Abstract:
A spring mount assembly has a stationary structure, a movable panel pivotally coupled to the stationary structure for movement between a closed position and an open position, a strip spring having a first mounting portion at a first end and a second mounting portion at a second end opposite the first end, and a first spring mounting structure disposed on one of the movable panel and the stationary structure, the first spring mounting structure comprising a first base for engaging the first mounting portion of the strip spring and at least one spring retention post extending from the first base to retain the first mounting portion against translational disengagement from the first base. A second spring mounting structure is disposed on the other of the movable panel and the stationary structure, the second spring mounting structure comprising a second base for engaging the second mounting portion of the strip spring.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,977, filed on Oct. 6, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments herein relate to a fuel lid pivotally coupled to a vehicle body structure, and more specifically to the mounting structures for a spring engaged between the fuel lid and the vehicle body structure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many vehicles have a fuel tank designed to store fuel for their engines. These vehicles commonly contain a fuel filling tube that extends from the fuel tank to a fuel supply inlet opening near an outer surface of the vehicle. In these vehicles, a fuel cap may optionally be used to close the fuel supply inlet opening to prevent unwanted materials from entering into the fuel tank and limit evaporative emissions from exiting the fuel tank. Moreover, a fuel lid may be coupled to the body structure of the vehicle for movement between a closed position and an open position. The fuel lid can be flush with the body of the vehicle when in the closed position. When the fuel lid is in the open position, the fuel cap is exposed for removal from the fuel supply inlet opening, and with the fuel cap removed, fuel or other substances may be added to the fuel tank through the fuel filling tube. After filling the fuel tank, the fuel cap can be replaced and the fuel lid can be put in the closed position. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle and a fuel lid assembly for a vehicle. In one aspect, a vehicle comprises a vehicle body structure, a fuel lid pivotally coupled to the vehicle body structure for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a strip spring engaged between the fuel lid and the vehicle body structure. The strip spring has a first mounting portion and an opposing second mounting portion, and defines an opening at the second mounting portion. A first spring mounting structure is at one of the fuel lid or the vehicle body structure. The first spring mounting structure has a first base for engaging the first mounting portion. A second spring mounting structure is at the other of the fuel lid and the vehicle body structure. The second spring mounting structure has a second base for engaging the second mounting portion and a spring retention tab protruding from the second base. The spring retention tab is received by the opening defined at the second mounting portion and retains the second mounting portion to the second spring mounting structure. 
     In another aspect, a fuel lid assembly for a vehicle comprises a vehicle body mounting bracket configured for connection with a vehicle body structure, a fuel lid pivotally coupled to the vehicle body mounting bracket for movement between a closed position and an open position through an intermediate transition position, and a strip spring engaged between the vehicle body mounting bracket and the fuel lid in an over center configuration, with the strip spring compressing with movement of the fuel lid from either the closed position or the open position towards the transition position and decompressing with movement of the fuel lid through the transition position to bias the fuel lid towards either the closed position or the open position. The strip spring has a vehicle-side mounting portion engaged with the vehicle body mounting bracket and a lid-side mounting portion engaged with the fuel lid, and defines an opening at the vehicle-side mounting portion. A vehicle-side spring mounting structure at the vehicle body mounting bracket has a vehicle-side base for engaging the vehicle-side mounting portion and a spring retention tab protruding from the vehicle-side base. The spring retention tab is received by the opening defined at the vehicle-side mounting portion and retains the vehicle-side mounting portion to the vehicle-side spring mounting structure. 
     These and other aspects will be described in additional detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a vehicle with a fuel lid pivotally coupled to a vehicle body structure for the vehicle, with the fuel lid in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the vehicle with the fuel lid in an open position, showing the components of an example fuel lid assembly that includes a vehicle body mounting bracket connected to the body structure, a fuel lid plate of the fuel lid, a strip spring engaged between the vehicle body mounting bracket and the fuel lid in an over center configuration, a lid-side spring mounting structure at the fuel lid and a vehicle-side spring mounting structure at the vehicle body mounting bracket; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fuel lid plate, showing the lid-side spring mounting structure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the example fuel lid assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the lid-side spring mounting structure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-D  are cross sectional views of the fuel lid assembly taken at a position similar to the line A-A in  FIG. 1 , showing the strip spring, the lid-side spring mounting structure and the vehicle-side spring mounting structure with the fuel lid in the closed position, a transition position between the closed position and the open position, the open position and an over-travel position past the closed position, respectively; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fuel lid assembly with the fuel lid in the closed position; and 
         FIG. 8  is perspective view of the fuel lid assembly with the fuel lid in the open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The vehicle according to this description includes a fuel lid pivotally mounted to the remainder of the vehicle for movement between an open position and a closed position. In the vehicle, a strip spring is used in support of the fuel lid&#39;s movement between the open position and the closed position. According to a non-limiting example, the strip spring is engaged between the fuel lid and the remainder of the vehicle in a so-called over-center configuration. The strip spring and respective spring mounting structures for the strip spring at the fuel lid and the remainder of the vehicle are configured to promote both easy installation of the strip spring and retention of the strip spring once installed. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views generally showing the rear portion of an exterior body surface of a vehicle  6  with a fuel lid  12 . The fuel lid  12  is pivotally coupled to the remainder of the vehicle  6  for movement between a closed position and an open position. In  FIG. 1 , the fuel lid  12  is in the closed position. In the closed position, fuel lid  12  may, as shown, be generally flush with the exterior body surface of the vehicle  6 . In  FIG. 2 , the fuel lid  12  is in the open position, in which the fuel lid  12  extends outwardly from the exterior body surface of the vehicle  6  to expose a fuel cap  4  used for sealing the fuel supply inlet opening to a fuel tank (not shown). 
     The fuel lid  12  is coupled to the vehicle  6  by an example fuel lid assembly  10 . As shown, the fuel lid assembly  10  includes the fuel lid  12 , a vehicle body mounting bracket  20  and a strip spring  50  engaged between the fuel lid  12  and the vehicle body mounting bracket  20 . According to the example, the fuel lid  12  includes a fuel lid cover  8  attached to a fuel lid plate  14 . The fuel lid plate  14  and the fuel lid cover  8  may, as shown, be attached by crimping outer portions of the fuel lid plate  14  to a fuel lid cover  8 . The fuel lid plate  14  and the fuel lid cover  8  may alternatively be attached by other means such as welding, screwing or an adhesive, for instance. As shown, the fuel lid plate  14  is hinged to the vehicle body mounting bracket  20  by a hinge  18 , and the body mounting bracket  20  is connected to a body structure  15  of the vehicle  6 . With this arrangement, the fuel lid  12  is supported for pivotal movement about the hinge  18  from the closed position toward the open position and from the open position to the closed position. 
     As shown with additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the fuel lid plate  14  includes a latch  16  and a lid-side spring mounting structure  40 , and defines a central opening  26 . The latch  16  is designed for the selective engagement with the body structure  15  or otherwise with the vehicle  6  to secure the fuel lid plate  14  and thus the fuel lid  12  to the vehicle  6  when the fuel lid  12  is in the closed position, and for selective disengagement to allow a user to move the fuel lid  12  from the closed position toward and to the open position. The opening  26  can be sized and shaped for holding the fuel cap  4  when the fuel lid  12  is in an open position and the fuel cap  4  is removed. The opening  26  can further be shaped and sized to allow clearance for the fuel cap  4  within the opening  26  when the fuel lid  12  is in the closed position. The latch  16  and the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  may be located at opposing portions of the fuel lid plate  14 . As shown, the latch  16  and the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  are located at opposing central end portions of the fuel lid plate  14 , with the opening  26  defined between the latch  16  and the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 . 
     The fuel lid assembly  10 , including the fuel lid  12  having the fuel lid plate  14  and the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 , the body mounting bracket  20  and the strip spring  50 , is shown in  FIG. 4 . With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , in the illustrated example of the fuel lid plate  14 , the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  extends from the fuel lid plate  14  and includes a lid-side spring retention post  42 , a lid-side spring retention post  44  and a lid-side base  48  at its distal end. The lid-side spring mounting structure  40  further defines a lid-side spring receiving opening  46  bordered by the lid-side base  48 . 
     The lid-side spring receiving opening  46  is sized and shaped for accommodating the selective hooking engagement between the lid-side base  48  and the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50 , as well as for clearance for the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  to pivot about the lid-side base  48  as the fuel lid  12  pivots about the hinge  18 . As shown, the lid-side spring receiving opening  46  has a generally rectangular profile, although in other examples, the lid-side spring receiving opening  46  could have other rectilinear profiles, or, for instance, a curvilinear profile. 
     The lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  are generally configured as tabs protruding from the lid-side base  48  at its opposing sides. The lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  are spaced for accommodating the width of a lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  engaged to the lid-side base  48 . 
     The lengths of the lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  can generally support the retention of the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10  by retaining the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  from translational disengagement from the lid-side base  48 , either in a stationary condition of the fuel lid assembly  10 , during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position, or both. Optionally, only one of the spring retention post  42  or the lid-side spring retention post  44  may be included to support the retention of the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10  as described above. It will also be understood that the lengths of the lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  can additionally generally be configured to avoid interference with the body mounting bracket  20  during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position. 
     As shown, the hinge  18  hinging the fuel lid plate  14  to the body mounting bracket  20  is implemented by one or more knuckles  18   a  formed by the fuel lid plate  14 , one or more knuckles  18   b  formed by the body mounting bracket  20  and mortised with the knuckles  18   a  formed by the fuel lid plate  14 , and a pin  18   c  extending between the knuckles  18   a  and the knuckles  18   b  to pivotally couple the fuel lid plate  14  to the body mounting bracket  20 . It will be understood that other configurations may be used to implement the hinge  18 . 
     The vehicle body mounting bracket  20  may be configured for connection to the vehicle  6 . For example, as shown, the body mounting bracket  20  includes a body mounting opening  22  and a body mounting opening  24  located at opposing portions of the vehicle body mounting bracket  20 . The body mounting openings  22  and  24  are configured to allow the passing of a fastener or other device to secure the vehicle body mounting bracket  20  to the body structure  15  or otherwise to the vehicle  6 . In application, the vehicle  6  and the connected vehicle body mounting bracket  20  will remain stationary as the fuel lid plate  14  either similarly remains stationary or is moved by a user between the open position and the closed position. 
     The vehicle body mounting bracket  20  further includes a vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 . In the illustrated example, the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  extends from the body mounting bracket  20 . The vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  may, as shown, extend from a central rear portion of the body mounting bracket  20 . In alternative examples, the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  may extend from the body mounting bracket  20  at another location, such as at a under portion of the body mounting bracket  20 , for instance. 
     The vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  includes a vehicle-side spring tab  32 , a vehicle-side spring tab  34 , a vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  and a vehicle-side base  38  at its distal end. The vehicle-side spring tab  32  and the vehicle-side spring tab  34  are generally configured as tabs protruding from the vehicle-side base  38  at its opposing sides. The vehicle-side spring tab  32  and the vehicle-side spring tab  34  are spaced for accommodating the width of a vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  engaged to the vehicle-side base  38 , as explained in additional detail below. 
     The lengths of the vehicle-side spring tab  32  and the vehicle-side spring tab  34 , similarly to those of the lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  described above, can generally support the retention of the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10  by retaining the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  from translational disengagement from the vehicle-side base  38 , either in a stationary condition of the fuel lid assembly  10 , during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position, or both. Optionally, only one of the vehicle-side spring tab  32  and the vehicle-side spring tab  34  may be included to support the retention of the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10  as described above. It will also be understood that the lengths of the vehicle-side spring tab  32  and the vehicle-side spring tab  34  can additionally generally be configured to avoid interference with the fuel lid  12  during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position. 
     The vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  protrudes from the vehicle-side base  38 . The vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  is generally shaped and sized for receipt within an opening  56  defined at the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  engaged to the vehicle-side base  38 . As described in additional detail below, the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  supports the retention of the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10  by engaging one or multiple portions of the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  bordering the opening  56  to retain the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  with respect to one or both of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  or its vehicle-side base  38 , either in a stationary condition of the fuel lid assembly  10 , during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position, or both. 
     As generally shown, the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  protrudes from the vehicle-side base  38  at an angle from the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 . The angle can support, for instance, the provision of clearance between the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  and the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position. As shown, in one non-limiting example, the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  may protrude from the vehicle-side base  38  at an approximately 30 degree angle from the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  and the extending vehicle-side spring tabs  32 ,  34  and generally toward the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 . In other examples, it will be understood that the angle could be greater than or less than approximately 30 degrees, for instance. 
     The strip spring  50  as generally shown in  FIG. 4  includes the vehicle-side mounting portion  52 , the lid-side mounting portion  54 , an opening  56  defined at the vehicle-side mounting portion  52 , and a spring body  58  interconnecting the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  with the lid-side mounting portion  54 . In the illustrated example configuration of the strip spring  50 , the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  and the lid-side mounting portion  54  are positioned at opposing distal ends of the strip spring  50 . In other examples, it will be understood that one or both of the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  and the lid-side mounting portion  54  may be alternatively positioned. 
     The strip spring  50  is generally configured for engagement between the fuel lid  12  and the vehicle  6 . More particularly, in accordance with the illustrated configuration of the fuel lid assembly  10 , the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  is configured for engagement with the vehicle-side base  38  of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  extending from the body mounting bracket  20 , and the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  is configured for engagement with the lid-side base  48  of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  extending from the fuel lid plate  14 . Although this description follows with reference to this general configuration of the fuel lid assembly  10 , it will be understood that in other examples of the fuel lid assembly  10 , the illustrated and described configuration and features of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  may be included with the fuel lid plate  14  or otherwise with the fuel lid  12  instead of with the body mounting bracket  20 , and that the illustrated and described configuration and features of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  may be included with the body mounting bracket  20  instead of with the fuel lid plate  14 , with the orientation of the strip spring  50  correspondingly being reversed. 
     With movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position, the vehicle-side base  38  of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  extending from the body mounting bracket  20  rotates about the lid-side base  48  of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  extending from the fuel lid plate  14 , as explained below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-D ,  7  and  8 . 
     As shown with additional reference to  FIG. 5 , the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  is configured for the selective hooking engagement with the lid-side base  48  permissive of the strip spring  50  pivoting about the lid-side base  48  as the fuel lid  12  pivots about the hinge  18 . As explained above, the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  further defines the lid-side spring receiving opening  46  bordered by the lid-side base  48  defined across the distal end of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  for accommodating the hooking engagement between the lid-side base  48  and the lid-side mounting portion  54 , as well as for clearance for the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  to pivot about the lid-side base  48  as the fuel lid  12  pivots about the hinge  18   
     The lid-side mounting portion  54  has a curved profile defining an open hook sized to receive the lid-side base  48 . The open hook is generally sized larger than the thickness of the lid-side base  48  so that the lid-side mounting portion  54  can pivot about the lid-side base  48  with movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position, with a length sufficient to secure the lid-side mounting portion  54  to the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  with movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position. At least a portion of the lid-side mounting portion  54  is positioned between the lid-side spring retention post  42  and the lid-side spring retention post  44  to retain the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  from translational disengagement from the lid-side base  48 . 
     With additional general reference to  FIGS. 6A-D , the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  has an outwardly curved profile to define a palm-like concavity for receiving the vehicle-side base  38  of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 . This configuration may, for instance, allow for continuous contact between the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  and the vehicle-side base  38  as the lid-side base  48  rotates about the vehicle-side base  38  of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  and rocks against the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50 . In other examples, the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  may have other profiles, such as straight or angled profiles, for instance. 
     Moreover, the tab receiving opening  56  is defined at the mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  for receiving the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  protruding from the vehicle-side base  38  in order to retain the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10 . As shown, the width of the tab receiving opening  56  is larger than the width of the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  so that it does not restrict the movement of the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  as the fuel lid  12  rotates between the closed and the open positions. The tab receiving opening  56  may, for example as generally shown, have a similar width as the spring body  58 , or, may have a smaller or larger width than the width of the spring body  58 . As shown, the tab receiving opening  56  has a generally rectangular profile, although in other examples, the tab receiving opening  56  could have other rectilinear profiles, or, for instance, a curvilinear profile. 
     The spring body  58  of the strip spring  50  is curved inwardly in an opposing direction to the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  or the lid-side mounting portion  54 . The spring body  58  may include one or more segment portions for allowing the spring body  58  to compress as the fuel lid  12  rotates between the closed position and the open position. As shown, the spring body  58  may optionally be curved in four segment portions that are similar to half of an octagon. Each segment portion can be the same dimension or a different dimension from the other segment portions. In another examples, the spring body  58  may have less than or greater than four segment portions, or, may have a single segment with an arched shape. 
     The fuel lid assembly  10  is shown with the fuel lid in its closed position in  FIGS. 6A and 7 . As shown, the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  rests in hooking engagement with the lid-side base  48  of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  between the lid-side spring retention posts  42 ,  44 , with a portion of the lid-side mounting portion  54  inserted through the lid-side spring receiving opening  46 . The vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  extends from a distal end of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  towards the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 . The vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  rests on the vehicle-side base  38 , as shown, or otherwise near the vehicle-side base  38 , between the body-side spring tabs  32 ,  34 , with the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  inserted through the tab receiving opening  56 . With the fuel lid  12  in the closed position, the strip spring  50  may be in a resting, non-compressed condition, or, in a slightly compressed condition. 
     As the fuel lid  12  moves from the closed position towards the open position, the fuel lid  12  rotates about the hinge  18 , rotating the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  and its vehicle-side base  38  in a direction towards the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  and its lid-side base  48 . This rotation causes the strip spring  50  to compress between the vehicle-side base  38  and the lid-side base  48 , with the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  and the lid-side mounting portion  54  becoming closer in proximity. 
     The strip spring  50  compresses until it reaches the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 6B  between the closed position and the open position. As shown, the strip spring  50  is engaged between the vehicle-side base  38  and the lid-side base  48  in a so-called over-center configuration, in which with movement of the fuel lid  12  through the intermediate position, the fuel lid will be biased for movement towards either the closed position or the open position. In particular, when the fuel lid  12  is moved from the closed position through intermediate position, the fuel lid  12  will be biased for movement towards the open position. In contrast, when the fuel lid  12  is moved from the open position through the intermediate position, the fuel lid  12  will be biased for movement to the closed position. 
     The fuel lid assembly  10  is shown with the fuel lid  12  in its open position in  FIGS. 6C and 8 . As shown, the body mounting bracket  20  is positioned beyond an end of the fuel lid  12 . The body-side spring tabs  32 ,  34  and the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  are positioned toward the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 ; however, they are positioned on an opposing side of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  than when the fuel lid  12  is in a closed position. As shown, the body-side spring tabs  32 ,  34  and the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36 , and particularly the angle at which the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  protrudes from the vehicle-side base  38 , can be generally configured to provide clearance between the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  and the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36 , as well as between the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  and the lid-side spring mounting structure  40  during the movement of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position. 
     When the fuel lid  12  is in the open position, the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  remains in contact with the vehicle-side base  38  of the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 . The strip spring  50  is compressed when the fuel lid  12  is in the open position; however, the strip spring  50  is less compressed than when the fuel lid  12  is in an intermediate position. More specifically, the spring body  58  is in a compressed position, which applies force to the vehicle-side mounting portion  52 . The vehicle-side mounting portion  52  applies force to the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 . Because there is force applied to the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30 , the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  will remain in an open position until a user applies a force to pivot the fuel lid  12  towards and through the intermediate position. 
     The lid-side spring mounting structure  40  remains intact to the fuel lid plate  14  as the vehicle-side spring mounting structure  30  rotates about the hinge  18 ; however, the lid-side mounting portion  54  rotates about the lid-side base  48 . As the fuel lid  12  moves from the closed position to an open position, the lid-side mounting portion  54  may apply additional force to the lid-side base  48  and a larger portion of the lid-side mounting portion  54  is inserted through the lid-side spring receiving opening  46 . Because there is force applied to the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 , the fuel lid  12  will remain in an open position until a user applies a greater force to rotate the fuel lid  12  to an intermediate position and to a closed position. 
     The fuel lid assembly  10  is shown with the fuel lid in over-travel position past the closed position in  FIG. 6D . The cycling of the of the fuel lid  12  between the closed position and the open position may cause the strip spring  50  to undergo permanent set, bringing the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  and the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  closer in proximity. 
     As shown, with the lid-side mounting portion  54  of the strip spring  50  resting in hooking engagement with the lid-side base  48  of the lid-side spring mounting structure  40 , the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  has the tendency in a permanent set condition to withdraw from the vehicle-side base  38 . However, with the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  inserted through the tab receiving opening  56 , the vehicle-side spring retention tab  36  engages with a longitudinally outboard portion of the vehicle-side mounting portion  52  of the strip spring  50  bordering the tab receiving opening  56 . This not only retains the strip spring  50  within the fuel lid assembly  10 , but extends it beyond its resting, non-compressed condition in order to remove it from the permanent set condition. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.