Patent US4153748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5365984A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5365984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector and fuel dispensing hose with electrical conduit for a fuel dispensing system
Assignee: HOUSTON VENTURE PARTNERS Ltd
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Filing: 1993-12-02
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2013-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved technique for providing electrical power to a fuel dispensing nozzle is disclosed. A fuel dispensing hose is provided with a fluid pathway, a vapor pathway and conductive elements are provided in the vapor pathway for transmitting intrinsically safe electric signals from a fluid dispenser to the fuel dispensing nozzle. A plurality of conductive bands are installed around a portion of the hose, and a plurality of conductive plungers in the fuel dispensing nozzle make contact with the conductive bands. As the fuel dispensing hose is twisted with respect to the nozzle, the conductive bands rotate but nonetheless remain in contact with the conductive plungers, thereby providing uninterrupted electric signals to any desired electronics installed within the fuel dispensing nozzle. On the other end of the hose, a substrate having conductive elements disposed thereon engage an aperture in the input output port of the fuel dispenser. This fragile contact is protected by stabilization bars on the hose that fit into channels of the input output port.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Dwain Simpson
- 👤 James H. Pyle
- 👤 Geoffrey P. Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:06
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing nozzle having an electrically operated device contained therein; a fuel dispensing hose in communication between a fuel dispenser and said nozzle, and including a first closed passageway for carrying fuel in a first direction toward said nozzle, a second closed passageway for carrying fuel vapor in a second opposite direction toward said dispenser, and means for carrying a safety-approved electrical signal between said fuel dispenser and said fuel dispensing nozzle in order to selectively provide electronic communication between said electrically operated device and said fuel dispenser, said means being disposed within one of said first and second passageways.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing nozzle having an electrically operated device contained therein; a fuel dispensing hose in communication between a fuel dispenser and said nozzle, and including a first closed passageway for carrying fuel in a first direction toward said nozzle, a second closed passageway for carrying fuel vapor in a second opposite direction toward said dispenser, and means for carrying a safety-approved electrical signal between said fuel dispenser and said fuel dispensing nozzle in order to selectively provide electronic communication between said electrically operated device and said fuel dispenser, said means being disposed within one of said first and second passageways.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said carrying means includes at least one conductive wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said carrying means includes at least one optical fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said fuel dispensing hose includes a coupling member for engagement with said fuel dispenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 4, wherein said coupling member rotates independently of said hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said hose includes guide means for facilitating engagement with said fuel dispenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 4, wherein said coupling member is threaded to facilitate engagement with said fuel dispenser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said dispensing hose includes an electrical connector for connecting said electrical signal carrying means to the fuel dispensing hose.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 8, wherein said electrical connector for connecting said electrical signal carrying means to the fuel dispensing hose comprising a plurality of conductive elements disposed thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said first closed pathway is a cylindrical inner pathway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 1, wherein said second closed passageway is an annular passageway concentric about said first closed passageway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 11, wherein said electrical signal carrying means is located within said annular passageway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical signal carrying means is disposed within said second passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
An electronic fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose with first and second ends having a first closed pathway for carrying fuel, a second closed pathway for carrying recovered fuel vapor and means for carrying an electrical signal through one of said pathways; a fuel dispensing and vapor recovery tank having an input/output port with an electrical connector; a fuel dispensing nozzle including means for receiving said electrical signal; and means for connecting said hose first end to said port such that said electrical signal carrying means is in electrical contact with said electrical connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
An electronic fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose with first and second ends having a first closed pathway for carrying fuel, a second closed pathway for carrying recovered fuel vapor and means for carrying an electrical signal through one of said pathways; a fuel dispensing and vapor recovery tank having an input/output port with an electrical connector; a fuel dispensing nozzle including means for receiving said electrical signal; and means for connecting said hose first end to said port such that said electrical signal carrying means is in electrical contact with said electrical connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 14, wherein said connecting means comprises means for guiding said hose first end into said input/output port.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 15, wherein said guiding means comprises at least one stabilization bar extending from said hose first end, and at least one slot located on the input/output port for selectively receiving said at least one stabilization bar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 14, wherein said connecting means comprises means for rotatably coupling said hose first end into said input/output port.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 17, wherein said coupling means comprises a rotatable male member on said hose first end selectively engageable in a female member of said input/output port.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel dispensing hose of claim 18, wherein said male member rotates independently with respect to said electrical connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electronic fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose with first and second ends having a first pathway for carrying fuel, a second pathway for carrying recovered fuel vapor, and means for carrying an electrical signal through one of said pathways; a fuel dispensing and vapor recovery tank having an input/output port with an electrical connector; at least one stabilization bar extending from one of said hose first end and said input/output port and at least one slot located on the other of said hose first end and said input/output port for selectively receiving said at least one stabilization bar.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electronic fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose with first and second ends having a first pathway for carrying fuel, a second pathway for carrying recovered fuel vapor, and means for carrying an electrical signal through one of said pathways; a fuel dispensing and vapor recovery tank having an input/output port with an electrical connector; at least one stabilization bar extending from one of said hose first end and said input/output port and at least one slot located on the other of said hose first end and said input/output port for selectively receiving said at least one stabilization bar.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
A fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose comprising a first closed passageway for carrying fuel in a first direction, a second closed passageway for carrying fuel vapor in a second opposite direction, and means for carrying an electrical signal therealong and disposed within one of said first and second passageways; and a fuel dispensing nozzle including means for receiving said carried electrical signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
A fuel dispensing system comprising: a fuel dispensing hose comprising a first closed passageway for carrying fuel in a first direction, a second closed passageway for carrying fuel vapor in a second opposite direction, and means for carrying an electrical signal therealong and disposed within one of said first and second passageways; and a fuel dispensing nozzle including means for receiving said carried electrical signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 21, wherein said electrical signal receiving means comprises an electrically operated device.
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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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |