TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to fuel tank assembly and,
more particularly, to an anti-theft device in the fuel tank assembly to prevent
stealing of fuel liquid from a fuel tank. The present anti-theft device is in
conical frustum shape with a plurality of rectangular cut outs to prohibit entry
of pipe in the fuel tank.
BACKGROUND
[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
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior
art.
[0003] Generally, fuel tanks are mounted on under body of the vehicle and
a fuel hose is provided to connect fuel nozzle receiver neck to fuel inlet pipe
which is provided over fuel tank. With the structure of the vehicle layout,
length of the fuel hose varies. The fuel hose is connected with the fuel inlet
pipe by a clamp fastener to secure connection of the fuel hose and the fuel inlet
pipe.
[0004] With the above fuel tank assembly, there are two ways to steal fuel
liquid from the fuel tank by inserting a pipe. In one way, the pipe can be
inserted through the fuel nozzle receiver neck and the pipe travels through the
fuel hose and reaches the fuel tank.
[0005] In other way , the clamp fastener is removed from the connection of
the fuel inlet pipe and the fuel hose and a pipe is inserted in the fuel tank from
the fuel inlet pipe to steal the fuel liquid.
[0006] To prevent stealing of fuel liquid from the fuel tank, an anti-theft
device is required which can be placed inside the fuel hose or fuel inlet pipe or
fuel nozzle receiver neck to prohibit entry of external pipe in the fuel tank to
prohibit entry of external pipe.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to provide the fuel
tank assembly with an anti-theft device to prohibit entry of external pipe into
the fuel tank.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft
device with conical frustum shape with a plurality of rectangular cut outs to
allow passage of fuel liquid to the fuel tank and prohibit entry of external pipe.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent
when reference is made to the following description and accompanying
drawings.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a fuel
tank assembly for preventing stealing of fuel liquid from fuel tank. 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 matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0012] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a fuel tank
25 assembly to prevent stealing of fuel liquid from a fuel tank. The fuel tank
assembly comprising a fuel inlet pipe integrated with the fuel tank and a fuel
hose connecting fuel nozzle receiver neck to the fuel inlet pipe to allow filling
3
of the fuel tank from the fuel nozzle receiver neck. To prohibit entry of
external pipe in the fuel tank, an anti-theft device is positioned in the fuel inlet
pipe. The anti-theft device defines a conical frustum shape. The conical
frustum shape defines a first end and a second end. Further, a plurality of
5 rectangular cut outs is provided on surface of the conical frustum shape to
allow passage of the fuel liquid from the fuel inlet pipe to the fuel tank.
[0013] In an aspect, the anti-theft device is hollow conical frustum shape
with second end is closed by a plate.
[0014] In an aspect, the first end defines a first radius (R1) and the second
10 end defines a second radius (R2), where the first radius (R1) is more than the
second radius (R2).
[0015] In an aspect, the first radius (R1) is equal to internal radius (R3) of
the fuel inlet pipe.
[0016] In an aspect, a plurality of lugs extending away from outer surface
15 of the second end at an equal radial distance.
[0017] 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 like numerals represent like components.
20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] 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 example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices,
25 systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed
herein, wherein:
4
[0019] Fig. 1 illustrates fuel tank assembly, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] Fig. 2a illustrates an anti-theft device to be implemented in the fuel
tank assembly of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
5 disclosure;
[0021] Fig. 2b and 2c illustrate perspective and side views of Fig. 2a;
[0022] Fig. 3a illustrate assembled view of the anti-theft device and fuel
inlet pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0023] Fig. 3b and 3c illustrate cross section view of the fig. 3a, in
10 accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] 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 the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures
and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the
15 principles of the disclosure described herein
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
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
20 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 falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the
appended claims.
25 [0026] 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,
5
aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific
examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example
5 embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the tennis “comprises,”
“comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the
presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or
10 components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups
thereof.
[0028] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the
like in the present description are used for the purpose of description only, and
15 to distinguish between similar elements and are not to be construed as
indicating or implying their relative sequential 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.
20 [0029] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
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.
25 [0030] 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
6
their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an
idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0031] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
5 noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to
devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein,
embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its
scope.
10 [0032] Fig. 1 illustrates a fuel tank assembly 100 for preventing stealing of
fuel liquid from a fuel tank. The fuel tank assembly 100 comprises a fuel inlet
pipe 102 connected with the fuel tank 101 to receive fuel liquid from the fuel
nozzle receiver neck. A fuel hose 103 connects the fuel inlet pipe 102 and the
fuel nozzle receiver neck. The fuel nozzle receiver neck accommodates
15 standard nozzle of a refuelling pump. The fuel liquid flows the fuel hose 103
paths and enters the fuel tank 101 via the fuel inlet pipe 102. The fuel hose 103
is connected to the fuel inlet pipe 102 by means of a clamp fastener.
[0033] Referring to fig. 2a-2c, an antitheft device 200 is positioned in the
fuel inlet pipe 102 in an embodiment. Preferably, the antitheft device 200 is
20 positioned after the fuel nozzle receiver neck. The anti-theft device 200 is in
hollow conical frustum shape with a first end 201 and a second end 202. The
second end 202 is closed by a plate. The anti-theft device 200 comprises a
plurality of rectangular cutouts 203 provided on surface of the conical frustum
shape to allow passage of the fuel liquid from the fuel inlet pipe 102 to the fuel
25 tank 101. The plurality of rectangular cutouts 203 prohibit entry of any
external pipe into the fuel tank 101.
[0034] The first end 201 defines a first radius ‘R1’ and the second end 202
defines a second radius ‘R2’, where the first radius ‘R1’ is more than the
7
second radius ‘R2’. The first radius ‘R1’ is equal to or less than internal radius
‘R3’ (not shown in figures) of the fuel inlet pipe ‘102’.
[0035] Further, the first radius “R1’ is less than radius of the nozzle of the
refuelling pump so that the fuel nozzle rests on the first end 201 of the hollow
5 conical frustum shape antitheft device. The fuel from the fuel nozzle passes to
the fuel inlet pipe 102 through the hollow conical frustum shape antitheft
device without any refluxes. Further, length of the hollow conical frustum
shape antitheft device is maintained to avoid any refluxes from the second end.
[0036] In another embodiment, the anti-theft device 200 may be positioned
10 at the fuel receiver nozzle neck where the first radius ‘R1’ is equal to or more
than radius of nozzle of refuelling pump. The nozzle of refuelling pump rest on
the first end 201 of the anti-theft device 200 and allow passage of fuel liquid
from the nozzle to the fuel hose 103 and to the fuel tank 101. The anti-theft
device 200 has a plurality of rectangular cutouts 203 on the surface.
15 [0037] The anti-theft device 200 has a plurality of lugs 204 extending away
from outer surface of the second end (202) at an equal radial distance.
[0038] In another embodiment, the plurality of lugs 204 is provided inline
with the column of the plurality of rectangular cutouts 203 to restrict any
possibility of insertion of small diameter pipe which passes through the
20 plurality of rectangular cutouts 203. The plurality of lugs 204 also provide
another barrier for restricting insertion of the external pipe.
[0039] With the hollow conical frustum shape, the antitheft device 200
allows passage of fuel coming from the fuel inlet pipe 102 to the fuel tank 101.
The conical frustum shape maintains fuel pressure and ensures that there is no
25 fuel accumulation at the second end.
[0040] In an embodiment, the anti-theft device 200 may be provided
integrated with the fuel inlet pipe 102. In the integrated embodiment, both the
fuel inlet pipe 102 and the anti-theft device is made of plastic material or
8
similar material of which integration is possible. The present anti-theft device
200 may be made by injection molding or any know process to a person skilled
in the art.
[0041] In another embodiment, the anti-theft device 200 may be provided
5 as aftermarket fit in the fuel tank assembly. The present anti-theft device 200 is
made of metal material. The anti-theft device 200 may be connected with the
fuel inlet pipe by means of snap fit, thread mechanism, spot welding.
[0042] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and
in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or
10 more human occupants or goods and is powered by any form of energy. The
term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars,
trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0043] The above description does not provide specific details of the
manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are
15 familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set
out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials
should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and
design details.
[0044] It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms
20 are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely
convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that
throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms, such as “measuring,” or
“transmitting,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of an electronic
25 control unit, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the
control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such
information storage, transmission or display devices.
9
[0045] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the
disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other
features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other
5 systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated
alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may
subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0046] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended,
10 encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents,
and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein,
including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for
example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0047] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other
15 features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many
other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein
may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended
to be encompassed by the following claims.

We claim:
1. A fuel tank assembly (100) to prevent stealing of fuel liquid from a fuel
tank (101), the fuel tank assembly (100) comprising:
a fuel inlet pipe (102) integrated with the fuel tank (101);
a fuel hose (103) connecting fuel nozzle receiver neck to the fuel
inlet pipe (102) to allow filling of the fuel tank (101) from the fuel nozzle
receiver neck;
characterized in that
an anti-theft device (200) positioned in the fuel inlet pipe (101), the
anti-theft device (200) defining a hollow conical frustum shape with a
first end (201) and a second end (202),
a plurality of rectangular cutouts (203) provided on surface of the
conical frustum shape to allow passage of the fuel liquid from the fuel
inlet pipe (102) to the fuel tank (101).
2. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end
(201) defines a first radius (R1) and the second end (202) defines a
second radius (R2), where the first radius (R1) is more than the second
radius (R2).
3. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first
20 radius (R1) is equal to internal radius (R3) of the fuel inlet pipe (102).
4. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality
of lugs (204) extending away from outer surface of the second end (202)
at an equal radial distance.
5. The fuel tank assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
end (202) is closed.
6. An anti-theft device (200) to prevent stealing of fuel liquid from a fuel
tank (101), the anti-theft device (200) comprising:
a hollow conical frustum shape structure with a first end (201)
and a second end (202); and
a plurality of rectangular cutouts (203) provided on surface of
the conical frustum shape structure to allow passage of the fuel liquid
from to the fuel tank (101).
7. The anti-theft device (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first end
(201) defines a first radius (R1) and the second end (202) defines a
second radius (R2), where the first radius (R1) is more than the second
radius (R2).
8. The anti-theft device (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of
lugs (204) extending away from outer surface of the second end (202) at
an equal radial distance.
9. The anti-theft device (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the anti-theft
device (200) provided at fuel nozzle receiver neck, where diameter of the
first end (201) matches with diameter of fuel nozzle.
10. The anti-theft device (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the anti-theft
device (200) provided at fuel inlet pipe (102) integrated with the fuel
tank (101).