US2583181A - Airport service station - Google Patents

Description

Jan- 22, 1952 B. P. KuNz 2,583,181

AIRPORT SERVICE STATION Filed April 26. 1946 4 sheets-sheet 1 l. zz

I''- 2. Bernard P Kunz ATTORME'Y Jan. 22, 1952 B, P, KUNZ 2,583,181

AIRPORT SERVICE STATION I Filed April 26, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Bernard F? Kunz Nm/M4 Jain 22, 1952 B. P. KuNz AIRPORT SERVICE STATION 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed April 26, 1946 INVENTOR. B ernurd E' Kunz Jan- 22, 1952 B. P. KuNz 2,583,181

AIRPORT SERVICE STATION Filed April 26, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INI/ENTOR. Be rncird Kunz AT ORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIRPORT SERVICE STATION Bernard P. Kunz, Denver, Colo. Application April 26, 1946, Serial No. 665,285

14 Claims. l

This invention relates to service stations and more particularly to a service station for installation at airports for the servicing of airplanes. One of the objects of my invention is to produce an improved airport service station that will permit an airplane to be quickly and eciently serviced.

Another object is to produce an airport service .station that will permit a plurality of airplanes 'to be serviced from a single dispensing unit without the necessity of moving one parked plane to make space for another.

Yet another object is to produce an airportservice station having a single dispensing unit movable in an arcuate path about a parking ramp adjacent said path to thereby permit rapid .servicing of planes parked at different places on the ramp.

A further object is to produce a servicing system for airplanes that will embody a dispensing unit on the outer end of a pivoted arm which will permit the unit to be moved to different positions on an arc to thereby service airplanes parked along said arc and also permit the dispensing unit to be supplied from a single point lstation that is attractive in appearance, economical to construct and install, eflicient in rapid servicing of airplanes and one which will be above ground but not interfere with maneuvering an airplane or present obstructions that can be hit and cause airplane damage.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevational view of an airpor service station;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is an end view of the dispensing unit or box on the movable arm;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the dispensing unit or box;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the gasoline hose reel and related parts showing the hose wound thereon;

Figure 6 is a section view of the control switch for the hose reel;

y Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showlng the connection of the air and gasoline conduits to the gasoline and air hoses;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view through the hose and the nozzle showing the hand control valve for the air hose;

Figure 9 is a view with parts broken away showing the structure at the pivoted end of the arm; and

Figure l0 is a cross section view of the arm and the conduits extending therethrough.

Referring to the drawings in detail and rst to the elevation and plan views of Figures l and .2, my improved service station has as one of its essential components an arm A pivoted at one end, as at P, so as to swing in an arc in a horizontal plane above the ground. At the outer end of the arm is a dispensing unit D which is arranged to be supported for movement on a track T. The arm can be of any desired length, depending upon what radius of curvature is desired for the movement of the dispensing unit. -For a small service station the arm length could be somewhere around 25 feet and for larger service stations it could bea greater length. Outward of the track T is a ramp R which has an arcuate edgeor curb C in concentric relation to the track. The ramp R is flat adjacent the curband inclines downwardly from this at por- -tion so that when airplanes are run up on the ramp and parked alongside the curb, they will be on an approximately level surface. At the back of the pivot point of the arm there can be provided a servicing building B of any suitable construction lwherein machinery and supplies can be kept. This building can also be arranged to have suitable comfort stations at its rear end as indicated. Also shown as a part of the service station 'are the fuel storage tanks S which may Lbe situated on opposite sides of the service building and in a convenient location so that they can be readily i'llled by driving a truck on an end of the ramp.

As is best shown in Figures 9 and 10, the arm 'A is constructed of a flat base piece I upon which reinforcing structure is built comprising a ridge piece 2 and suitable angular braces 3 between it and the base piece. The rid-ge piece is enclosed by a suitable cover 4. The pivot P for the arm comprises a post 5 journaled at its bottom in a foundation structure 6, having secured to its top the base piece I. Thus it isseen that the arm A can swing around a pivotal axis determined by the post 5. A suitable dome shaped cover 1 can be placed over the foundation structure to enclose the pivoted end of the arm including the post.

The arm A is shown as carrying two fuel conduits 8 and 9 extending throughout its length for supplying different qualities of gasoline to lthe dispensing unit D at the outer end of the arm. Also carried by the arm and extending throughout its length is an air conduit I and an electric conductor conduit II so as to supply air under pressureandelectricity to. vthedispens ing unitjD. The 'fuelfsupply conduit r1.8 `is arranged to be connected to one storage tank S by a conduit I2 extending under ground from the storage tank to the foundation of the arm pivot post. Between the conduits I8 and I2 isa flexible conduit section I3. In a similar manner the conduit 9 of the arm is connected by a ilexible conduit section I4 with aiccnduit M5 positioned under ground between the otherstorage tank S and the foundation structure 6. The air conduit I0 is, arranged to receive air from a suitableY source positioned Vin `-the k-buildingf-'B and this is accomplished b yan under Iground-conduitIS leading'fromA the --building 'to' the `pivot foundation. Conduit-#I 6 is iconnected to fthe conduit IB by a flexible conduit Jportion lII. VIn -a vsimilar `manner 1the velectrical conduit II 'is' connected-with ythe 'foundation by -a flexible lconduit portion I8 and from the foundation portion-an -under ground conduit I1 leads '-to l'the Iservice building :for connection with the-incoming electrical-line. -By'employing the Various 'exible conduit `portions between the foundation and vtl'ievarious conduits carried'by 'the arm, there "will be -no interference Awith* lthe free 'swinging -movement f'of the arm about the lpivot post.

' The dispensing =unit D mounted fat the outer `endof the arm A is 'arranged `to be enclosed in la box'type casing I9 which is attachedfsecurely tothe outerfend -of the arm-structure. Thefbox has a-wheel or yWheelslil bywhich 'it is supportled'on'the "track T and ywhich facilitates the mov- 4ing of `the-box a'long'thef'track'when the arm Vis swung about. its pivot. The casing of the dispensing 4unit lis arranged to fbe very low as,

-for example, about eighteen iinches yabove the ground level so lthat there'willlbe no obstruction presented to an -airplanewing .and tpropeller when the airplane `is-fpark'edA onf'the ramp adjacent 'the curb thereof.

Within the box FD, `as 'best shown :Tin-Figure 4, are -two fuel vdispensingwmechan'isnris for .dispens- `ing the :two qualities of-Lsfuel. The boxuis divided VKinto a fcentral compartmentZI anduendrcompartments Z2 and 2'3. Within fthe central .compartmentfis the usual gasoline pumping structure for `each :fuel supply. ',Thelffuel conduit :8 leads zto air eliminator .24 and from. there the ffuelds -pumpedv by .anielectric :motor :2 5 and aspllmp A.26 -to the endr compartment 23 which; i,s=.:artranged :to Eholdfonee the dispensing hoses. lin asimilar rmannar. the tuerconduit -jleads to a-niaimeliminator 21 and by means of an electricrmotor' .and pump 29 the lfuelfis conducted -to' thedisspensingfnose.arranged Vto be held in :line .other compartment v22. InI connection withA .each pump therepcanfbe provided Athequsual meter j3d .arranged to .be viewed from :theexteriorloff the .box.

Thev dispensing'hosecand .associated structure iin-:each endfcompartment 22 and l2-3 isofidenltical -1construction and, therefore, only one will .be described .in detail-with the same reference numeralsbeing Ausedifor indicating like structures. ,The-rdispensing hose `ljI is arranged -to -be wound-upon aireel 32 in the formpf adrum as best shown in Figure 5. TIiedrumfi-s imoun't- `ed `vertically vin the :end :compartment and the .'hoseA coming fromthe drum is'guided vover pulfleys33 and 34 withthe outer extending through an opening :3.5 in the .cuter .end wall .ci the .end

4. compartment. The dispensing end of the hose has a nozzle 36 which remains on the outside of the dispensing box when the hose is wound on V the.r.eel. Asuitable holding .cliplis provided Vvfor the nozzle. The nozzle may be of :any well known construction and is provided with an outlet valve within its housing which can be operated by a hand lever 38.

- A pipe `l39 leads from the fuel pump for each lhose, and is connected to the bottom of the drum at its axis by a suitable swivel connection .;-'so,astorpermit'the drum to rotate relative to the pipe ...39. In Figure '7 a suitable swivel connec- 'tion'is shown. The pipe 35 is provided with an end flange 40 which l'cooperates with an end ilange f4l on a coupling `member '42 'carried by thedrum-to rotate therewith. Suitablethreaded annular nuts 43 and y'44 hold the angesfll and r4I l.in engagement, .yet Apermit vthe coupling to rotate relative tothe flange cf'apipe'39. A

pipe '45 -leads fromthe coupling 42 to the outer surface of the drum where it is connected to 'the inner end of the v'hose 3|. With'this arrange- 'Yment it isvlseen that the drum is 'free to `rotate tice,but such vis'very Ainconvenient as the person 'Whois dispensing 'the fuel in the plane must go Jback to 'the dispensing unit and wind the hose. This means laying the ihose downon the .ground 'and dragging it to .the dispensing box yas it vlis pulled in. 'When long lengths of yhose :are employed, -as are required in the servicing of fan airplane, v'it will be found 'that this is f-ar from being satisfactory. Furthermore, it might Aresult in dragging the nozzle ,end of fthe'hose over parts of the plane where it can be caught with resulting damage. To overcome all of Athese undesirable vresults and inconveniences, have devised 4an Iimproved system `for reeling vin the hose Iwhich is controlled at thenozzle end of 'the hose by the `person dispensing fuel from Ithe hose. With such an arrangement the 'operator can continue to "keep 'hold ofthe nozzle end 'and 'at `the VSame time control the reeling in of the hose. Thus there will be no hose dragging. Also the reeling in control does not require the operator to maintain a pulling force to 'hold Ythe hose out while using it.

Referring now to Figures 4,15, 6 and 7, my im- -proved'hose controlling-means for reeling'in the hose Awillbe described. The upper end of'veach `drum 32 carries a pulley 45 and positioned in the same compartment is 'an electric motor 4l, also carrying on its driving shaft a pulley 48. vThe pulleys are :connected together by a Vbeltv48' so that the motor can rotate the drum in its reeling in direction which 'is indicated by an arrow in'Figure 5. The motor 48 is connected in a circuit 49 which receives its current from the source of Ielectricity leading into the box through the electrical conductor conduit II by Way of the arm. 'In the .circuit 49 'is a controlling switch 50 which is vhoused in the upper part of a cylindrical casing 5I. This switch comprises a fixed .contact element 52 and a movable contact arm 53 pivotally connected to the Wall of the casing. The contactsA ".have. :suitable terminals .for connecting the switch in the circuit. When the switch is closed the motor will be operated to turn thev drum in the direction of the arrow. When the switch is open the motor will be idle. With the idle condition of the motor the hose can be unwound from the drum by pulling on the hose at the nozzle end. The belt connection between the motor and the drum will provide a resistancerto unreeling which will be such as to permit the'unwinding of the hose with a reasonable amount of pulling force. 1'

`Theswitchis adapted to be controlled by-a fluid motor 54 situated in the bottom of the casing 5|. This motor has a bellows 55 secured? at rone end to the bottom wall of the casing and" at its upper end to a piston member 56 guided in the casing. This piston member 56 has an extending piston rod 51 which extends through a partition 58 into the switch compartment and is arranged to engage the underneath side of the switchcontact arm 53. A spring 59 surrounds the piston rod and is interposed between the piston 56` and the partition 58 so as to normally bias the piston downwardly so that the switch can be closed under the action of a light spring 60 attached to the movable switch arm 53. The open condition of the switch arm is limited by a stop 6I carried by the top of the casing.

Air pressure is employed to move the piston 56 upwardly to open the switch and to accomplish this the lower end of the bellows is connected by a pipe 62 to a pipe 63 which extends from thevair pressure conduit l0 of the arm to the drum.V -This pipe 63 has inserted therein an adjustable ow control valve 64 and a single reducing valve 65 is provided to serve each pipe 63 of the two'systems. The reducing valve 65 controls the amount of air pressure which can be effective in the bellows to open the switch 50 and should beset for Aalow air pressure oi approximately three to` ve pounds per square inch. The conduit 63 beyond the uid motor is arranged to extend downwardly through the axis of the hose drum and is.connected into the previously referred to coupling 42 situated at the base of the drum through Ywhich fuel is conducted to the hose. As shown in Fig- -ure 7, the conduit 63 is connected to the upper end of the coupling 52 by a suitable swivel joint 66 which may be of any suitable construction. As shown, the upper end of the coupling '42. is projvided with a cap 61 against which the il-an'ge 68 at the end of the conduit 63 engages underthe action of a light spring 69. This arrangement will permit the coupling 52 to rotate relative to the conduit 63 and yet provide a seal, thesealing action being accomplished bythe spring v6,6. and also air pressure which will be passing through the connection. j

. The upper end of the coupling 42 is connected to a tube 'l0 in such a manner that airLunder pressure coming through the conduit 62 will pass to the tube without entering the fuel supply which is passing through the coupling 42 to the hose. This tube 1U is of smaller diameter than the pipe connection 45 and extends through this pipe connection to the interior of the fuel hose Where it is connected to a smaller diameter hose 1I positioned within the hose and extending throughout its length. The outer end of the smaller hose 1I adjacent the nozzle of the fuel hose. is joined to a tube 12 carried by the rear end of the nozzle housing and places said hose 'H in communication with atmosphere through the nozzle housing wall. The outlet end 13 of 'the tube 12 is arranged tobe controlled by a small plane.

push button type of valve 14 which is normally held closed by a spring 15. If it is desired to connect the air hose with the atmosphere, the valve I4 need only be pressed downwardly by hand. Whenever the hand releases the valve. the air hose will automatically be closed.

. With the control mechanism for the motor switch just described, it is seen that if the valve I4 in the nozzle housing is closed, air under a low pressure will be effective in the pipe 63 and the air hose H and also in the bellows 55. This will result in the piston 56 being pushed upwardly against the spring 59- and the switch 50 opened. The electrical motor thus will not be energized for operation. However, if the valve 'I4 should be opened, the air under pressure in the bellows will be connected to atmosphere and thus the air pressure in the bellows will fall. This will permit the spring to move the piston 56 andthe piston rod 51 downwardly, as viewed in Figure 6, and as a result the switch will be closed. The electrical motor will then be energized and the drum rotated to wind in the hose. At any time it is desired to stop the winding of the hose inwardly, the hand valve 14 will be permitted to be closed by removing the manual pressure therefrom and consequently air under pressure will again be built up in the bellows which will result in the motor switch 5D being opened. When the valve 14 is opened, an loutlet area should be produced which is sufficient to allow rapid escape of air from the bellows so that the motor will be quickly started. To obtain this proper exhausting of air from the bellows, suitable adjustment of the flow control valve 64, previously referred to, can be made. The setting of the valve 64 should be such that the flow of air therethrough will be slightly less than the ow of air through the valve 14 when open.

By providing this control mechanism for motor of the drum, it is readily seen that the hose can be reeled in at will by the person dispensing the fuel through the hose and nozzle. The return of the hose to the drum is solely under the control of the person at the nozzle and it is not necessary for him to drop the hose and nozzle in order to accomplish the reeling in of the hose. He can reel it in at any rate he desires, merely by controlling the hand operated valve 14 at the nozzle. Thus all necessity for dragging the hose across ground as it is reeled is eliminated, as is also any possibility of dragging the nozzle over parts of the airplane.

The source of electricity which is connected to the dispensing box D through the electric conduit I l also provides current for operating the pump motors 26 and 29 as indicated in Figure 4. The air pressure which is supplied to the dispensing unit box through the air conduit I0 extending through the arm can also be employed to supply air for inflating the tires on the air To accomplish this an air hose 16 can be employed which will also be of considerable length. It can 'beheld in the central compartment of the dispensing box in any suitable manner. In Figure 4 this hose is merely Vshown coiled up in the box.

With an airport service station of the type shown and described, it is seen that an airplane can be very quickly and efficiently serviced. There is no necessity for the use of dispensing units in pits at every point where it is desired to service an airplane. As many as three airplanes can be easily parked at one time around @my `improved fservice station .for servicing :An :airplaneican be positioned at `the frontzof 'the *service station and one tat =ea`ch side, and'feach .of these .planes can -befbrought in 'to.;iparked.posi :tion and :moved away :without `the 'necessity vof moving anyV of the :other :planes already parked. With one plane parked for servicing, say for ex- ;ample, at .thezfront of the service station, another :plane can be tparked alongside of the service :stationzfor service without thenecessity of mov- -ing the plane already parked. To servicethe -last .parked plane, all that need be done is to 4swing'.the arm on its pivotand move the diszpensing unit'around the track to that side of :the service station adjacent .the newly parked plane. To assist in this pivoting of the` arm and imoving of the dispensing box, suitable handles :such asthose lshown at'l'i (see Figure) may be Aprovided atfthe ends of the box. These handles areg-arranged to 'drop down alongside of the box :when not :being used.,It is to be particularly -noted rthat with the use 'of this service station .-thereare no .obstructions presented to propellers :or the'wings of the plane, yet the entire dispens- -ingunitis above ground. Very quick service can be-given Ain the servicing of an airplane and the :servicing of additional planes can be carried on -without the Anecessity of moving the previously `serviced plane from its parked position. Only vone dispensing box is necessary and it is so arranged, as shown, that two diierent qualities of `fuel can be dispensed. Of course, if it is desired to dispense more than `two qualities of gasoline, 4the -box'only need be slightly enlarged so as to ,provide for the 'additional'equipment to dispense theadditional quality of fuel. .It is also to be fnoted in connection with the improved airport :service-station'that no yconduits or conductors are-draggedaround when the dispensing unitis moved from one dispensing point to another. :Allof the conduits and conductors coming to the vdispensing boxare carried by the-arm. The service station eliminates all necessity for employing tank trucks with resulting hazards to incoming .and outgoing'planes.

Being aware `of the possibility of modication inthe particular structure of my improved air- .portfservice station shown and described without departing from the fundamental principles of -.my invention, I do not intend that the scope of :the invention be limited in-any manner except in .accordance with the Yappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid dispensing apparatus, a flexible dispensing conduit having a nozzle, holding means for the conduit permitting vth-e conduit to be withdrawn therefrom to `dispense uid at a remote point, an electric motor `connected for operating `the holding means to cause the conduit .to be returned thereto, Van electric circuit for the motor including a switch, and means including a manually operated control element remote from the switch and positioned on and adjacent the nozzle end of the conduit to move therewith and operatively connected for closing said switch at will. 2. AIn a duid dispensing apparatus, a fluid conveying hose of considerable lengthV having adispensing nozzle, a reel upon which ,the 'hose is Wound ,and from which it can `be Withdrawn to ,dispenseiiuid at a remote point, an electric motor operatively connected to rotate the reel to Wind Athe hose thereon, and means for controlling the operation of the motor from a point adjacent the .nozzle including a fluid motor, a source of fluid ,pressurefa second .hoseconnected tothe, fluid :motor and :extending therefrom :to the nozzle end ,of `the iiuid conveying `.nosa-and a control valve for thesecond :hose positionedradjacentlthe nozzle of the uid conveying hose.

3. In a uid dispensing-apparatuafa fluid conveying .flexible conduit of considerable :length having a dispensingsnozzle, meansifor holdingathe 4conduit and permitting it to4 be removed'fromisaid holding means so that said nozzle Afend-carribe at aremote 'point therefrom, tan electric mo'tor operatively connected to the holdingmeans-sfor returning said conduit 'to lits holding fmeans, a

pressure -operated `means .for `maintaining said `switch open, andmeans forreleasings'aid uid `pressure 'for closingfof the switch .including 'a manually 'controlled' element vadj acent thefnozzle end of `the 'flexible 'conduit and operable findependently of 'conduit-manipulation.

4. Ina fluid dispensing apparatus, `auid vconveying flexible conduit of considerable length'having va' dispensing nozzle, means ffor holdingthe conduit and permitting it to Vbe removedifrom Asaid holdingmeans :so thatsaid nozzle endfca'n be at a `remote point therefrom, an electricmotor operatively connected to the holding means fo'r returning said conduit 'toits holding'means r`a circuit for said motor including a vvsvvitf`3h,"`fl'uid pressure 'operated vmeans for maintaining vsaid switch open, and means for releasing said vfluid pressure including a second smaller flexible conduit positioned in the :first flexible `conduit and extending to a point adjacent the nozzle and-Ya hand controlled valve for openingthe second conduit to atmosphere.

5. In iiuid dispensing apparatus, a -fuel dispensing hose of considerable lengthhaving anozzle on its dispensing end, a reel upon which the hose canbe wound when Vnot in use,*mean`s 'for supplying fluid to the hose, V,power means `operatively conn-ected to the reel forirotating 'the r'eel to wind the 'hose' thereon-after it has been-rcmoved from the reel to dispenseuidat aremte point from the reel, and means for operating'said power means including a control element, V'ailuid pressure operated `motor for causing the control element to 'be inoperative when fluid pressure is applied to the motor, a source Of-uid'pressure connected to the motorand means forreleasin'g fluid pressure from themotor so as to permit'the control element to be operative and comprisinga flexible exhaust tube extending throughthe'hos'e to a point adjacent the nozzle and a manually controlled valve foropening'th'e exibIe exhaust tube to atmosphere at will, said valvebeingpositioned` adjacent thenozzle,

6. VIn a ground installed airportservicestation for servicing several .airplanes while .simultaneously parked and each from apoint within the tip of a wing or equivalent structureand close. to the fuselage, an arm of substantial length, means for pivoting the larm for swinging ,movementin a horizontal plane .about one.- of ,its ends, means for supporting the arm from the ground at vits other free swinging end, an airplane parking ramp outward of the arc of swing vof 'the free e'nd of the arm, a, dispensing unit mounted Ito move with the free end of the arm,said's`winging end of the arm and dispensing unit being o'f a height less than the height of an airplane wing, fand means for supplying fuelto the unit from fas't'orage chamberat aiixed remote point. Y

"7. `In a groundsinstalled airportfservice station vfor servicing several airplanes :while .simulta .neously ,parked and each. from a point withinv the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arm of substantial length, means for pivoting the arm for swinging movement about one of its ends and in a plane parallel with the ground and closer thereto than the height of an airplane wing, a dispensing unit mounted to move with the outer end of the arm, means for supporting the outer end of the arm and the dispensing unit from the ground adjacent said outer end, and means for supplying airplane fuel to the unit from a remote storage place including a conduit carried by and extending along the arm.

8. In a ground installed airport service station for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arm structure of substantial length, means for pivoting the arm to a foundation at one end so as to permit the other end to be swung in an arc, a fuel dispensing unit at said other end, means for supporting the dispensing unit and other end from the ground adjacent the said other end, said dispensing unit and adjacent portion of the arm having a supported height less than the height of an airplane wing so it can pass thereover, and means for supplying said dispensing unit with fuel from a source of supply including a conduit carried by the arm and having a connection with the foundation adjacent the pivot.

9. In a ground installed airport service station for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an airplane ramp having an arcuate edge portion, an arm, means for pivoting one end of the arm at substantially the axis of the arc for swinging movement, said arm being substantially the length of the radius of the arc, and means including a dispensing unit mounted to swing with the outer end of the arm so that said unit can be moved to different points adjacentthe arcuate edge of the ramp to service airplanes which may be parked at different positions on the ramp around said arcuate edge, said arm and dispensing unit being of a height lower than an airplane wing so that it can pass thereover.

10. In a ground installed airport service station for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arcuate track supported by the ground, an arm of a length substantially the same as the radius of the arc of the track, means for pivoting the inner end of the arm at the axis of the arcuate track, and a uid dispensing unit on the outer end of the arm provided with a wheel for supporting it on the track.

11. In aground installed airport service station for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arcuate track, a ramp having an arcuate edge spaced outwardly of the track, said ramp surface being of higher elevation than the track, an arm pivoted at one end at the axis ofthe arcuate track and vof a length to reach substantially to the track, and a fluid dispensing unit carried on the outer end of the arm and provided with a wheel for supporting it on the track.

12. In a ground installed airport service sta-` tion for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arm structure, means for pivoting the arm at one end, said arm being of substantial length so that its outer end can be moved in an arc having a substantial radius of curvature, a dispensing unit attached to the outer end of the arm to move therewith, said dispensing unit and adjacent portion of the arm being of such low height that an airplane wing can pass thereover, fuel and air pressure conduits and electrical conductors carried by the arm and extending from adjacent its pivot to the dispensing unit, and means adjacent the pivot for connecting the conduits and conductors to other conduits and conductors leading from sources of fuel, air pressure and electricity, said connecting means permitting free pivotal movement of the arm through an angle greater than forty-five degrees.

13. In a ground installed airport service station for servicing several airplanes while simultaneously parked and each from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an arm horizontal with the ground pivoted at one end and arranged to have its other end swing in an arc, a fuel dispensing unit carried by the said other end to move therewith, and means for supplying fuel to the unit from a storage source and comprising a conduit extending along the arm and movable therewith. said dispensing unit comprising a flexible dispensing hose carried by the unit and provided with a nozzle, a reel for the hose, and means operatively connected to said reel and operable at will from a point adjacent the nozzle for reeling in the hose after it has been unreeled to dispense fuel at a remote point from the unit.

14. In a ground installed airplane service station for servicing several airplanes While simultaneously parked and from a point within the tip of a wing or equivalent structure and close to the fuselage, an airplane parking ramp of such size that the simultaneous parking of a plurality of airplanes can be accomplished, a track coextensive with one edge of the ramp so as to be adjacent the several positions of parked airplanes, a fuel dispensing unit mounted for movement on the track, said dispensing unit having such a low height when mounted on the track that a wing of a grounded airplane can pass thereover, and means comprising conduit means for conveying fuel from a remote point, said last named means allowing for free movement of the dispensing unit on the track at will so that the unit can be placed close to any parked plane on the ramp for purposes of fueling.

BERNARD P. KUNZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 356,037 Goodwin Jan. 11, 1887 1,022,042 Muller Apr. 2, 1912 1,263,751 Elkins Apr. 23, 1918 1,586,465 Perdue May 25, 1926 2,058,061 Clinch Oct. 20, 1936 2,113,676 Carroll Apr. 12, 1938 2,126,848 Weiss Aug. 16, 1938 2,315,085 Churchward Mar. 30, 1943

Images