Tank closure

Abstract

A tank closure comprises a tank cap and an electrically conductive tank neck. The tank cap has, for handling thereof, a grip portion made of electrically conductive material that is in electrical contact with at least one resilient contact projection that is also electrically conductive and, with the tank cap in the screwed-on state, rests against the tank neck. The contact projection or projections is or are shaped onto or molded into the grip portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY [0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 to application number 103 17 851.1-25, filed Apr. 16, 2003 in the Federal Republic of Germany. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention concerns a tank closure comprising a tank cap and an electrically conductive tank neck, the tank cap having, for handling thereof, a grip portion made of electrically conductive material that is in electrical contact with at least one resilient contact projection that, in the screwed-on state, rests against the tank neck in order to discharge static electricity. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] If a tank cap is not electrically conductive and also has no electrical connection to the tank neck, the problem exists that the tank cap can become electrically charged if it is handled by a person who is charged with static electricity, for example by rubbing against plastic seats while getting out. This can result in sparki...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is the object of the invention to embody a tank closure of the aforesaid kind in such a way that the greatest possible potential equalization is achieved between the tank cap and tank neck, and the risk of sparking is thus reduced to a minimum.

[0009] The basic idea of the invention is thus not to provide a separate transfer ring with contact projections for electrical contact between the grip portion and tank neck, but rather to mount the contact projections directly on the grip portion, specifically by shaping them on or molding them in, so that an intimate connection between the contact projection and grip portion is produced, eliminating any contact resistance. It has been found that a substantially better and faster potential equalization between the grip portion and tank neck is thereby achieved, and sparking prevention is thus enhanced. Manufacture of the tank closure according to the present invention-is moreover substantially simpler and uses less material, so that manufacturing costs are not inconsiderably reduced.

[0010] It is furthermore proposed according to the invention that the contact projection or projections be embodied in the manner of a leaf spring, and protrude radially obliquely inward. By appropriate adaptation to the conformation of the tank neck, the respective contact projection can be made to rest against the tank neck with sufficient preload, and the contact resistance is accordingly low. It is particularly advantageous in this context if the contact projection or projections, viewed in a circumferential direction, protrude radially obliquely inward beginning on the inner side of the grip portion, in the manner of a ramp. This allows large contact forces to be achieved without thereby making it substantially more difficult to screw the tank cap in or out. The underside of the contact projection or projections should, in this context, be pulled up toward the free end and chamfered, since this promotes and assists placement of the contact projections onto the end face of the tank neck, and thus radially outward pivoting of the contact projections.

Problems solved by technology

This allows large contact forces to be achieved without thereby making it substantially more difficult to screw the tank cap in or out.

Images