This invention relates to a remote controlled system for opening and closing the lid of the fuel tank of a motor vehicle.
This invention is applicable to motor vehicles, particularly, though not exclusively, to two wheeler motor vehicles, such as motor cycles, scooters and three wheelers. In two wheelers fuel tanks are mounted at locations which facilitate convenient refueling for the user,
Normally, fuel tanks are located between the handle bar area and the seat in motor cycles or under the seat in step-through kind of motor cycles.
In scooters and three wheelers, fuel tanks are provided below the seat or some times behind the front panel below the handle bar.
These fuel tanks have an opening at the top for refueling which is closed with a lockable lid. The lock is usually operable by a common key which operates other locks of the vehicle as well.
In the known system the vehicle is taken to the fuel pump station for refueling. The vehicle is switched OFF. Using the ignition key the fuel lid is opened. Refueling is done. The fuel tank lid is shut and locked. The lock is usually exposed to the environment and chances of reduced reliability are high. For refueling, the key has to be disengaged from the ignition lock and

the fuel lid tank is unlocked by the key. After refueling, the fuel tank lid has to be locked and the key returned to the ignition key-slot. Such operations are tedious.
In the known system, it is possible to refuel, without switching off the engine and removing the ignition key, by providing an additional key for unlocking and locking the fuel tank lid, but as is evident, this procedure is not desirable as it involves carrying two keys.
This invention proposes a remote controlled system whereby refueling is possible, using the same ignition key for the purpose of opening and closing the fuel tank lid, without removing the key from the ignition unit. This invention also does not have a lock in the fuel tank lid to be operated by a key.
Various other features of this invention will be apparent from the following further description.
The remote controlled system, according to this invention, for opening and closing the lid of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle comprises a key-and-slot ignition switch unit; a cable whose one end is attached to the unit; a movable arm loaded by a first spring, one end of the arm being fixed to the other end of the cable, the other free end of the arm being tapered; a catch fixed to the lid of the fuel tank, the lid being loaded by a second spring, the

tapered end of the arm being normally engaged with the said catch to keep the lid closed, but disengageable from the said catch, on the key being turned in the slot to a predetermined position, to pull the cable, and thus the arm, to disengage the arm from the catch, and thereby open the lid under the influence of the second spring.
The "predetermined position" of the key is the position to the left of the OFF position of the key.
This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings die single Figure in which illustrates, by way of example and not by way of limitation, one of various possible embodiments of the remote controlled system proposed herein.
The embodiment will be seen to comprise a key-and-slot ignition switch unit K. The key slot is indicated by G.
One end Jl of a cable H is attached to the said switch unit. A movable arm A is loaded by a first spring S1. One end B1 of the arm is fixed to the other end J2 of the cable H, the other free end B2 of the arm is tapered at T.
A catch C is fixed to the lid L of the fuel tank, the lid being loaded by a second spring S2. The tapered end T of the arm is normally engaged with the said catch C to keep the lid closed, but disengageable from the said catch, on the key being turned in the slot to a predetermined position. The turning

of the key pulls the cable in the direction of the arrow R to pull the cable H, and thus the arm A, to disengage the arm A from the catch C and thereby open the lid L. On such disengagement, the lid opens under the influence of the spring S2 to permit refueling.
As already stated the "preferred position" of the key is the position to the left of the OFF position of the key, because a position to the right side of the OFF position is normally the position where the ignition is switched on.
After refueling is over, the lid is pressed down, causing the catch C to press down against the taper T of the arm which has reverted to its normal position under the influence of the spring SI. This results in the arm A being pushed in the direction of the arrow R to allow the catch to pass the tapered end T, during the downward movement of the catch, and finally engage itself with the said tapered end to close and lock the lid.
The terms and expressions herein are of description and not of limitation, since this invention is not confined to the embodiment herein described and illustrated, but various other embodiments thereof are possible without departing from the cope and ambit thereof.

We Claim:
1. A remote controlled system for opening and closing the lid of a fuel
tank of a motor vehicle comprising a key-and-slot ignition switch
unit; a cable whose one end is attached to the said switch unit; a
movable arm loaded by a first spring, one end of the arm being fixed
to the other end of the cable, the other free end of the arm being
tapered; a catch fixed to the lid of the fuel tank, the lid being loaded
by a second spring, the tapered end of the arm being normally
engaged with the said catch to keep the lid closed, but disengageable
from the said catch, on the key being turned in the slot tc a
predetermined position, to pull the cable, and thus the arm, to
disengage the arm from the catch, and thereby open the lid under the
influence of the second spring.
2. A remote controlled system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the predetermined position of the key is the position to the left of the OFF position of the key.
3. A remote controlled system for opening and closing the lid of the fuel tank of a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.