GB2512866A - A lever guard for a fuel dispensing nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A lever guard 106 for a fuel dispenser 100 having a pivotally mounted lever 105, the lever guard comprising a substantially channel shaped member extending from a first part of the fuel dispenser to a second part of the fuel dispenser around and under the pivotally mounted lever. The lever guard comprises a lever blocking means 110 slidably engaged with the channel shaped member (601, Fig.6) such that in a first position, the lever blocking means engages the lever to retain the lever in a deactivated position and in a second position the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position. Other aspects relate to a method of dispensing fuel from a fuel dispenser having a lever guard, and a locking mechanism comprising a lever blocking means. The invention aims to prevent the mis-fueling of diesel in a petrol tank and vice versa.

Description

I Title

A lever guard for a fuel dispensing nozzle

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a lever guard for a fuel dispensing nozzle.

Back2round to the Invention Mis-thelling vehicles is a significant problem. This occurs when the wrong fuel is pumped into a vehicle for example the pumping of diesel into a petrol ear or petrol into a diesel car. Apart from the inconvenience caused in having to have the tank of the vehicle drained, additional damage may be caused if the driver faiLs to spot the mistake.

Often this does not even require starting the vehicle. Modem central locking systems are often arranged such that they prime the fuel pumps when the driver unlocks the vehicle.

Historically, diesel engines were tolerant of other fuels and the introduction of petrol into these diesel engine was not as detrimental as the introduction of diesel into a similar vintage petrol engine. In response to this it was proposed to use a smaller nozzle on the fuel dispenser and a correspondingly smaller access on the vehicle. In Europe the petrol pump nozzle has a 21mm diameter and the diesel fuel nozzle a standard diameter of 25mm (European Standard ENI3 102). While this inhibits the insertion of diesel into a petrol tank it does not remove the dangers associated with the insertion of petrol into a diesel tank. Modern diesel engines are not tolerant of any other fuel.

Solutions proposed include the use of audible warning systems to provide an audible warning device which can be fitted to a filler cap. However, this requires the user to respond to the audible warning and is dependent on the generation of this warning.

Other solutions include the fitting of a magnetic disc to the ifiler cap and also the fitting of a reverse polarity disc to the filler nozzle with the intention that if the cap cannot be fixed to the pump then the motorist is using the wrong pump. Again this relies on the driver checking the fuel type and also on modifications to the existing fuel pumps on the forecourt.

Other solutions such as that proposed in GB 2 435 037B rely on inserts for location in the fuel inlet port of a vehicle fuel neck which blocks the insertion of the smaller petrol fuel pump nozzles into the diesel fuel tank. A disadvantage of this solution is the increased cost to the end user and the additional components which must be fitted to the vehicle.

Object of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to remove the necessity for the owner or driver of the vehicle to have to make adaptations to theft vehicle It is also an object of the present invention to minimize the additional costs which may be incurred by the forecourt proprietor in having to modifi or alter theft existing equipment to facilitate mis-fuelling prevention.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided A lever guard for a fuel dispenser having a pivotally mounted lever, the lever guard comprising a substantially channel shaped member extending from a first part of the fuel dispenser to a second part of the fuel dispenser, the lever guard, comprising: a lever blocking means slidably mounted within the channel shaped member such that in a first position, the lever blocking means engages the lever to retain the lever in a deactivated position and in a second position the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.

This provides a simple alternative to having to adapt of replace existing fuel dispensers as the lever guard can be retro fitted to existing dispensers. In addition, it mitigates any need to adapt the fuel inlets of the vehicles to which the fuel is to be fitted.

The lever blocking means may comprise a lever engaging means and a lever activating means, wherein in the first position the lever engaging means extends within the channel shaped member to retain the lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member to permit pivotal movement of the lever and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.

This simple construction provides a mechanically robust solution. Fuel dispensers are normixlly used in rugged environments and it is therefore desirable that the lever engaging means be suitable to withstand these environments.

The lever engaging means may be shaped to engage a clip-engaging portion of the lever.

This facilitates retrofitting of the lever guard. Existing levers have a notch for engaging the stay open clip. By shaping the lever engaging means to engage this clip engaging portion, no adaptations are required to the lever.

The lever engaging means may have a triangular cross-sectional shape.

This triangular cross section facilitates cooperation with the clip engaging portion of the lever.

The lever activating means may comprise a push button and wherein application of pressure to the push button may displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.

The lever guard according to any previous claim may further comprise means for returning the lever engaging means from the second position to the first position.

The means for returning may comprise a spring mounted within the lever guard.

The lever guard may ifirther comprise a locking mechanism for locking the lever engaging means in the first position. This provides additional security for the owner of the ifici dispenser or forecourt operator, simply providing a means for preventing dispensing of fuel.

The lever guard may fhrther comprise means for engaging the lever guard with the fticl dispenser. This allows for the retrofitting of the lever guard in a secure way to the fuel dispenser body A further embodiment of the present invention includes a method of dispensing fuel to a vehicle from a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising a lever guard comprising a substantially channel shaped member extending from a first part of the thel dispenser to a second part of the thel dispenser, said lever guard comprising a lever blocking means slidably mounted within the channel shaped member, the method comprising: displacing the lever blocking means from a first position engaging the lever in a deactivated position to a second position wherein the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.

The lever blocking means may comprise a lever engaging means and a lever activating means wherein in the first position the lever engaging means extends within the channel shaped member to retain the lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.

The lever activating means may comprise a push button, the method may comprise applying pressure to the push button to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.

The method may thither comprising releasing pressure from the push button to return the lever engaging means to the second position.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel dispenser comprising a lever guard incorporating the above mentioned embodiments.

A thither embodiment of the present invention includes a locking mechanism for a fuel dispenser comprising a lever blocking means for slidably mounting within a channel shaped member of a lever guard such that in a first position, the lever blocking means engages a ftiel dispenser lever to retain the lever in a deactivated position and in a second position the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.

The locking mechanism may comprise: a lever engaging means and a lever activating means, wherein in the first position the lever engaging means extends within the channel shaped member to retain the lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member to permit pivotal movement of the lever and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof; given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. I is a side profile view of a fuel dispenser having a lever guard attached thereto in accordance with the present invention Fig. 2 a to d are profile views of keys for the lever guard in accordance with the present invention Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a rearward portion of the lever guard in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the lever guard in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a profile view of the undcrside of the lever guard in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a side profile view of the lever guard and the lever blocking means in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a profile view of the lever guard in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a disjoint lever guard showing the lever blocking means of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Fuel dispenser 100 includes a main body 100 having an inlet 102 and an outlet 103. The inlet 102 is in fluid communication with a reservoir of fuel. The inlet as shown in Fig. 1 is connected using a hose or other pipe to the fuel reservoir. A nozzle 104 is connected at the outlet. This nozzle 104 is used to dispense fuel to a vehicle or a container. A lever is provided. In a rest position the lever is in a deactivated position. On activation of the lever by an operator, fuel passes through the fuel dispenser from the inlet 102 to the outlet 103. The lever extends from the body 100 such that it is accessible by the operator of the fuel dispenser. The lever 105 is pivotally mounted to the main body. When actuated by an operator of the fuel dispenser, the lever 105 pivots relative to the main body, moving to an activated position and activates a valve within the fuel dispenser (not shown) thercby allowing the thel to pass through the ftiel pump from the inlet 102 to the outlet 103. In one configuration, the valve is opened by raising the lever 105 towards the body into an activated position and is closed by releasing the lever to a deactivated position.

A further feature of the fuel dispenser is a lever guard 106. The lever guard extends from a portion of the main body 112 adjacent the outlet to a portion of the main body 108 adjacent the inlet. The lever guard extends around and under the region in which the lever is operated.

In the configuration of Fig. I the lever guard is provided with a clip 107. This clip is often referred to as a stay open clip and is an optional feature of the fuel dispenser. The ftrnction of the stay open clip is to engage the lever in an activated position such that the user of the pump can allow the fuel to be automatically dispensed until a cut off valve stops the flow when the tank of the vehicle is fill. The clip is often removed in countries such as Ireland, where such automatic dispensing of fuel is prohibited. The lever comprises a clip engaging portion. The clip engaging portion of the lever engages with the stay open clip to hold the lever in the activated position without the need for user applying continuous pressure to the lever. The clip engaging portion of the lever may be a notch or slot in the lever. The stay open clip may be a metal clip which has a diameter similar to that of the notch or slot on the lever. The similar diameter allows the metal clip to engage the notch or slot of the lever. The stay open clip 107 is shown in the exploded view of Fig. 3. The stay open clip can be engaged or disengaged from the lever using the release member 301.

The lever guard as shown in Figure 1 also comprises a lever blocking means 110. The lever blocking means maintains the lever in a dc-activated position. An optional lock 109 is provided. The lock can be engaged with a key to securely retain the lever in a deactivated position. This locking mechanism can be used to prohibit fuel being dispensed from the ifiel pump. By locking the lever in a deactivated position, the valve cannot be activated to allow the fuel to pass through from the inlet to the outlet. The lever blocking means also comprises a lever activation means Ill. The lever activation means may be a push button, a clip, a switch or the like. The lever activation means 111 allows the lever blocking means to be released, thereby allowing the lever to be activated.

Sample key styles are shown in Figure 2. The key hole 109 is suitable for a variety of keys as shown in Figures 8 a to d. The keys 201 as shown have a substantially rectangular shaft portion 202 configured to engage the key hole 109 in the lever guard 106, however it will be appreciated that any combination of shapes of key hole 109 and shaft portion 202 may be provided. The finger grip portion of the key 203 may have any shape. Shapes shown in Figures 2a to d arc examples only.

The lever guard 106, as shown in Fig. 4 and 5 has a forward portion 401 configured to engage the portion of the main body 112 adjacent the outlet. A connection point 402 is provided on this forward portion. The connection point may be a suitable for engagement with any rivet, screw fit, press fit or snap fit connector.

The lever guard also has a rearward portion 403 configured to engage the portion of the main body 108 adjacent the inlet. A lever rest 404 is provided. The lever rest 404 engages with the fuel pump on a forecourt of a petrol station and/or provides a stability mechanism when the the] dispenser 100 is resting on a vehicle with the nozzle inserted into the thel tank of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 6, the lever guard 106 comprises a channel shaped member 601.

The channel shaped member 601 accommodates movement of the lever 105 from the deactivated to the activated position. The edge of the lever distal from the pivot point is accommodated within the channel shaped member as the lever moves from the deactivated to the activated position.

The lever blocking means 110 comprises a lever activation means 111 and a lever engaging means 602. The lever engaging means extends substantinlly into the channel shaped member 601 to inhibit the movement of the lever from a deactivated position to an activated position. The lever engaging means 602 has a substantially triangular cross-section as shown in Figure 6 however it is not restricted as such. The lever engaging means is formed such that it engages the clip engaging portion of the lever which is used in conjunction with the clip 107.

The lever guard may be formed to accommodate the lever blocking means 110. This formation may be integrally moulded with the lever guard. The lever blocking means in the configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6 extends to a width greater than the channel shaped member of the lever guard. The width of the formation allows the lever blocking means to move from a first position wherein the lever blocking means 602 extends into the channel shaped member and thus blocks the lever to a second position at least partially external to the channel shaped member. In the second position the lever blocking means does not engage the lever and the lever is free to move from a deactivated to an activated position.

The lever guard in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a disjoint form in Figure 8. The lever guard comprises a right hand portion 802 and a left hand portion 803. The lever blocking means 801 is shown as a single unit comprising a lever activation means 805 and a lever engaging means 806. The formation 804 extending wider than the channel and arranged to accommodate the lever blocking means 801 is integrally moulded with the right hand and left hand portions of the lever guard.

When the right hand and left hand portions of the lever guard are joined with the lever blocking means therebetween the lever blo eking means is slid able within the formation 804. Connection points 807 to 810 are shown. These connection points maybe suitable for screw fit, push fit or other connection mechanism suitable forjoining the left and right hand portions of the lever guard.

In a rest position, the lever of the thel dispenser is in a deactivated position. The lever engaging means 806 extends substantially into the channel shaped member. In this position the lever engaging means 806 prevents the lever from being actuated to an activated position. In this position, the lever activation means 802 extends through the formation 804. While the formation is shown in Figure 8 as having a hole to accommodate the lever activation means, it will be appreciated that alternative configurations of the lever activation means may be incorporated into the formation. To activate the lever, the lever activation means is moved to a second position. The movement to the second position may occur due to pressure placed on the lever activation means by the user of the fttel dispenser. By pressing on the lever activation means, the lever engaging means is displaced to its second position wherein at least a portion of the lever engaging means is external to the channel shaped member. In this position, the lever is free to move from an activated to a deactivated position.

It will be appreciated that it will be necessary for the user of the pump to release the lever engaging means by moving the lever activation means to the second position. For example, when this mechanism is used with a diesel fuel dispenser, the user on having to move the lever actuation means will be aware that the fuel pump is a diesel dispenser.

Absence of this lever actuation means will alert the user that the fuel pump is a petrol dispenser thereby preventing them from dispensing the wrong fuel to their vehicle.

The lever blocking means in Figure 8 is spring loaded within the lever guard. The springs 81 lallow the lever blocking means to return to the first position when pressure is removed from the lever actuation means.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to speci the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims (19)

1. Claims A lever guard for a fuel dispenser having a pivotally mounted lever, the lever guard comprising a substantially channel shaped member extending from a first part of the fuel dispenser to a second part of the fuel dispenser the lever guard, comprising: a lever blocking means slidably mounted within the channel shaped member such that in a first position, the lever blocking means engages the lever to retain the lever in a deactivated position and in a second position the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.
2. 2. The lever guard according to claim I wherein the lever blocldng means comprises a lever engaging means and a lever activating means, wherein in the first position the lcvcr engaging means extends within thc channel shaped member to retain thc lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member to permit pivotal movement of the lever and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.
3. 3. The lever guard according to Claim 2 wherein the lever engaging means is shaped to engage a clip-engaging portion of the lever.
4. 4. The lever guard according to Claim 3 wherein the lever engaging means has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape.
5. 5. Thc levcr guard according to Claim 2 or 3 whcrcin thc levcr activating mcans comprises a push button and wherein application of pressure to the push button displaces the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.
6. 6. The lever guard according to any previous claim further comprising means for returning the lever engaging means from the second position to the first position.
7. 7. The lever guard according to Claim 5 wherein the means for returning comprises a spring mounted within the lever guard.
8. 8. The lever guard according to any previous claim further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the lever engaging means in the first position.
9. 9. The lever guard according to any previous claim further comprising means for engaging the lever guard \vith the fuel dispenser.
10. I 0.A method of dispensing fuel to a vehicle from a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising a lever guard comprising a substantially channel shaped member extending from a first part of the fuel dispenser to a second part of the fuel dispenser around and under the pivotally mounted lever, said lever guard comprising a lever blocking means slidably mounted within the channel shaped member, the method comprising: displacing the lever blocking means from a first position engaging the lever in a deactivated position to a second position wherein the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.
11. 11. The method of Claim 10 wherein the lever blocking means comprises a lever engaging means and a lever activating means wherein in the first position the lever engaging means extends within the channel shaped member to retain the lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.
12. 12.The method according to Claim 11 wherein the lever activating means comprises a push button, the method comprising applying pressure to the push button to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.
13. 13. The method according to Claim 12 further comprising releasing pressure from the push button to return the lever engaging means to the second position.
14. 14. A locking mechanism for a ifiel dispenser comprising a lever blocking means for slidably mounting within a channel shaped member of a lever guard such that in a first position, the lever blocking means engages a fuel dispenser lever to retain the lever in a deactivated position and in a second position the lever blocking means disengages the lever such that the lever is pivotable to an activated position.
15. 15. The locking mechanism according to Claim 14 comprising: a lever engaging means and a lever activating means, wherein in the first position the lever engaging means extends within the channel shaped member to retain the lever in the deactivated position and in the second position the lever engaging means extends at least partially external to the channel shaped member to permit pivotal movement of the lever and wherein the lever activating means is arranged to displace the lever engaging means from the first position to the second position.
16. 1 6. A locking mechanism as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 7.
17. 17.A lever guard as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 7.
18. I 8.A friel dispenser comprising a lever guard according to any of Claims I to 9.
19. 19.A friel dispenser as described herein with reference to Figure 1.