Seal assembly for vehicle filler neck

Claim 1

A vehicle filler neck assembly for use with a fuel nozzle that is subject to side loads, a protected seal assembly for sealing around said nozzle, comprising, a hard molded plastic cylindrical side wall with a generally annular, integrally molded shelf extending radially inwardly therefrom through which said nozzle is receivable, a metal insert lining said side wall and having a circular lower edge axially spaced from said shelf, a metal seal casing having an annular upper rim with an inner diameter substantially equal to said shelf and an outer diameter substantially equal to said liner lower edge, said casing also having a generally cylindrical sleeve depending from said rim with an axial length substantially equal to the axial space between said shelf and insert lower edge, flexible retention means on said seal casing sleeve engageable with said insert lower edge when said seal casing sleeve is also engaged with said shelf, and, an elastomeric seal member fixed to said seal casing sleeve, said seal member having a circular seal lip of a diameter slightly smaller than said nozzle located coaxial to and below said seal casing rim, whereby, said seal casing and seal member may be removably installed in said filler neck by pushing said casing sleeve into said insert until said sleeve abuts said shelf and said flexible retention means engage said insert lower edge, after which said nozzle may be inserted through said rim, lip, and shelf, with said seal casing rim and shelf cooperating to shield said lip from nozzle side loads.