable between a stowage position lying against part of the top surface of the cap and engaging against and activating a locking mechanism of the cap upon pivoting into such stowage position, and an upright functional position where the handle is pivoted to a position perpendicular to the cap. The handle comprises a planar, substantially A-shaped base section having a cutout therein overlying a lock of the locking mechanism of the cap and a horizontally disposed top rounded graspable grip section including indentations on an underside thereof for fingers and extended terminal end thumb tabs to aid in applying torque to the cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ergonomic handle for a fuel cap, and more particularly, for a locking fuel cap.

2. Prior Art

The aging driver faces a number of difficult activities in and around a truck, on a daily basis. With the number of older truck drivers substantially increasing over the next decade, removal and engagement, and locking and unlocking of a fuel cap must necessarily become less difficult. In this respect, the fuel cap on a truck is oversized, has no point of leverage for aiding in removal, is often held firmly in place by a vacuum created in the fuel tank, often has no means of locking same to prevent theft of fuel, and often does not provide means for venting, to undo the vacuum created within the tank. An older driver, with arthritis or hand or arm weakness, often requires assistance in removing such fuel cap.

At times a distal end of a fuel nozzle has been used to force the cap open, causing damage to the end of the fuel nozzle and fuel level sensor therein. Fuel nozzle damage is a problem for two reasons. First, the station must replace the nozzle so that the sensor works—at a cost of approximately $100. Second, a broken sensor cannot shut the pump off and thus the tank will overflow if the truck driver isn't paying attention. Depending on the size of the resultant fuel spill, it can cost up to $10,000-$15,000 to clean up.

There are products available for use in assisting in removal of gas caps of personal vehicles however no such tool is available for the large fuel caps found on trucks, to assist aging drivers in comfortably removing and tightening truck fuel caps.

In response to such difficulties in opening and closing the fuel tank, use of a pivoting handle with a large ergonomic grip is herein proposed; which secures the fuel from theft, upon being pivoted to a stowage position by engaging and activating a lock incorporated into the cap.

The proposed ergonomic handle provides for easy opening and is small enough to blend in with the original fuel cap, yet large enough to provide an ergonomic grip. The handle is rounded to provide a more natural shaped surface to grip and preferably has a rubber coating on it to prevent the hand from slipping by increasing friction and to aid the driver when the handle is cold or wet. It is also proposed to provide indentations for fingers and extended tabs for the thumb to aid in applying torque.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an ergonomic handle fuel tank cap and more particularly for a locking fuel tank cap, the handle being pivotably engaged to upstanding flanges on a top surface of the cap and being lockably movable between a stowage position lying against a portion of the top surface of the cap and engaging against and activating a locking mechanism of the cap upon pivoting into such stowage position, and an upright functional position where the handle is positioned perpendicular to the top surface of the cap, the handle comprising a planar A-shaped base section having a cutout therein overlying a lock of the locking mechanism of the cap and a terminal rounded graspable grip section including indentations on an underside thereof for fingers and extended terminal end thumb tabs to aid in applying torque to the cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The ergonomic handle of the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral10. As illustrated in the Figures, the handle10is supported in two positions: straight up when in use, its functional position, and flat against a portion of a top surface13the cap12when not in use, its stowage position.

The handle10is lockable in the functional position, thus being stiff enough to allow for easier turning to screw the fuel cap12on or off. The handle10also preferably locks into the stowage position to prevent vibration, which causes wear and noise.

The handle10is comprised of a planar base14and a rounded graspable grip section17which lies in a plane perpendicular to the base, providing an overall T shape to the handle10.

The handle10in the preferred embodiment is locked in place using two foils of spring steel15which utilize the geometry of the base14of the handle10to provide enough force to hold the handle10in either position yet still allow it to be pivoted about a pivot pin16easily, by means of which the handle10is pivotably engaged to upstanding side flanges18to either side of the handle10, extending upwardly from the top surface13of the cap12.

The cap12is secured to protect against fuel theft by a cam lock20which engages when the handle10is pivoted to its stowage position, pushing a barrel22of the lock20into its casing24, as with a traditional spring lock.

In order to avoid dirt and ice rendering the handle10unusable, a cam-style mechanism28for supporting the handle10is provided. The mechanism28utilizes the A-shaped geometry of the base14with legs26thereon in conjunction with the spring steel foils15to provide enough resistance to hold the handle10upright or folded down, but not so much that it becomes difficult to use. This cam style mechanism28also minimizes handle10vibration, without adding to the complexity. Because of the elongate foil15geometry of the spring steel, the foils15can be flexibly engaged in slots30in the top surface13of the cap12before attaching the handle10, without any bolts or pins. Further, to ensure that the handle10only folds over the cam lock locking mechanism20in its stowage position, each leg26is provided with a stop member32at a position on the bottom of the side34thereof opposite the cam lock locking mechanism20. Thus the handle10can only be pivoted to one side of the pivot point, created by the pin16.

The base14of the ergonomic handle10incorporates a cutout35therein positioned to overlie a keyhole37of the locking mechanism20, to allow for passage of a key (not shown) therethrough to allow for disengagement of the locking mechanism20if something should keep the handle10from being pivoted to its functional upright position. The rounded graspable grip section17includes indentations on an underside39thereof for finger engagement and extended terminal end thumb tabs40to aid in applying torque to the cap12.

It is further proposed to provide a coating of rubber42on graspable grip section17of the handle10to add comfort, as the rubber42provide a slip resistant surface, which will not be as cold or hot as a metal or hard plastic and thus be easier to grab in extreme weather conditions.

An analysis of the stresses resulting from the displacement of the spring steel foils15that maintain the handle10in desired position allowed for optimization of the force required to move the handle10relative to the force exerted by the spring steel foils15in maintaining handle10position. Such optimization, in a preferred embodiment, was achieved using 1095 spring steel for the foils15.

Further, the configuration of the grip section17, with inclusion of the finger indentations38and terminal thumb tabs40, and its ergonomic configuration and substantially horizontal position relative to the base14and thus the cap12, significantly decreases the amount of torque necessary for the hand to apply in twisting the cap12on and off, easing the burden often encountered in attempting to twist the cap12off.

It will also be understood that the pivot pin16passes through an opening44in a first pivot flange18on the top surface13of the cap12, an aligned opening46in a first bottom leg26of the base14, an aligned opening48in a second bottom leg26of the base14, and an aligned opening50in a second pivot flange18on the top surface13of the cap12to pivotably engage the handle10to the cap12.

In summary, the ergonomic handle10of the present invention is: comfortable to grab, requires low force for manipulation, is simple to use, adaptable to various trucks, low cost, reliable, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and minimizes interference with other systems. The force is decreased due to the handle shape, making the handle comfortable to grab, and easy to use in twisting the fuel cap12on and off. Further, the secondary benefit of locking the cap12in place when the handle10is placed in the stowage position thereof, is attained without any added manipulative requirement. Of course, it will be understood that the cap12with which the handle10may be used does not necessarily need to be locking. Further, the cap12may be vented or not. The primary benefit will still be provided by the handle10, regardless of cap12configuration.

As describe above, the handle10of the present provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the handle10without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly the scope of the present invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.