Patent ID: 7810846

Claim:
A flange structure for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle, the flange structure comprising: at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port having first and second ends, a non-electrically conductive plastic flange integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends, the flange being constructed and arranged to be coupled with a wall of a fuel tank of a vehicle, electrically conductive grounding structure associated with the fuel port, the grounding structure having an elongated member extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and a hose-receiving end connected with the elongated member, an electrically conductive hose having a first end coupled with the first end of the fuel port and in contact with the hose-receiving end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path to structure coupled with a second end of the hose, wherein the first end of the fuel port includes barb structure engaged with an inner surface of the hose, wherein the grounding structure is a single electrically conductive member insert molded with respect to the fuel port, and wherein the elongated member of the grounding structure engages only part of an internal wall of the fuel port.