Opening / closing tool for oil filler cap

Abstract

To provide an opening / closing tool for an oil filler cap which enables a worker to loosen a lid member closing an oil filler easily.SOLUTION: An opening / closing tool 2 for an oil filler cap includes: a shaft 10; a head 20 attached to a tip of the shaft 10; a cutout 30 provided at a tip of the head 20; and a handle 40 provided at a base end of the shaft 10. The shaft 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The head 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A base end 20B of the head 20 is coaxially connected to a top 10T of the shaft 10. The cutout 30 includes lateral cutouts 31 and vertical cutouts 33. The handle 40 extends to the radial outer side of the shaft 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This relates to an opening and closing device for a fuel filler cap. [Background technology]

[0002] A fuel tank installed in an automobile is connected to a fuel filler pipe, and fuel such as gasoline is poured into the fuel tank through a circular filler opening formed at one end of the fuel filler pipe. The filler opening is covered with a lid member when not being used for refueling. The lid member has a threaded portion with a male thread, and by threading the threaded portion into a female thread on the inner circumference of the fuel filler pipe and tightening it, the filler opening is closed by the lid member and the inside of the fuel tank is sealed.

[0003] The opening and closing of the fuel filler cap, in other words, the operation of attaching or detaching the lid member to the fuel filler pipe, is performed manually by the driver or a gas station employee (hereinafter referred to as the "worker"). To facilitate this operation, a linearly extending convex knob is provided on one surface of the lid member. The worker holds the knob with multiple fingers and operates it in a predetermined direction to loosen the lid member, thereby loosening and removing it from the fuel tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-46049 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since the interior of the fuel tank must be reliably sealed except when refueling, workers tend to tighten the lid member tightly onto the fuel filler pipe. As a result, when opening the fuel filler cap to refuel, the lid member may be too tightly fastened, making it difficult to loosen. This situation is particularly prevalent when the worker is someone with weak muscles, such as a woman or elderly person. However, in the prior art, the worker has no other option than to grasp the knob and forcibly operate the lid member in the direction of loosening, and a tool that allows for easy loosening of the lid member has been desired.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opening / closing device for a fuel filler cap that facilitates the opening and closing operation of a lid member attached to a fuel filler cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The fuel filler cap opener of the present invention comprises a shaft, a head provided at the tip of the shaft, a notch provided in the head, and a handle provided at the base end of the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a cylindrical shaft body having a hole passing through from the base end to the tip end, the handle extends radially outward from the circumferential surface of the cylindrical shaft body, the head comprises a cylindrical head body, and the notch is arranged on both sides of the central axis of the cylindrical head body.

[0008] It is preferable that the notch comprises a first notch and a second notch, the center line of the head cylindrical body is located between the first notch and the second notch, and when viewed from the base end of the shaft, the positions of the first notch and the second notch overlap with the handle.

[0009] The handle preferably traverses the hole, and the handle preferably includes a bolt that traverses the hole and a nut that threads onto the bolt.

[0010] It is preferable that the notch comprises a first notch and a second notch, the center line of the head cylindrical body is located between the first notch and the second notch, and when viewed from the base end of the shaft, the handle intersects the direction connecting the first notch and the second notch at an angle of 45° or more and 90° or less.

[0011] It is preferable that the cylindrical shaft body is formed in a cylindrical shape, the cylindrical head body is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical shaft body is detachably attached to the cylindrical head body by an interference fit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an opening / closing device for a fuel filler cap that facilitates the opening and closing operation of a lid member attached to a fuel filler cap. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an outline of the opening / closing device for the fuel filler cap. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing an overview of the fuel filler cap opening / closing device. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III' showing an overview of an opening / closing device for a fuel filler cap. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing an overview of the opening and closing device for a fuel filler cap. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an outline of the fuel filler cap opening / closing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an overview of the fuel filler cap opening / closing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fuel filler cap opening / closing device 2 comprises a shaft 10, a head 20 attached to the tip of the shaft 10, a notch 30 provided at the tip of the head 20, and a handle 40 provided at the base end of the shaft 10.

[0015] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an arbitrary direction on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the X direction, a direction on the horizontal plane perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the Y direction, and a direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions will be referred to as the Z direction.

[0016] The shaft 10 is formed into a cylindrical body and extends in the Z direction. The shaft 10 is preferably formed into a cylindrical shape. A hollow portion extending from the base end portion 10B of the shaft 10 toward the tip end portion 10T is called a shaft through-hole 10X.

[0017] 1 and 4, handle mounting holes 10HX for mounting a handle 40 are formed in the base end portion 10B of the shaft 10. The handle mounting holes 10HX are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft 10. As shown in the drawings, it is preferable that two handle mounting holes 10HX are formed and arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0018] The outer diameter of the shaft 10 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm. The length of the shaft 10 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 200 mm to 250 mm.

[0019] The material of the shaft 10 may be metal or synthetic resin, but available synthetic resins include thermoplastic resins, such as vinyl chloride.

[0020] The handle 40 extends radially outward from the shaft 10 and includes a bolt 41 inserted into the handle mounting hole 10HX and a threaded cap 42 attached to the bolt 41.

[0021] The threaded cap 42 is formed with a bolt insertion hole 42X into which the bolt 41 can be inserted. The bolt insertion hole 42X is provided with a female thread into which the bolt 41 can be screwed.

[0022] 3 and 5, when the bolt 41 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 42X, both ends of the bolt 41 extend radially outward from the shaft 10, and the middle part of the bolt 41 crosses the shaft through-hole 10X and is exposed from the opening on the base end 10B side and the opening on the tip end 10T side of the shaft 10. Both ends of the bolt 41 are formed with male threads that can be threaded into the female threads of the threaded cap 42. The threaded cap 42 is detachable from both ends of the bolt 41.

[0023] The outer diameter of the threaded cap 42 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm. The length of the threaded cap 42 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm.

[0024] It is preferable that the bolt 41 is a fully threaded bolt, that is, that the bolt 41 has a male thread formed over the entire length.

[0025] The handle attachment hole 10HX may be provided with a female thread that can be screwed onto the bolt 41.

[0026] The material of the bolt 41 may be metal or synthetic resin, but it is desirable that it has the strength necessary for transmitting force. For example, metal is preferable. The material of the threaded cap 42 may be metal or synthetic resin, but it is preferable that it is synthetic resin, such as rubber, such as thermosetting resin, to increase the gripping force.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the head 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in the Z direction. The head 20 is preferably formed in a cylindrical shape. The base end 20B of the head 20 is coaxially connected to the tip end 10T of the shaft 10. As shown in the drawings, the inner diameter of the base end 20B of the head 20 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tip end 10T of the shaft 10. Therefore, when the tip end 10T of the shaft 10 is inserted into the opening on the base end 20B side of the head 20, the base end 20B of the head 20 is connected to the tip end 10T of the shaft 10 by an interference fit (FIGS. 3 and 4). At this time, it is preferable that the base end 20B of the head 20 rotates with sliding relative to the tip end 10T of the shaft 10 when a rotational torque equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied.

[0028] It is also preferable that the head 20 comprises a small diameter cylindrical portion 21 located at the base end 20B, a large diameter cylindrical portion 22 located at the tip end 20T, and a tapered cylindrical portion 23 connecting the small diameter cylindrical portion 21 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 22.

[0029] The inner and outer diameters of the small diameter cylindrical portion 21 are larger than the inner and outer diameters of the large diameter cylindrical portion 22. The inner and outer diameters of the tapered cylindrical portion 23 increase from the small diameter cylindrical portion 21 toward the large diameter cylindrical portion 22.

[0030] The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the head 20 may gradually increase from the base end 20B to the tip end 20T.

[0031] The outer diameter of the head 20 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 40 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The length of the head 20 is not particularly limited as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention, but is preferably, for example, 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0032] The material of the head 20 may be metal or synthetic resin, but it is preferable that it does not damage or destroy the target lid member CP. For example, available synthetic resins include thermoplastic resins, such as polyvinyl chloride.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the notch 30 includes a horizontal notch 31 and a vertical notch 33.

[0034] The horizontal notches 31 are provided at a pitch of 180° in the circumferential direction of the head 20. Similarly, the vertical notches 33 are provided at a pitch of 180° in the circumferential direction of the head 20. Therefore, one horizontal notch 31 faces the other horizontal notch 31 across the center line AX of the head 20. Similarly, one vertical notch 33 faces the other vertical notch 33 across the center line of the head 20.

[0035] When viewed from the base end 10B side of the shaft 10, it is preferable that the two handle attachment holes 10HX are located on a line segment connecting the position of one horizontal notch 31 and the position of the other horizontal notch 31. As a result, when viewed from the base end 10B side of the shaft 10, the position of one horizontal notch 31 and the position of the other horizontal notch 31 overlap with the orientation of the handle 40.

[0036] Furthermore, when viewed from the base end 10B side of the shaft 10, it is preferable that a line segment 33A (Y direction in FIG. 5) connecting the position of one vertical notch 33 and the position of the other vertical notch 33 intersects with the extension direction of the handle 40. The intersection angle φ between the extension direction 30A of the handle 40 and the line segment 33A is preferably 45° or more and 90° or less, more preferably 60° or more and 90° or less, and even more preferably 80° or more and 90° or less.

[0037] Next, a method of using the fuel filler cap opening / closing device 2 will be described.

[0038] When filling a fuel tank of an automobile, the fuel tank door DR is opened to expose the lid member CP. Next, the tip portion 20T of the head 20 is brought into contact with the lid member CP. Then, with one of the horizontal notch 31 and the vertical notch 33 engaged with the convex knob portion CT, the shaft 10 is rotated using the handle 40, causing the knob portion CT engaged with the head 20 to rotate. This allows the lid member CP to be removed from the fuel filler opening.

[0039] Because the shaft 10 and the head 20 are both formed in a cylindrical shape and are coaxially connected, the convex knob portion CT to be engaged with the notch 30 can be aligned while looking through the shaft through-hole 10X. Therefore, even if the view of the cover member CP cannot be secured, such as when there is an obstacle around the cover member CP, the notch 30 can be reliably engaged with the convex knob portion CT by looking through the shaft through-hole 10X.

[0040] In addition, the middle part of the bolt 41 crosses the shaft through-hole 10X and is exposed from the opening on the base end 10B side of the shaft 10 and the opening on the tip end 10T side, so when the cutout 30 is engaged with the convex knob portion CT, the orientation of the handle 40 and the convex knob portion CT can be seen from the shaft through-hole 10X.

[0041] It is preferable that the orientation of the handle 40, the position of one horizontal notch 31, and the position of the other horizontal notch 31 coincide with the orientation of the handle 40. This allows the orientation of the handle 40 and the convex knob portion CT to be seen through the shaft through-hole 10X.

[0042] Furthermore, the handle 40 can more easily hold the fuel filler cap opener 2 with less force when the bolt 41 is oriented vertically rather than horizontally. Furthermore, the engagement with the cap protrusion is easier when the two grooves are aligned horizontally. In this case, the line segment 33A connecting the position of one vertical notch 33 to the position of the other vertical notch 33 may intersect with the extension direction of the handle 40. This allows the orientation of the handle 40 and the convex knob portion CT to be seen through the shaft through-hole 10X.

[0043] Furthermore, when the distal end 10T of the shaft 10 is inserted into the opening on the proximal end 20B side of the head 20, the proximal end 20B of the head 20 is connected to the distal end 10T of the shaft 10 by an interference fit. Therefore, if an unintended large rotational force is applied to the handle 40 during the opening and closing operation of the convex knob CT, the head 20 slides relative to the shaft 10, making it difficult for the large rotational force to be directly transmitted to the knob CT. Therefore, even if an unintended large rotational force is applied to the handle 40, damage to parts such as the knob CT can be avoided. Furthermore, the head 20 can be detached from the shaft 10 when not in use, which also reduces storage space.

[0044] Furthermore, both ends of the bolt 41 are formed with male threads that can be threaded into the female threads of the threaded cap 42, so that the threaded cap 42 can be attached to both ends of the bolt 41 at the same time.

[0045] In the above embodiment, both ends of the bolt 41 are exposed from the shaft 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one end of the bolt 41 may be exposed from the shaft 10, while the other end of the bolt 41 remains in the shaft through-hole 10X. In this case, a threaded cap 42 may be attached to one end of the bolt 41. Also, one or two bolts 41 may be provided with only one end exposed from the shaft 10. When multiple such bolts 41 are provided, they may be positioned facing each other on the shaft 10, for example. It is preferable that they be arranged at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft 10.

[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 2 Fuel filler cap opener 10 shaft 10B Base end 10T tip 10HX Handle mounting hole 10x shaft through holes 20 heads 20B Base end 20T tip 21 Small diameter cylinder part 22 Large diameter cylindrical section 23 Tapered cylindrical section 30 Cutout 31 Horizontal notch 33 Vertical notch 40 Handle 41 volts 42 Zippered Cap 42X Bolt insertion holes

Claims

1. A shaft, A head provided at a tip end of the shaft; A notch provided in the head; a handle provided at a proximal end of the shaft, The shaft includes a cylindrical shaft body having a hole passing through from the base end to the tip end, The handle extends from a circumferential surface of the shaft cylindrical body radially outward of the cylindrical body, The head includes a head cylinder. A fuel filler cap opening / closing device, characterized in that the notches are arranged on both sides of a central axis of the head cylindrical body.

2. The cutout is A first notch; a second notch; a center line of the head cylindrical body is located between the first cutout and the second cutout, 2. The fuel filler cap opening / closing device according to claim 1, wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are positioned so as to overlap with the handle when viewed from the base end of the shaft.

3. 2. The fuel filler cap opener of claim 1, wherein said handle traverses said hole.

4. The handle is a bolt passing through the hole; 4. The opening and closing device for a fuel filler cap according to claim 3, further comprising a nut that is screwed onto the bolt.

5. The cutout is A first notch; a second notch; a center line of the head cylindrical body is located between the first cutout and the second cutout, 2. The opening and closing device for a fuel filler cap according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed from the base end of the shaft, the handle intersects with the direction connecting the first notch and the second notch at an angle of greater than 45° and less than 90°.

6. The shaft tubular body is formed into a cylindrical shape, The head cylinder is formed into a cylindrical shape, 4. The opening / closing device for a fuel filler cap according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical shaft body is detachably attached to the cylindrical head body by an interference fit.

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