Patent US4540191A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4540191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Static discharge prevention system for a largely non-metallic fuel tank
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1984-03-12
•
Granted: 1985-09-10
•
Expires: 2004-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A fuel tank is grounded to a vehicle chassis by means including a metal filler neck portion forming a sole electrical conducting portion of the tank, a metal vent tube connected between the metal filler neck portion and a metal tank mounting bracket secured to the vehicle chassis and a ground cable or wire connected to the filler neck portion and dangling into the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Hoch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K2015/03328; B60K2015/03401
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A grounded fuel tank assembly comprising: a vehicle chassis; a fuel tank mounted to the chassis and including an elevated filler neck; said filler neck including at least an upper portion forming a sole electrical current conducting portion of said tank; a first conducting element means secured to said upper portion of the filler neck and extending down into said tank; and a second conducting element means connected in conducting relationship between said upper portion of the filler neck and the chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A grounded fuel tank assembly comprising: a vehicle chassis; a fuel tank mounted to the chassis and including an elevated filler neck; said filler neck including at least an upper portion forming a sole electrical current conducting portion of said tank; a first conducting element means secured to said upper portion of the filler neck and extending down into said tank; and a second conducting element means connected in conducting relationship between said upper portion of the filler neck and the chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The grounded fuel tank assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first conducting element means is a ground cable extending down into the tank and having an upper end connected in electrical communication with said upper portion of the filler neck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The grounded fuel tank assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said second conducting element means is in the form of a metal vent tube having an upper end projecting through said upper portion of the filler neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The grounded fuel tank assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said first electrical current conducting means is a cable having a connector at its upper end received on the upper end of said vent tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The grounded fuel tank assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said tank is held in a metal tank mounting bracket; said vent tube carrying a metal clip engaged with said tank and having teeth engaged with the bracket; and said bracket being mounted to said chassis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |