Vapor recovery nozzle

Claim 2

In a valved nozzle for controlling the flow of fluid from a hose to a tank having a fill tube, the nozzle having a main body adapted for connection to the hose, a fluid discharge tube projecting outwardly from the main body for insertion into the fill tube, a fluid passage defined by the main body and located therein for the flow of fluid from the hose to the discharge tube, a trigger-operated valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passage, and a shroud assembly surrounding the discharge tube for containing a flow of vapour from the tank when the fluid discharge tube is inserted in the fill tube, the Improvement comprising: a vapour passage defined by the main body and located therein above the fluid passage for the flow of vapour from the shroud assembly to the hose.

Claim 3

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism includes a fluid valve located in the fluid passage and actuated by the trigger, the valve being separated from the top of the main body by the vapour passage.

Claim 4

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 2, wherein the fluid valve is removable from the main body only in the direction toward the trigger.

Claim 5

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 1, comprising in addition a tripping mechanism located in the main body and connected to the valve mechanism whereby the valve mechanism is inoperative when the tripping mechanism is actuated.

Claim 6

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 4, comprising in addition: means connected to the shroud assembly for sensing displacement of a portion of the shroud assembly with respect to the fluid discharge tube; and means connecting the tripping mechanism to the sensing means for actuating the tripping mechanism when a portion of the shroud assembly is displaced.

Claim 7

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 5, wherein the shroud assembly has a resting position and a displaced position, the shroud assembly being capable of engaging the fill tube to be moved from its resting position to its displaced position when the nozzle is dispensing fluid into the tank, the actuating means actuating the tripping mechanism when the shroud assembly moves from its displaced position toward its resting position.

Claim 8

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 6, wherein the valve mechanism is inoperative when the shroud assembly is in its resting position.

Claim 9

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 4, wherein the tripping mechanism is accessible through an opening at the top of the main body, the opening adapted to be closed by a non-replaceable seal.

Claim 10

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 2, wherein the valve mechanism includes an engaging portion pivotally connected at one end to the main body portion, the engaging portion including a cam extending upwardly toward the main body, the cam engaging the stem of the fluid valve.

Claim 11

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 4, wherein the tripping mechanism includes a chamber formed in a recess in the main body, the chamber covered by a cap, there being sealing means located between the cap and the main body portion, the cap being held in place by a retaining ring, the sealing means and the retaining ring being located in the same groove in the main body.

Claim 12

In a valved nozzle for controlling the flow of fluid from a hose to a tank having a fill tube, the nozzle having a main body adapted for connection to the hose, a fluid discharge tube projecting outwardly from the main body for insertion into the fill tube, a fluid passage defined by the main body and located therein for the flow of fluid from the hose to the discharge tube, a trigger-operated valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passage, a tripping mechanism connected to the valve mechanism for making the valve mechanism inoperative when the tripping mechanism is actuated, and a shroud assembly surrounding the discharge tube for containing a flow of vapour from the tank when the fluid discharge tube is inserted in the fill tube, the improvement comprising: means connected to the shroud assembly for sensing the displacement of a portion of the shroud assembly; and means connecting the tripping mechanism to the sensing means for actuating the tripping mechanism when a portion of the shroud assembly is displaced.

Claim 13

In a valved nozzle for controlling the flow of fluid from a hose to a tank having a fill tube, the nozzle having a main body adapted for connection to the hose, a fluid discharge tube projecting outwardly from the main body for insertion into the fill tube, a fluid passage defined by the main body and located therein for the flow of fluid from the hose to the discharge tube, a trigger-operated valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid passage, a tripping mechanism connected to the valve mechanism for making the valve mechanism inoperative when the tripping mechanism is actuated, and a shroud assembly surrounding the discharge tube for containing a flow of vapour from the tank when the fluid discharge tube is inserted in the fill tube, the improvement comprising: means connected to the shroud assembly for sensing the displacement of a portion of the shroud assembly; and means connecting the tripping mechanism to the sensing means for actuating the tripping mechanism when a portion of the shroud assembly is displaced.

Claim 14

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 11, wherein the shroud assembly has a resting position and a displaced position, the shroud assembly being capable of engaging the fill tube to be moved from its resting position to its displaced position when the nozzle is dispensing fluid into the tank, the actuating means actuating the tripping mechanism when the shroud assembly moves from its displaced position toward its resting position.

Claim 15

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 12, wherein the valve mechanism is inoperative when the shroud assembly is in its resting position.

Claim 16

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 11, wherein the main body has a vapour passage located above the fuel passage for the flow of vapour from the shroud assembly to the hose.

Claim 17

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 14, wherein the valve mechanism includes a fluid valve located in the fluid passage and actuated by the trigger, the valve being separated from the top of the main body by the vapour passage.

Claim 18

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 15, wherein the fluid valve is removable from the main body only in the direction toward the trigger.

Claim 19

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 11, wherein the tripping mechanism is accessible through an opening at the top of the main body, the opening adapted to be closed by a non-replaceable seal.

Claim 20

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 15, wherein the valve mechanism includes an engaging portion pivotally connected at one end to the main body, the engaging portion including a cam extending upwardly toward the main body, the cam engaging the stem of the fluid valve.

Claim 21

A valved nozzle as defined in claim 11, wherein the tripping mechanism includes a chamber formed in a recess in the main body portion, the chamber covered by a cap, there being sealing means located between the cap and the main body, the cap being held in place by a retaining ring, the sealing means and the retaining ring being located in the same groove in the main body.

Claim 22

A vapour recoverynozzle which comprises: a main body portion for connection to a hose; a fluid discharge tube projecting outwardly from the main body portion for dispensing fluid into a tank; a shroud assembly surrounding the fluid discharge tube for containing a flow of vapour from the tank, a portion of the shroud assembly being displaceable with respect to the discharge tube; the main body portion having a first passage for a flow of fluid from the hose to the discharge tube, and a second passage located above the first passage for the flow of vapour from the shroud assembly to the hose; (claim 20 continued) means connected to the shroud assembly for sensing the displacement of a portion of the shroud assembly; a fluid valve located in the first passage for controlling the flow of fluid through the first passage, the valve being separated from the top of the main body portion by the second passage, the valve having a stem projecting downwardly from the main body portion, the fluid valve being removable from the main body portion only in the direction toward the bottom of the main body portion; a trigger mechanism located at the bottom of the main body portion, the trigger mechanism comprising an engaging portion having an upwardly extending cam which engages the stem of the fluid valve; a tripping mechanism located in the main body portion, the tripping mechanism including a slide stem which projects downwardly from the main body portion. the slide stem being pivotally connected to one end of the engaging portion of the trigger mechanism, whereby the trigger mechanism is inoperative when the tripping mechanism is operative and the slide stem is free to move,-the tripping mechanism being accessible from the top of the main body portion through an opening, the opening being closed with a non-replaceable seal; and means connecting the tripping mechanism to the sensing means for actuating the tripping mechanism when a portion of the shroud assembly is displaced.