Patent US4676280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4676280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid reservoir and method of using a vehicle to dispense liquid therefrom
Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-18
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Granted: 1987-06-30
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Expires: 2006-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of dispensing a liquid including providing a liquid containing resilient storage reservoir, positioning the reservoir in the path of traction portions a vehicle, providing a shroud which is generally outwardly open and adapted to receive a hose and storing the hose therein. The hose is removed from the shroud and secured to connector which communicates with the interior of the reservoir. The vehicle is moved over the reservoir in such a manner that the traction portions runs over at least a portion of the liquid storage reservoir in a generally longitudinal axial direction to urge the liquid out of the reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of the reservoir in front of the traction portions. The method and reservoir may be employed to refuel a vehicle by connecting the reservoir with a fuel inlet of the vehicle. The hose is preferably secured within the shroud when the reservoir is not receiving or dispensing liquid. Reservoir engaging devices are provided to facilitate handling as well as purging and drying of the reservoir. Apparatus for bleeding undesired air out of the reservoir may be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoram Curiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:41
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/02; B67D7/0216; B60; B60S; B60S5/00; B60S5/02; B67D7/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S383/00; Y10S383/904; Y10S383/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A collapsible liquid storage and dispensing reservoir comprising an elongated unitary reservoir body composed of a resilient material, said reservoir having a fluid storage chamber, outlet means extending outwardly from one end of said reservoir for permitting introduction of liquid into said storage chamber and removal of liquid therefrom, hose means operatively associated with said outlet means, and tubular shroud means extending from said reservoir means for storing said hose means, whereby withdrawal of at least a portion of said hose means from said shroud means will create liquid discharge from said reservoir when vehicle traction means run over said reservoir in a longitudinal axial direction to compress said reservoir and progressively urge said liquid from said reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of said reservoir in front of said traction means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A collapsible liquid storage and dispensing reservoir comprising an elongated unitary reservoir body composed of a resilient material, said reservoir having a fluid storage chamber, outlet means extending outwardly from one end of said reservoir for permitting introduction of liquid into said storage chamber and removal of liquid therefrom, hose means operatively associated with said outlet means, and tubular shroud means extending from said reservoir means for storing said hose means, whereby withdrawal of at least a portion of said hose means from said shroud means will create liquid discharge from said reservoir when vehicle traction means run over said reservoir in a longitudinal axial direction to compress said reservoir and progressively urge said liquid from said reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of said reservoir in front of said traction means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reservoir of claim 1 including said outlet means at least partially disposed within said shroud means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The reservoir of claim 2 including valve means operatively associated with said outlet means to permit flow therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reservoir of claim 2 including a said tubular shroud means extending from each end of said elongated reservoir body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The reservoir of claim 2 including fastening means for securing said hose means within said shroud means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reservoir of claim 5 including said fastening means having apertures within said shroud means, and means passing through said apertures to retain said hose means within said shroud.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The reservoir of claim 5 including said outlet means having first locking means, said hose means having second locking means, and said first and said second locking means being sealingly interengageable when it is desired to discharge liquid from said reservoir chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reservoir of claim 7 including said first locking means and said second locking means having quick connect and disconnect means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reservoir of claim 7 including resiliently compressible material disposed over the exterior of at least a portion of said outlet means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reservoir of claim 9 including said hose means having hose valve means for providing control over delivery of liquid from said reservoir chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reservoir of claim 1 including marking means on the exterior of said reservoir for providing information regarding the use or contents of said reservoir.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reservoir of claim 11 including said marking means including information regarding the desired direction of vehicle travel over said reservoir.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reservoir of claim 1 including reservoir engaging means secured to the exterior thereof, whereby interengagement and lifting of said reservoir is facilitated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The reservoir of claim 13 including positioning at least some of said reservoir engaging means adjacent to one end of said reservoir, whereby said reservoir may be supported by said reservoir engaging means in a generally vertical orientation so as to facilitate drainage and drying of the interior thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reservoir of claim 1 including air bleeder means in communication with said reservoir chamber for purging undesired air therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reservoir of claim 15 including said air bleeder means including a resilient tube disposed interiorly of said chamber and adapted to be in communication with the exterior thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reservoir of claim 16 including air valve means for opening at a predetermined pressure for permitting air to flow from said reservoir chamber through said air bleeder means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reservoir of claim 17 including said air bleeder means being in communication with said chamber at a position closer to the free end of said reservor than to the outlet means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of dispensing a liquid by means of a vehicle comprising providing an elongated liquid containing storage reservoir having outlet means, a generally tubular shroud extending outwardly from said reservoir, hose means for dispensing liquid from said reservoir disposed within said shroud, positioning said reservoir in the path of traction means of said vehicle, removing at least a portion of said hose from said shroud, connecting said hose means to said outlet means, and moving said vehicle so as to cause said traction means to run over at least a portion of said reservoir in a generally longitudinal axial direction to progressively compress said reservoir and progressively urge said liquid out of said reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of said reservoir in front of said traction means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of dispensing a liquid by means of a vehicle comprising providing an elongated liquid containing storage reservoir having outlet means, a generally tubular shroud extending outwardly from said reservoir, hose means for dispensing liquid from said reservoir disposed within said shroud, positioning said reservoir in the path of traction means of said vehicle, removing at least a portion of said hose from said shroud, connecting said hose means to said outlet means, and moving said vehicle so as to cause said traction means to run over at least a portion of said reservoir in a generally longitudinal axial direction to progressively compress said reservoir and progressively urge said liquid out of said reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of said reservoir in front of said traction means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19 including providing said resilient reservoir as a fuel storage reservoir, providing fuel as said liquid in said reservoir, and prior to urging said fuel out of said reservoir connecting said hose means with a fuel inlet of said vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20 including providing securing means for retaining said hose means within said shroud prior to use, and opening said securing means to permit removal of said hose means prior to connecting said hose means to said oulet means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 including after discharging liquid from said reservoir, purging said reservoir of said liquid and permitting said reservoir to dry.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 including providing said vehicle as a military tank having traction means in the form of endless tread means, and running one of said endless tread means over said storage reservoir.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 23 including controlling the rate of speed of said vehicle so as to achieve a desired rate of flow of fuel into said vehicle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22 including reservoir lifting means secured to the exterior of said reservoir, and employing said lifting means to hang said reservoir in a generally longitudinal position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |