The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 01, 1996
Alan R Prechtel, Pulheim-Brauweiler, DE;
Michael J Boehk, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Daniel J Kmiecik, Dearborn Heights, MI (US);
Danny P Forbes, Belleville, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A fuel tank assembly is provided. The fuel tank assembly includes a plastic fuel tank having a wall defining an outer surface and an interior volume for storing fuel therein. A portion of the fuel tank wall further defines a generally cylindrical opening therethrough. The fuel tank assembly also includes an instrument having a generally cylindrical piece extending through the opening in the fuel tank wall such that the instrument communicates with the interior volume of the fuel tank. A retainer assembly is attached to the outer surface of the fuel tank wall for releasably securing the instrument to the fuel tank. The retainer assembly includes a plastic ring-like member having a generally cylindrical inner wall disposed around the generally cylindrical piece of the instrument, the inner wall defining a circumferentially extending sealing surface. The retainer assembly also includes a reinforcing member carried within the ring-like member adjacent to and generally concentric with the sealing surface. A sealing member is interposed between the generally cylindrical piece of the instrument and the sealing surface of the retainer assembly.