Patent Abstract:
A fuel tank assembly includes a hinge assembly, a fuel tank, and at least one hinge bolt. The hinge assembly includes a hinge pin and a hinge stay. The hinge pin pivotally couples the hinge stay to a vehicular frame and defines a hinge axis about which the hinge stay is pivotable with respect to a frame. The at least one hinge bolt releasably couples the hinge stay to the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is pivotable about the hinge axis. The at least one hinge bolt intersects the hinge axis and obstructs the hinge pin from being removed from the hinge stay.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank pivotally coupled to a frame by a hinge assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many conventional vehicles, such as saddle-type vehicles, include a fuel tank which is positioned upon the vehicle to attain optimal performance and styling, and when possible, configured for movement to facilitate accessibility to an underlying area beneath the fuel tank. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In accordance with one embodiment, a fuel tank assembly comprises a hinge assembly, a fuel tank, and at least one hinge bolt. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge pin and a hinge stay. The hinge pin pivotally couples the hinge stay to a vehicular frame and defines a hinge axis about which the hinge stay is pivotable. The fuel tank includes a front end and a rear end. The at least one hinge bolt releasably couples the hinge stay to the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is pivotable about the hinge axis. The at least one hinge bolt intersects the hinge axis and obstructs the hinge pin from being removed from the hinge stay. 
         [0004]    In accordance with another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a frame, a hinge assembly, a fuel tank, and at least one hinge bolt. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge pin and a hinge stay. The hinge pin pivotally couples the hinge stay to the frame and defines a hinge axis about which the hinge stay is pivotable with respect to the frame. The fuel tank includes a front end and a rear end. The at least one hinge bolt releasably couples the hinge stay to the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is pivotable with respect to the frame about the hinge axis. The at least one hinge bolt intersects the hinge axis and obstructs the hinge pin from being removed from the hinge stay. 
         [0005]    In accordance with yet another embodiment, a saddle-type vehicle comprises a frame, at least two wheels, a hinge assembly, a fuel tank, a first hinge bolt, and a second hinge bolt. The at least two wheels are rotatably coupled to the frame. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge pin and a hinge stay. The hinge pin pivotally couples the hinge stay to the frame and includes a first end and a second end. The hinge pin defines a hinge axis about which the hinge stay is pivotable with respect to the frame. The fuel tank includes a front end and a rear end. The first and second hinge bolts releasably couple the hinge stay to the front end of the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is pivotable about the hinge axis. A substantially vertical imaginary plane extends between the front end and the rear end of the fuel tank and is substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis. The substantially vertical imaginary plane intersects the hinge stay to define left and right sides of the hinge stay. The first and second hinge bolts are disposed on opposite sides of the imaginary plane. The first hinge bolt intersects the hinge axis. The first end of the hinge pin is provided with at least one of a cotter pin and a circlip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    It is believed that certain embodiments will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a vehicle, according to one embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged front perspective view depicting a fuel tank assembly of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , wherein the fuel tank assembly includes a hinge assembly having first and second hinge bolts, a flange, a hinge stay, and a hinge pin; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view depicting the fuel tank assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3  and depicting the first hinge bolt intersecting a hinge axis defined by the hinge pin; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged front view depicting the fuel tank assembly of  FIG. 2  with the hinge pin shown in solid lines in an installed position and shown in dashed lines in a partially removed position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front view depicting a fuel tank assembly according to another embodiment, wherein the fuel tank assembly includes a hinge assembly and a hinge pin, and the hinge pin is shown in solid lines in an installed position and is shown in dashed lines in a partially removed leftward position and a partially removed rightward position; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view depicting the fuel tank assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of  FIGS. 1-7 , wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. A vehicle, such as vehicle  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 , can include a pivotable fuel tank pivotally mounted to a frame. The vehicle  10  is depicted in  FIG. 1  to be an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”). However, any of a variety of vehicles can be provided having a pivotable fuel tank mounted to a frame. For example, a vehicle can include any of a variety of saddle-type vehicles, such as a motorcycle, or any of a variety of non-saddle type vehicles, such as, for example, an automobile, a truck, a van, a scooter, a recreational vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, agricultural equipment, construction equipment, a toy, or a mower. 
         [0015]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  10  can include a frame  16  that supports an engine (not shown) and rotatably supports a plurality of wheels (e.g,.  19 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a fuel tank assembly  12  can be supported upon the frame  16 . The fuel tank assembly  12  is shown to include a fuel tank  22  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  16  by a hinge assembly  14 . The hinge assembly  14  can include a hinge pin  18  and a hinge stay  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the hinge stay  20  can include an elongated central portion  23  and a pair of end portions  25 . Each of the end portions  25  can extend generally downwardly from the elongated central portion  23  such that the end portions  25  are substantially perpendicular to the elongated central portion  23 . Each of the end portions  25  can define a hinge stay aperture (e.g.,  21 ) that is configured to receive the hinge pin  18 . 
         [0016]    The frame  16  can include a head tube  44  having a pair of upright members  48 . The hinge pin  18  can pass through each of the upright members  48  and the end portions  25  to facilitate pivotal coupling of the hinge stay  20  with respect to the frame  16 . Each of the upright members  48  can define a frame aperture (e.g.,  49 ) that is configured to accommodate receipt of the hinge pin  18 . The frame apertures (e.g.,  49 ) can be substantially aligned with the hinge stay apertures (e.g.,  21 ) to facilitate receipt of the hinge pin  18 . The hinge pin  18  can define a hinge axis A 1  and the hinge stay  20  can be pivotable with respect to the frame  16  about the hinge axis A 1 . 
         [0017]    While  FIG. 2  depicts the upright members  48  of the head tube  44  positioned between the end portions  25  of the hinge stay  20 , it will be appreciated that a hinge stay can be pivotally coupled to a frame in any of a variety of suitable alternative arrangements such as, for example, a hinge stay being positioned between upright portions of a head tube. It will also be appreciated that a hinge stay and frame can be provided in any of a variety of suitable alternative arrangements for pivotally supporting a fuel tank. 
         [0018]    In addition to being coupled to the frame  16 , the hinge stay  20  can be coupled to the fuel tank  22  such that the fuel tank  22  is pivotable with respect to the frame  16  about the hinge axis A 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36  can facilitate releasable coupling of the hinge stay  20  to the fuel tank  22 . The first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36  can be threadedly engaged with respective nuts (e.g.,  50  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In one embodiment, the nuts  50  can comprise weld nuts. It will be appreciated that a hinge stay can be secured to the fuel tank with any of a variety of fasteners and/or attachment arrangements. 
         [0019]    The fuel tank  22  can include a front end  24  and a rear end  26 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the front end  24  of the fuel tank  22  can comprise a flange  28  which can be configured to receive the first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36 . In such an embodiment, the first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36  can extend through the flange  28 . While the fuel tank  22  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5  is shown to include the flange  28 , it will be appreciated that any of a variety of other suitable fuel tank configurations can be provided that accept receipt of a fastener or other fastening arrangements for securing the hinge stay  20  to the fuel tank  22 . 
         [0020]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-3 , the hinge stay  20  can be coupled to the front end  24  of the fuel tank  22  such that an area beneath the fuel tank  22  can be accessed from the rear end  26  of the fuel tank  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a rear bolt  37  can releasably secure the rear end  26  of the fuel tank  22  to the frame  16  and thus prevent the fuel tank  22  from pivoting about the hinge axis A 1 . The rear bolt  37  can be selectively removed to permit the pivoting of the fuel tank  22  away from the frame  16 . It will be appreciated that the hinge assembly  14  can be arranged anywhere on the tank  22  so as to permit pivoting of the fuel tank  22  in a particular direction (e.g., leftwardly or rightwardly). It will also be appreciated that a fuel tank can be coupled to another portion of a frame or other portion of a vehicle by a hinge assembly. In particular, while  FIG. 2  shows the frame apertures  49  to be defined by portions of the head tube  44 , it will be appreciated that one or more frame apertures can be positioned on other portions of a frame in any of a variety of other suitable configurations. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the head tube  44  can pivotally support a steering shaft  46  that is coupled to a pair of handlebars ( 27  in  FIG. 1 ). The hinge stay  20  and the fuel tank  22  can define a gap through which the head tube  44  and the steering shaft  46  can pass. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an imaginary plane P 1  can extend between the front end  24  and the rear end  26  of the fuel tank  22 . The imaginary plane P 1  can be a substantially vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis A 1 . The imaginary plane P 1  can intersect (e.g., bisect) the hinge stay  20  to define left and right sides  30 ,  32  of the hinge stay  20 . The first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36  can be disposed entirely on opposite sides of the hinge stay  20 . In some embodiments, the hinge stay  20  can be releasably secured to the fuel tank  22  with less than or more than two bolts. 
         [0022]    When the first and second hinge bolts  34 ,  36  are installed to facilitate coupling of the hinge stay  20  to the fuel tank  22 , a threaded portion  35  of the first hinge bolt  34  can extend far enough beyond the flange  28  to intersect the hinge axis A 1 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the hinge pin  18  is slid rightwardly (as shown in dashed lines), the hinge pin  18  can contact the threaded portion  35  of the first hinge bolt  34  thereby obstructing the hinge pin  18  and preventing its removal from the hinge stay  20 . 
         [0023]    The hinge pin  18  can comprise a first end  38  and a second end  40 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . A cotter pin  42  can be releasably coupled to the second end  40  of the hinge pin  18  and can prevent the second end  40  of the hinge pin  18  from sliding into the hinge stay  20 . The cotter pin  42  can be selectively removed to permit the hinge pin  18  to be slid rightwardly with respect to the hinge stay  20  and the frame  16 . The first end  38  of the hinge pin  18  can include a stop portion  43  that prevents the first end  38  from sliding into the hinge stay  20 . The stop portion  43  can encourage one-way removal of the hinge pin  18  from the right side  32  of the hinge stay  20  by preventing the hinge pin  18  from being removed by sliding leftwardly. The stop portion  43  can have a greater diameter than that of the frame apertures  49  and/or the hinge stay apertures  21 . In one embodiment, as illustrated  FIG. 5 , the stop portion  43  can be a washer that is affixed to the first end  38  of the hinge pin  20  (e.g., through welding). In another embodiment, the stop portion  43  can be a bulbous end formed integrally with the first end  38  of the hinge pin  18  (e.g., in a one-piece construction). In other embodiments, a stop portion can comprise any of a variety of arrangements affixed or otherwise formed on the hinge pin  18  that prevents the hinge pin  18  from sliding into a hinge stay in a particular direction. 
         [0024]    Since the stop portion  43  prevents leftward removal of the hinge pin  18  from the hinge stay  20 , the second hinge bolt  36  might not need to intersect the hinge axis A 1  to obstruct the hinge pin  18 . Therefore, the hinge assembly  14  and the fuel tank  22  can be arranged such that the second hinge bolt  36  is offset from the hinge axis A 1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and thus not positioned to obstruct the hinge pin  18 . While the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-5  depicts the hinge pin  18  to be configured such that it is obstructed on the right side  32  by the first hinge bolt  34 , it will be appreciated that a hinge pin and/or hinge bolts can be configured to facilitate removal and obstruction of the hinge pin in any of a variety of other suitable configurations. 
         [0025]    The hinge pin  18  accordingly cannot be removed from the hinge stay  20  without first removing the first hinge bolt  34 . Any attempts to remove the fuel tank  22  from the vehicle  10  by simply removing the hinge pin  18  are therefore discouraged. Instead, the fuel tank  22  must be removed from the vehicle  20  by first removing the first hinge bolt  34 . This can encourage proper disassembly of the fuel tank  22  which can reduce the risk of the fuel tank  22  being inadvertently damaged during disassembly and can additionally discourage inexperienced users from removing the fuel tank. Additionally, the first hinge bolt  34  can prevent the hinge pin  18  from being inadvertently separated from the hinge stay  20  such as when the cotter pin  42  is not installed properly. 
         [0026]    It will be appreciated that a fuel hose (not shown) can be connected at one end to the fuel tank  22  and can be routed underneath the fuel tank  22  and near the hinge stay  20 . Removing the fuel tank  22 , rather than pivoting it upwardly, might result in kinking or could cause other damage to the fuel hose. By restricting removal of the hinge pin  18  from the hinge stay  20  with at least one of the hinge bolts (e.g.,  34 ) and thus requiring detachment of the fuel tank  22  from the hinge stay  20 , removal of the fuel tank  22  can be discouraged, or at a minimum, proper precaution and greater care can be encouraged to prevent damage to the fuel hose. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a fuel tank assembly  112  is illustrated according to another embodiment. The fuel tank assembly  112  can be similar to, or the same in many respects to the fuel tank assembly  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . For example, the fuel tank assembly  112  can include a hinge assembly  114  and a fuel tank  122 . The fuel tank  122  can be pivotally coupled to a frame  116  by the hinge assembly  114 . The hinge assembly  114  can include a hinge pin  118  and a hinge stay  120 . The hinge stay  120  can be releasably coupled to the fuel tank  122  by first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136 . The hinge pin  118  can include first and second ends  138 ,  140  and can define a hinge axis A 11 . The second end  140  of the hinge pin  118  can be provided with a cotter pin  142  that prevents the second end  140 . The first end  138  of the hinge pin  118 , however, can be provided with a circlip  145 . When the circlip  145  is installed on the first end  138  of the hinge pin  118 , the first end  138  is prevented from sliding into the hinge stay  120 . Once the circlip  145  is removed, however, the second end  140  of the hinge pin  118  is permitted to slide into the hinge stay  120  thus permitting removal of the hinge pin  118  from a left side  130  of the hinge stay  120 . The cotter pin  142  and the circlip  145  accordingly cooperate to permit removal of the hinge pin  118  from the hinge stay  120  in either direction. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136  are installed, respective threaded portions  135 ,  137  of the first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136  can extend far enough to intersect the hinge axis A 11 . The first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136  can accordingly obstruct the hinge pin  118  from being removed from either side. At least one of the first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136  must therefore be removed before trying to remove the hinge pin  118  from the hinge stay  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the hinge assembly  114  and the fuel tank  122  can be arranged such that the first and second hinge bolts  134 ,  136  are substantially aligned with the hinge axis A 11  and thus positioned to obstruct the hinge pin  118  on both sides. 
         [0029]    The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate certain principles and various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1