Anti-siphoning fuel device, system, and method

Abstract

An anti-siphoning fuel system that includes a fuel inlet, a fuel tank, at least one fill tube or hose connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel tank such that fuel may flow from the fuel inlet to the fuel tank, and an anti-siphoning element or device coupled to the fill tube or hose that may be installed in existing boats or cars and obstructs a siphoning hose inserted into the fill tube or hose from entering the fuel tank.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An anti-theft device to prevent the siphoning of fuel from a fuel tank that is connected to a fuel inlet through a fill hose, the anti-theft device comprising a stop ridge interposed between a first and second cylindrical coupling elements, wherein each one of the coupling elements comprises an inner restriction element and wherein the inner restriction element of the first coupling element is offset relative to the inner restriction element of the second coupling element, wherein the first coupling element is inserted into a first portion of the fill hose which is coupled to the fuel tank and which is separated from a second portion of the fill hose that is coupled to the fuel inlet, and wherein the second coupling element is inserted into the second portion of the fill hose leaving the stop ridge exposed. 
     
     
         24 . The anti-theft device of  claim 23 , wherein the inner restriction element of the first coupling element is angularly offset relative to the inner restriction element of the second coupling element. 
     
     
         25 . The anti-theft device of  claim 23 , wherein each one of the inner restriction elements comprises a plurality of arms. 
     
     
         26 . The anti-theft device of  claim 25 , wherein the arms of each one of the inner restriction elements are equally-spaced radial arms. 
     
     
         27 . The anti-theft device of  claim 26 , wherein the radial arms of the first restriction element are angularly offset by forty-five degrees relative to the radial arms of the second restriction element. 
     
     
         28 . The anti-theft device of  claim 27 , wherein each one of the inner restriction elements comprises four radial arms. 
     
     
         29 . The anti-theft device of  claim 23 , further comprising a tubular body having an outer circumference that corresponds to an inner circumference of the fill hose. 
     
     
         30 . The anti-theft device of  claim 29 , wherein each one of the coupling elements is disposed at a distal end of the tubular body.