Patent US3858758A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3858758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Post-pay fuel dispensing systems
Assignee: Keene Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A post-pay fuel dispensing system in which a fuel dispensing unit is under the remote control of a control console. The dispensing unit is operated by the customer and payment for the fuel dispensed is made after the fuel has been received. Data concerning the amount of fuel dispensed and the cost thereof is transmitted from the dispensing unit to the control console and payment is made at that point. According to the present invention, the dispensing unit is prepared for operation by the taking of certain enabling steps at the control console and thereafter fuel can be withdrawn from the dispensing unit. A particular feature of the present invention is to be found in the fact that the control system for the dispensing unit is not locked-in until the dispensing of fuel is commenced. Thus, if there is improper operation of the switches at the dispensing unit, the operator at the control console does not need again to enable the unit until after the dispensing of fuel commences. Once the dispensing of fuel commences the unit becomes locked-in and becomes disabled upon the individual at the dispensing pump again returning the control switch thereon to ''''off'''' position and hanging up the dispensing nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry A May
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:21
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In a post-pay fuel dispensing system; and electrically operated dispenser unit and a control station remote therefrom, a momentary manual switch in said control station operable to prepare an energizing circuit for said unit thereby to enable said unit to dispense fuel, an on-off switch on the unit connected into said energizing circuit and operable into ''''on'''' position to complete said energizing circuit prior to fuel dispensing and into ''''off'''' position to interrupt said energizing circuit and disable said unit at the end of fuel dispensing, a money pulser in said unit operable to develop an electric pulse for each unit of fuel dispensed of a predetermined value, and interlock means in said control station connected in said energizing circuit and actuated by the first pulse from said money pulser and operable when so actuated to make said manual switch ineffective in respect of enabling said energizing circuit prior to return of said on-off switch to ''''off'''' position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a post-pay fuel dispensing system; and electrically operated dispenser unit and a control station remote therefrom, a momentary manual switch in said control station operable to prepare an energizing circuit for said unit thereby to enable said unit to dispense fuel, an on-off switch on the unit connected into said energizing circuit and operable into ''''on'''' position to complete said energizing circuit prior to fuel dispensing and into ''''off'''' position to interrupt said energizing circuit and disable said unit at the end of fuel dispensing, a money pulser in said unit operable to develop an electric pulse for each unit of fuel dispensed of a predetermined value, and interlock means in said control station connected in said energizing circuit and actuated by the first pulse from said money pulser and operable when so actuated to make said manual switch ineffective in respect of enabling said energizing circuit prior to return of said on-off switch to ''''off'''' position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A dispensing system according to claim 1 in which said interlock means includes a first relay energized by operation of said manual switch and operable when energized to prepare said energizing circuit while also closing a holding circuit for itself, and a second relay energized by said first money pulse and operable when energized to deenergize said first relay while simultaneously maintaining the energizing circuit prepared by said first relay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dispensing system according to claim 2 which includes a holding circuit for said second relay which is prepared by movement of said on-off switch on said unit to ''''on'''' position and which is completed by said second relay upon energization thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A dispensing system according to claim 2 which includes a value indicator at said control station adapted for actuation by pulses from said money pulser, and means operated by energization of said second relay for connecting said value indicator to said money pulser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dispensing system according to claim 4 which includes resetting means responsive to the enabling of said dispensing unit for resetting the value indicating means at said control station to zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A dispensing system according to claim 5 in which said resetting means comprises a coil energizable for effecting said resetting, a capacitor, means for connecting the capacitor to a source of charging voltage prior to the enabling of the dispensing unit, and means for connecting the capacitor across the coil at the time of enabling the dispensing unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A dispensing system according to claim 6 in which said capacitor is connected to said source of charging voltage via a diode poled toward said capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dispensing system according to claim 2 which includes means operable to delay opening of said first relay upon deenergization thereof to provide ample time for said second relay to close and thereby insure that said Energizing circuit will be maintained.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A dispensing system according to claim 1 in which said dispensing unit comprises flow control means in the form of at least one of an electrically operated pump and an electrically operated valve, a meter through which the pumped fuel passes, a computer driven by the meter, said money pulser being driven by said computer, an energizing circuit for said flow control means, said energizing circuit being connected to and under the control of said money pulser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A dispensing system according to claim 9 in which said flow control means comprises a normally closed valve, and a solenoid energizable to open said valve, said solenoid also being connected to said energizing circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dispensing system according to claim 9 which includes means responsive to movement of said on-off switch to ''''on'''' position when said energizing circuit is prepared for setting said computer to zero position, and means responsive to the computer reading the zero position thereof for completing said energizing circuit to said flow control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A dispensing system according to claim 9 in which said dispensing unit comprises a quantity pulser driven by said meter and operable to develop electric pulses in conformity with the amount of fuel passing through said meter, a quantity indicator in said control station connected to be actuated by pulses from said quantity pulser, said quantity pulser being connected to said energizing circuit so as to become effective upon completion of said energizing circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A dispensing system according to claim 1 in which said manual switch includes a ''manual'' position wherein said energizing circuit is prepared directly without the intervention of said interlock means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3773219A
Cited
US3735897A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |