Automatic dispensing nozzle

Claim 1

A lightweight, automatic shutoff, fluid dispensing nozzle comprising: a housing having a longitudinal valve mechanism-receiving axial cavity at one end thereof, a fluid discharge spout extending from said housing at the other end thereof for insertion into a fill pipe, a main valve seat oriented away from said other end, and a pistol grip hand-receiving portion; a finger-actuated trigger pivotally connected at one end in said housing; valve means located in and axially displaceable between open and closed positions in said housing cavity, said valve means being engageable with said trigger for actuation by said trigger to open said valve means to permit fluid flow through said housing; automatic shutoff means in said housing including a diaphragm displaceable transversely to said valve means and responsive to air pressure fluctuations, said shutoff means also including releasable latch means mounted on said diaphragm in constant engagement with said valve means, and said shutoff means including fluid level sensing means for conducting air flow through said automatic shutoff means on one side of said diaphragm during fluid flow, whereby, upon fluid level detection by said sensing means, air flow will terminate causing a suction on said diaphragm to release said latch means permitting said valve means to move to said closed position; said valve means includes an axially displaceable ball and a main valve member having a seat for said ball and having a fluid passage within said seat, said valve member engaging said main valve seat in the closed position, an inlet spindle engageable sequentially with said ball and main valve member and connected to a piston, said piston being releasably connected by said latch means to a trigger engaging spindle that is engageable with said trigger, said trigger engaging spindle and piston being displaceable axially with said inlet spindle as a unit when said latch means is in engagement with said trigger engaging spindle, said trigger engaging spindle and piston being moveable relative to each other when said latch means is disengaged permitting reseating of said ball and main valve member to terminate fluid flow; and, a spring located in said shutoff means in engagement with said diaphragm and biasing said attached latch means toward said valve means and toward the position connecting said piston and trigger engaging spindle.