US3814148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle fueling apparatus
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1972-07-19
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing maintenance service to vehicles. A vehicle servicing unit is provided with a plurality of fuel sources, means for supplying fuel from the sources to vehicles, and means for automatically registering billing data. A vehicle to be serviced is equipped with an electrical connector including pins that are wired to give a coded identification number, pins that are wired to give a coded fuel-type indication, and pins to activate the system, and a mating connection is provided on the servicing unit. The system has all electrical components enclosed in a pressurized cabinet to ensure that fuel vapors cannot get into the area adjacent those components. The system permits supplying of other items such as lubricating oil, and the billing circuitry ensures that the correct charge is made for such items so that a customer is not billed for items delivered to a previous customer. Means are also provided for withdrawing fuel vapors and overflow liquid fuel from the area adjacent the delivery nozzle to a disposal, rather than allowing them to escape to the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wostl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:37
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F13/00; G07F13/02; G07F13/025; B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/22; B60P3/224; B60P3/2255; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/0476; B67D7/0478; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/22; B67D7/224; B67D7/227; B67D7/228; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. Identification means adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including: 1. vehicle identity means for identifying a particular vehicle to which the identification means is attached; and 2. fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including: 1. identification sensing means adapted for connection to said identification means and having: i. vehicle identity sensing means for sensing the identification of the particular vehicle identified by said identification means; ii. fuel-type identity sensing means for sensing the type of fuel identified by said identification means; 2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fueltype identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and 3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. Identification means adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including: 1. vehicle identity means for identifying a particular vehicle to which the identification means is attached; and 2. fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including: 1. identification sensing means adapted for connection to said identification means and having: i. vehicle identity sensing means for sensing the identification of the particular vehicle identified by said identification means; ii. fuel-type identity sensing means for sensing the type of fuel identified by said identification means; 2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fueltype identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and 3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including:
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including:
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to sensing by said second connector portion of the identity of a vehicle identified by a first connector portion; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to sensing by said second connector portion of the identity of a vehicle identified by a first connector portion; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which: said identification means includes a first connector portion including binary coded connector pins, fuel-type connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins and said fuel-type pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number and of a fuel-type number; and said identification sensing means includes a second connector portion adapted to mate with said first connector portion and including connector pins adapted to mate with said first connector portion pins for supplying excitation to said first connector portion excitation pin and for sensing the binary coded representation of the vehicle identification number and of the fuel-type number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fuel-type identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fuel-type identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in which said second connector portion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with a first connector portion and in which said identification sensing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the second connector portion for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the second connector portion and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the second connector portion for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the second connector portion and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said identification sensing means further includes an air supply responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying air under pressure to the interior of a conneCtor formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said excitation means includes means for delaying the supplying of excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin until sufficient air has been supplied to the interior of the connector to flush the connector interior.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said identification sensing means includes means for deactivating said excitation means following the sensing by said identification sensing means of a vehicle identity to terminate excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes printing means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes additional charge indication means for indicating a charge for additional items supplied to a vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said recording means includes means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said printing means includes means for inhibiting the printing of a bill until receipt of an input from said additional charge indication means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a portion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet to prevent entry of vapor thereinto.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising means for sensing pressure within said cabinet and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon sensing of pressure within said cabinet below a preset pressure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said fuel supply means includes: a nozzle including a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, a nozzle housing coupling said nozzle inlet and said nozzle outlet, and control means for controlling fuel flow from said nozzle inlet through said nozzle housing to said nozzle outlet; closure means adjacent said nozzle outlet for substantially closing a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe inlet, with the nozzle outlet within the filler pipe inlet for delivery of fuel thereinto; and means defining a fluid path communicating through said closure means and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing fluid communication from an area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the fuel disposal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said closure means comprises resilient plug means and biasing means for biasing said resilient plug means toward said nozzle outlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said defining means includes a first shell member and said resilient plug means includes a second shell member cooperating with said first shell member to provide a rotational interface between said defining means and said closure means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said defining means comprises a bellows encircling a portion of said nozzle, first fluid passage means for providing fluid communication from the area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the interior of said bellows, and second fluid passage means connected to said bellows and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing a fluid path from the interior of said bellows to the fuel disposal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said closure means comprises a resilient plug means connected to said bellows to be biased by said bellows toward said nozzle outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said plug means includes a first shell member and said resilient plug means includes a second shell member cooperating with said first shell member to provide a rotational interface between said bellows and said resilient plug means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a Hook connected to said nozzle and adapted to engage a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe for retaining said nozzle outlet within the filler pipe.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a fuel disposal connected to said defining means for receipt of fuel therefrom.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and transporting said apparatus, and in which said internal combustion engine comprises said fuel disposal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. a first connector portion adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including binary coded connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number for identifying a particular vehicle to which the first connector portion is attached; and b. vehicle servicing means including:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. a first connector portion adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including binary coded connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number for identifying a particular vehicle to which the first connector portion is attached; and b. vehicle servicing means including:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in which said second connector portion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with said first connector portion and in which said vehicle servicing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said vehicle servicing means further includes air supply means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying air under pressure to the interior of a connector formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 in which said excitation means includes means for delaying the supplying of excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin until sufficient air has been supplied to the interior of the connector to flush the connector interior.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said vehicle servicing means includes means for deactivating said excitation means following the sensing by said second connector portion of a vehicle identity to terminate excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 further comprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a portion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet to prevent entry of vapor thereinto.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising means for sensing pressure within said cabinet and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon sensing of pressure within said cabinet below a preset pressure.
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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |