Push button combination lock type gas cap and actuator employed therein

摘要

A push button combination lock type gas cap and an actuator forming a part thereof, takes the form of a casing which may be mounted to an open end of a fuel tank filling neck with a stopper mounted within the casing for movement between a first position in which the cap is removable from the filler neck, and a second position where the cap is locked thereto. A first center push button mounted on the casing for movement in the direction of its axis between projected and depressed position, shifts the stopper to the first position for locking the cap to the filler tube upon depression thereof. The first push button is maintained in depressed position with a laterally shiftable slide plate operatively engaging the first push button for normally preventing retraction of the first push button absent a selective depression of one or more of a plurality of second push buttons mounted circumferentially about the center push button. The second push buttons are also normally held in depressed position, unless further depressed and released. Spline engagement between the push buttons and casing bores alternatively lock the depressible push buttons in initial depressed position and subsequent projected position. Rotatable pods beneath the depressible push button, engage lock pins having side recesses which when aligned with holes within the slide plate receiving the lock pins permit lateral shifting of the slide plate to release the first push button.