EP1544158A1 - Wegfahrsperre für eine Tankstelle - Google Patents

Wegfahrsperre für eine Tankstelle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1544158A1
EP1544158A1 EP04106691A EP04106691A EP1544158A1 EP 1544158 A1 EP1544158 A1 EP 1544158A1 EP 04106691 A EP04106691 A EP 04106691A EP 04106691 A EP04106691 A EP 04106691A EP 1544158 A1 EP1544158 A1 EP 1544158A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
security device
windscreen
vehicle
fluid
service unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04106691A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Lucas Christiaan Fretz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fretz Beheer Bv
Original Assignee
Fretz Beheer Bv
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fretz Beheer Bv filed Critical Fretz Beheer Bv
Publication of EP1544158A1 publication Critical patent/EP1544158A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/064—Drive-off preventing means, e.g. in case of non-payment
    • B67D7/065—Drive-off preventing means, e.g. in case of non-payment acting on the vehicle

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a security device for a service station comprising at least one service unit for vehicles provided at least with a windscreen, which security device is arranged for being deactivated after receipt of a release signal.
  • Said infrastructure includes not only roads but also different forms of service along said roads.
  • the most important service is the provision of fuel at filling stations, but also other forms of service stations, such as car washes, may be considered.
  • filling stations are suitable for self-service, with the user supplying the fuel or driving into the car wash himself and subsequently paying at a window.
  • Experience teaches that a substantial number of users of a particular service make use of said service and subsequently leave without paying.
  • a filling station along a motorway for example, on average has ten or more pump installations, so that a good overview as regards the use of said pump installations and the subsequent payment is generally lacking.
  • the prior art teaches several solutions aimed at preventing such improper use. For example, it is known to use cameras for recording registration numbers or alarm systems. Furthermore there are several embodiments which put up a physical barrier for the vehicle, which barrier is not removed until the user has paid for the service.
  • WO 00/70057 describes a security system for a service station in which one or more physical barriers are activated by being put up in front of or between the wheels of a vehicle.
  • the security system employs several sensors, e.g. for detecting the presence of a vehicle and the start of the fuel supplying process, for activating the barriers.
  • a drawback of such a security device is the fact that when the user of the service tries to drive off without paying, this may lead to significant damage being caused not only to the vehicle but also to the barrier and any further parts of the service station. Moreover, certain forms of barriers, such as inflatable barriers, may not suffice for stopping the vehicle. Furthermore, it is not customer-friendly to block up a vehicle by means of barriers.
  • a security device which further comprises at least one means for delivering a fluid in the direction of the windscreen such that a removable, vision obstructing layer is formed on at least part of the windscreen upon movement of the vehicle with respect to the service unit before a release signal has been received.
  • the security device according to the invention does not make use of a physical obstruction, therefore, but of a removable, vision obstructing layer, so that neither the vehicle nor the service station will be permanently affected.
  • a layer obstructing the driver's view is a non-transparent layer or an image-distorting layer, for example, such as a paint or a gel, respectively. Such a layer makes it impossible or at least difficult for the driver to drive the vehicle, because of the lack of visibility.
  • the applied layer exhibits some degree of resistance or viscosity, so that it cannot be easily removed with a windscreen wiper, for example. Eventually it will be possible to remove the layer.
  • the security device is preferably activated upon use of the service unit, for example when a tank gun is taken from the pump or when fuel is supplied to the vehicle.
  • the security device comprises one or more sensors for positioning the means, comprising a spray nozzle, with respect to the windscreen of the vehicle.
  • said sensors are used for positioning said means at a distance of 0.1 - 2.0 m, more preferably at a distance of 0.1 - 1.0 m, e.g. 30 cm, from the windscreen of the vehicle.
  • the arrangement and operation of such sensors will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be explained in more detail herein.
  • the considerations that play a role in determining the distance between the means for delivering a fluid and the windscreen are, for example, the range of said means, the surface area to be covered by said means, and the safety aspect.
  • safety considerations may make it necessary to position the means for delivering the fluid preferably above the hood of the vehicle, so that no persons who may come into contact with the fluid upon activation of the device can be present between the spray nozzle and the windscreen.
  • the sensors are not necessarily present at the means for delivering the fluid, they may also be present elsewhere, at a point where the position of the vehicle can be determined, wherein the security device or said means can be controlled on the basis of that which is being detected by the sensors.
  • the means for delivering the fluid is mounted on a movable arm, which is arranged for positioning the means in front of the windscreen of the vehicle, preferably upon activation of the security device.
  • a movable arm which is arranged for positioning the means in front of the windscreen of the vehicle, preferably upon activation of the security device.
  • the sensors and the movable arm are arranged in such a manner that the means for delivering the fluid will follow movement of the vehicle. This prevents damage being caused as a result of the vehicle coming into contact with the means for delivering the fluid or with the arm to which said means is mounted. In addition, such an embodiment ensures that the means for delivering the fluid remains positioned at the correct distance from the windscreen upon movement of the vehicle in a direction away from the means, so that the fluid can be applied to the windscreen.
  • the arm is mounted to a roof construction of the service station or beside the service unit.
  • the first option may be advantageous in that the roof construction is already used for the wiring of other units or functions of the service station.
  • An attachment to the roof construction may furthermore be advantageous in that the floor surface of a filling station need not be tampered with.
  • the floor surface of a filling station is usually of complicated and costly construction, e.g. because fuel residue must be prevented from finding its way into the ground, so that it is preferable not to modify the floor surface.
  • the arm of the security device may also be disposed beside or near the service unit.
  • the arm preferably comprises segments, one or more of which are capable of translating and/or pivoting movement relative to each other.
  • the arm of the security device may also be disposed beside or near the service unit.
  • the arm preferably comprises segments, one or more of which are capable of translating and/or pivoting movement relative to each other.
  • Such a construction helps to make the security device more flexible, e.g. as regards the positioning of the means for delivering the fluid.
  • the means for delivering the fluid is mounted to a head, which head further comprises one or more information fields.
  • Said information fields may comprise information about the operation of the security device, for example, and/or commercial information.
  • the information fields may comprise a display, for example, on which variable information can be displayed.
  • Said display, or a counter may furthermore provide information relating to the service being used, e.g. the amount of fuel being taken in and the price thereof. It is very advantageous if the head is mounted to a movable arm, in such a manner that the information fields are positioned substantially parallel to the windscreen, spaced therefrom by some distance, upon use of the service unit.
  • the invention also relates to means for delivering a fluid for a security device as described above, wherein said means is provided with a reservoir for the fluid.
  • the means may be a detachable module, which is provided with a reservoir which is filled and/or which can be filled with the fluid.
  • said means is refilled or exchanged after having deposited a vision obstructing layer so as to prevent the means becoming too heavy on account of the large amount of fluid that is contained therein.
  • a vision obstructing layer so as to prevent the means becoming too heavy on account of the large amount of fluid that is contained therein.
  • the invention further relates to a method for securing a service unit for vehicles provided at least with a windscreen, which method comprises the steps of:
  • the method further comprises the step of delivering the fluid in the direction of the windscreen by said means upon movement of the vehicle with respect to the service unit before the release signal has been received.
  • a reliable and customer-friendly security system which prevents the vehicle and the security device being permanently affected.
  • Fig. 1 shows a service station 1, also referred to below as filling station, comprising a service unit or pump installation 2 disposed under a covering or roof construction 3.
  • the filling station 1 is provided with a security device 4 comprising a rail 5, from which an arm 6 is suspended in such manner as to be movable along the rail 5, to the end of which arm 6 a head 7 is mounted.
  • the arm 6 is pivotable about the pivot point 8.
  • the security device 4 is preferably made of a light material, such as aluminium or a plastic, so that the arm 6, and in particular the head 7, is easy to manipulate.
  • the head 7 comprises means 20 for delivering a fluid, said means comprising a spray nozzle 21 and a reservoir 22 for the fluid.
  • the means 20 is preferably detachable from the head 7, so that it can be replaced or be filled up. It is noted that the means 20 does not necessarily comprise the reservoir 22; the fluid may also be supplied to the spray nozzle 21 from outside, for example via a supply pipe extending along or inside the arm 6.
  • the spray nozzle 21 is suitably configured and may comprise one or more outlet openings for spraying the fluid on a vehicle.
  • the width of the spray nozzle 21 may extend the entire width of a vehicle, or be smaller than said width, and the spray nozzle 21 may be arranged for applying the fluid in, for example, a fan-shaped pattern.
  • the head 7 furthermore comprises sensors 23 and information fields 24, 25 in the form of, for example, a counter, a display, or a surface or a construction for providing information, e.g. by means of cards or stickers.
  • the display may comprise a TFT screen, for example.
  • the information fields 24 may comprise a counter, for example, which indicates the amount of fuel taken from the pump installation 2, whilst the information field 25 contains commercial information.
  • the head 7 may furthermore comprise means 26 and 27 for producing a light signal and an acoustic signal, for example, and a camera 28. Said light signal and/or acoustic signal can be activated when the fluid is delivered to the vehicle, for example.
  • Said means 27 may furthermore serve to produce sound when information is displayed in the information fields 24 or 25, such as an accompanying sound or a comment relating to a commercial message that is being displayed.
  • Figs. 4-8 show an example of the operation of the security device 4 as shown in Fig. 1, which is provided with a head 7 as shown in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 4 shows the situation in which a vehicle V comprising a windscreen W drives into the filling station for taking in fuel from the pump installation 2.
  • the security device 4 is in a position of rest at that point in time. In this situation the vehicle V can preferably pass under the security device 4, so that the security device 4 does not form an obstacle for vehicles that do not make use of the pump installation 2.
  • the security device 4 When the driver of the vehicle V takes the tank gun (not shown) from the pump installation 2, the security device 4 is activated, as is shown in side elevation in Fig. 5 and in front elevation in Fig. 6. To that end, the arm 6 moves along the rail 5 in the direction of the vehicle V. Furthermore, the segments 6A, 6B, 6C of the arm 6 are telescoped out in such a manner that the head 7 and in particular the information fields 24, 25 are positioned a predetermined distance D from the windscreen W of the vehicle V. Said distance D is e.g. 50 cm.
  • the considerations that play a role in determining the distance D from the spray nozzle 21 to the windscreen W are, for example, the range of the spray nozzle 21, the surface area of the windscreen W that is to be covered by the spray nozzle 21 in order to apply a layer obstructing the driver's view that prevents the vehicle safely driving off, and the safety aspect.
  • safety considerations may make it necessary to position the spray nozzle 21 for the fluid preferably above the hood H of the vehicle, so that no persons who may come into contact with the fluid upon activation of the device can be present between the spray nozzle 21 and the windscreen W.
  • While filling up the person who is filling up can read the information that is being displayed in the information fields 24, 25, which fields are present at a position from which they can easily be viewed by said person.
  • This embodiment increases the chance that the user will not experience the security device 4 as threatening but, quite the reverse, as customer-friendly.
  • the security device 4 When the user subsequently pays for the fuel he has put in, the security device 4 is returned to the position of rest as shown in Fig. 4. This deactivation takes place, for example, in that a release signal is generated upon payment, which release signal is received by the security device 4 and which contains the instruction that the security device 4 may be returned to its position of rest. In this case the fluid will not be deposited on the windscreen W of the vehicle V, therefore.
  • a fluid F is delivered from the spray nozzle 21 in the direction of the windscreen W of the vehicle V, in such a manner that a vision obstructing layer is formed on at least part of the windscreen W.
  • the fluid F may comprise any conceivable substance or gas that will form a layer obstructing the driver's view on the windscreen W, or provide this effect in any other way.
  • said layer is not easy to remove, so that the mere activation of, for example, the windscreen wipers will not directly result in the layer being removed, but on the other hand it will eventually be removable, so that the vehicle V will not be permanently affected.
  • An example of such a fluid is paint, which renders the windscreen W or part thereof non-transparent, or a gel that distorts the driver's view. It is also possible to provide the means 20 with two or more different substances or gases, or with a substance and a gas.
  • the delivery of the fluid F in the direction of the windscreen W should preferably not take place upon (very) slight movement of the vehicle V with respect to the pump installation 2.
  • a substantial movement is required.
  • the sensitivity of the security device 4 can be determined by, for example, the setting of the sensors 23 and control of the means 20 by said sensors. It is also possible for the security device 21 to be set so that a small volume of fluid is deposited on the windscreen W first as a warning.
  • the arm 6 is capable of following a rearward movement of the vehicle V as a result of the sensors 23 detecting said movement, so that the correct spacing between the spray nozzle 21 and the windscreen W can be maintained and the fluid F can be delivered.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the security device 4, in which the arm 6 is a pivot-mounted robot arm comprising segments 6A and 6B, which can also pivot with respect to each other.
  • the arm 6 is a pivot-mounted robot arm comprising segments 6A and 6B, which can also pivot with respect to each other.
  • the length of the various segments 6A, 6B and any further segments can be determined such that the range of the security device 4 is suitable for the filling station 1.
  • the arm 6 is capable of suitably positioning the head 7 fitted with the spray nozzle 21 with respect to the windscreen W of the vehicle V for delivering the fluid F, and it is arranged for following the vehicle V when said vehicle undergoes a movement with respect to the pump installation 2.
  • the head 7 may furthermore comprise the information fields 24, 25, so that the information intended for the user of the pump installation is displayed at a suitable position.
  • Figs. 11-13 show a third embodiment of the security device 4 according to the invention, in which the filling station 1 does not have a roof construction 3.
  • the security device 4 is disposed beside the pump installation 2, with the arm 6, to which the head 7 is attached, consisting of segments 6A, 6B, 6C capable of translating or pivoting movement relative to each other.
  • the head 7 may again comprise the information fields 24 and/or 25, so that the information intended for the user of the pump installation 2 is displayed at a suitable position.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
EP04106691A 2003-12-18 2004-12-17 Wegfahrsperre für eine Tankstelle Withdrawn EP1544158A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1025052A NL1025052C2 (nl) 2003-12-18 2003-12-18 Bewakingssysteem voor een servicestation.
NL1025052 2003-12-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1544158A1 true EP1544158A1 (de) 2005-06-22

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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EP04106691A Withdrawn EP1544158A1 (de) 2003-12-18 2004-12-17 Wegfahrsperre für eine Tankstelle

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EP (1) EP1544158A1 (de)
NL (1) NL1025052C2 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202013102764U1 (de) 2013-06-25 2013-08-23 Christian Schmidt Vorrichtung zur Verhinderung von Kraftstoffraub an Tankstellen

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19716476A1 (de) * 1997-04-19 1998-10-22 Univ Magdeburg Tech Einrichtung zur Tankstellensicherung
DE10062695A1 (de) * 2000-12-11 2002-06-13 Wilfried Wiedmann Fahrzeugfesthaltevorrichtung zur Verhinderung von Kraftstoffdiebstahl an Tankanlagen
FR2837195A1 (fr) * 2002-03-18 2003-09-19 Cocco Antonio Di Dispositif pour ravitailler automatiquement les vehicules automobiles

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19716476A1 (de) * 1997-04-19 1998-10-22 Univ Magdeburg Tech Einrichtung zur Tankstellensicherung
DE10062695A1 (de) * 2000-12-11 2002-06-13 Wilfried Wiedmann Fahrzeugfesthaltevorrichtung zur Verhinderung von Kraftstoffdiebstahl an Tankanlagen
FR2837195A1 (fr) * 2002-03-18 2003-09-19 Cocco Antonio Di Dispositif pour ravitailler automatiquement les vehicules automobiles

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202013102764U1 (de) 2013-06-25 2013-08-23 Christian Schmidt Vorrichtung zur Verhinderung von Kraftstoffraub an Tankstellen
DE202013105435U1 (de) 2013-06-25 2014-02-03 Christian Schmidt Vorrichtung zur Verhinderung von Kraftstoffraub an Tankstellen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1025052C2 (nl) 2005-06-21

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