Description: FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
AN ANTI-THEFT DRAIN PLUG ASSEMBLY FOR AN OIL STORAGE TANK

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a drain plug system for an oil storage tank. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a drain plug system to prevent theft of oil from a drain hole of an oil storage tank, especially fuel tank of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In vehicles, a storage tank as shown in Figure 1, such as fuel tank (101) is provided with a drainage port (103) at or near bottom of the tank to enable drainage of the tank in certain situations like while cleaning etc. In normal condition, the drainage port (103) is sealed with the help of a drain plug (102) to prevent any leakage of the fuel. The drain plugs used for the fuel tank are having standard hex fastener head and can be easily removed by standard tools available in market. This makes it easier for thieves to steal the fuel through drainage port by removing the drain plug. Therefore, there a need of an improved drain plug device to prevent fuel pilferage from the fuel tanks.
[0003] The present disclosure is directed to overcome abovementioned problem of fuel theft through the drainage port of the tank.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of this invention is to provide a drain plug assembly to prevent theft of oil/fuel from a drainage port of a storage tank.
[0005] Another object of this invention is to provide an anti-theft drain plug that is not compatible with standard tools used for opening the drain plug.
[0006] A further object of this invention is to provide a specially designed tool for opening an anti-theft drain plug.
[0007] A further object of this invention is to provide a simple, easy to manufacture and cost-effective anti-theft drain plug assembly for vehicle oil/fuel tanks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Before the present system are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiment that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular version or embodiment only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to an anti-theft drain plug assembly for an oil storage tank and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0009] The present subject matter discloses an anti-theft drain plug assembly. The assembly comprises an anti-theft drain plug and an anti-theft drain plug tool. The anti-theft drain plug comprises a tapered head, a neck section and a threaded shank. A female part is formed in the tapered head of the drain plug by forming al least one groove eccentric to the axis of the drain plug. The anti-theft drain plug tool comprises a head, a circular collar. A corresponding male part is provided in the anti-theft drain plug tool by forming al least one circular step eccentric to axis of the drain plug tool. When the drain plug tool is engaged with the drain plug, the male part perfectly fits in the female part and in turn forms the assembly. Therefore, the anti-theft drain plug as per this invention cannot be rotated by standard tools available in market due to its tapered head. The anti-theft drain plug can only be opened by standard tools when the drain plug tool is engaged to the drain plug. This prohibits unauthorized opening of the drain plug to prevent fuel pilferage from fuel tank.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present subject matter discloses an anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) for an oil storage tank comprising an anti-theft drain plug (200) and an anti-theft drain plug tool (300). The anti-theft drain plug (200) configured with a tapered head (202) at one end with engraved profile and a threaded shank (201) at another end, wherein the threaded shank (201) is configured to be mounted in a drainage port (103) of the storage tank (101). The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) configured with a profile to be mounted in the corresponding engraved profile of the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) to form the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The engraved profile of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a female part formed by plurality of circular grooves (205, 206), wherein at least one circular groove (206) is eccentric to the axis of the assembly (400) and at least one circular groove (205) is concentric to the axis of the assembly (400). The anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a neck section (207) formed between the tapered head (202) and the threaded shank (201). The tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to have a tapered conical section (204) and a cylindrical collar (203) provided at a large diameter end of the tapered conical section (204). A first circular groove (205) concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to be provided at the top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) and a second circular groove (206) eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is constituted from the end of the first circular groove (205). The first circular groove (205) and the second circular groove (206) are configured to be connected to each other at a point on their circumference.
[0011] The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is configured with a male part profile formed by a first circular step (303), a second circular step (304) and a profiled head (301) with a circular collar (302), wherein at least one circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The profiled head (301) is configured with a circular, polygonal or alike profiles. The first circular step (303) is configured to extend from the circular collar (302) to a predetermined height in axial direction and the second circular step (304) is configured to extend from the end of the first circular step (303) to a predetermined height in axial direction of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The first circular step (303) is configured to be concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) and the second circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300). The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) provided with the circular collar (302) is configured to rest on the anti-theft drain plug (200) on a top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) on assembly.
[0012] The present invention further discloses a method of an anti-theft drain plug assembly comprising steps of aligning the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) coaxially with the anti-theft drain plug (200) and rotating the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with respect to the anti-theft drain plug (200) to align the axis of a second circular step (304) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with that of a second circular groove (206) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) for assembling the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) on the anti-theft drain plug (200) to rest a circular collar (302) on a top surface (208) of a tapered head (202).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example constructions of the disclosure are shown in the present document, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawing.
[0014] The present subject matter is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a drain plug for a fuel storage tank (Prior Art);
[0016] Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of anti-theft drain plug in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 2B illustrates a sectional view of anti-theft drain plug in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 2C illustrates a top view of anti-theft drain plug in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of anti-theft drain plug tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3B illustrates a sectional view of anti-theft drain plug tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 3C illustrates a top view of anti-theft drain plug tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 3D illustrates a bottom view of anti-theft drain plug tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4A illustrates an isometric exploded view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 4B illustrates a front exploded view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 4C illustrates a sectional exploded view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 5A illustrates an isometric view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 5B illustrates a front view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] Figure 5C illustrates a sectional view of anti-theft drain plug assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0029] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any system and method similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0030] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described but is to be accorded the widest scope consist in this regard, in a generic sense.

[0031] Figures 1-5 are now described using the reference numbers stated in the below table.
Reference Numeral Description
101 Fuel tank
102 Drain plug (conventional)
103 Drainage port
200 Anti-theft drain plug
201 A threaded shank
202 Tapered head
203 Cylindrical collar
204 Tapered conical section
205 First circular groove
206 Second circular groove
207 Neck
208 Top surface of the tapered head
300 Anti-theft drain plug tool
301 Head
302 Circular collar
303 First circular step
304 Second circular step
400 An anti-theft drain plug assembly

[0032] Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrating an isometric view, a sectional view and a top view of an anti-theft drain plug (200), is now described. The anti-theft drain plug (200) comprises of a tapered head (202) at one end and a threaded shank (201) at another end to be engaged with internal threads of a drainage port (103) of a fuel storage tank (101) to seal or open the drainage port (103). The tapered head (202) is having a tapered conical section (204) wherein the small diameter end of the tapered conical section (204) is at the top and large diameter end of tapered conical section (204) is towards the bottom. The tapered head (202) is further provided with a cylindrical collar (203) provided at the large diameter end of the tapered conical section (204). Further, the tapered head (202) is provided with internal circular grooves. A first circular groove (205) is concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) and extends from the small diameter end of the tapered conical section (204) to a predetermined depth. A second circular groove (206) having diameter smaller than the diameter of the first circular groove (205), is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200), wherein the second circular groove (206) extends from the end of the first circular groove (205) to a predetermined depth. As per one embodiment, the first circular groove (205) and the second circular groove (206) are connected to each other at a point on their circumference. The diameter of the cylindrical collar (203) is greater than that of the threaded shank (201). A neck section (207) is formed between the tapered head (202) and the threaded shank (201), such that the diameter of the threaded shank (201) is less than that of the cylindrical collar (203). Therefore, when the anti-theft drain plug (200) is tightened to the drainage port (103), the cylindrical collar (203) rests on the surface around the drainage port (103) for sealing. Due to the tapered conical section (204), standard tools fail to find a grip on the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200). Therefore, the anti-theft drain plug (200) cannot be removed by using the standard tools available in the market and the fuel pilferage is prevented.
[0033] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrating an isometric view, a sectional view, a top view and a bottom view of an anti-theft drain plug tool (300), is now described. The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) comprises of a first circular step (303), a second circular step (304) and a head (301) with a circular collar (302). A first circular step (303) extends from the circular collar (302) in axially outward direction to a predetermined length, in such a way that the first circular step (303) is concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300). A second circular step (304) extends from the end of the first circular step (303) in axially outward direction, in such a way that the second circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) by a predetermined distance. The head (301) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) can be of circular or polygonal profile which are compatible with the standard tools available in the market for engagement. In an alternative embodiment, an allen key grooves are provided in the head for engaging an allen key of standard size.
[0034] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C illustrating an isometric exploded view, a front exploded view and a sectional exploded of an anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) comprising the anti-theft drain plug (200) and the anti-theft drain plug tool (300), is now described. The steps of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) and the grooves of the anti-theft drain plug (200) forms a corresponding male and female parts. When the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is mounted in the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200), it exactly fits in the circular grooves provided on the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200), such that the second circular step (304) forms a clearance fit with the second circular groove (206) and the first circular step (303) forms a clearance fit with the first circular groove (205). When the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is completely engaged with the anti-theft drain plug (200), the circular collar (302) rests on a top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) to form an assembly as shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
[0035] A method of assembly of an anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with the anti-theft drain plug (200), is now escribed with reference to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C. In order to engage the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with the anti-theft drain plug (200), the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is first aligned coaxially with the anti-theft drain plug (200). Then the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is rotated with respect to the anti-theft drain plug till the axis of the second circular step (304) coincides with that of the second circular groove (206) of the anti-theft drain plug (200). Then the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is moved axially towards the anti-theft drain plug (200) for engagement till the circular collar (302) rests on the top surface (207) of the tapered head (202). In engaged state, the second circular step (304) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is locked in the second circular groove (206) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) and the first circular step (303) is received in the first circular groove of the anti-theft drain plug (200). The head (301) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) can be engaged and rotated by a standard tool. Due to the offset of the second circular step (304) that is now locked in the second circular groove (206), the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) acts as a single unit and rotational motion of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is transferred to the anti-theft drain plug (200) for removing and tightening the anti-theft drain plug (200) from/in the drainage port (103) of the fuel storage tank (101). Therefore, the anti-theft drain plug (200) cannot be removed directly by the standard tool, however the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) needs to be engaged with the anti-theft drain plug (200) first in order to use the standard tool. As the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) will not be available in the market, only authorized persons having the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) will be able to remove the anti-theft drain plug (200). This will prevent fuel pilferage from the fuel tanks of the vehicles.
[0036] Accordingly, present invention discloses an anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) for an oil storage tank comprising an anti-theft drain plug (200) and an anti-theft drain plug tool (300). The anti-theft drain plug (200) configured with a tapered head (202) at one end with engraved profile and a threaded shank (201) at another end, wherein the threaded shank (201) is configured to be mounted in a drainage port (103) of the storage tank (101). The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) configured with a profile to be mounted in the corresponding engraved profile of the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) to form the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The engraved profile of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a female part formed by plurality of circular grooves (205, 206), wherein at least one circular groove (206) is eccentric to the axis of the assembly (400) and at least one circular groove (205) is concentric to the axis of the assembly (400). The anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a neck section (207) formed between the tapered head (202) and the threaded shank (201). The tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to have a tapered conical section (204) and a cylindrical collar (203) provided at a large diameter end of the tapered conical section (204). A first circular groove (205) concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to be provided at the top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) and a second circular groove (206) eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is constituted from the end of the first circular groove (205). The first circular groove (205) and the second circular groove (206) are configured to be connected to each other at a point on their circumference.
[0037] The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is configured with a male part profile formed by a first circular step (303), a second circular step (304) and a profiled head (301) with a circular collar (302), wherein at least one circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The profiled head (301) is configured with a circular, polygonal or alike profiles. The first circular step (303) is configured to extend from the circular collar (302) to a predetermined height in axial direction and the second circular step (304) is configured to extend from the end of the first circular step (303) to a predetermined height in axial direction of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400). The first circular step (303) is configured to be concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) and the second circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300). The anti-theft drain plug tool (300) provided with the circular collar (302) is configured to rest on the anti-theft drain plug (200) on a top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) on assembly.
[0038] A method of an anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) comprises steps of aligning the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) coaxially with the anti-theft drain plug (200) and rotating the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with respect to the anti-theft drain plug (200) to align the axis of a second circular step (304) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with that of a second circular groove (206) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) for assembling the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) on the anti-theft drain plug (200) to rest a circular collar (302) on a top surface (208) of a tapered head (202).
[0039] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following:
[0040] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a drain plug assembly to prevent theft of oil/fuel from a drainage port of a storage tank.
[0041] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide an anti-theft drain plug that is not compatible with standard tools used for opening the drain plug.
[0042] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a specially designed tool for opening an anti-theft drain plug.
[0043] Some embodiments of the present subject matter provide a simple, easy to manufacture and cost-effective anti-theft drain plug assembly for vehicle oil/fuel tanks.
[0044] Although implementations for an anti-theft drain plug assembly have been described in language specific to structural features and/or system, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations.
, Claims:
1. An anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) for an oil storage tank (101) comprising:
an anti-theft drain plug (200) configured with a tapered head (202) at one end with engraved profile and a threaded shank (201) at another end, wherein the threaded shank (201) is configured to be mounted in a drainage port (103) of the storage tank (101); and
an anti-theft drain plug tool (300) configured with a profile to be mounted in the corresponding engraved profile of the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) to form the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400).

2. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engraved profile of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a female part formed by plurality of circular grooves (205, 206), wherein at least one circular groove (206) is eccentric to the axis of the assembly (400) and at least one circular groove (205) is concentric to the axis of the assembly (400).

3. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured with a neck section (207) formed between the tapered head (202) and the threaded shank (201).

4. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tapered head (202) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to have a tapered conical section (204) and a cylindrical collar (203) provided at a large diameter end of the tapered conical section (204).

5. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first circular groove (205) concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is configured to be provided at the top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) and the second circular groove (206) eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug (200) is constituted from the end of the first circular groove (205).

6. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first circular groove (205) and the second circular groove (206) are configured to be connected to each other at a point on their circumference.

7. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) is configured with a male part profile formed by a first circular step (303), a second circular step (304) and a profiled head (301) with a circular collar (302), wherein at least one circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400).

8. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the profiled head (301) is configured with a circular, polygonal or alike profiles.

9. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first circular step (303) is configured to extend from the circular collar (302) to a predetermined height in axial direction and the second circular step (304) is configured to extend from the end of the first circular step (303) to a predetermined height in axial direction of the anti-theft drain plug assembly (400).

10. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first circular step (303) is configured to be concentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) and the second circular step (304) is eccentric to the axis of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300).

11. The anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) as claimed in claim7, wherein the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) provided with the circular collar (302) is configured to rest on the anti-theft drain plug (200) on a top surface (208) of the tapered head (202) on assembly.

12. A method of an anti-theft drain plug assembly (400) comprising steps of:
aligning the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) coaxially with the anti-theft drain plug (200); and
rotating the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with respect to the anti-theft drain plug (200) to align the axis of a second circular step (304) of the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) with that of a second circular groove (206) of the anti-theft drain plug (200) for assembling the anti-theft drain plug tool (300) on the anti-theft drain plug (200) to rest a circular collar (302) on a top surface (208) of a tapered head (202).