FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
FUEL TANK MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chovvk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
INVENTORS
Garg Ashwani, Vishwakarma Shailesh M and Cholkar Pavan S. all Indian Nationals of TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Preamble to the Description
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a fuel tank mounting and protecting cage for use with vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various mounting constructions have been employed to support a fuel tank of the vehicle on a predetermined position on the vehicle chassis. Such mounting constructions have hitherto aimed to permit easy installation and easy serviceability of the fuel tank, however with limited success. The fuel tank mounting arrangements typically include a bracket mounted on the vehicle rail of chassis directly and a strap to hold the fuel tank. Generally, these mountings are secured to the support structure rearward of the vehicle body or chassis such as on right side long member or on the left side long member. These structures are generally fabricated or cast C-channel or bracket which is mounted on the chassis.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The objective of invention is to provide a fuel tank mounting arrangement for a vehicle
which is simple in construction, easy to assemble, rigid and is cost effective with
optimum space utilization,
The object of the present invention is to provide a modular design by adopting existing
type of brackets with unique space bracket of hat section mounted on front suspension
resulting in mounting of the fuel tank to the extreme front of vehicle and providing
adequate space for mounting of other applications on frame.
Another object of present invention is to provide unique protective cage which acts as
fender for front tyre assembly and protects the fuel tank assembly from stone, bushes
and mud etc.
Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel tank mounting arrangement having at least one bracket mounted on a vehicle rail and at least one strap to hold the tank. The fuel tank mounting arrangement of the present invention further includes a spacer bracket. The spacer bracket is introduced between the vehicle rail and the main fuel tank mounting bracket to enable the mounting of the fuel tank bracket on a suspension spring hanger mounting bracket and move the fuel tank to the extreme front of the vehicle for incorporating the other aggregates mounting on the vehicle rail. The invention also relates to the unique design of protective cage which acts as fender for front tyre assembly and protects the fuel tank assembly from stone, bushes and mud etc.
It also provides an opportunity to enhance the fuel tank capacity to improve the range with in optimum space which is an important aspect in commercial vehicle segment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an exploded side view of a fuel tank mounting arrangement, in accordance to
an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 02 is an assembled perspective view of the fuel tank mounting arrangement of Fig.
1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 03 is a perspective view of the fuel tank mounting bracket the fuel tank mounting
arrangement of Fig. 1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 04 is a perspective view of a first hat-section bracket of the fuel tank mounting
arrangement of Fig. 1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 05 is a perspective view of second hat-section bracket of the fuel tank mounting
arrangement of Fig. 1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 06 is a perspective view of a third hat-section bracket of the fuel tank mounting
arrangement of Fig. 1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 07 is a perspective view of rubber packing for the fuel tank mounting arrangement
of Fig. 1, in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 08 is perspective views of the fuel tank mounted by the fuel tank mounting
arrangement of Fig. 1,

Fig. 09 is perspective views of a fuel tank guard, employed with the fuel tank mounted by the fuel tank mounting arrangement, and
Fig. 10 is side views of the fuel tank guard, employed with the fuel tank mounted by the fuel tank mounting arrangement of Fig 09.
PET AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFEREED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings where in the showings is for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
As shown in Fig 1 through Fig 8, the present invention is related to a fuel tank mounting arrangement 100. As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the vehicle includes a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails (not numbered) extending from front to rear of the vehicle. The longitudinally extending frame rails are connected by cross members. A fuel tank 5 is mounted on one of the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails by the fuel tank mounting arrangement 100.
The fuel tank 5 may be a rectangular fuel tank for vehicles, such as trucks. As shown in Fig, 2, the fuel tank 5 may be a six hundred (600) liter (1) fuel tank of a configuration known in the art. The fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 is capable of mounting the fuel tank 5 on pair of longitudinally extending frame rails of vehicle (also referred to as "vehicle long members" or "vehicle rail"). It may herein be noted that the fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 of the present invention may also be capable of mounting any mountable component, structurally similar to the fuel tank 5, without deviating from the spirit of the invention.
The fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 includes a first set of first set of brackets (1, 2). In the present embodiment, the first set of first set of brackets may be hat-section brackets (1,2). As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, a spring hanger bracket 24 is provided for engaging the suspension spring with the chassis/frame of the vehicle.

One bracket of the first set of bracket, such as the hat section bracket 1, best shown in FIG. 4, is designed to engage with bolts of the spring hanger bracket 24 and also with the long member of the chassis. Typically, the spring hanger bracket 24 is mounted on the long member. Three bolts of the spring hanger bracket 24 also engage with the hat-section bracket 1. Other holes of the hat-section bracket 1 are also engaged with the long member through nuts and bolt, thereby connecting the hat-section bracket 1 with the long member.
Other of the first set of hat-section brackets, like the hat-section bracket 2, is directly mounted on the vehicle long member. In one embodiment of the first set of hat-section brackets (1, 2) may be removably bolted on the vehicle long member. The fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 further includes a second set of brackets 3. In one embodiment, the second set of brackets 3 may be hat-section brackets 3 (such as, the hat-section bracket 3 shown in Fig 6). The hat-section brackets 3 may be are mounted on the first set of hat-section brackets (1,2).
In accordance to the present embodiment of the invention, the first set of hat-section brackets (1,2) includes three such brackets, each mounted on the vehicle long member. However, in alternative embodiments, the first set of hat-section brackets (1,2) may be fewer or higher number of brackets, each mounted on the vehicle long member, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Such alternative embodiment will include an equivalent number of second set of hat-section brackets 3, without deviating from the sprit of the present invention.
Each of the first set of hat-section brackets include a support plate welded of a rear side thereof, or imparting strength thereto. Each of second set of hat-section brackets 3 may be provided with a rubber strap, such as the rubber straps 4, best shown in FIG. 7. The rubber strap 4 is affixed to an exposed face of each of the second set of brackets 3. To engage the fuel tank 5, the rubber strap 4 is wrapped therearound. Further, a metallic packing strip 7 is provided for mounting the fuel tank 5 on the set of brackets 3, thereby mounting the fuel tank 5 on the vehicle long member. A support 6 is provided with the metallic strip 7, when the metallic strip 7 is connected to the tank, Various connections between components of fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 being done by bolt joints 10, 11, 12, 13.

Advantageously, the fuel tank 5 is moved towards vehicle front (Along a longitudinal direction). Such advancement of the fuel tank 5 enables creation of space which, depending upon requirements, may be used for mounting elements such as, but not limited to, Tool box. Water tank, Jerry cane and the like. Further, the fuel tank 5 is moved towards vehicle (Along a transverse direction) it given more space for mounting of other application on the vehicle. The fuel tank 5, having a cap 14, is mounted on the bracket (3) through the rubber strap (4). To fix first hat-section bracket (1) with long member conventional bolts, such as 10, 11 may be used. Further, to fix the first hat section bracket (1) with the spring hanger bracket 24 special blots (8) & nuts (9) are used.
The construction of the mounting is simple yet aesthetically better for the vehicle to suit commonisation with suspension bracket and used limited space brackets designed to suit existing mounting position on long member.
Referring now to another embodiment of the present invention, the fuel tank mounting arrangement 100 further includes a tank guard 20 with a fender as shown in figure 9 and 10. The tank guard 20 is connected to a bottom face of the fuel tank 5 with screws, such that the tank guard 20 substantially encloses the fuel tank 5. The tank guard 20 saves the tank from stones and bushes from all sides. A portion of the fuel guard 20 also acts as a fender extension 22. Therefore the tank guard 20 has a fender integrated configuration. The fender extension saves it from the mud and stone coming from the tyre. This unique design suffices dual purpose. One is protection of fuel tank and another is fender for tyre.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

Reference numerals used in the drawings are the following:
100 Fuel tank mounting arrangement
1, 2 First set of brackets
3 Second set of brackets
4 Rubber straps
5 Fuel tank
6 Support
7 Metallic packing strip
8,9 Nuts
10,11,
12,13 Bolt joints
14 Tank cap
20 Tank guard
22 Fender extension
24 Spring hanger bracket

We claim:
1. A mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of a vehicle, the
mounting arrangement comprising:
a first set of brackets configured to be removably connected to the vehicle long member;
a bracket of the first set of brackets configured to engage with both the long member and a
suspension spring hanger bracket;
a second set of brackets being mounted on the first set of brackets; and
a metallic packing strip provided for mounting the fuel tank on the second set of brackets.
thereby mounting the fuel tank on the vehicle long member,
2. The mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rubber strap affixed to an exposed face of each of the second set of brackets.
3. The mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each bracket of the first set of brackets has a Hat-sectioned configuration.
4. The mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of the vehicle as claimed in claim I wherein each bracket of the second set of brackets has a Hat-sectioned configuration.
5. The mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a tank guard connected to a bottom face of the fuel tank such that the tank guard substantially encloses the fuel tank.
6. The mounting arrangement for mounting a fuel tank on a long member of the vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein a portion of a tank guard is configured to act as a fender.