Ford Motor Company Limited

Thomas J Bryans

James P Hyde

Arthur W Single, Ii

Richard H Miller

A heat shield retainer and method for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Method for forming a fuel tank assembly

A roll-over vapor vent valve is provided having a mounting arrangement for weldably connecting the valve directly onto a polymeric fuel tank. The valve includes a main body casing having at least one inlet for communicating with the internal chamber of the polymeric fuel tank, an outlet for communicating with a point external to the fuel tank and a passageway which communicates with the at least one inlet and the outlet. A controlling mechanism is located within the casing for controlling fluid flow through the passageway between the at least one inlet and the outlet. The mounting arrangement is preferably integral with the main body casing and serves to weldably connect the casing to the polymeric fuel tank. The mounting arrangement may comprise an L-shaped flange which extends out from and encircles a lower portion of the main body casing to define a circumferential weld foot. Alternatively, the L-shaped flange may be bifurcated to define two circumferential weld feet.

Weldable vapor vent valve

A heat shield retainer and method is provided for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Heat shield retainer

A multi-mode child restraint system is disclosed, comprising a seat and a bolster adapted to receive and releasably engage the seat. The seat provides a seating unit and means for propping the seating unit rearwardly, such propping means being mounted within the seat of the seating unit. The restraint seat, either with or without the bolster, is adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle seat by a seat belt associated with such motor vehicle seat.

Multi-mode child restraint system

A multi-mode child restraint system is disclosed, comprising a seat and a bolster adapted to receive and releasably engage the seat. The seat provides a seating unit and an impact shield pivotably mounted to the seating unit. The impact shield is rotatable rearwardly to form a support stand for the seating unit in a reclined position. The restraint seat, either with or without the bolster is adapted to be secured to a motor vehicle seat by a seat belt associated with such motor vehicle seat.

A child restraint system including a bolster supportable on a vehicle seat cushion and a child seat supportable on the bolster or seat cushion independently of the bolster. Both the bolster or the independently supported child seat are adapted to be retained by a seat belt. The child seat has a integrated harness system for restraining a child within the seat. Interengageable elements such as a tongue and groove elements couple the child seat to the bolster. A latch means is provided for latching the child seat to the bolster to retain the two in coupled relationship. The child seat, when coupled to the bolster, is oriented in an infant carrying mode in which the infant is faced to the rear of the vehicle, and when independently positioned on the seat cushion, is oriented in a booster seat mode in which the child is faced forwardly.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Thomas J Bryans