Attitude control device for fuel dispensing nozzle

Claim 1

In the application of an attitude control device to the nozzle spout of a fuel dispensing nozzle, and for use in conjunction with a vent tube of such a spout for such a nozzle and operating to initiate shut-off of the flow of fuel when the nozzle is elevated above a particular degree, but allowing the unrestricted flow of fuel when the dispensing nozzle is being properly applied for said dispensing of fuel, said spout having an opened end for dispensing fuel and said vent tube having an end proximate the spout opened end, the improvement which comprises, an attitude control device operatively associated and communicating with the end of the vent tube for the nozzle and remaining open when the nozzle is normally used for dispensing of fuel as into a fuel tank, said vent tube having an opening normally being opened to atmosphere and exteriorly of the nozzle spout through the operative association of the said attitude control device upon routine dispensing of fuel, and upon elevating of said nozzle spout, said attitude control device closing said vent tube opening to immediately initiate curtailment of the further flow of fuel through the nozzle and out of the end of said spout, said attitude control device incorporating a valve means locating approximately at the end of said spout through which the fuel is discharged, said valve means including a ball valve, said valve means also including a connector applied to the said vent tube, and securing at one end of the vent tube, said connector having a passage therethrough and communicating with the interior of the vent tube, the passage of the connector also opening the interior of the said vent tube to the exterior of the spout at approximately its end, a cylinder mounted upon the connector and extending from an end thereof at approximately that location opposite of where its passage opens into the vent tube, said ball valve provided within said cylinder, whereby the angulation of the nozzle in an approximate downward direction moves the ball valve towards the spout end and to one end of the cylinder and thereby allowing the dispensing of fuel through the nozzle, and the elevating of said nozzle spout allowing the ball valve to move towards the connector passage and seating thereon to close the vent tube and thereby effecting an initiation of means for immediately curtailing the further flow of fuel through the nozzle and spout, and a series of integral and relatively narrow rib means provided upon the interior of the cylinder and with said ball valve riding upon said rib means to facilitate movement of the ball valve along the length of the cylinder between a closing of the vent tube opening, or a movement of the ball valve in an opposite direction for allowing the unrestricted dispensing of fuel through the nozzle and its spout.