Patent Application
20120018446
The present invention relates generally to a safety system for self-service fuel pumps at gasoline stations. More specifically, the present invention is a safety alert system that warns users about the absence of the fuel nozzle from the nozzle mount on the pump. As a result, the user is reminded to remove the nozzle from their cars and replace the nozzle onto the pump.
In recent years, self-service fuel pumps at gasoline stations have become the industry standard. The majority of fuel pumps at gasoline stations are self-service as opposed to full-service. Many consumers prefer to pump their own fuel due to a lower cost. By providing self-service, gasoline stations do not have the extra expense of hiring employees. Self-service fuel pumps allow individual consumers to pump their own gasoline without the need for trained employees to help perform such a service. However, self-service stations open the operation of the gasoline pumps to all types of users. The consequence of providing self-service gasoline pumps at the gasoline stations is that it can be operated by careless, forgetful, or rushed users. Such types of users are prone to forget the removal and replacement of the fuel nozzle to the nozzle mount on the gasoline pump. As a result, the users will drive off while the nozzles are still inserted in their vehicles. The force of the car pulling away causes the hose to be ripped off of the gasoline station. This situation, which is commonly referred to as a “breakaway separation”, a “drive off”, or a “drive away”, can be very dangerous and expensive. The consequences of a breakaway separation can include, a large gasoline leak, damage to the gasoline pump, and damage to the user's vehicle. A large gasoline leak is a large hazard as ignition of the spilled gasoline can result in a large disaster. A large gas station having four islands of three pumps per island may experience at least one to two breakaway separations conditions per month on average.
To address this problem, the present invention introduces a safety system that is able to effectively remind a gas pump user to remove the nozzle from their vehicle and replace it back onto the pump. The safety system provides a visual and audio reminder that is activated by the removal of the nozzle from the gas pump. The visual indicator continually provides a visual reminder and is positioned evidently on the gas pump to increase its chance of being seen. Additionally, the present invention provides a continual, periodical, or one-time audio reminder for the patron to replace the nozzle when they have finished filling their vehicle. By providing very evident reminder to replace a fuel nozzle to the gas pump, the chances of a breakaway separation from occurring is significantly reduce. The present invention saves the gas station owners and the vehicle drivers from any embarrassment or the cost of damage repair to the gas pump or the vehicle.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a breakaway separation prevention system for a fuel dispensing station enclosure 1 that comprises a limit switch 2, a nozzle mount 4, a fuel nozzle 7, a visual indicator 5, and an audio indicator 6. In reference to
In an inactive positioned, the nozzle 7 is positioned and docked onto the nozzle mount 4. The nozzle door 41 is secured in an open position as the nozzle 7 is inserted into and placed on the nozzle mount 4. With the nozzle door 41 in an open position the limit switch 2 is also secured in an open position. The open limit switch 2 keeps the circuit control relay 3 in an open position as well. The open position keeps the audio indicator 6 and the visual indicator 5 inactive.
To use the present invention, a patron of a gas station simply follows the normal procedure for paying and removing the nozzle 7 to fill their vehicle. By removing the nozzle 7 from the nozzle mount 4, the nozzle door 41 is released from an open position into a closed position. The releasing of the nozzle door 41 switches the limit switch 2 into a closed position. As a result, the limit switch 2 causes the circuit control relay 3 to move from a normally open position into a closed position. The closing of the circuit control relay 3 completes the circuit of for the activation of the visual indicator 5 and the audio indicator 6. The activation of the visual indicator 5 and the audio indicator 6 allows the present invention to emit a warming signal notifying and reminding the gas station patron to replace the fuel nozzle 7 back into the nozzle mount 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the visual indicator 5 is a red LED light strip that emits a sequential oscillating light. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the visual indicator 5 can also be an patch array of LED lights that emit a flashing lights with varying frequencies depending on the preferred settings. The visual indicator 5 can also notify and remind a gas station patron to replace the nozzle 7 by other means including lights with different illuminating patterns. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the warning signal emitted by the audio indicator 6 is a pre-recorded message with notification reminder to replace the fuel nozzle 7. In an embodiment of the present invention, the audible warning message by the audio indicator 6 can say, “Please remember to return the fuel nozzle 7 after dispensing fuel. The red LED warning lights will continue to flash until the nozzle 7 is returned to the dispenser.” The audible warning message can be played continuously as the user is filling their vehicle with gasoline, or periodically at predetermined time intervals.
When the dispensing of fuel has been completed, the fuel nozzle 7 is to be returned to the nozzle mount 4 on the fuel dispensing station enclosure 1. When the fuel nozzle 7 is replaced onto the nozzle mount 4, the nozzle door 41 and the limit switch 2 inside the fuel dispensing station enclosure 1 are once again secured back into their normal open position. Consequently, the circuit control relay 3s are returned to a open position as well. The opening of the circuit control relay 3 breaks the visual indicator 5 and the audio indicator 6 off from the circuit. The red LED light strip and the audio speaker are turned off until another gas station patron stops to fill their vehicle.
As with any electronic system in a gas station, it is important for each electronic component to be insulated and sealed. The audio indicator 6 and the visual indicator 5 are to be connected to the fuel dispensing station enclosure 1 by a seal. Additionally, the circuit control relay 3 is positioned within the fuel dispensing station enclosure 1 away from any and all flammable gasoline. Such safety precautions are necessary to protect each and all patrons utilizing a gasoline station.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/365,931 filed on Jul. 20, 2010.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61365931 | Jul 2010 | US |
