Patent Publication Number: US-2010108429-A1

Title: Fuel transfer system for recreational vehicles and trailers

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fuel transfer systems for recreational vehicles (RV) and trailers. 
     II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     RVs and trailers can be used to transport smaller motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (“ATV”), etc. To this end, so-called “toy boxes” have been provided which essentially are spaces in the RVs or trailers that are separate from and sealed off from living spaces, so that “toys” such as motorcycles and ATVs can be conveniently transported in the “toy boxes”. 
     Regardless of how, precisely, the “toys” are transported, they typically require fueling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A carrier vehicle has a chassis on plural wheels and one or more fuel tanks supplying at least one motor (such as a vehicle propulsion engine or motorized electric generator) with fuel. A toy refueling line receives fuel from the fuel tank and is configured for fueling a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle or ATV, that is carried in the carrier vehicle. 
     In some implementations the fuel tank is an auxiliary fuel tank and the motor drives an electrical generator. The carrier vehicle may also include a main fuel tank supplying an engine with fuel. In any case, the carrier vehicle may be, without limitation, an RV, trailer, or motor home equipped with a toy box space in which the motorized vehicle can be transported, in which case the toy refueling line can be disposed in the toy box adjacent the motorized vehicle. 
     A fuel pump may be provided for sending fuel from the tank to the motor through a gas line. A three-way valve can be disposed in the gas line and can be connected to the toy refueling line. The valve has a first position wherein fuel is directed to the motor and a second position wherein fuel is directed into the toy refueling line. The valve may be manually operable or solenoid operated. Some embodiments envision the fuel pump being contained in a module housing along with a pressure regulator and fuel filter. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus includes wheeled means for transporting at least one motorized vehicle, at least one fuel tank on the wheeled means, and at least one motor on the wheeled means and being supplied with fuel from the tank. A toy refueling line communicates with the tank and is configured for establishing fluid communication between the motorized vehicle and the fuel tank. 
     In another aspect, a system includes a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a vehicle fuel tank to a motor associated with the vehicle fuel tank. The system also includes a toy refueling line operably disposable relative to a space in a vehicle. The space is configured to hold at least one motorized vehicle. A three-way valve is connected to the toy refueling line. The valve is configured to receive fuel from the vehicle fuel tank when installed in the vehicle. The valve has a first position to direct fuel to the motor and a second position to direct fuel into the toy refueling line. 
     The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an example carrier vehicle; and 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing additional details of the generator system that can be included in the carrier vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Initially referring to  FIG. 1 , a general depiction of a carrier vehicle  10  such as an RV is shown. The carrier vehicle may be other types of vehicles, e.g., the carrier vehicle may be a trailer or motor home. In any case, the carrier vehicle may be provided with a toy box  12  in which to carry smaller motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs, with the toy box  12  being established by a space that typically is separate from the living quarters of the carrier vehicle. 
     When the carrier vehicle is an RV or motor home, it includes an engine  14  that is supplied with fuel such as gasoline from a main fuel tank  16  to propel wheels  18  of the vehicle  10 . Fuel may be sent from the main fuel tank  16  to the engine  14  by a main fuel pump  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the carrier vehicle  10  may also have an auxiliary fuel tank  22  connected to an electric auxiliary fuel pump  24 . The primary object for the auxiliary fuel pump  24  is to supply the motor of a power generator  26 , such as a fuel-injected generator, with fuel through a generator fuel supply line  28 , although in some embodiments the auxiliary fuel tank  22  may be omitted and the generator  26  may receive fuel from the main fuel tank  16 . In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the auxiliary fuel tank  22  and generator  26  may be disposed in the toy box  12 , although other locations for these components may be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the generator  26  outputs electrical power through one or more electrical lines  30  to power lights  32  in, e.g., the toy box  12 . The generator  26  may power other electrical components in the carrier vehicle  10  such as a stove or heat/air conditioning unit. In any case, since the engine  14  propels the vehicle, the generator  26 , when provided, typically is not mechanically coupled to a vehicle drive train but rather is used only to generate electricity (which in turn can be used to propel an electric drive vehicle). 
     In addition, the auxiliary fuel pump  24  may be associated with a fuel pressure regulator  34  and a fuel filter  36 , and the pump  24 , regulator  34 , and filter  36  may be contained in a single module housing  38  if desired. The module housing  38  may be mounted on the generator  26 , or disposed in the auxiliary fuel tank  22 , or disposed in a fuel line. In other implementations, when no auxiliary fuel tank or generator is provided, the module housing  38  may be the fuel module associated with the engine  14 . 
     In the example embodiment shown, a three-way valve  40  may be disposed in the fuel line  28 . The valve  40  may be a manually-operated valve or, as shown, it may be a solenoid valve that is actuated by a person appropriately manipulating a switch  42 . In one position, the valve  40  blocks all fluid flow through the valve. In a second position, the valve  40  permits fluid flow from the auxiliary pump  24  only to the generator  26 . 
     In a third position, however, the valve  40  permits fluid flow from the auxiliary pump  24  only to a flexible movable toy refueling line  44  which may terminate in an open end or in an end nozzle  46 . A person preferably can move the refueling line  44  relative to the carrier vehicle  10  as necessary to engage the end of the line  44  (e.g., the nozzle  46 ) with a gas tank opening of an ATV, motorcycle, or the like that may be disposed in the toy box  12  or that may be positioned just outside of the toy box  12 , close enough for the line  44  to reach. 
     It may now be appreciated that with the valve in the third position, smaller vehicles that can be carried by the carrier vehicle  10  can be easily refueled. It is to be understood that in other embodiments, the main fuel tank  16  may be used to refuel the smaller vehicles in accordance with principles set forth above. It is to be further understood that while the toy refueling line  44  is shown tapping from the auxiliary pump  24 , an additional pump may alternatively be used to pump fuel through the  44 . Yet again, gravity drain from one of the fuel tanks  16 ,  22  may be used to push fuel through the line  44 , in which case the line  44  may tap directly off a tank and no three-way valve need be used. In any case, the toy refueling line  44  may be hung or mounted on the wall in such a way that allows for the line  44  to move displaced on an extended range to permit fueling of vehicles such as motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) that can be transported within the toy box  12 . 
     A hinged cover  48  may be provided to selectively expose the interior of the toy box  12 . The cover  48  can lock and may be opened in order to extend the end of the toy refueling line  44  out of the toy box  12 . 
     While the particular FUEL TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND TRAILERS is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.