Fuel pump and reservoir arrangement for use in an automotive fuel tank

A reservoir in which fuel can be collected when only a small amount of fuel remains in the fuel tank, is arranged to support a fuel pump and to be connectable to the lower wall of the tank by a snap action type connector arrangement which is defined between a bracket fixed to the lower wall of the fuel tank and a portion of the reservoir which cooperates with the bracket. The reservoir containing the pump can be manually introduced into the interior of the fuel tank through an opening in the top thereof and maneuvered into engagement with the bracket. The center of gravity of the relatively heavy pump is arranged to be generally over the top of the bracket. When a predetermined strong force is applied to the reservoir in a predetermined manner it can disengage from the bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to an automotive fuel tank and more 
specifically to a mounting arrangement which facilitates disposal of a 
sub-reservoir /pump unit within the fuel tank. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art arrangement disclosed in JU.A.56.138718. In 
this arrangement a small cup-shaped collection vessel or reservoir 01 is 
fixedly connected to the lower surface or floor of the fuel tank 02 by 
means of rivets 03. An induction pipe 04 is arranged to extend through the 
fuel tank 02 and terminate proximate the bottom of the sub-reservoir 01. 
A communication passage 05 is formed at about approximately half of the 
perimeter of the reservoir 01. One end of this passage 05 is arranged to 
communicate with the interior of the sub-reservoir 01 while the other end 
is arranged to communicate with the exterior thereof proximate the bottom 
of the fuel tank 02. 
This arrangement is provided to ensure that sufficient fuel is available 
for starting the vehicle when only a small amount of fuel remains in the 
fuel tank 02 and/or the vehicle is parked on an inclined surface in a 
manner wherein the remaining amount of fuel tends to collect in one corner 
of the tank and thus induce conditions which would leave the end of the 
fuel induction pipe 04 unimmersed in the liquid fuel. 
When the fuel level is low (lower than the top of the cup-shaped reservoir 
01) the reservoir tends to become at least partially filled with liquid 
fuel due to splashing, sloshing and the like, during the running of the 
vehicle and/or by way of the communication passage 05. The reservoir 01 
retains some fuel even when the vehicle is located on an inclined surface 
to the degree that the remaining fuel in the tank outside of the 
sub-reservoir 01 runs to one side or corner of the tank 02. 
However, this arrangement has suffered from the drawback that as the vessel 
is secured in place by rivets 03 a load is concentrated on a relative 
small area of the fuel tank lower wall when the vehicle is parked on an 
incline and the like, and induces the problem that cracks and the like can 
be produced with the passing of time. 
Further, in the event that a fuel pump unit (not shown) is disposed within 
the fuel tank and arranged to to supported by the reservoir, the mass of 
the pump unit acts at a predetermined distance from the rivets and thus is 
capable of generating a powerful moment which acts thereon. In the event 
of an accident, the torque generated tends to buckle the lower wall of the 
fuel tank and/or cause other damage of the nature which can bring about an 
extremely dangerous rupture of the vessel. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting arrangement 
for a fuel pump and reservoir which enables the ready assembly and 
disposition of the pump and reservoir in the fuel tank, and the ready 
selective removal of the pump for inspection and the like. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a mounting arrangement 
wherein the load incurred by the provision of the reservoir is distributed 
over a relatively large surface area of the fuel tank and thus attenuates 
the tendency for fatigue and the like to occur with the passing of time 
and accordingly enables a pump to be mounted on the reservoir 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting 
arrangement which permits the pump and reservoir unit to be released from 
its connection to the fuel tank wall in the case where a sudden large 
force is applied, and thus avoid the possibility of dangerous deformation 
of the fuel tank wall such as during vehicular collisions and the like. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting 
arrangement for a pump and reservoir unit which makes use of the fuel 
which is returned from the engine (e.g. fuel injection system) in a manner 
to produce a venturi like action which sucks fuel from the floor of the 
fuel tank and fills the reservoir. 
In brief, the above objects are achieved by an arrangement wherein a 
relatively small reservoir in which fuel can be collected when only a 
small amount of fuel remains in the fuel tank, is arranged to support a 
fuel pump and to be connected to the lower wall of the tank by a snap 
action type connector arrangement which is defined between a bracket fixed 
to the lower wall of the fuel tank and a portion of the reservoir which 
cooperates with the bracket. The reservoir containing the pump can be 
manually introduced into the interior of the fuel tank through an opening 
in the top thereof and maneuvered into engagement with the bracket. The 
center of gravity of the relatively heavy pump is arranged to be generally 
situated over the top of the bracket. When a predetermined strong force is 
applied to the reservoir in a predetermined manner it can disengage from 
the bracket. 
More specifically, a first aspect of the present invention is deemed to 
comprise a fuel tank which features: a bracket, the bracket being 
permanently secured to an inner surface of said fuel tank; a fuel pump; a 
fuel pump housing which encloses said fuel pump; a reservoir in which a 
portion of the fuel in said fuel tank can be collected when the level of 
fuel in the fuel tank is low, said reservoir having a structure which 
receives said fuel pump housing and supports said fuel pump housing in a 
predetermined position within said reservoir, said fuel pump housing have 
a latch arrangement which permits said fuel pump housing to be selectively 
removed from said reservoir; connection means for connecting said 
reservoir to said bracket, said connecting means being arranged to release 
said reservoir when a predetermined force is applied to said reservoir. 
A second aspect of the present invention is deemed to comprise a mounting 
arrangement for mounting a reservoir within a fuel tank, the mounting 
arrangement featuring: a bracket, said bracket being fixed to a lower wall 
of said fuel tank, said bracket being made of the same material as said 
fuel tank and including a groove; a projection formed on the reservoir, 
said projection being receivable in said groove; clip means for producing 
an engagement between said bracket and said reservoir, said engagement 
preventing said projection from being withdrawn from said groove until a 
force of a predetermined magnitude and direction is applied to said 
reservoir, said reservoir having a center of gravity which is located 
essentially above said bracket. 
A third aspect of the present invention is deemed to comprise a fuel tank 
which features: an opening formed in an upper portion of the fuel tank; a 
bracket fixed to a lower wall portion of the fuel tank; a reservoir for 
collecting fuel and from which fuel is pumped, said reservoir being 
secured in a predetermined position within said fuel tank by said bracket; 
means for maintaining the connection between said bracket and said 
reservoir until a predetermined force is applied to said reservoir; said 
opening and said bracket being arranged with respect to one another so 
that said reservoir can be introduced into said fuel tank through said 
opening and then easily maneuvered in a predetermined manner with respect 
to said bracket so that said connection means establishes said connection 
between said bracket and said reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 3 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In this 
arrangement reservoir 1 made of a glass fiber re-enforced nylon is secured 
to the lower wall 205 of a fuel tank 203 by way of a bracket 41. In this 
arrangement the bracket 41 and the fuel tank 203 are preferably formed of 
the same material so as to facilitate connection. 
An electric pump 75 is disposed in a rear portion of the reservoir 1. As 
best seen in FIG. 6 the reservoir 1 includes a main body 3. In this 
arrangement the main body 3 of the reservoir is formed with a rear wall 5 
and a detachable cover 7. This cover 7 closes a relative open upper 
portion of the reservoir 1 and is provided to prevent a large amount of 
fuel from being lost from the reservoir in the event that the vehicle is 
subject to sudden deceleration or the like. 
The cover 7 is secured to the main body 3 by way of the connection 
arrangement shown in section in FIG. 7. As will be appreciated, this 
structure enables a kind of labyrinth seal to be advantageously formed at 
the connection interface between the cover and the main body. Viz., the 
cover 7 is formed with two parallel flange members or ribs 7a, 7b which 
slide down along the inner and outer major sides of the wall portion of 
the main body on which the cover is fitted. The outer of the flanges are 
suitably apertured and arranged to receive locking barbs or pawls formed 
on the upper edge of the main body in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. A 
horizontally extending re-enforcing rib 11 is arranged to proximate the 
lower edge of the outer flange 7a. This rib 11 increases the rigidity of 
the main body 3 and attenuates distortion and loss of shape due to 
immersion in different types of fuel. This rib 11 further acts as a baffle 
plate for attenuating the movement of the fuel surrounding the reservoir 
1. 
As shown in FIG. 6 connection surfaces 9 (only one is visible in this 
figure) are defined in the side of the main body and arranged to extend 
below a side rib 13. The trailing edge of this rib is formed with a 
reduced thickness guide portion 17. A flange 18 is provided which extends 
laterally from and along the lower side edge of the main body 3 and along 
the lower edge of the connection surface 9. 
It should be noted that pump 75 is mounted so that the center of gravity of 
the pump is located approximately over the center of the bracket 41. 
The bracket 41 is relatively small as compared with the main body 3 and as 
shown in FIG. 6, comprises a base plate 43 which has integrally formed 
wedge shaped crenellations 45, 47 which extend upwardly from each of two 
parallel sides. Each pair of crenellations 45, 47 support an inwardly 
extending flange 49 in the manner illustrated. The flanges 49 cooperate 
with the base plate 43 to define guide slots 51 which are designed to 
receive the flanges 18 formed on the main body 3. The side wall 49 
includes an extension which extends across the end of the base plate to 
define an end wall 53. This wall acts as a stopper which limits the degree 
to which the flanges 18 can be inserted. 
It should be noted that in this instance the base plate 43 is formed with 
four rectangular supports 55, with one at each corner. However, due to the 
pressure applied when connecting the base to the lower wall of the fuel 
tank, these supports are essentially compressed flat. 
The crenellations 45, 47 are each formed with vertical dove tail groove 57 
into which a clip 65, which is formed of a material such as nylon which 
exhibits adequate physical strength, is disposed in the illustrated 
manner. As clearly indicated in FIG. 9, the clips which are disposed in 
the crenellations 45 and 47 are arranged at different heights, i.e. are 
vertically staggered. In this instance, the clip in the forward 
crenellation 45 is arranged at a higher position than the one disposed in 
the rear crenellation 47. In order to ensure that the clips stay in these 
positions, the dove tail grooves 57 are arranged to have different 
lengths. 
As best seen in FIG. 10 the clips 65 each have an essentially rectangular 
base member 66, the center portion of which is cut and arranged to act as 
a rearwardly extending pawl 67. A projection 71 is formed at the junction 
of the pawl 67 and the base member 66 which engages in a recess formed in 
a major wall of a dove tail groove 57 and biases the pawl outwardly to 
define a space 69. The base member is formed with a peripheral rib (no 
numeral) which is snugly received in the dove tail portion of the groove. 
The main body 3 is formed with recesses 19a, and 19b in each of the 
connection surfaces 9. These recesses are, as shown in FIG. 9, arranged to 
align with one of the clips when the body 3 is inserted into place in the 
bracket 41. Of course, as the pawls 67 are oriented in the same direction 
as the body is inserted, they are deflected to flex inwardly into the 
spaces 69 via engagement with the connection surface 9 until such time as 
the appropriate recess overshadows the same. After this, the pawls 67 are 
arranged to spring or snap out into a locking position. 
As will be appreciated, as the main body 3 is inserted into place the 
flange 18 slides into the guide slots 51 in a manner which prevents 
vertical movement of the body 3. 
In the instant embodiment, the vertical staggering of the clips ensures 
that during assembly, the body will be completely inserted into place 
before the clips snap into place. It is not possible for an upper clip to 
lockingly engage a lower recess and thus the chance that the body may be 
left half inserted in the bracket is eliminated. 
A further feature of the instant embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, is that 
the rear end of the reservoir is angled and the reduced thickness guide 
portion 17 of the side rib 13 is arranged so that when the main body 
(viz., the reservoir with the pump operatively mounted therein) is 
inserted into the interior of the fuel tank, via the opening 203a formed 
at the top of the fuel tank (see FIG. 5), and subsequently manually 
maneuvered until it is located over the forward portion of the bracket 41 
with the body upwardly inclined in the illustrated manner, the guide 
portion 17 is engageable with the rear crenellations 47. From this 
position, by lowering the body in the direction indicated by the arrow in 
FIG. 11, the flange 18, which is formed along the lower edge of the main 
body 3, becomes aligned with the guide slots 51 and the body 3 can be 
readily slid into the bracket until it becomes locked in the appropriate 
position. 
It should be noted at this point that it is possible to reverse the 
arrangement of the recesses and grooves and arrange for the clips to be 
disposed on the main body and for the recesses to be formed on the inboard 
faces of the crenellations 45, 47. 
FIGS. 12 to 18 show the structure and arrangements via which the fuel pump 
75 is disconnectably mounted on the main body. 
A pump strainer 77 is supported on a pump housing 78. The pump housing 78 
in this case comprises a base 79 having four recess 80 and a cover 81 
which has four pawls 81a designed to engage in said recesses. The base and 
the cover are both made of a resilient material such as nylon. Cushion 
rubbers 83, and 85 are disposed between the pump and the base 79 while 
smaller rubber grommets are disposed through small bores formed in the 
cover 81 and arranged so that portions thereof are interposed between the 
pump 75 and the cover 81. These elastomeric (rubber) elements attenuate 
the vibration and/or rattling of the pump 75 and close off the numerous 
number of small openings defined about the periphery of the pump 75. 
In addition to these elastomeric members, closure members 82 and 84 which 
take the form of elastomeric wedge-like members, are disposed on either 
side of the upper end of the base 79. These members are arranged to close 
off rectangular channels 2 and 8 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) which are defined 
along the sides of the rear wall 5 and through which fuel may slash or 
otherwise escape during vehicle operation. 
A mounting plate 21 is formed integrally with the rear wall 5 and extends 
along between the channels 2 and 8. This wall serves to connect the pump 
housing base 79 to the main body 3. A shallow V-shaped guide groove 23 is 
formed near the bottom of the guide plate. Two gullwing-like projections 
25 extend laterally from either side of the groove (see FIGS. 4 and 12). 
The base 79 is formed with a blunt V-shaped projection 89 which fits into 
the guide groove 23 and rail-like members 91 which are arranged to 
slidably engage the inboard faces of the wings as shown in FIG. 13. This 
construction defines a first connection arrangement by which the pump 
housing 78 is secured to the main body of the reservoir. 
When the housing 78 is inserted into the main body 3 in a manner wherein 
the V-shaped projection 89 and the rail-like members 91 engage the wing 
like projections 25 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13, the strainer 77 
is disposed immediately adjacent to the floor 6 of the reservoir in the 
manner shown in FIG. 3. 
The upper end of the mounting plate 21 is arranged to cooperate with a 
manually operable arm 99 which is pivotally disposed at the upper end of 
the base 79 in a manner which defines a second connection arrangement. In 
this instance, the arm 99 is connected with the base 79 by way of a pair 
of flat springs 97 which extend along either side of the arm 99 from a 
location proximate the the mid-point thereof. As shown in FIG. 14, the 
springs have curved portions which blend into the main structure of the 
base 79. 
The arm 99 is formed with a pawl 101 at the lower end thereof. This pawl is 
arranged to engage in a recess 27 formed in the rear side of the mounting 
plate 21. The upper end of the arm 99 is formed with a portion 103 which 
is adapted to be manually pressed or operated while the lower end thereof 
is also formed with a blunt spear-head like arrangement having laterally 
extending pairs of barbs 105. These barbs 105, as shown in FIG. 12, are 
arranged to be engageable with projections 29 which extend from the rear 
surface of the mounting plate 21. Although not clearly illustrated, these 
projections can be tapered portions which cooperate with the tapers on the 
forward edges of the barbs 105 to facilitate the lifting of the lower end 
of the arm during connection. 
The arm 99 is formed with a projection 98 (see FIG. 14) which extends from 
the inboard side of the arm and projects toward the base 79. This 
projection limits the amount by which the arm 99 can be rotated in 
response to manual manipulation of the manually operable portion 103 and 
allows the locking arrangements provided at the lower end of the arm to be 
adequately released while preventing the arm from being excessively 
rotated in a manner which invites damage. 
When the base plate is slid into place on the mounting wall, the blunt 
V-shaped projection moves into the shallow V-shaped groove and the rails 
91 slide under the wing like projections. At the same time, the flat 
springs 97 bias arm 99 in a manner wherein which rotates the same and 
which to move the lower end of the arm toward the main structure of the 
base 79. After the blunt arrow like construction comprised of the barbs 
105 has ridden up over the projections 29, the arm 99 is permitted to be 
rotated by the springs 97 in a manner which snaps the the pawl 101 into 
the recess 27 and produced a relatively large and audible clicking sound. 
The generation of this sound is deemed advantageous in that it permits the 
operator who is assembling the unit to clearly understand that the pump 
housing has locked properly into place and reduces the chance of improper 
assembly. 
As will be appreciated, as the mounting plate 21 is angled, when the pump 
housing is locked in place, the pump per se is held at an angle with 
respect to the main body 3 of the reservoir in a manner essentially as 
indicated in FIG. 3. 
Accordingly, when the operator is manipulating the pump/reservoir into 
position within the fuel tank and orients the reservoir to the angle 
indicated in FIG. 11 prior to engagement with the bracket 41, the pump 
assumes an essentially horizontal orientation or attitude. As the pump has 
a mass which is relatively large as compared to the rest of the unit, the 
unit as a whole is rendered more easy to manipulate within the confines of 
the fuel tank since the mass tends to act at a location which is being 
held by the operator and thus produces a balance which attenuates the 
generation of moments and the like which would be apt to induce operator 
fatigue. 
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 19, a fuel induction passage structure 111 is 
defined in the lower wall or floor 6 of the main body 3. This passage 
structure is arranged to run from a location proximate to the lower left 
hand corner, rise up, extend across the front of the main body and then 
extend back down along the right hand side of the main body and terminate 
therewithin. More specifically, this passage structure is defined by a 
channel 113 which is formed in the lower surface of the main body. This 
channel is closed by an insert or chamber plate 118 in a manner to define 
an induction port 115, an upwardly inclined portion 111a on the left hand 
side of the main body and a downwardly inclined portion 111b on the right 
hand side. The passage terminates at an outlet 117 which opens into the 
interior of the reservoir. 
A nozzle 119 which is formed at the end of a fuel return pipe 121 is 
secured to the rear wall 5 and oriented to inject the fuel returned from 
the engine into the induction port 115. As a result of this arrangement, 
the fuel which is injected into the passage structure 111 via the 
induction port 115 produces a venturi effect which inducts additional fuel 
from the fuel tank. The combination of the injection of the returned fuel 
and the induction provided by the venturi effect rapidly fills the 
reservoir 1 even when the level of fuel in the main portion of the fuel 
tank is extremely low. 
As the passage structure includes a `hill` defined by the inclined portions 
111a and 111b, the all of fuel which is collected in the reservoir during 
the running of the vehicle is prevented from running back out through the 
passage 111. Additionally, when the vehicle in which the fuel tank is 
disposed is parked on the side of a hill or subject to a like type of 
inclination, a given amount of fuel is retained in the reservoir to ensure 
that the engine can be cranked and started without air being sucked into 
the fuel lines. 
The above described reservoir and pump structure permits the vehicle to run 
until essentially all of the fuel in the fuel tank is exhausted. 
Further, by setting the physical strength of the clip pawls 67 at the 
appropriate level, it is possible for the pump and reservoir unit to break 
out of the bracket when a predetermined force is applied in the direction 
of the guide slots. For example, by suitably orienting the clip within the 
fuel tank, in the case of a head on collision or the like type of 
accident, pawls 67 can be arranged to deform buckle or shear off, in 
response to the application of a predetermined force. This allows the pump 
to be released before the torque and like forces produced by sudden 
deceleration/acceleration of the same can have a detrimental effect on the 
lower wall of the fuel tank. Further, even in the released state it is 
still possible for the pump to induct fuel and pump it to the engine even 
though the function of the reservoir will more than likely be lost. 
Further, in the case that lateral accelerations are applied to the pump, 
due to the large footprint of the bracket, the force which is applied to 
the lower wall of the fuel tank is spread out over a relatively large area 
and detrimental effects tend to be attenuated to acceptable levels. 
A further merit of the above described embodiment comes in that the 
relatively heavy pump arrangement can be readily disposed through the 
opening 203a in the top of the fuel tank and disposed therewithin via a 
relatively simple apparatus which does not require troublesome operations 
such as insertion and tightening screw/ bolts and the like. This permits 
the cost of the fuel tank to be reduced. 
FIG. 20 shows a bracket according to a second embodiment of the present 
invention. In this case the bracket 125 is made of metal and includes an 
essentially U-shaped upper flange 127; a lower flange 131; and vertical 
walls 127 and 133 which are integral with and connect the flanges 127 and 
131. The fuel tank in this instance is also made of metal. The lower 
flange 131 is spot welded (W) to the lower wall of the fuel tank 203. 
With this construction, the upper flange cooperates with the lower wall of 
the fuel tank to define a guide groove 133 into which the flange 18 formed 
along the lower side edges of the main body 3 can be inserted. A rear wall 
132 which extends across the rear ends of the guide grooves 133 defines a 
stopper which limits the degree by which the flanges 18 can be inserted. 
In this instance the connection grooves 135a and 135b which are formed in 
the upper surface of the flanges (see FIGS. 4 and 6) are arranged to be 
used for locking the flange 18 within the bracket 125. As shown in FIG. 
20, the upper flange is provided with clips 137a and 137b. The 
construction of these clips is shown in section in FIG. 22. As will be 
appreciated, each of the forward clips 137a comprises a grommet-like base 
139 which is fitted into slot 127a formed in the upper flange 127. A pawl 
141a extends from the base down into a guide groove 133. An extension 143 
is arranged to engage the lower surface of the upper flange 127 and is 
provided with a projection 143 which extends into a small opening 145 
formed in the flange. For obvious reasons the pawl is arranged to extend 
in the same direction as the flange 18 is inserted into the guide groove 
133. 
In this instance the clips are staggered laterally. As shown in FIG. 21 the 
forward clips are arranged to be located further inboard than the rear 
ones. The connection grooves 135a are arranged to be longer than the 
grooves 135b and thus define an arrangement wherein the flanges 18 must be 
inserted completely into the guide grooves 133 before the clips will lock 
the same in place. 
FIGS. 23 and 24 show a bracket according to a third embodiment of the 
present invention. In this arrangement the bracket 151 comprises a base 
plate 153; side walls 157 which extend along either side of the base 
plate; inwardly extending flanges 159 which extend over the top of the 
base plate; and elongate shallow recesses formed in the upper surface of 
the base plate at locations directly beneath the flanges 159 to define 
guide grooves 155 therebetween. Guide grooves 161 are defined by the 
flanges 159. At the rear end of the base plate, the flanges curve and 
extend vertically to close off the ends of the guide grooves. 
In this embodiment, only two clips are used. In this case the clips are 
disposed in suitable recesses formed in the sides of the side walls 157. 
In this arrangement the construction and arrangement of the clips can be 
essentially the same as those disclosed in connection with the first 
embodiment. 
FIGS. 25 and 26 show a bracket according to a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. In this arrangement the bracket 241 comprises a base 
plate 243 which is similar in size to that used in the first embodiment. 
Side walls 245, 247 are provided along each side of the base plate. 
Inwardly extending flanges 249 are formed along the tops of the walls. 
These walls cooperate with the base plate to define guide grooves 251 into 
which the flanges 18 can be inserted. An end wall 253 is arranged to 
extend from one of the side walls across the end of the left hand guide 
groove 251 to act as a limit. 
Small rectangular supports 255 (illustrated in two dot phantom) are formed 
at the four corners of the base plate 243 in a manner similar to the first 
embodiment. These supports 255 are compressed flat when the base plate is 
affixed to the floor of the fuel tank. 
Shallow elongate recesses 257 are formed in the upper surface of the base 
plate 243 at locations directly below the flanges 249. 
Pawls 267 are formed integrally on the lower faces of the flanges 247. 
These are arranged to engage in the grooves 135a formed in the upper 
surfaces of the flanges 18. The forward faces of the pawls 267 are tapered 
to facilitate insertion of the flanges 18 into the guide grooves 251. The 
upper surfaces of the flanges 247 are recessed to provide an arrangement 
wherein the pawls 267 are supported on web like portions having a 
thickness less than that of the flanges 249. Stopper projections (no 
numeral) are defined on the upper side of the web directly over the top of 
the pawls 267. These portions are provided to limit the amount of flexure 
that the webs may undergo. As will be appreciated from FIG. 26, the webs 
are formed in a manner wherein a narrow clearance 269 is defined between 
the vertical wall portions of the recesses and the edges of the webs which 
proximate the same. 
The forward ends of the side walls 245 and 247 and the flanges 249 are 
tapered as shown in FIG. 25 to facilitate the initial location of the 
flanges 18 in the mouths of the guide grooves 251. 
It should be noted that with this embodiment it is desirable to arrange the 
location of the clip pawls so that the center of gravity of the pump is 
located over the top of the same. 
Experimental data has shown that the above mentioned preferred bracket 
embodiment provides the most reliable release of the reservoir/pump unit 
when subject to severe vehicular impacts.