US2079427A - Coin controlled gasoline filling station - Google Patents

Description

y J. SIEGEL COIN (EONTROLLED GASOLINE FILLING STATION Filed April 16, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jbse vb Siegel May 4, 1937. J. SIEGEL COIN CONTROLLED GASOLINE FILLING STATION Filed April 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR Jose 0k fiegel BY ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1937 COIN CONTROLLED GASOLINE FILLING STATION Joseph .Siegel, Brooklyn, N. r. Application Annie, 1936, Serial No. 74,609

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a device for dispensing gasoline.

The invention has for an object the construction of a coin-controlled gasoline dispensing device which is entirely automatic. It is contemplated to construct a gasoline dispenser which may be placed at stations along the highway and from which motorists may obtain gasoline by depositing coins therein. Thus, the necessity of station men is entirely eliminated.

More specifically, the invention proposes constructing the device so that it receives quarters or coins of other denominations. It is further proposed to arrange the device adjustable so that various quantities of gasoline may be dispensed by the insertion of one particular coin. This is necessary as the price of gasoline fluctuates frequently. For example, the device may be set to dispense a gallon and a half for the v twenty five cent piece, or a gallon and three quarters, etc.

A still further object of the invention resides in the association of a meter with the device so that the motorist maynote the quantity of gasoline he has received for his money.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extendable hose which is automatically retractable and which the motorist may extend and place the nozzle end thereof into his gas tank.

The invention also proposes the provision of an automatic catch for latching the hose retracted so that persons may not play with it, except if a coin for gasoline has been deposited.

Another object is the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and .accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a device constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectionalview taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the measuring container shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 5 isa side-view of Fig. 1.

The gasoline dispenser, according to this invention, includes a body Ill which is provided with a pedestal I mounted on the ground. The body Ill has a cylindrical portion l0 above the pedestal I I) in which a drum for a hose, as hereinafter further explained, is stored. This hose is provided with an extended end having a valve control nozzle H. Located above the portion Ill of the body there is a dial portion l0 which is equipped with a meter l2. A crank I3 is disposed on one side of the body l0 and connects with a pump mechanism as hereinafter described, by which the gasoline may be pumped through the hose.

A gauge I is provided above meter l2 and is suitably connected to the supply tank to indicate the amount of gasoline in the said tank.

Immediately adjacent the handle there is a coin entrance opening l4 into which the coin may be deposited. A rate card I5 is posted near the coin entrance I 4 giving the rate to which the machine is set. For example, 17c per gallon. The body I0 is ornamented with suitable advertising matter such as the signs Ill and I0.

Supported within the body I0 there is a measuring container Hi. This measuring container is of a certain predetermined size. It has a plurality of auxiliary containers I6, l6, "5, etc., along the sides thereof which are normally separated from the main portion by butterfly valves or other types of valves l1. When the body is opened up these valves may be set as desired to control the capacity of the container. A supply line 18 extends from the ground tank (not shown on the drawings) upwards through the body l0 and discharges into the top of the container l6. From the bottom of the container there is an outlet I9. Solenoidcontrol valves 20 and 2| are .arranged across the top and bottom ends of the container l6 for controlling the passage-of the gasoline. These valves are synchronized with each other and set so that when one is opened the other is closed. This is accomplished by an arm 22 which is pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends upon a stationary bracket 23. The ends of this arm 22 are formed with slots 24 which are engaged by pins 25 mounted upon the stems 26 connected with the valves 20 and 2|. A spring 21 is connected between the arm 22 and the body [0 for normally pivoting the lever 22 so that the bottom valve 2| is open and the top valve is closed.

A solenoid 3!! is mounted on the body I0 and has a core 3| which connects with the arm 22 and is adapted to pivot the arm, when energized, so

that the top valve 20 is opened and the bottom valve 2| is closed. A float controlled switch 32 is mountedin the top of the container l6 and normally, when the container is empty, is closed. This switch has a float portion 32 which is adapted to be lifted by the fioat and'pivot one of the switch contacts to open the switch.

The nozzle H is connected with a supply hose II which is wound upon a drum 33 rotatively supported in the body. A spring 34 is arranged coaxlally with the drum and acts to normally rotate the drum into a pre-determined neutral position. The hose II is wound upon the drum and the arrangement allows the hose to be extended by manually drawing it against the action of the spring 34. Then, when the hose is released the spring will wind it upon the drum.

The inner end of the hose ll connects with a passage 35 coaxially with the drum with which a pipe 35 is swivelly connected. This pipe 36 connectswith a pump 31. The outlet l9 connects with the inlet of the pump. The pump 31 is driven by a chain 38 which connects with a pinion 39 upon a rotatively supported shaft 39 provided with the crank l3.

The meter l2 has a housing portion 4|] attached 1 upon the pipe line l3 and a measuring propeller 4| disposed within the pipe line l8. Thus, when the gasoline passes the propeller 4| will rotate and the meter will operate.

The shaft 39' is also provided with a clutch 33 which engages a corresponding clutch member 31* for the purpose of operating a suitable main pump 31' connected in the supply pipe Ill. The pump 31' may be disconnected if the pressure of the ground pump is sufficient to raise the gasoline into the container l5. The coin slot l4 connects with a coin chute 42 which discharges into a coin receptacle 43 releasably held in position by a lock 44. A momentary switch 45 is mounted upon the chute 42 and is adapted to be closed momentarily when a coin passes. This switch 45 is arranged in a circuit which includes a battery 46 and the coil 41' of a relay 41. In place of the battery the circuit may be connected to the usual house supply. This relay has a switch portion 41 This switch portion is connected in series with a solenoid 5|! which has a movable core 5| formed with a forked portion 52. This forked portion normally engages a groove 53 in the inner end of the nozzle to latch the nozzle against motion, except if the solenoid is energized; then the fork 52 will be automatically raised;

The relay 41 is so connected-in the circuit thatonce it is closed the main circuit passes through the coil and maintains it in the closed position. The main circuit includes the leads 54 and the leads 54' which connect the switch 32 and the solenoid 3|! in series in the main circuit.

The operation of the device is as follows: The measuring container I6 is set to receive a predetermined quantity of gasoline by operating the valves H. In the neutral position of the device the valve 2|! is closed and the valve 2| open.

.When a coin is deposited into the slot l4 it passes the switch 45 and momentarily closes this switch. Instantly, the circuit through the coil 41 of the relay is closed and the relay closes. The relay will maintain its closed position even though the switch 45 instantly opens. This is so because the main circuit passes through the coil of the relay. The main circuit now energizes the solenoids 30 and 53. The solenoid 50 operates to release the hose I I. The solenoid 30 operates to close the valve 2| and open the valve 20. A supply of gasoline is now discharged into the container is from an underground tank with necessary pressure or supply means not shown on the drawings and forming no part of this invention.

When the gasoline in the container l6 reaches a predetermined level the float 32 is lifted and theswitch 32 will be opened. The main circuit is now broken and the relay 41 instantly opens. When the main circuit is broken the solenoids 30 and 50 become de-energized. Before this instant it is necessary that the purchaser of gasoline draw out the .hose II. He has plenty of time from the time he deposits the coin to this instant, because it takes some time for the container It to fill up.

When the solenoid 30 de-energize's, the spring 21 will open the valve 2| and close the valve 20. The purchaser may then rotate the crank l3 to operate the pump 37 and pump the gasoline from the container IB .to the various outlet lines through the hose and the nozzle into the gasoline tank of his automobile. The meter l2 will indicate the quantity of gasoline which has passed. The motorist may buy several quarters worth of gasoline. When the hose II is released it will be drawn and wound upon the drum 33. Automatically, the inner ends of the nozzle l| willbe caught by the forked member 52 so that it is now held until another coin is deposited.

It is to be understood that the shape and size of this automatic filling station, also the coin may be changed as desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

- Having thus described my invention what I claim as' new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In 'acoin-controlled gasoline dispenser, a body, a gasoline measuring container wlthinsaid body, a gasoline supply line to said container,

an outlet pipe from said container, 9. means oii said container for controlling the amount of gasoline to be delivered, a bracket mounted on said body, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, an inlet valve for said container and connected to one end of said arm, an outlet valve for said container and connected to the other end of said arm and adapted to be closed when said inlet valve is open and vice versa, a spring connected to said body and said arm to normally urge said outlet valve open, and a circuit for operating a solenoid connected to said arm to pivot said arm and close said outlet valve against the normal action of said spring.

2. In a coin-controlled gasoline dispenser, a body, a gasoline measuring container within said body, a gasoline supply line to said container, an outlet pipe from said container, a means on said container for controlling the amount of gasoline to be delivered, a bracket mounted on said body, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, an inlet valve for said container and connected to one end of said arm, an outlet valve end of said arm and adapted to be closed when said inlet valve is open and vice versa, a spring value and the corresponding dispensed gasoline for said container and connected to the other connected to said body and said armto nor- 75 mally urge said outlet valve open, and a circuit for operating a solenoid connected to said arm to pivot said army and .close said outlet valve against the normal action of said spring, com 6 prising in series a momentary switch, a source of power for said circuit, a. pivotally mounted float switch adapted to be normally closed when said container is open, a relay having aswitch connected thereto and adapted to be energized '10 when said momentary switch is closed to close said-switch allowing, the electric power to energize said solenoid to open said inlet valve and close'said outlet valve to allow-gasoline to be pumped into said container until said float switch 15 is pivoted opening said float switch and preventing the electric power from passing to said solenoid and allowing said spring to 'close said inlet valve and open said outlet valve to allow the gasoline to be pumped through said outlet pipe 20 to the gasoline tank of a vehicle.

- 3. In a coin-controlled gasoline dispenser, a gasoline measuring container, a gasoline supply line to said container, an inlet valve at the inlet to said container, an outlet'pipe from said con- 2 tainer, an outlet valve at the outlet of said container, a plurality oi supplementary containers along the sides of said container, and valves separatlng said supplementary containers from said container and adapted to be opened or closed to increase or decrease the capacity of said container, whereby a pre-determined capacity may be selected for said gasoline container and gasoline measured and dispensed by operating said inlet and outlet valves.

4. In a coin-controlled gasoline dispenser, a gasoline measuring container, a gasoline supply line to said container, an inlet valve at the inlet to said container, an outlet'pipe from said container, an outlet valveat the outlet of said container, a plurality of supplementary containers along the sides of said container, and valves separating said supplementary containers from said container and adapted to be opened or closed to increase or decrease the capacity of said container, whereby a pre-determined capacity may be selected for said gasoline container and gasoline measured and dispensed by operating said inlet and outlet valves, said supplementary containers being of difierent sizes.

' JOSEPH'SIEGEL.

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