Patent ID: 6968874

Claim:
An automotive fueling system comprising: a funnel assembly having a circular port adapted to receive a fuel filling nozzle, a fuel valve pivotally mounted to said funnel assembly and movable between an open position in which said port is open and a closed position in which said fuel valve overlies and covers said port, said valve having a pair of diametrically opposed recesses on an outer periphery of said valve, at least one latch mounted to said fuel assembly, said latch being constructed of a rigid material independently pivotally mounted at an intermediate point on said latch to said funnel assembly and movable between a locked position in which either one or both of said latches engage said valve recesses and retain said valve in said closed position, and an unlocked position in which both said latches disengage from said valve recesses and enable said valve to move to said open position, wherein each latch includes an actuator surface engageable by a fuel nozzle inserted into the funnel to move said latches from said locked to said unlocked position.