US3786960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmitter-operated fuel-dispensing system
Assignee: PAN NOVA
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Filing: 1971-11-10
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1991-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A gasoline-dispensing system includes a portable transmitting unit for each service attendant and a plurality of transmitteroperated dispensing units. Each transmitting unit is connectable to any one of the dispensing units and has manually operable switching means cooperating with the interconnected dispensing unit for generating credit signals which are accepted and registered in the dispensing unit. A meter in each transmitting unit accumulates and indicates a running total of the number of accepted credits attributable to that transmitting unit. After the desired number of credits are accepted in the dispensing unit, the transmitting unit is removable to be used elsewhere while a customer serves himself. Each dispensing unit includes valves and means for closing them when the value of gasoline dispensed equals the number of credits accepted. A coin-return mechanism is provided for returning change to the customer as necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 R Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/30; B67D7/305; B67D7/307; B67D7/308; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/342; G06Q20/343; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025; G07F15/00; G07F15/02; G07F7/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
In a service-attendant controlled system for dispensing fluid having a monetary value, which includes a stationary dispensing unit comprising controllable means for dispensing the fluid and fluid-flow metering and computing means for computing separately for each transaction with a customer the monetary value of fluid as it is dispensed, the combination comprising: a portable unit hand-carriable by the service attendant to and from the stationary dispensing unit, the portable unit including a multi-pin electrical connector; a receptacle on the dispensing unit for connection to the multipin electrical connector; an electric circuit path being closed only while the multi-pin electrical connector and the receptacle are interconnected; input signaling means for generating input credit signals representative of monetary value, the input signaling means including said electric circuit path and a switch hand-operable by the service attendant while adjacent the stationary dispensing unit; means operable while said electrical circuit path is open for controlling said controllable means so that the monetary value of the fluid dispensed does not substantially exceed the monetary value represented by the generated input credit signals, whereby the service attendant can meet the customer at the dispensing unit, initiate the operation of the system, and then leave and allow the customer to complete a transaction; accumulating indicator means in the portable unit for accumulating and indicating a cumulative value of input credit signals generated while the multi-pin electrical connector and the receptacle are interconnected; a coin storage in the stationary dispensing unit; means for stopping the dispensing of fluid before its monetary value equals the monetary value represented by the generated input credit signals; and means for paying change from the coin storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
In a service-attendant controlled system for dispensing fluid having a monetary value, which includes a stationary dispensing unit comprising controllable means for dispensing the fluid and fluid-flow metering and computing means for computing separately for each transaction with a customer the monetary value of fluid as it is dispensed, the combination comprising: a portable unit hand-carriable by the service attendant to and from the stationary dispensing unit, the portable unit including a multi-pin electrical connector; a receptacle on the dispensing unit for connection to the multipin electrical connector; an electric circuit path being closed only while the multi-pin electrical connector and the receptacle are interconnected; input signaling means for generating input credit signals representative of monetary value, the input signaling means including said electric circuit path and a switch hand-operable by the service attendant while adjacent the stationary dispensing unit; means operable while said electrical circuit path is open for controlling said controllable means so that the monetary value of the fluid dispensed does not substantially exceed the monetary value represented by the generated input credit signals, whereby the service attendant can meet the customer at the dispensing unit, initiate the operation of the system, and then leave and allow the customer to complete a transaction; accumulating indicator means in the portable unit for accumulating and indicating a cumulative value of input credit signals generated while the multi-pin electrical connector and the receptacle are interconnected; a coin storage in the stationary dispensing unit; means for stopping the dispensing of fluid before its monetary value equals the monetary value represented by the generated input credit signals; and means for paying change from the coin storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising numerical display means responsive to the generated input credit signals for displaying the monetary value of the input credit signals generated while the multi-pin electrical connector and the receptacle are interconnected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
actuating the manually actuable means a desired number of times to increment to a preselected input number the counting means coupled to the selected one of the stationary connector parts;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
actuating the manually actuable means a desired number of times to increment to a preselected input number the counting means coupled to the selected one of the stationary connector parts;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
disconnecting the mating connector part from the selected one of the stationary connector parts and thereby preventing further actuation of the manually actuable means from incrementing further the counting means coupled to that stationary connector part;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
disconnecting the mating connector part from the selected one of the stationary connector parts and thereby preventing further actuation of the manually actuable means from incrementing further the counting means coupled to that stationary connector part;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising register means for storing incremental values to be displayed by the display means, the register means being incremented in response to the input credit signals and being decremented in response to the dispensing of fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a fluid-dispensing system which includes a plurality of independently operable dispensing units each comprising counting means, a stationary connector part coupled to the counting means, fluid-flow metering means, and means operable for dispensing fluid up to an amount determined by the metering and counting means, and which further includes a portable unit having a mating connector part connectable to any one of the stationary Connector parts, and means manually actuable to increment the counting means in a dispensing unit while its stationary connector part is connected to the mating connector; a method comprising the steps of
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a fluid-dispensing system which includes a plurality of independently operable dispensing units each comprising counting means, a stationary connector part coupled to the counting means, fluid-flow metering means, and means operable for dispensing fluid up to an amount determined by the metering and counting means, and which further includes a portable unit having a mating connector part connectable to any one of the stationary Connector parts, and means manually actuable to increment the counting means in a dispensing unit while its stationary connector part is connected to the mating connector; a method comprising the steps of
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
operating the means for dispensing fluid in the dispensing unit having the first selected stationary connector part;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
operating the means for dispensing fluid in the dispensing unit having the first selected stationary connector part;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
carrying the portable unit to a different selected one of the stationary connector parts and repeating there steps 1 through 4.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
carrying the portable unit to a different selected one of the stationary connector parts and repeating there steps 1 through 4.
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) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |