Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a coupling assembly for connecting conduits conveying fuel under pressure, which utilizes a pair of seals so as to define a chamber for the containment of excess pressurized fuel during the disengagement of the coupling members. A protective shield or flange is provided around the locking mechanism so as to prevent inadvertent contact with the release mechanism and accidental disengagement of the coupling members.

<CIT> discloses a device for separating water and contaminants from fuel that is being supplied from an upstream fuel reservoir to a downstream internal combustion engine. The device comprises a housing configured to couple with the upstream fuel reservoir, the housing having an inlet receiving fuel, water and contaminants, and an outlet discharging the fuel; a gravity separator disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the gravity separator separating the water from the fuel; and a filter disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the filter filtering the contaminants from the fuel.

<CIT> discloses a barrier apparatus for use with fuel tanks. An example barrier apparatus includes a protective barrier having a support surface and a wall protruding from the support surface to define a cavity. The support couples the protective barrier to a surface of the fuel tank. A weld pad is disposed within the cavity adjacent the support surface.

<CIT> discloses a fuel fill apparatus for use with fuel tanks. An example fuel fill apparatus includes a body to removably couple to a neck of a fuel tank. The body has an opening to receive a fuel nozzle and guide liquid fuel from the fuel nozzle to a cavity of the fuel tank. A nozzle retainer retains the fuel nozzle in the opening. A positioner in the opening offsets the fuel nozzle relative to a central axis of the opening such that an aspirator of the fuel nozzle is positioned adjacent an inner wall of the opening when the fuel nozzle is inserted in the opening. The positioner maintains a fuel nozzle outlet opening substantially parallel relative to a central axis of the opening during a fueling event.

<CIT> discloses a fuel fill apparatus for use with fluid delivery systems. An example fuel fill apparatus includes a body defining a throat area adjacent an opening of the body where the opening is configured to receive a fuel cap. A fuel fill portion defines a first passageway extending at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the opening and a vent portion defines a second passageway. The first passageway is fluidly coupled to the second passageway via the throat area and a fuel nozzle retainer is disposed within the throat area.

<CIT> discloses a fuel tank apparatus and related methods. An example method includes placing a first end of a flexible coupling through an access opening formed on a wall of a fuel tank and into a first end of a guide positioned in a cavity of the fuel tank; feeding the first end of the flexible coupling in a first direction through the guide and away from the access opening; redirecting the first end of the flexible coupling towards the access opening by continuing to feed the flexible coupling the first direction; coupling a first fuel component to the first end of the flexible coupling when the first end of the flexible coupling is accessible via the access opening; and directing the flexible coupling in a second direction opposite the first direction via the guide to couple the first fuel component in the cavity of the fuel tank at a position away from the access opening.

<CIT> discloses a pressure relief apparatus for use with fuel delivery systems. An example pressure relief apparatus includes a body defining a cavity and an annular wall projecting from a lower surface of the cavity. A first valve includes a first valve body defining a first flow passage between a first inlet to be oriented toward atmospheric pressure and a first outlet to be oriented toward a fuel tank. The first valve body houses a first flow control member to control fluid flow through the first flow passage between the first inlet and the first outlet. The first valve body projects from the lower surface of the cavity and toward an upper surface of the annular wall a distance substantially equal to a depth between the lower surface and the upper surface of the annular wall.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.

A portable fuel tank assembly according to one example of the present disclosure comprises a portable fuel tank configured to hold fuel and a support configured to be connected to a supporting surface and configured to hold the fuel tank stationary with respect to the supporting surface. The fuel tank comprises a first quick connector configured for fluid communication with the fuel in the fuel tank. The support comprises a second quick connector configured to mate and provide fluid communication with the first quick connector. The fuel tank and support are configured such that securing the fuel tank in the support simultaneously mates the second quick connector to the first quick connector to provide for fluid communication between the second quick connector and the fuel in the fuel tank.

In one example, the second quick connector is located in a housing that is integral with the support. In one example, the assembly further comprises a fuel demand valve located in the housing, downstream of and in fluid communication with the second quick connector.

In one example, the support comprises a piloting feature that mates with a corresponding piloting feature on an exterior surface of the fuel tank. In one example, the piloting features on the support and the fuel tank are configured to be press fit together to secure the fuel tank to the support.

In one example, the fuel tank is configured to deflect more on a portion of the fuel tank that is configured to face the support when the fuel tank is secured in the support, and the support is configured to enclose the deflected portion of the fuel tank.

In one example, the support is configured to rest on a horizontal supporting surface, and the support comprises an outer lip configured to prevent the fuel tank from moving horizontally after being secured in the support.

In one example, the second quick connector is located in a housing that is integral with the support, and the housing projects vertically upward from the support such that the second quick connector is configured to connect to the first quick connector proximate an upper end of the fuel tank.

In one example, an upstream end of the second quick connector is configured to be connected to the first quick connector, and the assembly further comprises a fuel hose coupled to a downstream end of the second quick connector.

In one example, the assembly further comprises a primer bulb downstream of and in fluid communication with the second quick connector, and the support is configured to retain the primer bulb at least when the primer bulb is not in use.

A support for holding a portable fuel tank according to one example of the present disclosure comprises a support quick connector configured to mate and provide fluid communication with a tank quick connector on the fuel tank and a support piloting feature for mating with a tank piloting feature on the fuel tank and for holding the fuel tank in place on the support. The support is configured such that the support quick connector and the tank quick connector are mated at the same time the support piloting feature and the tank piloting feature are mated as the fuel tank is installed on the support.

In one example, the support quick connector is located in a housing that is integral with the support. In one example, the support further comprises a fuel demand valve located in the housing, downstream of and in fluid communication with the support quick connector.

In one example, the support comprises a base configured to rest on a horizontal supporting surface. In one example, the support comprises an outer lip above the base configured to prevent the fuel tank from moving horizontally after being secured in the support.

In one example, the support piloting feature and the tank piloting feature are configured to be press fit together to secure the fuel tank to the support.

In one example, the support is configured to enclose a portion of the fuel tank that deflects outwardly.

In one example, the support quick connector is located in a housing that is integral with the support, and the housing projects vertically upward from the support such that the support quick connector is configured to connect to the tank quick connector proximate an upper end of the fuel tank.

In one example, an upstream end of the support quick connector is configured to be connected to the tank quick connector, and the support further comprises a fuel hose connected to a downstream end of the support quick connector.

In one example, the support further comprises a primer bulb downstream of and in fluid communication with support quick connector, and the support is configured to retain the primer bulb at least when the primer bulb is not in use.

Examples are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

Unless otherwise specified or limited, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and the like, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C, including combinations with multiple instances of A, B, and/or C. Likewise, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "linked," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, unless otherwise specified or limited, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "left," "right," "lateral" or "longitudinal" features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a "top" feature may sometimes be disposed below a "bottom" feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments. Additionally, use of the words "first," "second", "third," etc. is not intended to connote priority or importance, but merely to distinguish one of several similar elements from another. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the word "about" means ±<NUM>%.

<FIG> shows a portable fuel tank <NUM> configured to hold fuel, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. The fuel tank <NUM> may be made of a plastic, such as polyethylene, and may have multiple layers, including, for example, a vapor impermeable layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol between inner and outer layers of polyethylene. The fuel tank <NUM> may be blow molded, rotomolded, or thermoformed, as is known. Other materials and methods of manufacture could be used as known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The fuel tank <NUM> has a fuel gauge <NUM> and a fill opening covered by a cap <NUM>, both located on an upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. The fuel tank <NUM> also has a lower end <NUM> and a handle <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>, about midway between the upper end <NUM> and the lower end <NUM>. The handle <NUM> is formed by a concavity <NUM> in the side <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>, which concavity <NUM> extends from the upper end <NUM> to the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. The fuel tank <NUM> also has a second side <NUM>, opposite the first side <NUM>, as well as opposite longitudinal sides <NUM> (<FIG>) and <NUM>. The configuration of the fuel tank <NUM> can vary from that shown here.

<FIG> illustrates a support <NUM> for holding the portable fuel tank <NUM>. The support <NUM> can be made of plastic, such as polyethylene or polystyrene. The support <NUM> can be manufactured by injection molding. Other suitable materials and manufacturing processes may be used depending on the configuration of the support <NUM>, which may vary from that shown here. The support <NUM> has a base <NUM> configured to rest on a horizontal supporting surface (see <FIG>). The support <NUM> also has an outer lip <NUM> above the base <NUM>, which outer lip <NUM> is present at least on two opposite longitudinal sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the support <NUM>. The base <NUM> extends around, and together with the lips <NUM> defines, a central concave portion <NUM> of the support <NUM>. The central concave portion <NUM> is split into two by the presence of a support piloting feature <NUM> extending laterally across the support <NUM>. Another support piloting feature is in the form of a housing <NUM> at a first end <NUM> of the support <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be integrally formed as part of the support <NUM> or can be attached to the support <NUM> after the remainder of the support <NUM> is molded. The support <NUM> also has an opposite second end <NUM>, which slopes downwardly from the lip <NUM> toward the central concave portion <NUM>. A fuel hose <NUM> extends from the support <NUM> by way of a notch in the base <NUM>.

<FIG> show the support <NUM> and fuel tank <NUM> as part of a portable fuel tank assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows the portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> in process of being assembled, while <FIG> shows the portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> fully assembled. The portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> includes the portable fuel tank <NUM> and the support <NUM>, which is configured to be connected to a supporting surface <NUM> (<FIG>) and configured to hold the fuel tank <NUM> stationary with respect to the supporting surface <NUM>. In one example, the supporting surface <NUM> is the deck of a marine vessel. The support <NUM> can be connected to the supporting surface <NUM> by way of adhesive, bolts, screws, brackets, and/or straps, as is known to those having ordinary skill in the art. By way of non-limiting example, brackets that are pre-fastened to the supporting surface <NUM> can fit into slots on the underside of the support <NUM>, which can be slid into locking engagement with the brackets. In other examples, the support <NUM> can be held to a vertical or angled support surface, such as to the transom of a marine vessel.

As noted hereinabove, the support <NUM> has a support piloting feature <NUM>, which is in the form of a wall protruding vertically upwardly from the central concave portion <NUM> of the support <NUM>, in the case in which the support <NUM> is attached to a horizontal supporting surface <NUM>. The support piloting feature <NUM> is sized and shaped for mating with a tank piloting feature <NUM> on the fuel tank <NUM>, which here is shown as an indentation extending across the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. Interaction of the support piloting feature <NUM> and the tank piloting feature <NUM> holds the fuel tank <NUM> in place on the support <NUM>. For example, the support piloting feature <NUM> and the tank piloting feature <NUM> are configured to be press fit together to secure the fuel tank <NUM> to the support <NUM>. For this purpose, the support piloting feature <NUM> can be made slightly wider in the direction from end <NUM> to end <NUM> than the tank piloting feature <NUM>, and the tank piloting feature <NUM> will deflect to accept the support piloting feature <NUM>.

Although the support piloting feature <NUM> is shown as a protruding wall and the tank piloting feature <NUM> is shown as a depression or indentation, in other examples, the support piloting feature is concave and the tank piloting feature is convex. In still other examples, the piloting features could each be a series of mating indentations and projections on each of the fuel tank <NUM> and the support <NUM>. The piloting features could have any shape, and need not be the wedge-shaped wall and indentation shown here. More than one piloting feature could be provided on each of the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> and the central concave portion <NUM> of the support <NUM>. Additional or alternative piloting features could be provided on the lips <NUM> of the support <NUM> and the sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. Further, although both piloting features <NUM>, <NUM> are shown as being integrally molded with the fuel tank <NUM> and support <NUM>, respectively, in other examples, one or both of the piloting features <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the fuel tank <NUM> or support <NUM> after the fuel tank <NUM> or support <NUM> is molded.

To install the fuel tank <NUM> on the support <NUM>, the side <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> can be placed on the support <NUM> toward the end <NUM> thereof, as shown in <FIG>. Then, the fuel tank <NUM> can be pivoted downwardly as shown by the arrow, aided by the gentle slope of the central concave portion <NUM>, to rest the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> in the central concave portion <NUM> of the support <NUM>. Correct positioning of the fuel tank <NUM> with respect to the support <NUM> is ensured by the interaction of the piloting features <NUM>, <NUM>. Furthermore, because the support <NUM> comprises a piloting feature <NUM> that mates with a corresponding piloting feature <NUM> on an exterior surface of the fuel tank <NUM> with a press fit, the fuel tank <NUM> can be held securely in the support <NUM> despite shifting of the contents within the fuel tank <NUM>, which might otherwise tend to tip the fuel tank <NUM> onto its side. Furthermore, in the case in which the support <NUM> is configured to rest on a horizontal supporting surface <NUM>, the outer lips <NUM> are configured to prevent the fuel tank <NUM> from moving horizontally after being secured in the support <NUM>. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand that more robust piloting features (also acting as connection features) and/or a wider end <NUM> may be required if the support <NUM> is to be attached to a vertical or angled supporting surface, in order to maintain the fuel tank <NUM> in the support <NUM> against the force of gravity.

In one example, the support <NUM> is configured to enclose a portion of the fuel tank <NUM> that deflects outwardly due to bloating. For example, the fuel tank <NUM> is configured to deflect more on a portion of the fuel tank <NUM> that is configured to face the support <NUM> when the fuel tank <NUM> is secured in the support <NUM>. For example, the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> can be figured to deflect more than the upper end <NUM> or the remaining sides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by manufacturing the lower end <NUM> to be less rigid and/or thinner than the remainder of the fuel tank <NUM>, although still with sufficient properties to prevent bursting. In such an example, the support <NUM> is configured to enclose the deflected portion (e.g., the lower end <NUM>) of the fuel tank <NUM> within the perimeter of the base <NUM> between the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> and the upper surface of the central concave portion <NUM>. For example, the support <NUM> and fuel tank <NUM> can be proportioned such that the sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> rest on the lips <NUM> of the support <NUM> with the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> slightly above the upper surface of the central concave portion <NUM>. As internal pressure causes the fuel tank <NUM> to bloat, any deflection of the fuel tank <NUM> is concentrated at the lower end <NUM>, which deflects to fill the space between the outer surface of the lower end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> and the upper surface of the central concave portion <NUM>.

As was mentioned above, the housing <NUM> at the end <NUM> of the support <NUM> also acts as a support piloting feature. The corresponding tank piloting feature is the handle <NUM> and concavity <NUM> in the side <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. More specifically, the housing <NUM> has an indentation <NUM> across one side thereof. The upper end of the housing <NUM> can be inserted into the concavity <NUM> on the side <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>, and the fuel tank <NUM> can be lowered onto the support <NUM> until the handle <NUM> fits into place in the indentation <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be designed such that the upper end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> bends slightly inwardly toward the central concave portion <NUM> of the support <NUM> while the handle <NUM> passes thereover. Once the handle <NUM> has passed over the upper end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the upper end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> can revert to its initial position to secure the handle <NUM> in the indentation <NUM>. The final installed position of the fuel tank <NUM> on the support <NUM>, with the handle <NUM> secured in the indentation <NUM>, is shown in <FIG>.

The support <NUM> not only holds the portable fuel tank <NUM> in place with respect to the supporting surface <NUM>, but also provides for fluid connection between the fuel tank <NUM> and an engine requiring the fuel. In one non-limiting example, the supporting surface <NUM> is the deck of a marine vessel, and the engine is one installed in a propulsion device such as an outboard motor. To that end, the support <NUM> can be provided with a support quick connector <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) at the upper end of the housing <NUM>, and the fuel tank <NUM> can be provided with a tank quick connector (<NUM>, <FIG>) provided on the underside of an overhanging portion <NUM> of the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>, within the concavity <NUM>. As will be described in more detail below, an upstream end <NUM> of the tank quick connector <NUM> is configured to draw fuel from the fuel tank <NUM>, an upstream end <NUM> of the support quick connector <NUM> is configured to be connected to the tank quick connector <NUM>, and the above-mentioned fuel hose <NUM> is connected to a downstream end <NUM> of the support quick connector <NUM>, which fuel hose <NUM> leads to the engine requiring the fuel.

<FIG> is a highly schematic cross-sectional view of the overhanging portion <NUM> of the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the support <NUM>, viewed from the left side of the portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> (with respect to the view of <FIG>) just before the fuel tank <NUM> is fully installed on the support <NUM>. As shown, the fuel tank <NUM> comprises a first quick connector (tank quick connector <NUM>) configured for fluid communication with the fuel in the fuel tank <NUM>. For example, the tank quick connector <NUM> can have a barbed upstream end <NUM> that is configured to connect with a hose or other conduit (not shown) that extends downwardly within the fuel tank <NUM>, to suction fuel from the bottom of the fuel tank <NUM>. An opposite end of the tank quick connector <NUM> can be provided with a quick connect feature, as is well known in the art. The tank quick connector <NUM> can be L-shaped, as shown here, in order to change direction from the vertical connection to the support quick connector <NUM> to the horizontal direction into the interior of the fuel tank <NUM>. Of course, if the overhanging portion <NUM> of the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> is not sloped as shown in this example, it may be possible to use a tank quick connector without an elbow, such as if there is room between the bottom surface <NUM> of the overhanging portion <NUM> and the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> to fit the hose or other conduit over the barbed upstream end <NUM> of the tank quick connector <NUM>.

The support <NUM>, meanwhile, comprises a second quick connector (support quick connector <NUM>) configured to mate and provide fluid communication with the first quick connector (tank quick connector <NUM>). As noted hereinabove and shown in <FIG>, the second/support quick connector <NUM> is located in a housing <NUM> that is integral with the support <NUM>. The housing <NUM> projects vertically upward from the support <NUM>, such that the second/support quick connector <NUM> is configured to connect to the first/tank quick connector <NUM> proximate the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. More specifically, the support quick connector <NUM> protrudes from the upper end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and is configured to fit into a mating recess <NUM> in the bottom surface <NUM> of the overhanging portion <NUM> of the upper end <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM>. The upper end of the support quick connector <NUM> is configured to mate with the lower end of the tank quick connector <NUM> within the recess <NUM>. Such mating quick connectors are well known in the art. In one example, the quick connectors are sprayless quick connectors similar to those sold by Attwood Corporation of Lowell, Michigan, part numbers 8838HF6, 8838TM6, 8838US6, and 8838HM6.

In one example, the quick connectors are as shown in <FIG>. The support quick connector <NUM> can be a female quick connector having a release button <NUM> (which is oriented on the housing <NUM> so as to be accessible to a user), an open upstream end <NUM> for receiving the male quick connector, and a barbed downstream end <NUM> for connecting to a tube or other conduit <NUM> (<FIG>) downstream of the support quick connector <NUM>. The tank quick connector <NUM> can be a female quick connector with a quick connect downstream end <NUM> for insertion into the open upstream end <NUM> of the support quick connector <NUM>. One or both of the support quick connector <NUM> and the tank quick connector <NUM> can have an internal valve, such as a check valve (e.g., a spring-loaded check valve), which automatically closes upon disconnection of the parts to prevent leakage. The check valves are opened by either mechanical interaction between the valves when the support quick connector <NUM> is fully mated with the tank quick connector <NUM> and/or by fluid pressure as fuel is pumped from the fuel tank <NUM> through the mated quick connectors <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the fuel tank <NUM> and support <NUM> are configured such that securing the fuel tank <NUM> in the support <NUM> simultaneously mates the second/support quick connector <NUM> to the first/tank quick connector <NUM> to provide for fluid communication between the second/support quick connector <NUM> and the fuel in the fuel tank <NUM>. This is provided for by the piloting features <NUM>, <NUM> on the support <NUM> and fuel tank <NUM>, respectively, which visually show the user where the fuel tank <NUM> needs to be lined up with the support <NUM>, thus also aligning the housing <NUM> and concavity <NUM>. The housing <NUM>, concavity <NUM>, and handle <NUM> are configured such that the housing <NUM> fits with relatively little tolerance within the concavity <NUM>, such that alignment of the housing <NUM> within the concavity <NUM> ensures that the support quick connector <NUM> and tank quick connector <NUM> are necessarily also aligned. Subsequent snapping of the handle <NUM> into the indentation <NUM> also snaps the tank quick connector <NUM> into the support quick connector <NUM>, providing fluid communication between the two. Thus, the support <NUM> is configured such that the support quick connector <NUM> and the tank quick connector <NUM> are mated at the same time the support piloting features <NUM>, <NUM> and the tank piloting features <NUM>, <NUM> are mated as the fuel tank <NUM> is installed on the support <NUM>.

Although the support quick connector <NUM> is shown as the female connector herein, and the tank quick connector <NUM> is shown as the male connector, those having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the gender of the connectors could be switched with very little adaptation of the housing <NUM> of the support <NUM> and/or overhanging portion <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> being required.

Returning to <FIG>, the portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> may further comprise a fuel demand valve <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>, downstream of and in fluid communication with the second/support quick connector <NUM>. In this example, the support quick connector <NUM> is connected at its downstream end <NUM> to an intermediate hose or other conduit <NUM>, which is in turn connected to the inlet end <NUM> of the fuel demand valve <NUM>. In other examples, it is possible that the support quick connector <NUM> and the fuel demand valve <NUM> are manufactured as one part, without the requirement for a separate conduit <NUM> between the two. The fuel demand valve <NUM> includes a valve housing <NUM>, a cap <NUM>, and an outlet end <NUM>. One example of a fuel demand valve that can be used is sold by Attwood Corporation of Lowell, Michigan, part number 9300FDV7, which is shown in partial cutaway in <FIG>. The fuel demand valve <NUM> includes an internal valve <NUM>, which moves against the force of a spring when pressure at the outlet end <NUM> is less than atmospheric pressure (due to a vacuum created by a pump downstream of the fuel demand valve <NUM>) so as to open the valve <NUM> and provide for fluid communication between the inlet end <NUM> and the outlet end <NUM>. When the pump downstream of the fuel demand valve <NUM> is turned off, the spring forces the valve <NUM> to its initial position, which prevents fluid communication between the inlet end <NUM> and the outlet end <NUM>. Fuel demand valves other than the particular example shown and described herein could be used.

Returning to <FIG>, the fuel hose <NUM> is coupled to the downstream end <NUM> of the second/support quick connector <NUM>. Here, the coupling is by way of the conduit <NUM> and the fuel demand valve <NUM>, but in instances in which a fuel demand valve is provided further downstream (and external to the housing <NUM>), the fuel hose <NUM> can be connected directly to the downstream end <NUM> of the support quick connector <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, the portable fuel tank assembly <NUM> further comprises a primer bulb <NUM> downstream of and in fluid communication with the second/support quick connector <NUM>. An exemplary support <NUM>' is configured to retain the primer bulb <NUM> at least when the primer bulb <NUM> is not in use. For example, the support <NUM>' may have a recessed area <NUM> carved out of the base <NUM>', having the shape of the primer bulb <NUM>, but a slightly larger footprint, to allow for insertion of the primer bulb <NUM> therein. The recessed area <NUM> may have tabs around its perimeter that contact the elastomeric outer surface of the primer bulb <NUM> to retain the primer bulb <NUM> in the recessed are <NUM>. The primer bulb <NUM> is able to be removed from the recessed area <NUM> by pulling it past the tabs, such that the primer bulb <NUM> can be actuated to prime the pump connected downstream of the primer bulb <NUM>. In another example, the primer bulb <NUM> can be retained on the support <NUM>' by a bracket or strap that is attached to the base <NUM>'. In yet another example, the primer bulb <NUM> is permanently built into the support <NUM>' and can be actuated while remaining connected to the support <NUM>.

One example of the primer bulb <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, and is sold by Attwood Corporation of Lowell, Michigan, part number 93038LP7, 93516LP7, or 93014LP7. The primer bulb <NUM> includes check valves <NUM>, <NUM> at both the upstream and downstream ends thereof to provide for quick priming of the pump and high flow when the pump is running. The primer bulb <NUM> may include a three-layer construction to resist collapse, prevent fuel evaporation, and prevent ballooning and bursting. Barbs <NUM>, <NUM> at either end provide for connection to the fuel hose <NUM>.

The support <NUM>, <NUM>' of the present disclosure keep2 the fuel tank <NUM> off the supporting surface <NUM>, which in the case of a marine vessel deck can be covered with water and debris. Furthermore, the support <NUM>, <NUM>' provides a way to simultaneously and with one motion secure the fuel tank <NUM> with respect to the supporting surface <NUM> and connect the fuel tank <NUM> to the fuel hose <NUM> that leads to the engine requiring the fuel. Additionally, the support <NUM>, <NUM>' provides a way to hide deflection of the fuel tank <NUM> due to bloat.

Claim 1:
A portable fuel tank assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a portable fuel tank (<NUM>) configured to hold fuel; and
a support (<NUM>) configured to be connected to a supporting surface (<NUM>) and configured to hold the fuel tank (<NUM>) stationary with respect to the supporting surface (<NUM>);
wherein the fuel tank (<NUM>) comprises a first quick connector (<NUM>) configured for fluid communication with the fuel in the fuel tank (<NUM>);
wherein the support (<NUM>) comprises a second quick connector (<NUM>) configured to mate and provide fluid communication with the first quick connector (<NUM>);
wherein the fuel tank (<NUM>) and support (<NUM>) are configured such that securing the fuel tank (<NUM>) in the support (<NUM>) simultaneously mates the second quick connector (<NUM>) to the first quick connector (<NUM>) to provide for fluid communication between the second quick connector (<NUM>) and the fuel in the fuel tank (<NUM>); and
wherein the support (<NUM>) comprises a piloting feature (<NUM>) that mates with a corresponding piloting feature (<NUM>) on the fuel tank (<NUM>) at the same time the second quick connector (<NUM>) is mated to the first quick connector (<NUM>).