Patent Application
20130327440
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a pump handle assembly that includes a push button release incorporated into a conventional gas pump handle.
2. Description of Related Art
Petroleum is a natural resource that is used to create various types of fuels consumed by consumers and businesses throughout the world. The petroleum is refined into consumer products such as gasoline and oil for consumption in their vehicles. The typical consumer purchases the gasoline from a gas filling station that includes a fuel dispenser. Fuel dispensers include a hose and gas pump handles that are inserted into the gas tank opening of the vehicle. Use of the gas pump handle involves the gripping of a lever that may be normally held and squeezed by the individual in order to release fuel through the gas nozzle that forms a portion of the gas pump handle. Although for most people this is a relatively simple and uninhibiting task the use of such a gas pump may be difficult for someone who has difficulty with the functionality of their hand or dexterity. Sometimes this problem is particularly difficult for elderly people who may suffer from arthritis or have other complications that prevent them from actively squeezing the lever at the gas pump during the fueling process. Occasionally the squeeze lever may include a means to lock the lever in a closed position to allow the release of fuel through the nozzle however the user still needs to squeeze the lever to a certain level in order to accomplish such a feat.
Several devices of the prior art have been developed to address the issue with respect to gripping a gas pump lever. One example is the use of a actuator device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4846447 which discloses a device that is attached to the trigger or lever of the gas pump to press the lever or trigger in an upward position while dispensing fuel through gas pump. Another manual device used in conjunction with a gas pump is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0175786 which discloses a gas pump nozzle handle block and method of use to maintain an open flow position on a traditional lever of a gas pump. The block basically lodges or slides within the opening of the nozzle handle and rotates into the opening frictionally engaging the block to keep the nozzle handle in an open position.
Another example of addressing this issue is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0048711 that discloses a fuel dispenser that is electronically controlled with various advertising and transactional features coupled with the gas pump. The fuel dispenser eliminates the gas-dispensing lever and is electronically controlled through the use of a fueling button and an ergonomic handle as shown in the publication.
It would therefore be advantageous to have a pump handle design that helps to alleviate some of the difficulties for an impaired user. Such a device could alleviate the physical exertion necessary to squeeze the handle lever and would therefore be helpful to many individuals suffering from arthritic or other difficult health deficiencies.
The present invention relates to a gas pump handle modification comprising: a handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly includes a nozzle and a handgrip, wherein said nozzle extends from a first end of the handgrip; a lever frame extending from the handgrip, where a squeeze lever is configured within the lever frame; and a release button positioned along the handgrip, where the release button provides a means to engage the squeeze lever in an upward position to allow the release of fuel through the nozzle. The pump handle assembly also includes a hose attached to a second end of the handgrip where the hose provides a flow of fuel. In one particular embodiment, the pump handle assembly also includes a handgrip cover that covers the connection of the nozzle with the handgrip.
The present invention relates to a pump handle assembly that includes the push button release feature that allows for the flow of fuel through the nozzle of the handle. The pump handle assembly includes an additional feature to the conventional gas pump handle and alleviates the necessity for squeezing the lever of the handle during operation. Use of the pump handle assembly according to present invention would be very advantageous for individuals who have trouble with dexterity or the lack of strength to squeeze the lever to the appropriate distance to release fuel.
A Pump Handle Assembly 100 is depicted in
The alternative design of the traditional gas pump handle is provided by the present invention herein. This alternative design allows for a push button release of fuel through the gas pump and therefore avoids the necessity of squeezing the Lever 27 in a position to allow the release of fuel. The Squeeze Lever 27 is provided on the present invention as the alternative release means along with the traditional functioning lever of the pump handle. The use of the present invention allows for a more effective and easier use of a conventional gas pump handle.
