GB2465040A

GB2465040A - A device for keeping a fuel nozzle in a flow position

Info

Publication number: GB2465040A
Application number: GB0907736A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart C Case
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-28
Filing date: 2009-05-06
Publication date: 2010-05-12
Also published as: GB0907736D0; GB0819716D0

Abstract

A deice 11 is shaped for manual insertion into the housing of a fuel nozzle to maintain a nozzle lever (6, fig. 1) in a dispensing position. It comprises a block provided with a tapered cut-out portion 13, such as a "V" shaped portion, to engage with the underside of the nozzle lever. An end of the device may be provided with two grooves 14 to engage with the base of the nozzle housing (5, fig. 1). One or more finger locators (16, fig.2) may also be provided.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for use when refuelling a vehicle, especially a commercial vehicle, for example a heavy goods vehicle or passenger vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a device for keeping a fuel nozzle in the on/flow position.

Heavy goods and passenger vehicles hold large volumes of fuel (typically diesel fuel) and thus take a considerable time to fill up. The pumps at service stations provided for the refuelling of heavy goods and passenger vehicles often permit a high flow rate of fuel but nevertheless the time taken to refuel such a vehicle from empty may be half an hour or more. In order that the user need not keep their hand on the pump the whole time during the refuelling process fuel pumps are often fitted with a clip which will hold the lever in the dispense position.

When re-fuelling heavy goods or passenger service vehicles it is necessary to keep the nozzle lever locked in the on/flow position by using the clip that is fitted to the nozzle as factory standard.

However this is not always possible as the clips are often broken, missing or vibrate loose and then the lever must be held by hand.

In such circumstances a user must stand for long periods of time with their hand holding the lever in position while the vehicle is refuelled. This is particularly undesirable in bad weather conditions. Further because the flow rate provided by commercial pumps is high, significant force is need to pull the lever into a dispensing (or on/flow) position and strength is required to hold it in place. Thus it mat be difficult and/or uncomfortable for a user to hold the lever in the on/flow position during a long refuelling event. In addition if the lever is accidentally released, refuelling will stop and cannot be restarted until the fuel already dispensed has been paid for, thus further increasing the time needed to fill a vehicle.

The present invention provides a device for holding the nozzle lever in the on/flow position.

This device may also be referred to herein as a prop.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device shaped for manual insertion into the housing of a fuel nozzle to maintain the nozzle lever in a dispensing position.

The size and shape of the device of the present invention are preferably selected such that the device fits between the underside of the nozzle lever and the base of the nozzle housing and holds the nozzle lever in the dispensing position.

Thus in use the device is manually inserted under the nozzle lever and locates between the lever and the base of the nozzle housing.

Suitably the device (or prop) is shaped at one end to allow engagement with the nozzle lever and at the other end to allow engagement with the base of the nozzle housing.

In order to facilitate engagement with the underside of the nozzle lever an end of the device or prop is provided with a cut out portion. This cut out portion preferably tapers towards one end in order that the nozzle lever may fit snugly within. Thus the device may be provided with a "V' shaped cut at one end.

The other end of the device is suitably adapted to engage with the base of the nozzle housing.

To facilitate this engagement the device may be provided by two grooves. These grooves are suitably separated by a block.

To allow for ease of insertion the device of the present invention may be shaped to accommodate the hand of a user. Preferably the device is provided with one or more finger locators, for example from one to four finger locators. More preferably the device is provided with two finger locators. The one or more finger locators are preferably concave shaped portions along a side of the device.

Preferably the insertion of the device will allow the diesel fuel to be dispensed through the nozzle at its maximum rate of flow. Preferably the device will not vibrate loose.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of maintaining the nozzle lever of a fuel pump in a dispensing position, the method comprising positioning a device of the first aspect between the base of the nozzle housing and the nozzle lever.

Preferably in the method of the second aspect the device is placed above the base of the nozzle housing and is pulled into position using the finger locators.

Suitably the present invention provides a prop that is specifically shaped and manually inserted into the diesel fuel nozzle housing, for keeping the nozzle lever in the on/flow position whilst diesel fuel is being dispensed.

Suitably said prop is specifically shaped to fit underneath the nozzle lever by way of a "V' shaped cut and locate into the base of the nozzle housing by way of two grooves and a block.

The prop may be manually inserted by positioning the device directly under the nozzle lever but above the base of the nozzle housing and is pulled, by using two finger locators, backwards into position.

Preferably the device remains in position to allow the diesel fuel to flow through the nozzle at its maximum rate.

The invention will now be further defined with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 shows the dispensing portion of a fuel pump; figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of the present invention; and figure 3 shows an alternative perspective view of the device of figure 2.

Figure 1 shows the delivery portion of a fuel pump in which fuel is supplied from hose 1 through the nozzle housing 2 and out via dispensing nozzle 3. The nozzle housing 2 includes a main handle section 4 and a nozzle housing base 5. Within the housing is provided lever 6 which is at one end pivoted to the housing at 7. The other end of the lever fits within tracks 8 provided in the interior of the base of the nozzle housing and the side wall thereof.

When the lever 6 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow A, fuel is able to flow out through nozzle 3. However when released the nozzle will return to its closed position. Thus in order to facilitate dispensing of fuel the lever must be held in the open position. This can be done by means of a clip (not shown) or it may be held in position by the hand of a user. Alternatively a device of the present invention may be used to hold the lever in an open position. A suitable device is shown in figures 2 and 3.

The device 11 includes two substantially parallel side walls 12. At one end there is provided a cut-out portion 13 (in the upper end as shown in figure 3 and lower end in figure 2) which is tapered or "V-shaped to accommodate the tapered end of lever 6.

The opposite end of the device (the upper end as shown in figure 2, lower end in figure 3) is provided with two grooves 14 separated by a block 15. One face of the device is provided with two concave finger locators 16. The other face 17 is open.

In use the device is inserted between the base of the housing 5 and the lever 6. It is inserted on top of the base of the housing with the open face 17 facing downwards and with the grooved end (14, 15) pointing towards the dispensing nozzle 3. To position the lever in an open or dispensing position, a user should position two fingers in the finger locators and pull the device back away from the nozzle. The device will be rotated by substantially 90° from a position having its length parallel to that of the base of the housing to a position having its length perpendicular to the base of housing. Once the device is in position grooves 14 engage with tracks 8 and block 15 is wedged between the tracks. Lever 6 is positioned within "V"-shaped cut 13. Thus the device is securely positioned between the nozzle lever and the base of the nozzle housing. It may be left in position for as long as necessary without the risk of it becoming dislodged due to vibration.

Claims

C'aims: 1. A device shaped for manual insertion into the housing of a fuel nozzle to maintain the nozzle lever in a dispensing position.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein an end of the device is provided with a tapered cut-out portion to engage with the underside of the nozzle.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein an end of the device is provided with two grooves to engage with the base of the nozzle housing.
4. A device according to any preceding claim which is provided with one or more finger locators.
5. A prop that is specifically shaped to fit underneath the nozzle lever by way of a "V' shaped cut and locate into the base of the nozzle housing by way of two grooves and a block and is manually inserted into the diesel fuel nozzle housing, for keeping the nozzle lever in the on/flow position whilst diesel fuel is being dispensed.
6. A method of maintaining the nozzle lever of a fuel pump in a dispensing position, the method comprising positioning a device as claimed in any preceding claim between the base of the nozzle housing and the nozzle lever.
7. A device substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.