Abstract A control apparatus adapted for use with a gasoline dispensing equipment is provided to automatically stop the flow of gasoline after a predetermined volume is dispensed. The apparatus electromechanically senses the position of a computer counter which registers the amount of gasoline dispensed and with the control provided by a plurality of electrical switches, interrupts the motor which drives the gasoline dispensing pump or closes the valve which controls the dispensing action when a specific amount of gasoline has been dispensed. The volume of gasoline to be dispensed may be measured in cost or volume units and may be predetermined by presetting a dollar or gallon amount on one of the switch mechanisms in the control apparatus. When the preset amount is dispensed by the gasoline pump, the dispensing cycle is interrupted. Automatic resetting means restores the control apparatus to a zero operational mode upon interruption of the cycle so that the control apparatus is prepared for the next dispensing cycle.
A control apparatus for use with gasoline dispensing equipment which equipment includes a computer counter of the indicating type rotatable in synchronism with the flow of gasoline through said equipment, said counter having at least one rotatable wheel with a plurality of projecting teeth positioned along the periphery thereof, said control apparatus consisting of a housing, an elongated finger projecting outwardly from said housing and being directly positioned in the area between two adjacent teeth on said rotatable wheel of said counter by passing through a small opening in the housing enclosing said counter and into said area between adjacent teeth and to engage sequentially and individually successive teeth of said plurality of teeth on said wheel when said counter moves to positions equivalent to predetermined volume levels of dispensed gasoline, said finger being unattached to said counter, and said control apparatus having no associated parts attached to said counter, said finger assuming a first position when said counter is not at said predetermined volume levels and being urged to a second position by said wheel when said counter is at said volume levels, a first electrical switch connected to said extended finger and actuated thereby to transmit an electrical signal when said finger is in said second position, sensing means operatively connected to said first electrical switch for receiving said electrical signal and assuming an operational mode corresponding to the amount of gasoline dispensed as measured by the position of said counter; control means for presetting a specific volume of gasoline to be dispensed and cooperating with said sensing means when said counter mechanism is moved to a position corresponding to the preset volume of gasoline; and second switch means operatively connected to said sensing means and effective to interrupt the flow of gasoline through said dispensing equipment when said sensing means and said control means cooperate thereby stopping the flow of gasoline from said pump at said preset value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
A control apparatus for use with gasoline dispensing equipment which equipment includes a computer counter of the indicating type rotatable in synchronism with the flow of gasoline through said equipment, said counter having at least one rotatable wheel with a plurality of projecting teeth positioned along the periphery thereof, said control apparatus consisting of a housing, an elongated finger projecting outwardly from said housing and being directly positioned in the area between two adjacent teeth on said rotatable wheel of said counter by passing through a small opening in the housing enclosing said counter and into said area between adjacent teeth and to engage sequentially and individually successive teeth of said plurality of teeth on said wheel when said counter moves to positions equivalent to predetermined volume levels of dispensed gasoline, said finger being unattached to said counter, and said control apparatus having no associated parts attached to said counter, said finger assuming a first position when said counter is not at said predetermined volume levels and being urged to a second position by said wheel when said counter is at said volume levels, a first electrical switch connected to said extended finger and actuated thereby to transmit an electrical signal when said finger is in said second position, sensing means operatively connected to said first electrical switch for receiving said electrical signal and assuming an operational mode corresponding to the amount of gasoline dispensed as measured by the position of said counter; control means for presetting a specific volume of gasoline to be dispensed and cooperating with said sensing means when said counter mechanism is moved to a position corresponding to the preset volume of gasoline; and second switch means operatively connected to said sensing means and effective to interrupt the flow of gasoline through said dispensing equipment when said sensing means and said control means cooperate thereby stopping the flow of gasoline from said pump at said preset value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
In the control apparatus of claim 1, in which said sensing means comprises third switch means operatively connected to said first switch means to assume one of several operating modes corresponding to the position of said counter in response to the actuation of said first switch means; reset means operatively connected to said third switch means to reset said third switch means to an operating mode corresponding to a zero volume dispensing position of said counter when the flow of gasoline has been interrupted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The control apparatus of claim 2, in which said control means consists of fourth switch means comprising a group of individual parts to be manually actuated and to remain actuated during the movement of said counter, said parts bearing indicia representing total volume of gasoline to be dispensed, said parts altering electrically the electrical circuit of said control apparatus to which they are attached when actuated, and deactuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the control apparatus of claim 3, means for deactuating said actuated part when the flow of said gasoline has been interrupted.