Method and apparatus for a low profile fuel tank cap assembly

Abstract

In providing a fuel tank cap assembly for a fuel tank for an off-road motor vehicle, a vent assembly is first attached to the fuel tank. Second, a fuel supply port is constructed in the fuel tank. Next, a sleeve portion is secured to the fuel supply port. Finally, a cap portion is inserted into the sleeve portion. The fuel tank cap assembly comprises a vent assembly attached to the fuel tank, a fuel supply port constructed in the fuel tank, a sleeve portion secured to the fuel supply port, and a cap portion inserted into the sleeve portion. Alternatively, a fuel tank contains the fuel tank cap assembly.

1 . A method for providing a fuel tank cap assembly for a fuel tank for an off-road motor vehicle, comprising: 
 attaching a vent assembly to the fuel tank;    constructing a fuel supply port in the fuel tank;    securing a sleeve portion to the fuel supply port; and    inserting a cap portion into the sleeve portion.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein attaching a vent assembly comprises: 
 drilling a hole in the front uppermost portion of the fuel tank;    inserting a rubber grommet into the drilled hole;    inserting a 90° push lock into the grommet; and    inserting a vent tube onto the push lock.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein constructing a fuel supply port comprises: 
 sawing an existing threaded spigot off the fuel tank; and    sanding any remaining spigot down flat to the fuel tank.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein securing a sleeve portion comprises: 
 inserting the sleeve portion into the fuel supply port; and    screwing the sleeve portion to the fuel tank.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein inserting a cap portion comprises: 
 screwing the cap portion into the sleeve portion so that a threaded section of the cap portion engages a corresponding threaded section of the sleeve portion.    
   
   
       6 . A fuel tank cap assembly for a fuel tank for an off-road motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a vent assembly attached to the fuel tank;    a fuel supply port constructed in the fuel tank;    a sleeve portion secured to the fuel supply port; and    a cap portion inserted into the sleeve portion.    
   
   
       7 . The fuel tank cap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the vent assembly comprises: 
 a rubber grommet inserted into a hole drilled in the front uppermost portion of the fuel tank;    a 90° push lock inserted into the grommet; and    a vent tube inserted onto the push lock.    
   
   
       8 . The fuel tank cap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fuel supply port comprises a circular orifice in the upper end surface of the fuel tank.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel tank cap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve portion comprises: 
 a flange section including a mounting flange and a supporting flange; and    a bore section in the form of a hollow cylinder, wherein an inner periphery of the bore section includes an internal threaded section.    
   
   
       10 . The fuel tank cap assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the cap portion comprises: 
 a lid section in the form of a circular disk; and    a shaft section in the form of a solid cylinder, wherein an outer periphery of the shaft section includes an external threaded section and an O-ring disposed on the shaft section above the threaded section.    
   
   
       11 . A fuel tank assembly for an off-road motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a fuel tank;    a vent assembly attached to the fuel tank;    a fuel supply port constructed in the fuel tank;    a sleeve portion secured to the fuel supply port; and    a cap portion inserted into the sleeve portion.    
   
   
       12 . The fuel tank of  claim 11 , wherein the vent assembly comprises: 
 a rubber grommet inserted into a hole drilled in the front uppermost portion of the fuel tank;    a 90° push lock inserted into the grommet; and    a vent tube inserted onto the push lock.    
   
   
       13 . The fuel tank of  claim 11 , wherein the fuel supply port comprises a circular orifice in the upper end surface of the fuel tank.  
   
   
       14 . The fuel tank of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve portion comprises: 
 a flange section including a mounting flange and a supporting flange; and    a bore section in the form of a hollow cylinder, wherein an inner periphery of the bore section includes an internal threaded section.    
   
   
       15 . The fuel tank of  claim 11 , wherein the cap portion comprises: 
 a lid section in the form of a circular disk; and    a shaft section in the form of a solid cylinder, wherein an outer periphery of the shaft section includes an external threaded section and an O-ring disposed on the shaft section above the threaded section.