AU671766B2 - Fluid dispensing nozzle - Google Patents

Description

WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -1- FLUID DISPENSING NOZZLE The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing nozzle, particularly but not only to a nozzle suitable for dispensing pressurized fluids such as liquid petroleum gas

(LPG).

There have been many proposals for coupling an LPG dispensing nozzle to a tank inlet. It has also been proposed to ensure that the coupling cannot be released while the LPG is being dispensed through the nozzle into the tank.

In EP 039977, the coupling is performed by a series of radially displaceable pawls.

The pawls are retained in their engaged position by a valve body which is displaced towards the tank inlet whenever the nozzle valve is manually opened by a lever to I Ci l- WO 95102554 PCT/AU94/00394 -2dispense the fuel.

It is a common practice of users of LPG dispensing nozzles to rotate the nozzle relative to the tank inlet during dispensing, for example to find a more comfortable position as they hold the nozzle. The embodiment described in EP 039977 has the advantage of freely permitting such rotation. However, in, for example, Australia and North America the standard coupling arrangement between an LPG dispensing nozzle and vehicle tank inlets is a screw threaded one, such as an ACME thread, for example as generally described in AU 79191/87. In this arrangement a connector around and freely rotatable relative to the nozzle body is internally screw threaded at the nozzle outlet end to cooperate with an externally screw threaded tank inlet.

One problem with having a screw threaded connection between the LPG nozzle and the tank inlets is of users deliberately unscrewing the coupling sleeve before fluid dispensing has been terminated. Even partial uncoupling of the sleeve from the tank inlet can put a user's safety at risk if LPG is allowed to escape.

AU 79191/87 aims to overcome the problem of deliberate early uncoupling of the U nozzle by providing a locking means between a handle portion and the connector which is actuated whenever the nozzle valve is opened by a lever to dispense LPG.

The locking means prevents relative rotation between the handle portion and connector while LPG is being dispensed from the nozzle so that the connector cannot be deliberately uncoupled by the user when the handle portion is held steady.

However, locking the handle portion and connector together leads to the problem that rotation of the handle portion by the user in the uncoupling direction of rotation of the connector will lead to at least partial uncoupling of the connector from the tank inlet.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate the aforementioned problems and there is accordingly provided a fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a handle portion, a valve for controlling the dispensing flow of fluid from an inlet end of the nozzle to an outlet end of the nozzle, said valve being actuatable by a lever to open the valve, a connector mounted for rotation relative to the handle portion, said IWO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -3connector having at least one engaging formation adjacent the outlet end of the nozzle for coupling the nozzle with a tank inlet by rotating the connector in one direction and for uncoupling the nozzle from the tank by rotating the connector in the opposite direction, and a locking device between the handle portion and the connector which operates when the lever is in its position which opens the valve, the locking device operating to prevent manual rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in said opposite direction but said locking device permitting rotation of the handle portion relative to the connector in said opposite direction.

By the present invention, the handle portion is free to be manually rotated in a direction which would uncouple the connector if the handle portion and connector were locked for rotation in that direction.

In one embodiment, the handle portion is free to be manually rotated in both directions relative to the connector when the lever is in its position which opens the valve, but the locking device prevents manual rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in the opposite direction. In one such arrangement the Scooperating parts of the locking device on the handle portion and connector must both be advanced towards each other in order for the locking device to engage and operate, and the ccooperating part on the connector must be advanced whenever it is attempted to manually rotate the connector. The cooperating part of the handle portion will be advanced whenever the lever is moved to its position in which the valve is open, but that cooperating part will not engage with the cooperating part on the connector if that also has not been advanced, allowing manual rotation of the handle portion in both directions relative to the connector. On the other hand, when it is attempted to manually rotate the connector to couple or uncouple the connector, its cooperating part will advance but not engage the cooperating part of the handle portion, unless that cooperating part is also advanced, so that the connector can be manually rotated relative to the handle portion. When both cooperating parts are advanced towards each other by the lever being in its position in which the valve is open and by attempting to manually rotate the connector, relative rotation of the handle portion and connector is prevented. In this condition, uncoupling of the 1 WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -4nozzle from the tank inlet is prevented unless both the handle portion and connector are held by separate hands and rotated together.

In this one embodiment, advancement of the cooperating part of the locking device on the connector may occur automatically whenever the connector is gripped to rotate it, for example by means of a leaf spring which is flattened and thereby extended longitudinally when the connector is gripped.

In an alternative, preferred embodiment, the locking device operates to prevent rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in the opposite direction but also to automatically permit rotation of the handle portion relative to the connector in said opposite direction of rotation. In this embodiment, manual rotation of the handle portion relative to the connector is only permitted in the direction of rotation which would uncouple the connector if the handle portion and connector were locked together for rotation in that direction. Thus, manual rotation of the connector in said opposite direction relative to the handle portion is prevented by the operation of the locking device so that the connector cannot be uncoupled when the locking device is engaged except by separately manually rotating both the handle portion and the connector in said opposite direction. The locking device will accordingly also lock together the connector and handle portion for rotation in the one direction, but this is not a problem since such rotation will tend to tighten the coupling between the connector and the tank inlet.

The aforementioned preferred embodiment maybe achieved by a ratchet mechanism which is engaged when the lever is in its position which opens the valve. Preferably, a pawl (or each of a plurality of pawls) of the ratchet mechanism is supported for movement with the handle portion and is advanced automatically whenever the lever is moved to its position which opens the valve to engage one of an annular array of recesses provided on the connector. However, alternatively, it is clear that the or each pawl may be provided on the connector and the array of recesses on the handle portion. Relative rotation between the connector and handle portion is controlled by the engagement of the paw), with the sidewalls of the respective recess. The or iC1-~y- IWO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 each pawl may disengage the sidewall of the respective recess, when the handle portion is rotated in the opposite direction, by displacement out of the plane of the array of recesses, for example by sliding or pivoting movement, or by pivotal movement in the plane of the array of recesses.

Various embodiments of a fluid dispensing nozzle in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial side view, partly in section, of the prior art nozzle of AU 79191/87 showing the nozzle in a fluid-dispensing mode of operation; Figure 2 is an overall side view of a nozzle in accordance with the invention showing the nozzle in two modes of operation, with a valve of the nozzle closed shown in the solid line mode and with the valve opened by a lever shown in the chain dotted mode; Figure 3 is a reduced view similar to Figure 2 but partly in section and illustrating a first embodiment of nozzle according to the invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the sectional portion of Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 are part cross sectional views taken on line A-A of Figure 4 showing a locking mechanism in different modes of operation; Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of a nozzle similar to that shown in Figure 2 but illustrating a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a detail of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a partial side view of a nozzle similar to that shown in Figure 2 but illustrating a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective sectional view taken on the line B-B of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of an LPG nozzle, in non-operational mode; Figure 12 is an enlargement of the forward part of Figure 11 but showing the nozzle connected to a tank inlet and the valve open; and Figure 13 is a perspective partial view of the nozzle of Figures 11 and 12, from the other side illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention.

f, WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -6- It will be noted that, for convenience only, some parts have been omitted from the views illustrated in Figures 2 to 13.

'The LPG dispensing nozzle 10 shown in Figure 1 is described in detail in AU 79191/87 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Briefly, the nozzle 10 comprises a nozzle body 12 which is axially slidable in a slide sleeve 14 against the bias of a compression spring 16 by means of a lever 18. The nozzle body 12 carries a valve assembly shown generally at 20 therein which, when the lever 18 is released, prevents pressurized fluid flow from a hose (not shown) connected to a tubular handle 22 passing to an outlet end 24 of the nozzle by means of a valve body 26 which is biased into engagement with a valve seat 28 by a compression spring The valve 20 is opened as shown in Figure 1 when the lever 18 is actuated to displace the nozzle body 12 and the valve 20 axially forwardly relative to the slide sleeve 14 to bring the valve piston 26 into engagement with an actuator 32 to lift the valve body off the valve seat 28. The pressurized fluid then follows the route shown by the arrows in Figure 1 through ports 34 (one only shown) and passage 46 in the actuator to the outlet end 24.

The actuator 32 forms part of a hollow seal member 36 which is axially slidable relative to the nozzle body 12 and slide sleeve 14 and is biased away from the slide sleeve 14 by a compression spring 38. When the seal member 36 is in its thus biased condition (not shown in Figure 1) the actuator 32 is disposed forwardly of the valve seat 28 whereby axial displacement of the nozzle body 12 and the valve 20 by the lever 18 will not cause the valve body 26 to be lifted from the valve seat 28. The seal member 36 is displaced rearwardly against the bias of spring 38 into the position shown in Figure 1 by engagement of a nose-piece 40 of the seal member 36 with a cooperating seal face of a vehicle tank inlet (not shown) when the nozzle is coupled to the tank inlet.

I-

WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -7- Coupling of the nozzle 10 to the tank inlet is effected by a connector 42 which is in the form of a sleeve axially fixed on but rotatable relative to the slide sleeve 14. At the outlet end 24 of the nozzle the connector 42 is provided with an acme screwthread 44 on its inner periphery to cooperate with a corresponding screw-thread on the tank inlet.

In use, therefore, LPG cannot be dispensed through the nozzle 10 until the seal member 36 is displaced rearwardly by engagement of the nose-piece 40 with the seal face of the tank inlet. This is effected by screw-threadedly engaging the connector 42 with the tank inlet to bring the forwardly biased seal member 36 into contact with the seal face. Once the connector 42 has been fully screw threadedly engaged with the tank inlet, the valve 20 is opened by actuating the lever 18. The lever 18 is pivotally mounted at 48 on an extension 50 of the slide sleeve 14, so is axially fixed relative to the slide sleeve. When the lever is actuated, its abutment 52 cooperates with a surface 54 of a handle portion 56 which includes the tubular handle 22 through which LPG is conveyed to the nozzle and a trigger guard 58. The handle portion is shown in greater detail in AU 79191/87. The handle portion 56 is axially and rotatably fast with the nozzle body 12, and is therefore axially displaceable with the nozzle body 12 relative to the slide sleeve 14 and connector 42. Thus, actuating the lever 18 causes the abutment 52 to urge the handle portion 56 forwardly with the nozzle body 12.

In order to prevent the connector 42 being manually rotated to uncouple the nozzle from the tank inlet while the lever 18 is actuated to open the valve 20, a pin cooperates with the connector to prevent relative rotation of the connector. The pin is secured to the handle portion 56 and projects forwardly towards the adjacent end 62 of the connector. The pin 60 is therefore displaced forwardly with the handle portion 56 when the lever 18 is actuated, and in that condition engages one of a plurality of recesses 64 in the adjacent end 62 of the connector. As clearly shown in AU 79191/87, the recesses 64 define an annular array so that the pin 60 is able to engage one of them in substantially any angular position of the connector to prevent the connector then being rotated relative to the handle portion.

I c WO 95102554 PCT/AU94/00394 -8- A difficulty with the arrangement in AU 79191/87 is that the connector 42 may be rotated directly with the handle portion when the pin 60 is engaged with one of the recesses 64 to thereby undo the connector from the tank inlet. The embodiments of the present invention described with reference to Figures 2 to 13 alleviate this disadvantage.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a general overall side view of a nozzle 100 which is essentially common to all of the emboaiments shown in Figures 3 to The nozzle 100 is shown as having a linear configuration, with the hose (not shown) for conveying LPG to the nozzle being attached at one end 102 and the connector 104 screw threadedly engageable with a tank inlet (not shown) at the other end 112.

However, this is by way of example only and the nozzle may have a curved configuration as shown in AU 79191/87 or any other appropriate configuration. The nozzle 100 operates broadly in the same manner as the nozzle 10 described with reference to Figure 1 and is therefore shown in outline only. Thus, an actuating lever 106 is pivotally mounted on an extension 108 of a slide sleeve of the nozzle relative to which the connector 104 is axially fixed but relatively rotatable to allow for the screw threaded connection with the tank inlet. A handle portion 110 is axially fixed with a nozzle body (not shown) to convey the LPG from the hose end 102 to the nozzle outlet at end 112. The nozzle body is axially displaceable within the slide sleeve to open and close a nozzle valve (not shown) when the connector 104 is engaged with the tank inlet. The axial displacement of the nozzle body to open the valve is effected by actuating the lever 106 which engages a cooperating surface 114 of the handle portion. Thus, the handle portion 110 is axially displaced with the nozzle body. In Figure 2, the inoperative condition of the nozzle 100 is shown in solid lines, while its actuated condition is shown in chain dotted lines.

It will be appreciated that although the components such as the nozzle body, valve means, connector, seal member and slide sleeve of the nozzle 100 are not described in detail herein, except in relation to the partial locking means, they may differ in detail from the corresponding components of the prior art nozzle 10 described with reference to Figure 1, and a preferred form of these components is described with WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -9reference to Figures 11 and 12 herein.

The connector 104 is screw threadedly engaged with the tank inlet (not shown) by relatively rotating the connector in a clock-wise direction when viewed from behind, that is the right hand end of Figure 2. Correspondingly, disengagement of the connector 104 from the tank inlet is performed by relatively rotating the connector in an anti-clockwise direction. Rotational directions whenever referred to hereinafter will be when viewed from behind, that is from the handle portion end of the nozzle. In accordance with the invention, the nozzle 100 incorporates means for ensuring that the connector 104 cannot be manually rotated relative to the remainder of the nozzle 100 to disengage the nozzle from the tank inlet while the nozzle valve is actuated by the lever 106 to allow fluid flow, while at tie same time allowing the handle portion 110 to be rotated relative to the connector 104 in the anti-clockwise direction when viewed from behind, that is in a direction which would otherwise cause the connector 104 to disengage the tank inlet.

Four means of achieving this partial locking of the connector 104 with the handle portion 110 are shown in Figures 3 to 13 and will now be described. Since the nozzles illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, 7 and 8, and 9 and 10 are closely based on the nozzle 100, they will not be described again in detail and the same reference numerals will be used where appropriate to describe the same or similar parts in these three embodiments. Furthermore, several of the views shown in Figures 3 to are not true views since they omit some of the valve detail, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, the views are provided primarily to illustrate the embodiments of the partial locking means.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6, these show the nozzle 100 in its actuated condition, that is with the handle portion 110 and the nozzle body (not shown) in its advanced condition so as to allow LPG flow when the connector 104 is engaged with a tank inlet. The actuating lever has been omitted for clarity, but its pivot point 116 is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. The partial locking means 118 is shown in section in Figures 3 and 4.

a- WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 The partial locking means 118 comprises a ratchet mechanism which allows relative rotation between the handle portion 110 and the connector 104 in the clockwise direction of rotation of the connector, but prevents that relative rotation in the anticlockwise direction of rotation of the connector. The locking means 118 comprises a pawl 120 rotatably mounted on a stub axle 122 carried by the handle portion and an annular array 124 of radially inwardly directed teeth 126 defining reces,es between them formed on the adjacent end of the connector 104.

The stub axle 122 is rotatably fixed in a stepped passage 128 and is axially fixed by means of a circlip 130 at one end. A coiled torsion spring 132 extends about the stub axle in the larger diameter portion of the passage 128 and engages at one end a shoulder 13 V of the stepped passage 128. The pawl 120 is rotatably mounted on the opposite end of the stub axle 122 with a skirt portion 135 overlying the stub axle and torsion spring and therefore received in the larger diameter portion of the passage 128. A free end 136 of the torsion spring engages the interior surface of the skirt 135 while the other end (not shown) engages the wall of the passage 128 adjacent the shoulder 134 whereby the pawl 120 is biased by the spring in the anticlockwise direction.

As clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pawl 120 is substantially triangular in crosssection, having a short side 138 which merges with a long side 140 through an arcuate portion 142 which is centred on the axis of rotation of the pawl, and an inclined ramp side 144 extending from the short side 138 to the remote end of the long side 140. In the embodiment illustrated the long side 140 and ramp side 144 are foreshortened. The portion of the skirt 135 defining the short side 138 of the pawl is received closely between the stub axle 122 and the upper surface 146 of the if enlarged portion of the stepped passage 128 to prevent the pawl 120 rotating with the bias of the spring 132 in an anti-clockwise direction beyond the position shown in Figure 6. However, the pawl 120 is free to rotate against the bias of the spring 132 in a clockwise direction about the arcuate portion 142 until the long side 140 engages either the upper surface 146 or the adjacent side surface 148 of the enlarged portion of the stepped passage 128.

ii I A WO 95/02554 PCTIAU94/00394 -11- The main body 150 of the pawl projects from the passage 128 and, in the actuated condition of the nozzle when the lever 106 is actuated to open the nozzle valve, projects into a hollow castellated end portion 152 of the connector 104 which defines the array 124 of teeth and recesses. The castellated end portion 152 is provided for manually gripping the connector 104 in order to facilitate its manual rotation.

The lengths of the long side 140 and ramp side 144 of the pawl 120 are such that in the rest condition of the pawl shown in Figure 6, the pawl projects between adjacent teeth 126 of the annular array 124 when the handle portion 110 of the nozzle, and therefore the pawl, is in its advanced condition to open the nozzle valve. Thus, the pawl 120 prevents the anti-clockwise rotation of the connector 104 by its engagement of the long side 140 with a tooth 126 when the nozzle is actuated, t- prevent the connector being manually rotated to undo it from the tank inlet. However, if the handle portion 110 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction, which rotation would tend to undo the connector 104 if die handle portion and connectc- were locked together, the inclined ramp surface 144 of the pawl engages the adja,,it tooth 126a causing the pawl to rotate against the bias of the spring 132 around the arcuate portion 142 as shown in Figure 5. Thus, the handle portion 110 can be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction relative to the connector 104, and therefore without disengaging the connector from the tank inlet. Rotation of the handle portion 110 in the clockwise direction will cause the handle portion to rotatively lock with the connector 104 but this is not of concern since such rotation will tend to increase the screw threaded engagement of the connector 104 with the tank inlet.

Thus, the connector 104 cannot be manually rotated relative to the handle portion 110 to disengage the nozzle from the tank inlet while the handle portion .nd nozzle body are in their advanced, fluid-dispensing condition. When the lever 106 is released the nozzle body and handle portion 110 retract under the bias of a spring (for example the spring 16 in Figure such retraction withdrawing the pawl 120 from the end portion 152 of the connector 104. Thus, when the lever 106 is released, allowing the nozzle valve to close, the pawl 120 is disengaged f fiim, connector 104 and the connector can be rotated in the anti-clockwise diret 'icm relative to the 1 WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 12handle portion 110 to allow the connector to disengage the tank inlet.

Turning now to Figures 7 and 8, the principles of operation of the partial locking means 118' are very similar to the partial locking means 118 in Figures 3 to 6, and the locking means 118' will therefore be described only in so far as it differs from the partial locking means 118, with similar parts being given the same reference numeral followed by a In Figure 7, the actuating lever 106 is shown in two conditions, with the lever released (in dashed lines) and actuated. However, the partial locking means is shown in the lever actuated condition with the pawl 120' advanced so as to cooperate with the array 124' of teeth 126' and recesses on the end portion 152' of the connector 104. In this embodiment, the teeth 126' and recesses are defined on the exterior of the end portion 152', and are therefore engaged by the pawl 120' from radially outwardly of the connector.

The pawl 120' is rotatably mounted on the forward face 160 of a depending projection 162 of the handle portion 110 which may act as a shortened finger guard.

The pawl 120' is rotatively biased into engagement with a stop 164 also provided on the front face 160 of the projection 162. In this condition, the long side 140' of the pawl projects between adjacent teeth 126' when the lever is actuated and, because of the engagement of the pawl with the stop 164, prevents the anti-clockwise rotation of the connector 104 relative to the handle portion 110 so that the connector cannot be uncoupled from a tank inlet.

The biasing of the pawl 120' is performed by a torsion spring 132' shown in Figure 8 which, conveniently, is located by the stop 164. The spring may be located between the pawl 120' and the projection 160, and it will be appreciated that Figure 8 is highly schematic as the pawl, its mounting shaft 122' and the stop 164 are being seen in cross-section. As illustrated, the mounting shaft 122' is rotatable with the pawl 120'.

WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 13 An inclined ramp surface 144' of the pawl 120' is engageable by the opposite surface of each tooth to the long side 140' when the handle portion 110' is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction relative to the connector 104, such engagement causing the pawl 120' to be rotated against the bias of spring 132' whereby the ramp surface 144' slides over the outer surface of each tooth 126'. When the actuating lever 106 is released, the pawl 120 is retracted axially from the array 124' of teeth and recesses with the handle portion 110, permitting the connector 104 to be rotated relative to the handle portion to disengage the nozzle from a tank inlet.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10 showing a third embodiment, Figure 9 once again illustrates the actuating lever 106 in both the actuating condition and the released condition (in dashed lines), but the handle portion is shown in the advanced, lever actuated condition with the partial locking means 170 engaged to restrict relative rotation between the handle portion 110 and the connector 104. As in the second embodiment shown in Figure 7, a pawl 172 of the partial locking means is mounted on a depending projection 162' of !he handle portion 110. However, while the pawl 172 could engage the teeth and recesses of the castellated end portion 152 of the connector 104, whether interiorly as shown in the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 or exteriorly as shown in the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, in this embodiment it is shown cooperating with an annular array of small recesses 174 formed in the rear end face 176 of the end portion 152 radially inwardly of the teeth 126. The array of recesses 174 is similar to that shown in Figure 13, but is shown schematically in I; Figure 9 since it would not normally be visible in that view.

The pawl 172 is mounted between forwardly projecting wings 178 (one omitted in Figure 9 and cut-away in Figure 10) of the depending projection 162' for pivotal movement about an axis 180 that extends tangentially relative to the axis of rotation of the connector 104. The pawl is substantially Z-shaped in side elevation, as shown in Figure 9, having a first leg 182 projecting forwardly from one end of a web 184j and a second leg 186 projecting rearwardly from the opposite end of the web 184, to the side of the pivot axis 180 remote from the first leg 182. The second leg 186 acts as a stop engaging the forwardly projecting face 164' of the projection 162' when WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -14the pawl is biased into its actuating condition by a leaf spring 1 88 which is mounted on the projection 162' and engages the rear face of the web 184. The first leg 182 in the biased condition of the pawl projects forwardly into one of the recesses 174 in the end portion 152 of the connector 104 when the nozzle is actuated by the lever 106.

As clearly shown in Figure 10, the first leg 182 of the pawl 172 has a locking surface on its right hand side when viewed from behind which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the connector 104, and an inclined ramp surface 192 on its left hand side when viewed from behind. A side wall of the respective recess 174 will engage the locking surface 190 of the pawl when it is attempted to manually rotate the connector 104 in the undoing, anti-clockwise direction relative the handle portion 110 with the nozzle valve actuated and the pawl 172 engaged with the recess, to prevent such rotation. However, if under the same conditions the handle portion 110 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction relative to the connector 104, the inclined ramp surface 192 of the pawl will engage the opposite side wall of the recess 174 and the pawl will be forced to pivot against the bias of the spring 188 thereby allowing such rotation.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, which illustrate a preferred form of nozzle 200 into which the locking device of the invention can be incorporated, the same or similar parts to those in Figure 1 will be given the same name and the same reference numeral preceded by a The nozzle 200 is also described in our copending International Patent Application PCT/AU94/00248 and in the corresponding United States and other patent applications.

Figure 11 illustrates the nozzle 200 in a condition in which it is disengaged from a 'tank inlet and the lever 218 has not been actuated to shift the nozzle body 212 and valve assembly 220 axially forwardly (to the left in Figure 11). Thus, the valve body 226 is engaged with the valve seat 228 with the nozzle body 212 and valve assembly 220 in their axially rearwardmost condition, and a sealing assembly 248 comprising a seal member 236 and a nose-piece 240 is shown displaced to its axially WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 rearwardmost condition in engagement with the slide sleeve 214 but is free to float between that position and a forwardmost position in which it abuts an acme screw thread 244 on the connector 242. Figure 12, on the other hand, illustrates the forward portion of the nozzle 200 connected to a tank inlet 292 with the valve assembly 220 open following the actuation of the lever 218 (not shown in Figure 12).

The seal member 236 and forward portion of the connector 242 have been axially extended compared to the corresponding parts of nozzle 10, and an annular recess or chamber 250 formed in a forwardly facing face 252 of the seal member 236. A sleeve 254 which is moulded in acetal resin and carries the nose-piece 240 at its forward end is slidably mounted about an inner tubular portion 256 of the seal member 236 and partly received in the annular recess 250. The sealing sleeve 254 has an enlarged diameter at its rearward end to define a shoulder 258. Axially forwards displacement of the sealing sleeve 254 in the recess 250 is limited by a retaining ring 260 engaging the shoulder 258. The retaining ring 260 is secured to the face 252 of the seal member 236 by a plurality of screw fasteners 262 (one only shown). Rearwards axial displacement of the sealing sleeve 254 is limited by the end face 264 of the recess 250. A compression spring 266 biases the sealing sleeve 254 away from the recess end face 264 and into contact with the retaining ring 260 when no other forces apply. However, a plurality of ports 268 extends through the inner tubular portion 256 of the seal member 236 from the passage 246 into the recess 250, adjacent the recess end face 264, to supply pressurized fluid passing through the passage 246 to the recess 250 when the valve assembly 220 is open. The pressurized fluid acts on the end face 270 of the sleeve 254 to drive the shoulder 258 of the sleeve towards the retaining ring 260. Since the compression spring 266 is received in an annular rebate 272 in the radially inner surface of the sleeve 254, pressurized fluid can enter the recess 250 even when the sleeve 254 is in a rearwardmost condition as may occur when the nozzle 200 is fully coupled to the tank inlet 292.

An 0-ring seal 274 fitted in. a recess in the outer diameter of the sleeve 254 within the recess 250 of the seal member 236 contains the fluid pressure within the recess 250. In an alternative embodiment fluid pressure could be supplied to the recess 250 from around the forward end of the tubular portion 256 and between the seal WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -16member 236 and the sleeve 254 so that the ports 268 may be omitted.

The resilient nose-piece 240 is formed, for example by machining or moulding, in polyurethane or thermoplastic polyester and may be snap engaged or bonded to the sleeve 254. It has a smaller cross-sectional area than the pressure-receiving face 270 of the sleeve 254 to alleviate any risk of the pressurized fluid passing through the outlet end 224 lifting the nose-piece 240 from the tank inlet seal face (described hereinafter). The spring 266 causes a preload to be applied to the seal face of the tank inlet by the nose-piece 240.

In the disengaged condition of the nozzle 200, the seal member 236 is axially freefloating between a rearwardmost position in which it engages the forwardmost face 276 of the slide sleeve 214 (as in the nozzle 10 shown in Figure 1 except that no biasing spring 38 is provided) and a forwardmost position in which the retaining ring 260 abuts the closest part of the acme screw-thread 244. Compared to the nozzle the screw-thread 244 has an increased number of turns so as to ensure that, with an appropriate tank inlet, the connector may be rotated by one and a half to two full turns in order to fully engage it with the tank inlet, as shown in Figure 12.

As with the nozzle 10, the connector 242 is rotatably mounted on the slide sleeve 214 by means of an array of ball bearings 256. The connector 242 is thus rotatable relative to the nozzle as a whole whereby screw-thread 244 at its forwardmost end can engage with a corresponding screw-thread 290 of the tank inlet 292 as shown in Figure 12. When the connector is fully engaged with the tank inlet, preferably by at least one and a half complete rotations of the connector, the forwardly-biased sealing sleeve 254 is urged rearwardly in the recess 250 with the seal member 236 abutting 11 the end of the slide sleeve 214 as shown. As shown in Figure 12, the nosepiece 240 engages an annular gasket 294 on a seal face 296 of the tank inlet and the arrangement is such that the sealing sleeve 254 is fully retracted in the recess 250.

A bad connection between the nozzle 200 and tank inlet, for example because of a missing gasket 294 or incomplete screw-threaded engagement, is made up for by more or less displacement of the sealing sleeve 254 relative to the seal member 236 WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 17 against the bias of spring 266 with the seal member 236 in its rearwardmost valve actuating condition. The seal member 236 has an actuator 232 which in this condition is in a position to open the valve assembly 220, as shown in Figure 12, when the nozzle body 212 and valve assembly 220 are displaced axially forwardly by actuation of the trigger lever 218.

Thus, at this stage the actuator 232 carried by the seal member 256 has been displaced rearwardly close to the valve body 226, and the valve assembly 220 can be opened by manipulation of the lever 218 to axially forwardly displace the nozzle body 212 and valve assembly 220 so that the valve body 226 is lifted off the valve seat 228 by the actuator. The pressurized fluid thus passes over the valve seat 228 and into the passage 246 through ports 234 in the end of the actuator 232. Part of the pressurized fluid in the passage 246 is diverted through the ports 268 into the recess 250 where it drives the sleeve 254 (which is preloaded by the spring 266) axially forwardly to compress the resilient nose-piece 240 against the gasket 294 of the tank inlet 292. Ensuring that a clamping force is applied through the sleeve 254 to the gasket 294 when the fluid pressure reaches the gasket reduces the possibility of fluid pressure lifting the gasket 294 from the seal face 296 of the tank inlet 292, and therefore allowing a leak path to develop before sealing is achieved. The described arrangement also allows a leak-free connection with the tank inlet and full pressurized fluid flow even if the connector 242 is not fully engaged with the tank inlet 292 or if the gasket 294 is missing since the nosepiece 240 can nevertheless be displaced sufficiently forwardly to make a seal.

The nose-piece 240 and sleeve 254 of the nozzle 200 are of smaller diameter than the nose-piece 40 of the nozzle 10 so that for the same tank inlet, if the engagement of the nozzle with the tank inlet is cross-threaded, the nose-piece 240 and sleeve 254 are less likely to bind on the tank inlet. Thus there is an increased radial spacing between the screw-thread 244 and sleeve 254 in the nozzle 200, as shown in Figure 12, than between the nose-piece 40 and screw-thread 44 in the nozzle 10. By thisI arrangement, the sealing assembly 248 is less likely to be urged rearwardly by a mounting flange 298 of the tank inlet engaging the nose-piece 240 or sleeve 254.

WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 18 In order to open the valve assembly 220, the trigger lever 218 is pivoted at 278 from opposed lugs 324 (one only shown) depending from an annular extension 326 of the slide sleeve 214 and manual actuation of the lever causes opposed lugs 280 thereof to axially forwardly displace a yoke 282 which abuts the nozzle body 212 so that the nozzle body is also displaced forwardly against a spring 216.

The nozzle body 212 carries the valve seat 228, a spacer 284 and a locating ring 286 which screw-threadedly engages the nozzle body 212 and which supports an annular secondary seal 288. The secondary seal 288 is slidably engaged with a cylindrical external surface 300 of the actuator 232 when the seal member 236 is in its rearwardmost condition. The secondary seal 288 alleviates leakage of LPG around the actuator 232 when the valve assembly 220 is open.

The nozzle body 212 also supports for axial displacement therewith a cylinder 302 which, except at its rearwards most end 304, is radially spaced from the nozzle body 212. The cylinder 302 is hollow and slidably supports the valve body 226 therein in a close manner. However, it is not vital that there be a sealing fit between the valve body 226 and the cylinder 302 since LPG within the cylinder 302 is in open communication with the leading end of the valve body, at least up to where it engages the valve seat 228, by way of openings 306 through the cylinder 302 and the annular gap between the cylinder 302 and the nozzle body 212.

The interior of the cylinder 302 is permanently in communication with LPG received from a pipe 222 around which a handle portion 308 extends and this fluid pressure acts directly on the end face 310 of the valve body 226 to normally maintain the valve body 226 in sealing contact with the valve seat 228 and therefore also to carry M the valve body 226 forwardly with the nozzle body 212. A compression spring 230 is provided to ensure closure of the valve assembly 220 when the trigger pressure is released.

As the valve body 226 is displaced axially forwardly with the nozzle body 212 by actuating the trigger lever 218, the nozzle body engages an abutment face 312 of the WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 19 rearwardly displaced actuator 232. The abutment face 312 is co-axial with the valve seat 228. This engagement lifts the valve body 226 off the valve seat 228 to open the valve assembly. The abutment face 312 is co-axial with the seal member 236 and partially closes the passage 246 therethrough at the actuator end of the seal member, with the ports 234 opening to the passage 246 at said end being disposed radially outwardly of the abutment face 312. The ports 234 are provided in a face of the actuator which tapers from the cylindrical surface 300 to the abutment face 312.

Thus, the abutment face 312 has a considerably smaller cross-sectional area than the portion of the actuator defined by the cylindrical surface 300 which ensures that a 0 smaller surface of the valve body 226 is engaged by the abutment face. This reduced contact area with the valve body enables the valve seat 228 to have a smaller diameter, that is the diameter of the annulus defined by the valve seat, which directly reduces the trigger pressure as the valve assembly 220 is opened by actuating the lever 218.

Engagement of the abutment face 312 by the valve body 226 is with an end face 314 of a forwardly projecting nose 316 of the valve body 226, the nose having a sufficient length that it projects through the -valve seat 228 both in the open and closed conditions of the valve assembly 220. The end face 314 has substantially the same surface area as the abutment fa-.e 312 of the actuator 232.

The nose 316 is of a sufficiently smaller diameter than the valve seat 228 to allow adequate dispensing fluid flow through the valve seat when the valve assembly is open.

It has also been found that the trigger pressure is a direct function of the diameter of the secondary seal 288 and, to enable a reduction in its diameter, the portion of the passage 246 extending within the cylindrical portion 300 of the actuator 232 is stepped radially inwardly at 318 which permits the external diameter of the cylindrical portion 300 to be relatively reduced. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the reduced diameter secondary seal may have substantially the same diameter as the valve seat 228.

WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 It will be appreciated that instead of providing the nose 316 on the valve body 226, the abutment face 312 of the actuator 232 may be provided on a corresponding tail of the actuator.

The nozzle 300 incorporates a connector locking device 322 of a type generally described herein. This is shown in more detail in Figure 13 which is a partly schematic perspective partial view from the rearwards end of the nozzle 300 with a cover 320 and the handle portion 308 removed to reveal the pipe 222. The handle portion 308 normally extends around the pipe 222 and is axially movable with it, the pipe being secured to the nozzle body 212. The valve actuating lever 218 and the connector 242 are also shown in part only. The pivotal mounting of the lever 218 to the opposed lugs 324 (one only shown) depending from the annular extension 326 of the nozzle slide sleeve 214 is also illustrated, as is an annular array 328 of small recesses 330 formed in a rear end face 332 of an enlarged end portion 334 of the connector 242. The recesses 330 define radially inwardly directed castellations therebetween and form part of the locking device 322.

In this embodiment, the locki ig device 322 also comprises a pawl member 336 mounted for engagement with the array of recesses 330 on the axially opposed side of the connector 242 to the actuating lever 218. The pawl member 336 is mounted for axial sliding movement on and relative to the extension 326 of the slide sleeve 214, the pawl member being located relative to the extension 326 by a pin and slot arrangement 338 (also shown in Figure 11) which permits the axial sliding relative movement. The pawl member 336 is shown as arcuate to extend around the extension 326 and to have a plurality of teeth 340 which are adapted to engage respective adjacent recesses 330. Only one tooth 340 need be provided, but the plurality reduce wear between the teeth aiid recesses.

The teeth 340 project forwardly from the pawl member 336, and on a rear face 342 of the pawl member is provided a series of pegs (not visible) on each of which is located a rearwardly projecting compression spring 344. The compressions springs 344 are mounted on the front face of the yoke 282 which extends around the pipe WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -21 222 for displacement therewith and with the nozzle body 212 when the lever 218 is actuated.

When the lever 218 is actuated, the opposed lugs 280 thereof are displaced forwardly by the pivotal movement of the lever to also displace forwardly the yoke 282, pipe 222 and nozzle body 212 relative to the slide sleeve 214 and its extension 326 and the connector 242, as already described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The slide mounting of the pawl member 336 on the extension 326 and the engagement of the pawl member with the yoke 282 through the compression springs 344 means that the forward displacement of the yoke will cause the pawl member to be displaced forwardly to engage the teeth 340 with the recesses 330 if the teeth and recesses are aligned. If the teeth 340 and recesses 330 are not aligned, so that the it teeth engage the castellations between the recesses, the springs 344 will be S! compressed between the forwardly displaced yoke 282 and the pawl member 336 until there is a relative rotation of the connector 242 to align the teeth 340 and recesses when the bias of the springs 344 will cause the teeth to engage the recesses.

Each tooth 340 has a right hand side surface 346 (when viewed from behind) which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the connector 242 so that, with the teeth engaged in the recesses, relative rotation of the connector 242 in the anti-clockwise direction to uncouple the connector from the tank inlet is prevented by engagement of the side surface 346 with the adjacent castellation.

The opposite side surface 348 of each tooth 340 is rounded as shown whereby, with the teeth engaged with the recesses, rotation of the handle portion, and associated parts including the lever 218 and pawl member 336, in the anti-clockwise direction (which would tend to uncouple the connector 242) causes the curved side surfaces 348 of the pawls to engage the adjacent castellations. Because of the inherent resistance to rotation of the connector 242, the anti-clockwise rotation of the pawl member 336 will cause the rounded or curved side surfaces 348 of the teeth to ride over the castellations with the pawl member 336 being displaced rearwardly against the bias of the springs 344. Thus, with the lever 218 actuated, the connector 242 22 cannot be rotated in the anti-clockwise direction relative to the handle portion to uncouple the connector while anti-clockwise rotation of the handle portion and pawl member 336 will cause the teeth 340 to be disengaged from the connector recesses 330 so that the connector is not also rotated.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.

It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the its spirit and scope, The invention also includes all of the steps and features referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. The invention is particularly applicable for use with LPG nozzles which are to be connected to vehicle tanks, especially car LPG tanks at service stations.

However, the invention is also suitable for use with, for example, nozzles which are used to connect LPG and other pressurized fluid delivery trucks with storage tanks and it will be understood that the tank inlet may be at an upstream end of a hose or pipe connected or connectable to a tank. The invention is also applicable for use with nozzles for delivering unpressurized fluids.

V C Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

C C C 41* C CI

Claims (11)

1. A fluid dispensing nozzle comprising a handle portion, a valve for controlling the dispensing flow of fluid from an inlet end of the nozzle to an outlet end of the nozzle, said valve being actuatable by a lever to open the valve, a connector mounted for rotation relative to the handle portion, said connector having at least one engaging formation adjacent the outlet end of the nozzle for coupling the nozzle with a tank inlet by rotating the connector in one direction and for uncoupling the nozzle from the tank by rotating the connector in the opposite direction, and a locking device between the handle portion and the connector which operates when the lever is in its position which opens the valve, the locking device operating to prevent manual rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in said opposite direction but said locking device permitting rotation of the handle portion relative to the connector in said opposite direction. 4

2. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the handle portion is free to be manually rotated in both directions relative to the connector when the lever is in its position which opens the valve, but the locking device prevents manual rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in the opposite direction.

3. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the locking device operates to prevent rotation of the connector relative to the handle portion in the opposite direction but to automatically prevent rotation of the handle portion relative to the connector in said opposit.: direction of rotation.

4. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 3 wherein the locking device comprises a ratchet mechanism which is engaged when the lever is in its position which opens the valve.

5. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 4 wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises at least or pawl which is supported for movement with the handle portion and is advanced automatically whenever the lever is moved to its position WO 95/02554 PCT/AU94/00394 -24- which opens the valve to engage one of an annular array of recesses provided on the connector.

6. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 5 wherein relative rotation between the connector and handle portion is controlled by engagement of the at least one pawl with the sidewalls of the respective recess and wherein the at least one pawl disengages the sidewall of the respective recess when the handle portion is rotated in the opposite direction by pivotal movement in a plane of the array of recesses.

7. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 5 wherein relative rotation between the connector and handle portion is controlled by engagement of the at least one pawl with the sidewalls of the respective recess and wherein the at least one pawl disengages the sidewall of the respective recess -when the handle portion is rotated in the opposite direction by pivotal movement out of a plane of the array of recesses.

8. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 5 wherein relative rotation between the connector and handle portion is controlled by engagement of the at least one pawl with the sidewalls of the respective recess and wherein the at least one pawl disengages the sidewall of the respective recess when the handle portion is rotated in the opposite direction by sliding movement out of a plane of the array of recesses.

9. A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 8 wherein the at least one pawl comprises a plurality of teeth which are engageable with respective recesses.

A fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 5 wherein the at least one pawl is spring biased. 1 I_ w-C I P:\OPiURWiIII\72224.4,199.17f.96

11. A fluid dispensing norzle substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 13 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17th day of July, 1996. GOGAS (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LTD. By its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE iI 9* i