Replacement vehicle fuel intake device

Abstract

A fuel intake device for a vehicle has a base portion, a body portion pivotally attached to the base portion, and a connector portion. The body portion includes a fuel intake passage and is pivotable between an open position wherein the fuel intake passage is in communication with a fuel intake pipe of the vehicle and a closed position wherein the fuel intake passage is moved out of communication with the fuel intake pipe. The connector portion is removably attached to the base portion for being at least partially received in the fuel intake pipe. The connector portion enables communication from the body portion to the fuel intake pipe.

1 . A fuel intake device for a vehicle comprising: 
 a base portion;    a body portion pivotally attached to said base portion and comprising a fuel intake passage, said body portion being pivotable between an open position wherein said fuel intake passage is in communication with a fuel intake pipe of the vehicle and a closed position wherein said fuel intake passage is moved out of communication with the fuel intake pipe,    a connector portion removably attached to said base portion and at least partially received in the fuel intake pipe, said connector portion enabling communication from said body portion to the fuel intake pipe.    
   
   
       2 . The fuel intake device of  claim 1  further comprising an extension extending from said base portion and being received in said connector portion.  
   
   
       3 . The fuel intake device of  claim 2  wherein said sleeve comprises a cylindrical body sized to fit inside an opening in said connector portion.  
   
   
       4 . The fuel intake device of  claim 3  wherein said cylindrical body has a circumferential lip and said opening has a circumferential groove for receiving said lip when said body is inserted into said opening.  
   
   
       5 . The fuel intake device of  claim 3  further comprising at least one threaded fastener connecting said base portion and said connector portion.  
   
   
       6 . The fuel intake device of  claim 5  wherein said at least one threaded fastener comprises a screw.  
   
   
       7 . The fuel intake device of  claim 5  wherein said connector portion comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The fuel intake device of  claim 7  wherein said cylindrical sleeve comprises external threads for removable attachment to the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The fuel intake device of  claim 1  wherein said body portion comprises a pressurization valve that is aligned with the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle when said body portion is in the closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The fuel intake device of  claim 9  wherein a passageway is provided in the fuel intake device that allows testing of said pressurization valve.  
   
   
       11 . The fuel intake device of  claim 1  wherein said body portion comprises a depressurization valve that is aligned with the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle when said body portion is in the closed position.  
   
   
       12 . The fuel intake device of  claim 11  wherein a passageway is provided in the fuel intake device that allows testing of said depressurization valve.  
   
   
       13 . The fuel intake device of  claim 1  wherein said fuel intake passage is capable of receiving a fuel pump nozzle and retaining the nozzle to prevent return of said fuel passage of said body portion to its closed position during fueling.  
   
   
       14 . A fuel intake device for closing a fuel intake pipe of a vehicle, said fuel intake device comprising: 
 a first portion comprising a handle for grasping of the device and insertion of the device into the fuel intake pipe;    a connector portion removably attached to the first portion for being at least partially received in the fuel intake pipe;    a fastener for releasably attaching said connector portion and said handle portion, said fastener extending from an opening in said handle portion to an opening in said connector portion.    
   
   
       15 . The fuel intake device of  claim 14  wherein said connector portion comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve.  
   
   
       16 . The fuel intake device of  claim 15  wherein said sleeve comprises an external surface having threads for mating with corresponding threads on an inner surface of the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle for forming a releasable connection therebetween.  
   
   
       17 . The fuel intake device of  claim 15  wherein said fastener comprises a threaded fastener.  
   
   
       18 . The fuel intake device of  claim 14  wherein said first portion comprises a base portion and a body portion pivotally attached to the base portion, said body portion comprising a fuel intake passage and being pivotable between an open position wherein said fuel intake passage is in communication with the fuel intake pipe and a closed position wherein said fuel intake passage is moved out of communication with the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       19 . The fuel intake device of  claim 18  wherein said first portion comprises an extension extending from said base portion and being received in said connector portion.  
   
   
       20 . The fuel intake device of  claim 19  wherein said body portion comprises a pressurization valve that is aligned with the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle when said body portion is in the closed position.  
   
   
       21 . The fuel intake device of  claim 20  wherein a passageway is provided in the fuel intake device that allows testing of said pressurization valve.  
   
   
       22 . The fuel intake device of  claim 20  wherein said body portion comprises a depressurization valve that is aligned with the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle when said body portion is in the closed position.  
   
   
       23 . The fuel intake device of  claim 22  wherein a passageway is provided in the fuel intake device that allows testing of said depressurization valve.  
   
   
       24 . A method of inputting a flow of fuel into a fuel intake pipe of a vehicle comprising: 
 assembling a fuel intake device including a base portion, a body portion, and a connector portion by connecting the base portion to the connector portion;    attaching the connector portion to the fuel intake pipe of the vehicle;    pivoting the body portion from a closed position to an open position in communication with the fuel intake pipe wherein the body portion is capable of receiving a fuel pump nozzle while in the open position;    receiving the flow of fuel through the body portion into the fuel intake pipe for transmission into a tank in the vehicle; and,    pivoting the body portion from the open position to the closed position after completion of a fuel operation.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein connecting the base portion to the connector portion comprises tightening a threaded fastener and urging the fastener into contact with an axial end of the connector portion.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein pivoting the body from a closed position to an opening position allows communication between a fuel intake passage in the body and the fuel intake pipe.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24  wherein pivoting the body from the open position to the closed position blocks communication between a fuel intake passage in the body and the fuel intake pipe.