Patent ID: 7766410

Claim:
An interlock apparatus for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto, the fuel filler door being operatively connected with the interlock apparatus, the interlock apparatus comprising: an interlock assembly mounted with respect to the body and operatively connected to the fuel filler door; wherein said interlock assembly has a first interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position; wherein said interlock assembly has a second interlock state operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position: and wherein said interlock assembly further includes: a bracket member; a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to said bracket member; a pin slidably disposed with respect to said bracket member and movable between an extended position and a refracted position; wherein said bell crank member is operable to urge said pin into said extended position when the fuel filler door is open and said retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed; and wherein said pin engages a bore defined by the slidable door when in said extended position to substantially lock the slidable door.