US3845848A — Bill accepting motor fuel dispensing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 423 words

A system for dispensing a quantity of liquid having a predetermined total value, consisting of a predetermined number of small monetary units of value, in response to The collection of a valid bill of equal total value, said system comprising: a. a bill acceptor which includes means to receive a deposited bill, means to determine its validity and value, means to collect a valid bill of proper value and means to thereupon produce a first signal, b. a dispensing apparatus having a manually operable nozzle valve, means for supplying a flow of liquid to said valve, said latter means being actuable between flow and stop flow conditions, c. said dispensing apparatus also having means for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, a resettable value register, computing means connected to be driven by said measuring means and connected to drive register in accordance with the value of the liquid dispensed and means for resetting said register to zero, d. first control means having normal and first conditions, means operable after the resetting of said register for establishing said first control means in said first condition, and manually operable means for restoring said first control means to said normal condition, e. second control means having normal and first conditions, and means for establishing said second control means in said first condition in response to said first signal, f. means responsive to said first and second control means in said normal and first conditions, respectively, to permit operation of said register resetting means, g. means responsive to said first and second control means in said first conditions for actuating said flow supplying means to said flow condition, h. means operable in time with said value register to produce a second signal upon the complete delivery of the amount of liquid represented by each unit of value, i. means for transmitting said second signal, including transmission timing means mounted for movement between initial and signal transmitting conditions, first driving means connected to be driven by said register and connected to drive said timing means so as to reach said signal transmitting condition after the beginning of, but before the completion of the delivery of the last unit of said total value, and j. signal responsive means having normal and activated conditions, and connected to be activated in response to said transmitted second signal, means responsive to the activation of said signal responsive means, for restoring said second control means to said normal condition, and means for thereupon restoring said flow supplying means to said stop flow condition.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 423 words

A system for dispensing a quantity of liquid having a predetermined total value, consisting of a predetermined number of small monetary units of value, in response to The collection of a valid bill of equal total value, said system comprising: a. a bill acceptor which includes means to receive a deposited bill, means to determine its validity and value, means to collect a valid bill of proper value and means to thereupon produce a first signal, b. a dispensing apparatus having a manually operable nozzle valve, means for supplying a flow of liquid to said valve, said latter means being actuable between flow and stop flow conditions, c. said dispensing apparatus also having means for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed, a resettable value register, computing means connected to be driven by said measuring means and connected to drive register in accordance with the value of the liquid dispensed and means for resetting said register to zero, d. first control means having normal and first conditions, means operable after the resetting of said register for establishing said first control means in said first condition, and manually operable means for restoring said first control means to said normal condition, e. second control means having normal and first conditions, and means for establishing said second control means in said first condition in response to said first signal, f. means responsive to said first and second control means in said normal and first conditions, respectively, to permit operation of said register resetting means, g. means responsive to said first and second control means in said first conditions for actuating said flow supplying means to said flow condition, h. means operable in time with said value register to produce a second signal upon the complete delivery of the amount of liquid represented by each unit of value, i. means for transmitting said second signal, including transmission timing means mounted for movement between initial and signal transmitting conditions, first driving means connected to be driven by said register and connected to drive said timing means so as to reach said signal transmitting condition after the beginning of, but before the completion of the delivery of the last unit of said total value, and j. signal responsive means having normal and activated conditions, and connected to be activated in response to said transmitted second signal, means responsive to the activation of said signal responsive means, for restoring said second control means to said normal condition, and means for thereupon restoring said flow supplying means to said stop flow condition.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

The structure defined by claim 1 which includes a digital counter and means connecting said counter with said bill acceptor so as to advance said counter by one digit in response to the collection of a bill.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 28 words

said motor will actuate said transmit switch upon return of said timing means to initial condition to transmit the substitute signal to activate said second signal responsive means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

said motor will actuate said transmit switch upon return of said timing means to initial condition to transmit the substitute signal to activate said second signal responsive means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The second closure of said credit switch will energize said coil to close said stop control switch so that the next subsequent closure of said transmit switch will be effective to transmit the next second signal to activate said signal responsive means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 42 words

The second closure of said credit switch will energize said coil to close said stop control switch so that the next subsequent closure of said transmit switch will be effective to transmit the next second signal to activate said signal responsive means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the means for producing said first signal includes a normally open switch which is closed momentarily by said acceptor when a bill is accepted and a visible signal is connected with said switch so as to be energized momentarily each time said switch is closed.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

The structure defined by claim 1 which includes means responsive to the activated signal responsive means for moving said transmission timing means to said initial condition, to interrupt the transmission of said second signal.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 117 words

The structure defined by claim 4 wherein said first control means remains in said first condition and wherein said means for establishing said second control means in said first condition includes means responsive to said first signal for placing said second control means in said first condition and means, responsive to said second control means in said first position and said second signal responsive means in said normal condition, for holding said second control means in said first condition, whereby the occurrence of another first signal subsequent to the interruption of said second signal will reestablish said second control means in said first condition and said flow supplying means in said flow condition without resetting said register.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The strUcture defined by claim 1 which includes means responsive to said first signal for preventing the collection of another bill by said bill acceptor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The structure defined by claim 6 which includes means responsive to said second control means in said normal condition for disabling said bill collection preventing means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 76 words

The structure defined by claim 1 which includes third control means having normal and first conditions, key operable means for establishing said third control means in said first condition including releasable means for holding same in said first condition independently of said key operable means, and means responsive to said first control means in said normal condition and said second and third control means in said first conditions, to condition said register resetting means for operation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 53 words

The structure defined by claim 8 wherein said manually operable means is mounted for movement between on and off positions, and which includes means operable thereby as it moves to said on position, to cause said conditioned resetting means to reset said register and establish said first control means in said first condition.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The structure defined by claim 9, which includes means responsive to said first and second control means in said first conditions for releasing said third control holding means and means for thereupon restoring said third control means to said normal condition.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 82 words

The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said flow supplying means includes first and second valve means connected in parallel to supply liquid to said nozzle valve at relatively large and small rates of flow respectively, and wherein said flow supplying means includes stop means, operable from a normal to a first condition to close said first valve, and wherein said timing means includes means for operating said stop means to said first condition as said timing means nears said transmitting condition.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

The structure defined by claim 11 which includes means responsive to said transmitted signal and to said second control means in its normal condition, for restoring said timing and stop operating means to their initial and normal conditions respectively.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 153 words

The structure defined by claim 11 wherein said manually operable means is movable between on and off positions, and which includes selector means selectively settable to predetermining and normal conditions, said selector means, in said normal condition, including means for disabling said bill acceptor and said second signal producing means, and for rendering said stop means ineffective to close said first valve, a. means responsive to said first control means and said selector means in said normal conditions and said manually operable means in the on position for resetting said register, b. means responsive to said first control means in said first condition and said selector means in said normal condition, for actuating said flow supply means to flow condition, and c. means responsive to said manually operable means in its off position for moving said first control means to normal condition to return said flow supplying means to said stop flow condition.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 142 words

The structure defined by claim 1 in which said signal responsive means includes a first actuator having normal and activated conditions, means connecting it to be activated by said transmitted second signal, and wherein siad means for establishing said second control means in said first condition includes a normally closed first switch adapted to be opened by said first actuator when activated, and wherein said timing means comprises a switch control element mounted for movement therewith, a normally open second switch disposed so as to be closed by said element to establish said transmitting condition, a. means connecting said second switch between said second signal producing means and said first actuator so as to open said first switch upon transmission of said second signal, and means for returning said second control means to normal condition upon the opening of said first switch.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 33 words

The structure defined by claim 14 which includes means for relatively adjusting said second switch and said control switch element, so as to adjust the time of occurrence of said signal transmitting condition.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 132 words

The structure defined by claim 14 wherein said means for producing said second signal includes a normally open third switch, means for connecting it in series with said second switch, an actuating element for said third switch, means mounting said actuating element for movement in a predetermined path to a first point therein at which it closes said third switch and thereafter to a second point therein at which releases said switch to reopen, means for driving said actuating element in time with said value register so as to close said third switch at the completion of delivery of each small monetary unit of value and means for adjusting said element along said path, relative to said drive means, so as to correlate said switch closure with the completion of said delivery.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 152 words

The structure defined by claim 1 which includes selector means selectively settable to predetermining and normal operating conditions, said manually operable means being movable between on and off positions, said selector means, in its normal condition having means for disabling said bill acceptor and for rendering said second signal producing means ineffective, a. means responsive to said first control means and said selector means in said normal conditions, and said manually operable means in its on position, for operating said register resetting means to reset said register, b. means responsive to said first control means in its first condition and said selector means in said normal condition, for actuating said flow supplying means to the flow condition, and c. means responsive to the movement of said manually operable means to its off position for returning said first control means to normal condition to restore said flow supplying means to stop flow condition.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

The structure defined by claim 17 which includes means operable by said register resetting means for resetting said second signal producing means to its signal producing condition.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 150 words

The structure defined by claim 17 which includes means responsive to said first control means in said normal condition for applying a third signal to said signal transmitting means, second driving means connected to drive said transmission timing means independently of said value register, a. first actuating means, responsive to said second control means in said normal condition and said activated signal responsive means, for actuating said second driving means to move said timing means to its initial condition, to interrupt signal transmission, b. second actuating means, responsive to said first control means and said signal responsive means in said normal conditions, for actuating said second driving means, to move said timing means to said signal transmitting condition, whereby said second driving means is actuable by said first and second actuating means to restore said timing means to said initial condition from any condition of displacement from said initial condition.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 119 words

The structure defined by claim 19 wherein said second actuating means includes a device actuable between first and second conditions in which it respectively permits and prevents operation of said second actuating means to actuate said second driving means, a. means responsive to said first control means in said first condition and said selector means in said normal condition for moving said device to said first condition, means responsive to said device in said first condition and said signal responsive means in said normal condition, for holding said device in said first condition, b. means responsive to said activated signal responsive means for disabling said holding means, and means operable thereupon for returning said device to said second condition.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 75 words

The structure defined by claim 1 which includes second driving means connected to move said transmission timing means independently of, but in the same direction said first driving means, first actuating means, including means responsive to said second control means in said normal condition and said signal responsive means in said activated condition, for actuating said second driving means, and means for stopping said second driving means with said transmitting means in said initial condition.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 52 words

The structure defined by claim 21 wherein said second driving means includes an electric motor, said first actuating means includes a normally open switch which is adapted to be closed by said signal responsive means in said activated condition, and said stopping means includes said transmission timing means in said initial condition.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 142 words

The structure defined by claim 21 wherein said manually operable means includes an element which is movable between on and off positions and causes said first control means to occupy said normal condition upon movement of said element to its off position, means responsive to said first control means in said normal condition for applying a third signal to said signal transmitting means, second actuating means, including said first control means and said signal responsive means in said normal conditions, for actuating said second driving means to drive said transmission timing means to said signal transmitting condition, to cause said third signal to activate said signal responsive means, and means responsive to such activation to disconnect said second actuating means from, and connect said first actuating means to said second driving means, to restore said transmission timing means to said initial condition.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 105 words

The structure defined by claim 23 wherein said second actuating means includes additional means, having normal and activated conditions, for rendering said second actuating means ineffective and effective respectively, means responsive to said first control means in said first condition for activating said additional means, means responsive to said signal responsive means, in said normal condition, and said activated additional means, for holding said additional means activated, whereby said second actuating means is rendered effective to actuate said second driving means upon movement of said first control means to said normal condition with said transmission timing means in a condition other than said transmitting condition.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 129 words

The structure defined by claim 24 which includes a third control means having normal and first conditions, key operable means for establishing said third control means in said first condition, means for releasably holding it in said first condition, said establishing and holding means including a normally closed switch controlled by said additional means and adapted to be opened thereby upon activation thereof, said third control means in said first condition, with said first and second control means in their normal and first conditions respectively being connected to condition said resetting means to reset said register, and means responsive to said first control means, in said first condition for activating said additional means to open said normally closed switch to restore said third control means to said normal condition.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 98 words

The system of claim 1 which includes a delivery relay having normal and 1st states, means responsive to said first control means in its first condition, for establishing said delivery relay in 1st state, a second relay having normal and 1st states, means, including said second control means in its first condition and said delivery relay in its 1st state to establish said second relay in its 1st state and means responsive to said second relay in its 1st state and said signal responsive means in its normal condition for holding said second relay in its 1st state.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 26 which includes electrical means for starting and stopping said bill acceptor comprisIng a normally closed switch and means responsive to said second relay in its 1st state for opening said switch.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 51 words

The system of claim 26 wherein said means to permit the operation of said register resetting means includes an electric motor and circuitry for operating said motor, which includes a normally closed switch and means responsive to the establishing of said second relay in its 1st state for opening said switch.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 230 words

The system of claim 26 wherein said first and second control means are in their first conditions and which includes a. a normally open power supply switch which is held closed by said second control means in its first condition, b. said delivery relay having a normally closed switch which is open when said relay occupies its 1st state; said second relay including a normally open switch which is closed by said relay in its first state; said signal responsive means including a normally closed switch which is opened upon activation of said means; a reset relay having normal and 1st states and having first and second normally open switches which are closed by the relay in its first state, c. means connecting said power supply switch with the delivery relay switch and through the second relay switch, the signal responsive means switch and said reset relay so as to establish said reset relay in its first state to close its normally open switches, a reset motor connected to the timing means, d. means connecting the first of said reset relay switches with a supply of power and with said reset motor to cause said motor to restore said timing means to its initial condition when said manual means is operated to restore said first control means to its normal condition while said second control means occupies its first condition.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 29 which includes means for supplying power to said first reset relay switch from the switch of said signal responsive means so that the supply will be interrupted when said means is activated.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 87 words

The system of claim 29 wherein the second switch of said reset relay is connected to one side of said transmit switch and to said signal responsive means, and wherein said delivery relay includes a normally closed power switch, means connecting said power switch to the other side of said transmit switch so as to transmit a pulse to said pulse responsive means when said timing means is restored to its initial condition by said reset motor, thereby activating said pulse responsive means to normalize said system.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 206 words

The system of claim 31 which includes a multipole selector switch means which is manually settable to automatic and to normal operation positions, said switch means in its automatic setting serving to a. transmit power to said second signal producing means and b. permit energization of said bill acceptor, and wherein said means in its normal setting serves to c. isolate said second signal producing means and supply power directly to said register resetting means and to the normally open and the corresponding normally closed contacts of said delivery relay, independently of said second control means; d. prevent energization of said bill acceptor and e. positively complete the ground circuit leg of the register resetting means so as to render said means responsive solely to said manually operable means, and wherein said establishment of the first control means in its first condition, in response to the resetting of the registers, energizes said delivery relay to establish said second relay in its 1st state and wherein the restoration of first control means to its normal condition restores said dispensing relay to its normal state to cause said timing means to be reset to its initial condition at the end of each normal operation of said dispensing apparatus.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 91 words

The system of claim 1 which includes credit posting means in addition to that provided by said second control means in its first condition, said additional posting means comprising a. first and second devices each having first and second states, means responsive to said second control means in its first condition for establishing said first device in its second state, means established by said first device in its second state to divert another first signal to said second device to establish it in its second state to post an additional credit.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 33 which includes means responsive to said first control means in its first condition, for preventing the establishment of said second device in its second state.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 33 which includes means responsive to said second device, in its second state, to render the transmission of said first transmitted second signal ineffective to activate said signal responsive means to interrupt delivery.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 65 words

The system of claim 35 which includes means operable by said transmission timing means for restoring said second device to its first state, and which includes additional means operable by said timing means after passage thereof through its transmitting condition, for conditioning said signal transmitting means to activate said signal responsive means upon the next subsequent movement of said timing means to its transmitting condition.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 141 words

The system of claim 36 which includes third and fourth devices, each having first and second states, means responsive to said second device in its second state for establishing said third device in its second state, a. means established by said third device in said state for diverting a third first signal to said fourth device to establish it in its second state, b. means responsive to said fourth device in its second state for preventing restoration of said second device to its first state until after the first passage of said timing means through its transmitting condition, c. said additional means being operable after the second passage of said timing means through its signal transmitting condition, to condition said signal transmitting means to activate said signal responsive means upon the third movement of said timing means to its transmitting condition.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 73 words

The system of claim 33 which includes third and fourth devices, each having first and second states, and which includes means responsive to said second device in its second state, for establishing said third device in its second state and a. means established by said third device in its second state for diverting a third first signal to said fourth device to establish it in its second state, to post a further credit.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 38 which includes means responsive to said fourth device in its second state for disabling said bill acceptor.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 38 which includes means responsive to said first control means in its first condition for preventing the establishment of said fourth device in its second state.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 38 wherein said first and third devices include means for delaying the establishment thereof in their respective second states.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 198 words

The system of claim 33 wherein said means for transmitting said second signal includes a normally open transmit switch connected in series with a normally open stop control switch and wherein said timing means includes means for closing said transmit switch when said timing means moves to its transmitting condition and for opening it when it passes said condition, and wherein the means for closing said stop control switch includes: a. a coil connected in a circuit which comprises a normally closed switch which is opened by said second device in its second state and a normally open credit switch which is disposed for closure by said timing means subsequent to the reopening of said transmit switch and to reopen as said timing means continues in motion, b. means for holding said second device in its second state, said means comprising a normally open switch which is closed by said second device in its second state and which is in series with a normally cLosed first hold switch, said hold switch being disposed so as to be opened by said timing means after said credit switch is reopened and said second device restored to its first state, whereby:

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 115 words

The system of claim 42 wherein said timing means includes rotary cam means which rotate one revolution as said timing means move from initial to signal transmitting condition, said cam means and transmit switch being disposed so that said switch is closed in the initial and transmitting conditions of said timing means and is opened as the first event of a revolution, means for disposing said credit switch to be closed and opened by said cam means after said transmit switch is opened, means for disposing said first hold switch to be opened and closed by said cam means, after said credit switch has been opened, to restore said second device to its first state.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 165 words

The system of claim 42 wherein said flow supplying means includes a normally closed main valve and a slow flow valve connected to bypass said main valve, and wherein the means for actuating said flow supplying means includes motor operated means for opening and closing said main valve as said motor is energized and deenergized respectively, a. means for energizing said motor including said first and second means in their first conditions and a normally closed first switch connected so as to supply said motor, b. a normally closed second switch connected in parallel with said first switch, means responsive to the energization of the coil for closing said stop control switch and for opening said second switch, c. means operable by said timing means for opening said first switch after said second switch is opened and before said timing means reached its transmitting condition, so as to deenergize said motor and close said main valve prior to the subsequent closure of said transmit switch.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 315 words

The system of claim 42 which includes a delivery relay having normal and first states, means responsive to said first control means in its first condition for establishing said relay in its first state, a second relay having normal and first states, means including said second control means in its first condition and said delivery relay in its first state to establish said second relay in its first state and means responsive to said second relay in its first state and said signal responsive means in its normal condition for holding said second relay in its first state, a. means for resetting said timing means to its initial condition, including a reset motor connected to drive said timing means, a reset relay having normal and first states and having first and second normally open switches and a third normally closed switch, said means for holding said second device in its second state including said third switch in series with the hold switch thereof, b. energizing means for said reset relay including a power switch which is closed by said second control means in its first condition, a normally closed switch of said delivery relay, a normally open switch of said second relay and a normally closed switch of said signal responsive means, c. means connecting said reset relay first switch to said energizing means and said reset motor to energize the motor when said first switch is closed, d. means for supplying a substitute second signal to said signal responsive means comprising a normally closed power switch of said delivery relay, said transmit switch And said reset relay second switch whereby a. upon restoration of said first control means to normal condition while said second control means occupy said first condition, said reset relay will be energized to open said second device to restore it to its first state, and to energize said reset motor,

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 118 words

The system of claim 45 which includes third and fourth devices each having first and second states, wherein said second device in its second state is connected to establish said third device in its second state for diverting a third first signal to establish said fourth device in its second state, said fourth device including a normally open switch, means connecting said switch in series with a source of power and through a normally closed second hold switch and said normally closed third switch of the reset relay so as to hold said fourth device in its second state, said third switch serving to return said fourth device to its first state upon energization of said reset relay.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 155 words

The system of claim 42 which includes third and fourth devices each having first and second states, means responsive to said second device in its second state for establishing said third device in its second state, means established thereby for diverting a third first signal to said fourth device to establish it in its second state to post a third credit, said fourth device including a. a normally closed switch connected in series with said coil and the normally closed switch of said second device, a normally open auxiliary switch connected in parallel with said normally closed first hold switch, and a normally open switch in series with a normally closed second hold switch, for holding said fourth device in its second state, said second hold switch being disposed for operation by said timing means so as to be opened thereby after the first hold switch is reclosed upon continued operation of said timing means,

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system of claim 47 wherein said fourth device includes a normally closed switch, said bill acceptor having electric driving means and said switch connected therewith so as to disable said drive means when said fourth device is in its second state.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system of claim 47 which includes means responsive to the energization of the coil of said stop control switch and to said signal responsive means in its normal condition, for maintaining said coil energized.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 138 words

The system of claim 47 wherein said timing means includes rotary cam means which rotate one revolution as said timing means move from initial to signal transmitting condition, said cam means and transmit switch being disposed so that said switch is closed in the initial and transmitting conditions of said timing means and is opened as the first event of a revolution, means for disposing said credit switch to be closed and opened by said cam means after said transmit switch is opened, means for disposing said first hold switch to be opened and closed by said cam means after said credit switch has been opened and means for disposing said second hold switch so as to be opened by said cam means after said first hold switch has been reclosed and before said transmit switch is reclosed.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 47 which includes a visible signal for each of said devices and means for energizing the signal of each device as said device is established in its second state.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system of claim 51 which includes a second visible signal for said firsT device and means for energizing said signal when said second control means is in its first condition, to indicate that said first device should be in its second state.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-11-04	1978-05-06	1978-11-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-11-04	1982-05-06	1982-11-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-11-04	1986-05-06	1986-11-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bill accepting motor fuel dispensing apparatus

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