FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to the field of adaptors. More particularly, to an adaptor mechanism for accommodating a counter box of a fuel receptacle in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed 10 invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, adaptors are used as a joining devices for coupling two apparatus which cannot be coupled directly. Traditionally, a socket is provided inside a panel body of a vehicle on which a counter box accommodating a fuel receptacle is mounted with the help of a clip screw. A nozzle from a fuel pump is 15 inserted into the fuel receptacle and adapted to rest against the counter box during refueling of the vehicle.
[0004] Technical Problem: The positive mounting of the counter box on the socket of the panel body of the vehicle with the help of the clip screw requires a plane or flat surface at the location of the mounting. This conventional 20 arrangement of mounting the counter box on the socket of the panel body of the vehicle is not possible at the location of existing contoured surfaces. The design problem herein is to move the current location of the counter box on the panel body of the vehicle due to packaging constraints.
[0005] One solution for the above mentioned technical problem disclosed in 25 prior patent application publication US6722407B2 is to provide a two piece
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capless fuel filling device comprising an exterior housing member inserted through an opening in the body panel with a flange abutting an exterior face of the body panel.
[0006] Existing solution provide information on a capless fuel filling device adapting to the surface of the panel body of the vehicle, but has its own drawbacks 5 and limitations. This known mechanism do not provide solution to mounting of a counter box at the location of contoured surfaces on the panel body of the vehicle
[0007] Therefore, a simple and in-expensive solution is required to reduce torque losses at the mounting locations, to seal from entry of foreign particles/viscous fluids at the mounting locations, to achieve better gripping 10 surface at the union of a fuel pump and the counter box and to withstand the heavy load of the fuel pump.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below. 15
[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for joining a counter box of a fuel receptacle and a fuel filling nozzle.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for mounting a counter box of a fuel receptacle at contoured surfaces of a panel body of a vehicle. 20
[0011] One more object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for giving aesthetic appeal to a panel body of a vehicle.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism capable of withstanding heavy weight of a fuel filling nozzle.
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[0013] Further one more object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for better gripping surface at the mating of a counter box of a fuel receptacle and a fuel filling nozzle.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for easy assembly of a counter box of a fuel receptacle in less time. 5
[0015] Still one more object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor mechanism for reducing torque losses at the mounting locations of a counter box of a fuel receptacle.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings. 10
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an adaptor mechanism to facilitate mounting of a fuel filling socket in a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject 15 matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0018] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an adaptor mechanism which finds its application in mounting a counter box of a fuel receptacle at the location of contoured surfaces on the panel body of the vehicle. 20 The adaptor mechanism comprises an annular ring, a support ring and a nut. The annular ring with a mounting plate is inserted into the panel body of the vehicle to conform to the contoured surfaces of the panel body. The support ring inserted from inside the panel body of the vehicle encompassing the annular ring is snap fitted to hold the panel body in between the support ring and the annular ring. The 25 panel body is firmly held in position with the help of the nut locked to the annular
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ring and thereby applying a compressive force on the support ring. The counter box is bolted on the mounting plate.
[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which 5 like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of 10 example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0021] Figure 1(a) illustrates a perspective view of location of an adaptor mechanism on a panel body of a vehicle in accordance with the first embodiment 15 of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 1(b) illustrates a cross-sectional view A-A of an adaptor mechanism of figure 1(a);
[0023] Figure 1(c) illustrates a cross-sectional view B-B of an adaptor mechanism of figure 1(a); 20
[0024] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptor mechanism;
[0025] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adaptor mechanism on a panel body of a vehicle in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and
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[0026] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adaptor mechanism on a panel body of a vehicle in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from 5 the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the 10 disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives 15 falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, 20 and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the 25 plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or
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“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0031] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the 5 functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0032] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", and the like in the 10 present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly. 15
[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the 20 context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0034] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 25 matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
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various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0035] As shown in figure 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) there is provided an adaptor mechanism 800 to facilitate mounting of a fuel filling socket for a counter box 400 to accommodate a fuel receptacle 200 in a vehicle comprising an annular ring 5 802, a support ring 804, a nut 806, a mounting plate 808 and a seal 810.
[0036] The annular ring 802 is of divergent shape having a flange 802(a) provided at a predetermined angle at one end and a plurality of threads 802(b) provided on its outer circumference at the other end. The annular ring 802 includes two or more integrally formed projections 802(c) around its outer 10 circumference and a mounting plate 808 over molded or integrally formed therein at its inner circumference. The annular ring 802 is also provided with a slot 802(d) on the bottom of the flange 802(a) for accommodating a seal 810.
[0037] The support ring 804 is of divergent shape having a flange 804(a) provided at a predetermined angle complementary to the flange 802(a) of the 15 annular ring 802. The support ring 804 is provided with two or more slots 804(b) around its outer circumference complementary to the two or more integrally formed projections 802(c) of the annular ring 802.
[0038] The nut 806 is of ring shape provided with a slot 806(a) therein on its inner circumference. A plurality of threads 806(b) complementary to the plurality 20 of threads 802(b) of the annular ring 802 are provided on the slot 806(a) of the nut 806. As shown in the figure 2, the nut 806 is provided with a plurality of projections 806(c) around its outer circumference for gripping purpose of the workmen.
[0039] The mounting plate 808 is of ring shape. 25
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[0040] The fuel filling socket accommodates an apparatus for electric charging or an apparatus for filling different forms of fuel like liquid, CNG, LPG etc. The fuel filling socket comprises a counter box 400 to accommodate a fuel receptacle 200.
[0041] The counter box 400 comprises an outer housing 402 and an inner 5 housing 404. The outer housing 402 is provided with a flange 402(a) at its one end and an opening 402(b) defining therein at the other end. The inner housing 404 is provided with a flange 404(a) at its one end and an opening 404(b) defining therein at the other end.
[0042] In an aspect, the predetermined angle of the flange 802(a) of the 10 annular ring 802 depends on the shape of the contoured surfaces of a panel body 1000 of a vehicle.
[0043] In an aspect, the integrally formed projections 802(c) of the annular ring 802 are flexible.
[0044] In an aspect, the flange 802(a) of the annular ring 802 is visible on 15 exterior surface of a panel body 1000 of a vehicle.
[0045] In an aspect, the diameter of the support ring 804 is slightly more than the diameter of the annular ring 802.
[0046] In an aspect, the annular ring 802, the support ring 804 and the nut 806 are made of thermoplastic material. 20
[0047] In an aspect, the diameter of the inner housing 404 of the counter box 400 is slightly more than the diameter of the outer housing 402 of the counter box 400.
[0048] The configuration of the adaptor mechanism 800 in the panel body of the vehicle and its method of working is as follows: The annular ring 802 along 25
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with the mounting plate 808 and the seal 810 provided in the slot 802(d) of the flange 802(a), is inserted into a predefined hole on a panel body of a vehicle such that the flange 802(a) rests against the panel body of the vehicle. The support ring 804 is pushed against the annular ring 802 from inside the panel body 1000 of the vehicle such that the two or more integrally formed projections 802(c) of the 5 annular ring 802 sits in the two or more slots 804(b) of the support ring 804 achieving a snap fit between each other and arresting the panel body 1000 in between the support ring 804 and the annular ring 802. The nut 806 is placed against the annular ring 802 from inside the panel body 1000 of the vehicle and locked to the annular ring 802 by rotating in clockwise/anticlockwise direction 10 depending upon the thread configuration. The outer housing 402 of the counter box 400 is inserted from outside the panel body 1000 of the vehicle such that the flange 402(a) rests against the mounting plate 808. The inner housing 404 of the counter box 400 is inserted from inside the panel body 1000 of the vehicle to encompass the outer housing 402 of the counter box 400 and to mate with the 15 mounting plate 808 at its flange 404(a). The outer housing 402 and the inner housing 404 are anchored at their flanges (402(a) and 404(a)) with the mounting plate 808 in between therein. The fuel receptacle 200 is coupled to the outer housing 402 of the counter box 400.
[0049] In an aspect, the annular ring 802 rests on a base 806(a1) of the slot 20 806(a) of the nut 806 in its locked condition.
[0050] The support ring 804 supports the annular ring 802 against the impact of a heavy weight fuel filling nozzle & its accessories. The nut 806 in locked position with the annular ring 802 comes in to contact the support ring 804 and applies a compressive force on the support ring 804 such that the panel body 1000 25 of the vehicle is held firmly in between the flanges (802(a) and 804(a)). The seal 810 provided in between the support ring 804 and the annular ring 802 prevents
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the insertion of dirt and any viscous or non-viscous fluid into the adaptor mechanism 800.
[0051] Referring to the figure 3, in the second embodiment, the plurality of threads 806(b) are directly provided on the inner circumference of the nut 806.
[0052] Referring to the figure 4, in the third embodiment, the mounting plate 5 808 is held in position in a slot 806(d) of the nut 806 and the counter box 400 is bolted to the mounting plate 808.
[0053] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should 10 be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such 15 recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such 20 introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, 25 even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two
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recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include 5 but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least 10 one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to 15 contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0054] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing 20 from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:
1) An adaptor mechanism (800) to facilitate mounting of a fuel filling socket in a vehicle, said adaptor mechanism (800) comprising:
a) an annular ring (802) having a flange (802(a)) inclined at a predetermined angle at one end to conform to contoured surfaces 5 of a panel body (1000) of a vehicle and a plurality of threads (802(b)) provided on its outer circumference at the other end, said annular ring (802) includes a plurality of integrally formed projections (802(c)) around its outer circumference and a mounting plate (808) over molded or integrally formed therein at its inner 10 circumference;
b) a support ring (804) having a flange (804(a)) complementary to said flange (802(a)) of said annular ring (802) and a plurality of slots (804(b)) around its outer circumference complementary to said plurality of integrally formed projections (802(c)) of said 15 annular ring (802), inserted from inside said panel body (1000) of said vehicle into said annular ring (802) and pushed against it such that said plurality of integrally formed projections (802(c)) of said annular ring (802) sits in said plurality of slots (804(b)) of said support ring (804) achieving a snap fit and holding said panel body 20 (1000) in between said flanges (802(a) and 804(a)) of said support ring (804) and said annular ring (802); and
c) a nut (806) provided with a plurality of threads (806(b)) on its inner circumference complementary to said plurality of threads (802(b)) of said annular ring (802), placed against said annular 25 ring (802) from inside said panel body (1000) of said vehicle and rotated clockwise/anticlockwise depending upon thread configuration to achieve locking between said nut (806) and said annular ring (802), said nut (806) in its locked condition comes in
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to contact with said support ring (804) and applies a compressive force on said support ring (804) to hold said panel body (1000) firmly in between said flanges (802(a) and 804(a)) of said annular ring (802) and said support ring (804).
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2) The adaptor mechanism (800) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a slot (802(d)) is provided at the bottom of said flange (802(a)) of said annular ring (802) to accommodate a seal (810) in between said panel body (1000) and said annular ring (802).
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3) The adaptor mechanism (800) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a slot (806(a)) is provided on inner circumference of said nut (806).
4) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said plurality of threads (806(b)) are provided on said slot (806(a)) of 15 said nut (806).
5) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein said annular ring (802) rests on a base (806(a1)) of said slot (806(a)) of said nut (806) in its locked condition. 20
6) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nut (806) is provided with a plurality of projections (806(c)) around its circumference for gripping purpose.
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7) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a counter box (400) of said fuel filling socket is anchored on said mounting plate (808) of said annular ring (802).
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8) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein said counter box (400) is mounted on said mounting plate (808) held in position in a slot (806(d)) of said nut (806).
9) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 5 plurality of integrally formed projections (802(c)) of said annular ring (802) are flexible.
10) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said support ring (804) is slightly more than the 10 diameter of said annular ring (802).
11) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting plate (808) is of ring shape.
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12) The adaptor mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular ring (802), said support ring (804) and said nut (806) are made of thermoplastic material.