Patent Application
20210323807
This invention relates to the field of handle barriers and more particularly to a device for protecting user's hand from dirty fuel pump handles.
The most common mechanism for passing viruses and bacteria is contact. Whether shaking hands, contacting shared surfaces, or handing over items, each presents the problem of passing infectious agents from one person to another. Transmitting bacteria and viruses is always an issue, but particularly during times such as flu season.
As this application is being drafted, the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19 is rapidly spreading around the world. In response to this pandemic, certain social interactions have changed. For example, most people are currently not shaking hands, are working from home, and are limiting grocery store trips.
But certain activities of daily life cannot be suspended even in the times of a pandemic. For example, using the fuel pump at a filling station. Everyone with a vehicle must go to a filling station, particularly first responders and other individuals who must drive even more during periods of crisis.
When using a filling station, one may elect to use disposable gloves. But the COVID-19 pandemic has led to shortages of supplies. Thus to use gloves for such a mundane task seems wasteful.
What is needed is a device that allows a user to operate a fuel pump without the use of disposable consumable supplies such as gloves.
The device disclosed within as a reusable fuel pump handle guard. A user holds the handle guard in his or her hand, with his palm against the grip, and fingers extending down along the two parallel elements—a latching element and a receiving element.
The user then applies the hand guard to the hand rest of the fuel pump.
A shoulder located at the front edge of the grip prevents the user's hand from sliding too far forward and off the handle guard.
The reusable fuel pump handle guard is preferably formed from a flexible material that allows the user to bend the receiving element toward the latching element, around the grip of the gas pump, and underneath the handle of the gas pump. The compression of the handle guard against the lever actuates the pump, and ultimately allows the hook of the latching element to engage the hole of the receiving element.
The receiving element are latching element are also referred to as downwardly-extending legs, able to lock into each other and form an enclosed space.
The material is also preferably resilient, returning to its original shape after use.
In an alternative embodiment, the reusable fuel pump handle guard is formed from a rigid material, with the receiving element/latching element connected to the grip by hinges.
In an additional alternative embodiment, the reusable fuel pump handle guard is partially flexible and partially rigid. For example, the grip is rigid or inflexible, but the receiving element and latching element are flexible.
Regardless of the combination of rigid and flexible materials, the result is that the handle guard encircles the fuel pump hand rest and lever, causing the gas pump to dispense gasoline until the automatic disconnect is triggered.
When the user wishes to stop fuel from dispensing, he can again squeeze the handle guard to disconnect the hook from the hole. The handle guard is then readily removable.
The handle guard is reusable and easily sanitized using cleaning agents or hand sanitizer.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
Referring to
The handle guard 1 is formed primarily from a grip 10, with downward-extending flexible receiving element 20 and latching element 30.
The grip 10 ends in a shoulder 12, against which a user can rest the space between his thumb and index finger—the front edge of this palm.
The space between the receiving element 20 and latching element 30 creates a gap 14, info which the item to be held, such as a fuel pump handle, is slid.
The receiving element 20 includes one or more holes 22, and optional locking face 24.
The latching element 30 includes a hook 32 that during use slides into the hole 22 and rests against the locking face 24.
Optionally included are gripping ribs 40 that help the user's fingers to hold the handle guard 1 and change its shape.
While the receiving element 20 and latching element 30 are preferably formed from a flexible material, in alternative embodiments the receiving element 20 and latching element 30 and formed from rigid materials, and connected to the grip 10 by hinges. The hinges can be living hinges, or typical butt hinges.
Referring to
The receiving element 20 has flexed toward the latching element 30, allowing the hook 32 to pass through the hole 22.
Referring to
The handle guard 1 includes the grip 10 with shoulder 12, extending downward into the receiving element 20 and latching element 30.
The receiving element 20 includes one or more holes 22.
The gripping ribs 40 help the user's fingers to hold the handle guard 1 and alter its shape.
Referring to
The gas pump handle 100 includes a hand rest 102 and lever 104. Actuating the lever 104 toward the hand rest 102 causes fuel to be dispensed.
Referring to
The grip 10 rests against the hand rest 102 of the gas pump handle 100 (see
When latched, the handle guard 1 provides the additional benefit of holding the lever 104 in an actuated position, allowing for unattended filling of the user's gas tank.
Referring to
The handle guard 1 is shown with receiving element 20 including holes 22, and locking face 24. The latching element 30 includes a hook 32. A gap 14 exists between receiving element 20 and latching element 30.
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
