US2639944A - Liquid dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

May 26, 11953 E. s. HIGGINBOTHAM LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1 947 v 4 INVEN TOR.

y 6, 1953 E. s. HIGGINBQTHKM 2,639,944

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE' Filed Aug. 7, 1947 a Sheets-Sheet 2 May 26, 1953 E. SIIZHGGINBOITHAM LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 7, 1947 INVENTOR.

n i iilIl l illi /T II l. lllllll I llll rL Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED ES PATENT ICE signor to To'kheim :Oil Tank and Pump 2Com- =pany, Fort "Way 11m a amputation pi Indiana Application August 7, 1947, Serial No. 766,928

(01. ease-@711) .24 Claims. 1

This invention relatesto liquid dis ensing de vices, and more specifically to device adapted to dispense liquid petrolenm fuel, sijch as gasoline.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a so-called curb type of gasoline dispensing apparatus having a housing enclosing a rigid portion of the gasoline dispensing line wherein is disposed a motor driven gasoline forcing pump having a meter, the discharge outlet of which has a rigid portion within the housing and connects to a relatively long flexible hose, the free end of which is proyided with a valved-nozzle having manually actuatahle control member through which the gasoline is dispensed when the pump in operation and when the control valve on the nozzle is open. The housing also encloses other auxiliary devices which are well ln own in the such as an air release mechanism disposed inthefiow line in advance of the meter, a register driven from the meter, and the usual type of sight through which the dispensed'lignid flows.

More specifically the present 'inyention re la to such a type of dispensing apparatus having a relatively long hose, considerablyflonger than the standard present type of dispensing hose, and to provide mechanism associated with-that hose and the housing so that the complete length of the flexible hose is stored either externally or internally of the housing when not in tree, out which hose may be extended substantially its entire length in any direction from thehonsing so as to be able to fill the "tanks of cars which are relatively remote from the housing; and anobject of this invention is to provide means i or retracting a portion of the length of the hose to the housing and for supporting the sameat a sufficient elevation above the bottom of the housing, whereby the entire hose is 'storedin a series of: lengths or convolutions so that it will not drag on the ground, and further toprovide the mechanism withineans whereby the hose in any extended position when it is engaged-in the process of filling a tank, will not drag'uponthe ground.

Another object of the invention-resides in pro viding a gasoline dispensing devioeof the modern type that eliminatesthe necessity of providinga hose reel for storing an extra length oi hose by providing means for draping or storing the complete length of flexible hose comprising that terminal portion of the dispensing line,-in a series of connected convolutions or lengths suspended and held when not in use on the outside or the gasoline pump housing asufilcient distance-from the ground to preventthe -=hose dragging on the ground and which storage mechanism not only permits the hose to be extended its full distance from the housing inorder -to fill the tanksof remote cars, but which hose in any extended distance *frorn the housing will he maintained subset tially taut or rigid above the ground so as .to eliminate dragging of the hose :on the groundand consequent we'ar.

It is an objector the present invention to provide improved means, in liquid dispensing apparatus'for extending theiefiectme reach ofdeliyery of the dispensing nozzle in respect to the dispensing apparatus.

' More specifically stated, itzis an object of the invention to provide an improved soecalled long hosearrangement :for should dispendingapparatus wherein there ;is hiioilided ,an extended reach oi hose, ,usable ,as occasion may require, and wherein there is further proyided means for maintaining :upon the hose when E-Ffiflllded ,a predetermined and desired tens on in acc rdance with its p rticular extended condemn a all time State cent a ly t e nven o o i e a sci-called lo e iho e ar an me o vl u nensi ap ratus and er ciiicelly t c e paratus f the "t pe iconlmon r m loved or M dispensin o saselin and-th :li e- The h se consists o wp sep S o ir ache on o which is i-emn oyed 0 n rma d pen in op rat n and the other o which i emp yed m y be extended i one he en i e a para u whe dispensin is d he adapte th apparatu t a p t moved there om an un sual di tance. Means is further provided, operable by the extensionof the hose, for maintaining therein a predetermined tension in accordance with its particular position and each point of extension, sochmeans being variedand predetermined at each point so thatepecifically in the embodiment disclosed the hose may be ,maintained out of contact with the ground and inordinate wear thereof thus ,avoidedat each ,point of extension, without, however, imparting undue or unrequired tension .to the hose with resulting excess effort on the part of the operator.

Other and :further objects of theinvention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification whentaken :in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is aifront View, ipartly broken away. showing certain of the interior mechanism 01" my invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the curb type of liquid dispensing device showing the entire flexible hose mounted on the-outside of the upright housing;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the cable connection with the exterior flexible hose;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the hose is extended to its full length, and the cable mechanism for maintaining it taut so that it will not drag upon the ground;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the gearing connection between the end of the cable connected to the hose and to the spring, respectively;

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, showing the present invention applied to a hose reel type of pump;

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a modified type of the invention wherein the extra reach of hose is normally mounted within the housing but may be extended through the housing opening to provide an extra reach of hose.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention is adapted in Figures 1 to 6 to a type of gasoline dispensing pump where the flexible hose portion of the gasoline dispensing line is located and permanently maintained in draped or supported condition exclusively on the exterior of the housing, the arrangement being such that the hose provides a relatively shorter length for use when the tank of the automobile is relatively close to the pedestal on which the pump is mounted, or alternatively an extra reach or reaches of hose which are provided by pulling outwardly on the hose to utilize the extra reach or length normally draped on the exterior of the housing but which extra length is not ordinarily in use when the shorter length is used. The mechanism involved herein permits or causes in either case the hose to be used in such a manner that the hose is suspended above the ground in a way that prevents the hose from dragging or rubbing upon the ground. This condition is maintained in any extended length of the hose in such a manner that a counterbalancing pull is put upon the length of hose to prevent or counterbalance any sagging of the hose when extended, and this resilient pull is constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention so that only the minimum pulling effect on the hose is needed to extend it.

Referring now to Figiue 1, the invention is shown as comprising the usual type of base or foundation 2 on which is mounted any type of sheet metal housing 4. This housing encloses the main working parts of the dispensing pump. The housing 4 may be located directly over the usual type of underground tank 6 for holding a quantity 8 of liquid petroleum fuel such as gasoline or the like, and into which depends the lower end of the gasoline dispensing line H) provided with the usual foot valve Hi. It is understood, of course, that the tank 6 may be otherwise located. The pipe I!) passes upwardly into an opening in the pedestal at the bottom of the housing 4 where it connects with a pump H driven by an electric motor l3 having suitable electrical connections to be started and stopped or controlled by the usual type of switch mechanism which may be operated by the nozzle support I4 as is customary and as is well known in the prior art. The pump H discharges gasoline through a continuation pipe it into the liquid dispensing line to any type of meter It. If

desired, an air separator may be placed in the dispensing line Hi to eliminate any air before the liquid enters the meter 18. The meter l8, as usual, has a shaft 23 for driving a register 22 of any desired construction. The fiow line from the meter comprises the rigid pipe 24 which at its top and within the housing is provided with the sight glass 26. From the sight glass the dispensed liquid passes through the rigid pipe 28 which terminates in a rigid union 30 passing outwardly through the housing as at 32. For protection and ornamentation the housing is provided with a louver or outwardly configured housing portion 34 which shelters the union 30. From the union 30 and connecting therewith as at 36, the dispensing line comprises a flexible hose portion 38 which extends from the point 35 to its other end where it is provided with the usual type of hose nozzle 40 having the valve 42 controlled by the usual manually operated trigger M. The hose nozzle is adapted to rest normally when not in use upon the hose support M which preferably may comprise, as is well known in the art, either a stationary support or which support l4 itself may be pivoted at 46 to act as a motor controlling switch arm, the arrangement being such that in the horizontal or down position H the motor is off so that the switch arm may act as "a support for the nozzle, and conversely, when the nozzle is removed the switch arm may be moved to raised position to operate the motor to drive the pump. The pump is provided with the usual by-pass, well known in the art, so that when the nozzle-valve is not open the gasoline will be by-passed around the pump. The end of the nozzle, as shown in Figure 1, when not in use, and on its support, is adapted to nter the fitting 48 so that the discharge end of the nozzle is protected when on its support.

The length of hose between the coupling 36 and the nozzle 40 is what is known as a so-callcd long hose or extra length hose. It may extend substantially fourteen or fifteen feet, or even longer if desired, as compared with the present type of shorter hose now used on gasoline dispensing pumps of the non-hose reel type. In the present-day requirements of service station use, it is so frequently necessary for the motorist to be required to start up his car and move it five or ten feet closer to the pump so that the shorter hose can reach the tank, or in other cases, where an automobile drives up on the wrong side of the pump there is great difliculty in reaching the tank by means of a short hose, that demand has been created for a relatively longer flexible hose for the curb or station type of pump. With the short type of hose the hose is draped or mounted wholly on the exterior of the pump housing. However with an extra length hose great difficulty is presented in providing means whereby this extra length hose is arranged so that it not only can service with minimum inconvenience tanks of automobiles that are relatively close, but also in utilizing the extra length of hose for servicing the tanks of automobiles that are remote from the pump. The difiiculty lies in the tendency of the hose when extended to drag on the ground, to be worn or to come in contact with foreign substances that impair the life of the hose. The dragging or rubbing on the ground when the hose is extended is the main difficulty. The present invention provides means for preventing the dragging of the hose on the ground, while at the same time operating so that the hose may be extended to its full length without any substantially extra pulling effort onthe part of the operator. In short, the hose is mounted so that when extended its weight and its length are maintained in completely elevated position, at all times, from the ground, by means of meohanism' arranged to provide the minimumcounterpull so that only the minimum pulling effort on the part of the operator is required, it being understood that in various extended positions of the hos there is a considerable probleminvolved in preventing the hose in its various extended positions from sagging and dragging on the ground. This difilculty the present in's-rentlon has eliminated in a very novel and simple manner. The flexible hose, supported completely on the exterior of the housing, is provided with an encircling clamp 49 located. substantially midway of the length of the flexible hose, although this exact midway position is not essential. This clamp $9 is provided with a stud or projection 50 which connects with an enlarged ball-like knob or stop 52, the diameter of which is larger than an opening 1 of a fitting 56 mounted in a hole formed in the housing 4 of the pump substantially midway of its vertical height. This fitting may be of metal or rubber or any other desired material, and is provided with a circumferential groove in which the edges of the hole in the housing tightly fit. A cable til is fastened to the stop member 52. This cable extends inwardly and passes around the circumference of a sheave 62 rotatably pivoted at t l within the housing. The pivot lid of this sheave 82 is carried by an extension 65 from the base of the register 22. The sheave directs the cable 60 upwardly as shown at til where the cable passes around the periphery of a relatively large pulley it fixed as at it on a shaft it mounted Within the housing. The end of the cable lit is attached to the periphery of this pulley in such a manner that the cable runs in a peripheral groove in the circumference of the pulley. Lil ewise attached to the shaft M as at "It is a pinion it which in turn meshes with a larger pinion 89 fixed as at B2 to a parallel shaft 83 likewise mounted in the supports '86 of the housing. Aflixed to shaft B l to rotate therewith is a cam 83 having a peripheral cam surface fit of varying length or diameter from the axis of the shaft M. This cam is provided with a flat, radially disposed surface 9E1 grooved at 93 to receive a second cable 94 one end of which is affixed as at 92 to this surface 98. This second cable is arranged so that on a clockwise turning of the shaft at the cable 8t will wrap around the curved surface 88 of the cam 86 affixed to the shaft as at 85. The cable 94 extends downwardly and connects as at iii-l to a preferably metallic rod 98, the lower end of which passes through a washer Hill. A nut I02 adjustably threads upon the lower end of this rod 98. Concentrically disposed about the rod 98 is a spring ill-.- the lower end of which is preferably smaller than the upper end. The lower end rests against and is confined against the washer lili'l, while the upper end is confined against a horizontal plate ltd mounted in and carried by the housing and forming a support or base forthe meter It. The arrangement is such that when the rod 98 is pulled upwardly the spring llhl will be put under increased compression. Spring m4 is normally set under considerable compression.

The housing member 2 at opposed corners substantially midway of the height of the housing is provided with opposed vertically spaced ley ill and the cam and the gearing.

apart bearings wand III] which rotatably support a vertically disposed roller I [2. At the opposite corners are provided two vertically spaced bearings H4 and HE which. vertically support another vertically spaced roller I It. These rollers are provided at the corners as anti-friction rollers to prevent rubbing of that part of the hose on opposite sides of the clamp 39 when the hose is in the position shown in Figure 2, that is, when only a portion of the reach of the hose from the nozzle fill to the clamp 49 is used.

The foregoing arrangement provides means to maintain spring pressure on the hose so that when it is extended as shown in Figure 4 and when it is returned as shown in Figure 1, the hose will never touch the ground and therefore will be free of scraping or wearing on the ground. In order to accomplish this purpose the spring Hi l is selected as a fairly strong conical spring. The spring in its initial position is set under considerable compression. In view of the fact that the cable 88 must have a movement of considerable distance to counterbalance the hose when extended, it will be understood that the spring arrangement must be so arranged that only a small movement of the spring can be tolerated because a spring that moves a considerable amount in compression will result in a compressive force of too great a variation. Therefore first it is necessary to place the spring I'M under initial compression between the plate its and the washer ltll and to arrange the spring, the two cables, the reducing gearing and the cam in such a Way that upon initially removing the nozzle from the housing the short length hose can be extended since there is a force already exerted upon the hose clamp 59 holding it to the housing 50 that in those instances where the tank of the automobile is relatively close to the base, only that short length of the hose between the nozzle it and the clamp 49 will be utilized, the clamp it being held to the hose by the initial compression of the spring 104 acting through its interconnected cables, the pul- From this point, when further extension of the hose is required, a pull upon the cable 68 which passes around the sheave '62 transmits motion to the cable reel or pulley Hi. This pulley it will thus travel in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, transmitting motion through the shaft 14 to the gear 78. Gear 80, being meshed with gear it, and being of larger diameter, will naturally reduce the motion considerably that is imparted to the shaft 34, and to such an extent that the full travel of cable 68 will allow a very small travel of cable 94. This is because cable M is fastened to the cam 83, which latter when rotating clockwise reduces the distance between the shaft 84 and the cable, which reduction has a tendency to balance out the increased tension on the cable 68. Thus it can be seen that as spring ml is further compressed, the operating arm of the cam between the shaft as and the cable is reduced, which will result in a more uniform inch-pound torque. The purpose of the cam t8 isnot mainly to accomplish a uniform inch-pound torque, but to regulate it so that the correct amount of inch-pound torque will be available to prevent the hose from touching the ground and while at the same time not requiring an extraordinary or laborious pull upon the outer end of the hose when extending the same to any distance.

The mechanism is arranged so that when the nozzle is extended the following distances the mechanism will provide the corresponding pounds to keep the hose from touching the ground:

Pounds Extended 6 feet 8 Extended 9 feet 10 Extended 12 feet 14 Extended 14 feet From the above figures it is observable that a straight line proportion is not the accomplishment of the cam 86. More particularly, it will be noted that extending the hose from six feet to nine feet increases the pull upon the hose two pounds; however, a corresponding increase of three feet from nine feet to twelve feet causes an increase of four pound pull on the hose. The force applied to the hose and holding it above the ground increases at an increasing rate the farther the nozzle is removed from the housing. Such a relationship between the distance the nozzle is removed from the housing and the force applied to the line is non-linear as distinguished from a straight line or uniform increase of tension on the hose as the nozzle is removed from the housing.

The weight of the hose 38, assuming that the will immediately be seen that the horizontal component of force is the only one which can vary appreciably inasmuch as the height of the fitting 34 and the height of the fuel tank opening above the supporting surface are fixed. As the center of the hose moved outwardly from the pump housing, the horizontal component of force must be increased in order to keep the hose off of the ground and it can be shown that the horizontal component does not increase in a linear manner with respect to the increased distance that the nozzle 42 is removed from the housing, but in fact the horizontal component of force increases at an increasing rate as the nozzle 42 is moved away from the housing 4. It

will be seen immediately therefore that a simple cylindrical spring under compression or tension would not produce a force such as would keep the hose 38 from dragging on the ground. A conical spring, however, such as the spring I04, will produce an increasing tension which increases at an increasing rate. However, it will be seen that the conical spring I04 will quickly compress the larger convolutions and that movement will be highly restricted as compression of the smaller convolutions begins. In order to obtain the increasing force which increases at an increasing rate and yet compensate for the fact that the distance which a spring can be compressed decreases as the spring is compressed, the cam 8B is provided which in effect decreases the movement in spring I04. It would be possible perhaps to design a spring I04 which would not need the compensating cam 86, but such a spring would be so large as to make it impracticable to dispose it within the pump housing. Accordingly it will be seen that it is necessary to provide both the conical spring I04 which produces an increase in force which increases at an increasing rate, and a transmission mechanism such as the cam 85 which de- 8 creases the distance that the spring I04 is compressed.

The above table illustrates that the force applied to the hose increases at an increasing rate or non-linear rate as the hose is removed from the housing. If desired, this entire assembly forming the present invention may be mounted upon the inverted U-shaped bracket 81 extending downwardly from the pump chassis dome plate.

The invention is likewise adaptable to the hose reel type of pump shown in Figure 7, wherein the hose reel is rotatably mounted in the base of the housing 2. This hose reel is preferably of the type shown in the patent to Waugh, No. 2,339,308, of January 18, 1944. The details of the hose reel are not herein shown, being described in said patent. Suflice it to say, however, that in lieu of the spring 58 of the hose reel of the Waugh patent aforesaid, the outer end of the rotatable casing 33 of the Waugh patent in the present instance is provided with a stud 33 carrying a pinion i8 meshing with a gear 60 on a shaft 84 carried by a support mounted within the housing, the arrangement being such that upon pulling out of the hose the reel and its housing and the stud shaft 33' and the gear '58 are all rotated to drive the gear and the shaft 84'. This shaft has fixed thereto at its outer end the cam 88'. The cable 94' has one end connected to this cam in the manner shown in Figure 6 herein, the cable winding up on the periphery of the cam 88 as it does in the manner shown in Figure 6. This cable at then connects to the lower end of the rod 93 which acts on the conical spring I 04' in the same manner as in Figure i, so that as the hose of Figure 7 is pulled out and uncoiled from the hose reel within the housing proper, tension will be maintained on the hose to keep it from dragging. It is obvious that if desired the opening i25 in the housing 2, and/or also the reel, may be disposed at a position that is elevated with respect to that shown in Figure '7.

In addition to the adaptation of the invention to the long length hose housed on a rotatable hose reel, as shown in Figure 7, the invention is adaptable to the long length type of hose shown in Figure 9 wherein a short length of the hose when not in use is draped or mounted on the exterior of the housing, and wherein the extra length, when not in use, is draped in a retractile manner on the inside of the housing, the same passing through an aperture disposed on the upper portion of the housing so that the interior portion of the flexible hose may through and be extended through said opening when a pull is exerted on the nozzle or external part of the flexible hose. In this type the rigid part 24 of the flow line terminates at the coupling I21 to which is coupled the flexible portion of the hose I29. This length of the hose passes around the periphery of a pulley I3I which pulley is rotatable and is likewise mounted on a shaft I33 and the shaft and pulley are slidable in spaced apart, verticall disposed elongated guides I35 and I 3'! fixed to the spaced and opposed inside walls of the housing so that the pulley may move vertically. This hose length I29, after passing around the pulley I3 I, continues upwardly and passes around a rotatable sheave I39 which rotates about a stationary axis I lI disposed so that the pulley I39 is positioned immediately below the opening I43 formed in the upper portion of the housing as hereinbefore described. The

flexible hose H9 passes through: this: opening, the sheave guiding its passage therethrough so that the remaining portion oithe flexible hose is then permanently located or mouutedas at on the exterior of the housing 2. In: the position shown in Figure 9 the. external portion of the hose (it depends downwardly and loopd upon its lf and the nozzle. Ml connected to the upper end of the hose will ,pennanently rest upon a nozzle support Mil substantial-1y the same manner that the hose 3:8 of Figure 7 rests upon a nozzle support 2' of'that figure.

Referring now to the pulley [3A, the central axis thereof is connected to a cable I51: which passes onev or more times around a relatively large pulley I53 having a central shaft 155. on which is mounted a. pinion. t5]. pinion meshes with a larger gear I591 in turn. mounted on a shaft 1 6 which carries the cam [:63 which turns with the shaft 161.. The shafitsz 155i and I55 are suitably supported in an upright support Hi5- mounted in the base of the housing. The cam Iii-3' fixed to itsstraight: radial edge Iii-l as at 169 a secondkcable liH' which passes around a. direction changing sheave I13: rotatably mounted. in the base of the support so that the cable I'll thence passes upwardly and con,- nects with a rod I15 as at 111;, which rod carties the washer I l-I9 to compress the spring LB/12 between it and the stationary plate &3 in the manner shown in :the prior figures, see Figure 1. Thus in a similar manner to Figure 1 when the length of hose is pulled upon. the herein described mechanism will operate to place the re quired tension. on the hose so that it :will not drape or scrape "along the ground, and the cam in each instance is arranged so as to exactly counteract the variation. in pull onthecompression springs utilized in each case so that a sonstantly uniform torque pull is maintained. which in all extended positions of the hose "will main tain the hose taut so that it will not drag upon the ground, and at the same time will aflord a minimum amount of pull required to extend the hose from the housing or from the reel.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications andchanges without departing from the spirit and "scope of the appended claims.

The present application is related to applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 3855*!3, filed July 14, Iss8.

Having thus described theinvention, what is claimed'asnew and desired to 'be secured by Letters Patent is:

'1, In a liquid fuel dispensing pump, the combination of a housing enclosing a 'liquid=dispensing line one end of which is adapted to be connected to a source of liquid petroleum -fuel through which. liquid is adapted to be forced-unpressure, said dispensing line terminating in a relatively long flexible hose the terminal of which hose is provided with "a nozzle having a valve provided with a manual actuator 101 openingand closing the valve, said housing having a hose receiving opening and said housing on its exterior having a nozzlesupport,'means :for storing a portion of said flexible hose within said housing, said means including devices allowing the hose to he extended-through the opening in said housing when'the hose is pulled upon whera by to increase the length of the portion of the hose that extends through the opening in said housing, and mechanism including devices en enthaga reactive and resilient puliing .efilect: upon said hose as. said; hose is pulled through said opening in said housing, said devices including a conical compression spring norm-ally under compression and; disposed with said housing and adapted to compress upon the pulling of the hose. from the housing, said; devices including means for balancing. "the increasingcompressive forces: of said spring and the consequent reactive pull on said hose as the hose is pulled progress stvel-y outwardly: through said opening whereby to prevent said; extended hose from dragging in all extended positions. of the hose, said spring and. said balancing means producing :a. pull on said hose which increases at an increasing rate as the terminal of the hose is moved away from said housing.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus: comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the house ing adapted ;for connection with a flexible hose, a dispensing nozzle secured to the dischargeend of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising force applying means, and a trans? mission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the hose, said transmission mechanism varying the effective pull of the force applying means in the various extended 9031-. tions. of said hose portion, said transmission mechanism and force applying means producing a pull on said hose which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the hose is removed from the housing.

'3. Ali-quid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line Within the house ing adapted for connectionwith a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to, the dis.- charge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzlesecured to the discharge end of .the :hose, and manually extensible means for normally reitra-cting at least a portion of said hose. toward the housing, said last named means. comprising a spring and a transmission mechanism inter= connecting the spring and the hose, said transmission mechanism varying the effective pull of the spring in :the various extended positions of said chose portion, said spring and .said transmission mechanism producing azpull onsaid 11056. which varies :in a non-linear .ruanner with the distance the discharge end of the'hoseis removed from the housing.

4. Aliquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line Within-the housing adapted for connection witha source o iguid supply, a flexible hose connected to the CH5?- charge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle sccuredtc the dischar end f th hose, and manually extensible means for normall tracting at least a portion of said base toward the housing, said last nam d means compr sin a spring, and a transmissi n m cha ism nterconnecting the spring and th hose, the res st ance in :the sprin bei ncreased nd said transmission :mechanism's rv ns o ec ease the effective :pull of the sprin s s id h s portion is extended, said sprin and s d transmission mechanism producing a pull on Said hose w ich varies .in a non-.linear manner with the d stance the discharge end of the hose is removed irom the housin 57 A iquid .dispcn insapp ratus comprising a housinga liquid'dispensiilg,line within theihousing adapted-for connection with a source 0 1:1 1- uidvsupply, :a flexible hose connected to the dis-- charge end. of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising force applying means, and a variable torque mechanism. interconnecting the force applying means and the hose for varying the effective pull of the force applying means in the various extended positions of said hose portion, said force applying means and said variable torque mechanism producing a pull on said hose which increases at an increasing rate with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising. a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising a spring and a variable torque mechanism interconnecting the spring and the hose for varying the efl'ective pull of the spring in the various extended positions of said hose por tion, said spring and said variable torque mechanism producing a pull on said hose which increases at an increasing rate with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising force applying means, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the hose, said transmission mechanism including a cam having a cam surface controlling the efifective pull of the force applying means, said force applying means and said transmission mechanism producing a pull on said hose which increases at an increasin rate with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising a conical spring, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the spring and the hose, said transmission mechanism including a cam having a cam surface decreasing the effective pull of the spring, said spring and said transmission mechanism producing a pull on said hose which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, and manually extensible means for normally retracting at least a. portion of said hose toward the housing, said last named means comprising a conical spring, a cam having a generally spiral surface, a cord anchored at one end to said spring and raised at its other end upon said spiral cam surface and being anchored thereto, and means interconnecting the cam and the hose whereby the cam is operated to overcome the force of the spring as said hose portion is extended, said spring and said cam cooperating to produce a pull on said hose which increases at an increasing rate with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, "said hose comprising a normally operable portion looped externally of the housing and an extensible portion, and manually extensible means for normally retracting said extensible hose portion toward the housing, said last named means comprising force applying means, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the hose substantially at the juncture between said normally operable and extensible portions, said force applyin means and said transmission mechanism coop-' erating to produce a pull on said hose which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the hose is displaced from the housing.

11. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line Within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, a hose reel on which said flexible hose is normally coiled, said hose reel being journalled for rotation on said housing, and man ually extensible means for normally retractin the hose onto the hose reel, said last named means comprising a non-linear force applying means, the force exerted by said force applyin means increasing as the discharge end of the hose is moved away from the housing, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the hose, said transmission mechanism varying the effective pull of the force applying means in the various extended positions of the hose, said force applying means and said transmission mechanism cooperating to produce a pull on said hose which increases at an increasing rate as the discharge end of the hose is moved away from the housing.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a housing, a liquid dispensing line Within the housing adapted for connection with a source of liquid supply, a flexible hose connected to the discharge end of said dispensing line, a dispensing line, a dispensing nozzle secured to the discharge end of the hose, said hose comprising a normally operable portion looped externally of the housing and an extensible portion looped externally of the housing, and manually extensible means for normally retracting said extensible hose portion toward the housing, said last named means comprising non-linear force applying means, the force exerted by said force 13 applying means increasinges the discharge end of the hose is moves away from the housi operating to produce a piill on said hose which increases at an increasing rate as the discharge end of the hose is moved away from the housing.

13. A mechanism for retracting a thexiol'e' lihe toward a housing comprising a non-linear foiroeapplying means, and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the force-applying meansand the line, said transitoission mechanism varying the effective pull of the force-applying means in the various ex tenrleri positions of said line, said force-applying means and said transmission mechanism cooperating to produce a pull on said flexible line ii hioh varies in a non linoar mariner the discharge end of the fiGXi'bleliTIQ is moved away from the housing.

14. A mechanism for retract-in; a flex ble line comprising a conical compression spring, transmission mechanism interconnecting said spring and the line-said spring being adapted to said line toward the retracted position, and

means for balancing the increasing compressive surface decreasing the effective force applied 0" said spring to said line, spring anciiig means cooperatiiig to prr the flexible line that increases as increasing rate as the free end of the flexible line is moved away from the retracted position.

15. A mechanism for retracting a flexible line comprising a non-linear force a oplying means, the force exerted by said force applying means increasing as the free oi the flexible line is moves. away from the retracted position; and a transmission. "mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the line, said trans mission mechanism decreasiiig" the effective pull of the force applying means in the various ex tehelecl positions of said line, said foroe apply andsaiol transmission meohah ismcooperating to produce a pull on said line that increases at an increasing rate as the line moved to positions farther removed from the retracted position.

16. A mechanism for retracting a flexible host: comprising hose reel on which the flexible hose is normally coiled, means for rotatahly mounting re 1, a nonlinear force ap plying means for u hose reel to the retracted-position, a transmission mechanism inter'oonne'cting the force ap lying means and the hose reel, said "transmission 'iiiechanisin is effective pull of the fore a'fpiali ii ig means in the various extended 13-051 is of said hose, sa'itl force applying means and said transmission meehariis'm cooperatingto produce a pull'onsaitl note which vai'i'es in a non-linear inahher With t1 said. lo l which 'said cor a1 do mechanism inteio niie ctmg hose reel, said spring being adapted to urge hose reel toward the retracted position, and means for balancing the increasing compressive force of said spring and the consequent reactive ling on said hose as the hose is pulled pro giessively away from said hose reel, said balarising including a cam having a cam surfaee decreasing the effective force applied by ing' to said hose, said spring and said iterating to produce a pull on said hose iri'hi'h increases at an increasing rate as the di:"

end of said hose is moved from said hose the f exerted su i'ol force applying means increasing as the tree end or the Xible line is i es. awa from he retracted position, and a moose; in aiiism interconnecting the for and the line, said force 5L1?) 1y said transmission means coopiatiiig to produce a 'pii-ll on the line which 235i; iiilis'ihgf rate as the line is to positions farther removed from the not ioh.

dischaf mg device comprising 3, means disposed in said housing g a liquid l'ioW line, said housing ants-seat the base haviiig ahose outlet, said liquid fl l'ii'ie rim-hating in a'flexilo'le hose a portion si t e-Zteii'cls through said outlet and. is provia 1 h a terminal nozzle valve, a hose reel 1th in. h e he'hg Wound on said reel and passing through e basal outlet of said housing and exten mt; upwardly or th'e'housing with the nozzle resting on its support when the hose is not in use and mfihall'iifml mounted within said housmg: for hormal'lt i'etr-actihg the major portion of fletible nose within said housing comprising a eaiforee applying means and including transmission 'me'iih'anism interconnecting the force applying 'mea'ns and the flexible hose, said transmission mechanism and force applying means fi'rorlu'eing' a pull on said flexible hose which varies in hon-linear manner with the distanoe the 'ciisoharge end or the line is removed from the netting, whereby when the hose is re- "6m ts support and the flexible hose piilled at of the 'housin'g toward a remotely locat'e's' 'atoinobfle located the standard height "from the 'groun'd, said retracting mechanism willpi ei efit the exteiiileii hosefrom sagging or d'raggih'g on the grounder floor intervening bets on the based the 'hoiis'ing'and the tank of the automobile.

21-. n a litiiiid-disperisingdevice comprising an liiistaiiiiihg holisifig, meahs-disposed in'said housmg iter-min a liquid new line including a substantial length of flexible hose, said housingadjac se Hail/111g a hose outlet, a hose storing smounteil ihsetidfhtlsing, aid flexible hose hvmg the jet pd'rhh-of its length opera'bly cai ed by s'aLii-l hose'storing means iornormaliy maintaining said major portion of the length of the hose within said housing when the hose is not in use, the terminal portion of said hose extending outwardly through the opening of said housing with the nozzle of said hose resting upon said nozzle support, said hose storing means be ing yieldable so that the major portion of said flexible hose may be pulled out of said housing for a substantial distance to permit the filling of a remote automobile tank, said hose retracting mechanism comprising non-linear force applying means and transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the flexible hose, said transmission mechanism and force applying means producing a pull on said hose which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the hose is removed from said housing.

22. In a liquid discharging device the combination of an upstanding housing having a first opening located at least as high as substantially midway the height of the housing, means disposed within said housing forming a liquid dispensing line, said dispensing line passing through said first opening in the housing and including a flexible portion permanently disposed outside of said housing and terminating in a dispensing nozzle provided with a manually operable valve. said housing having a second opening therein disposed approximately midway the height of said housing, said flexible hose substantially midway of its length being provided with a connector, an elongated flexible member having one end connected to said connector and passing through said second opening in the housing, hose retrieving means disposed in said housing with which said flexible member is operably connected, said retrieving means including mechanism operably tending to maintain said flexible member retrieved within said housing and for maintaining said connector adjacent said second opening in said housing when the hose is not in use, a hose nozzle support mounted on said housing above said second opening for stationarily supporting the nozzle when the hose is not in use, said flexible portion of the hose disposed externally of the housing being of sufiicient length so that when said connector is maintained by said flexible member adjacent said second opening, said hose will be suspended in a double coil disposed wholly on the outside of said housing with the bottom portions of said double coil located above the base of the housing and with the uppermost coiled portion of the double coiled hose disposed substantially at the level of the second mentioned of said openings in the housing and with the nozzle end of said hose forming one free end of the substantially double coil extending upwardly of said uppermost coiled portion and supported on said nozzle support, said retracting mechanism operably tending to maintain said flexible member retrieved within the housing and the connector adjacent said second opening comprisin a non-linear force applying means and including transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means with said connector, said transmission mechanism and force applying means producing a pull on said connector which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the flexible hose is removed from the housing.

23. The combination of an upstanding housing for discharging gasoline or other liquids, means disposed within the housing forming a liquid flow line, said housing having an opening therethrough disposed a substantial distance upwardly from the bottom of the housing through which a portion of said flow line passes, said flow line exterior of said opening including an elongated extra long flexible hose having a terminal nozzle provided with a manually operable valve, a sup port located on said housing substantially above said first mentioned outlet opening in said housing for supporting the nozzle on the housing when not in use, means forming an opening in said housing located at least as high on said housing as the first opening in said housing through which the flow line passes as afore said, flexible elongated retrieving means passing through said last mentioned opening, a connector interconnecting said retrieving means and said flexible hose between the ends thereof, and mechanism within said housing operable upon said flexible retrieving means including means automatically to draw said flexible retrieving means within said housing and to cause said connector to be positioned adjacent said second opening in said housing and to cause said hose automatically to be suspended by said fitting. said connector, and said nozzle support in substantially double coiled formation, the bottom portions of the double coil of the hose being disposed somewhat above the bottom portion of the housing with the upper portion of that coil to which the connector is fastened being disposed adjacent the opening through which the retrieving means passes and the second coil having its upper portion substantially open with the free end of said second coil extending upwardly and with the end of the nozzle disposed above said second mentioned opening, said retracting mechanism operably tending to maintain said flexible member retrieved within the housing and the connector adjacent said second opening comprising a non-linear force applying means and including transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means with said connector, said transmission mechanism and force applying means producing a pull on said connector which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance the discharge end of the flexible hose is removed from the housing.

24. In a liquid dispensing device comprising an upstanding housing means disposed in said housing forming a liquid flow line, including a substantial length of flexible hose, means disposed in the housing for normally storing therein the major portion of said flexible hose, said storing means comprising a pair of relatively movable pulleys about which said major portion of said flexible hose is stored, the free end of said flexible hose extending outwardly through an opening in the upper portion of said housing and being provided with a valve nozzle on its terminal end, the upper portion of said housing having a nozzle support on which the hose is positioned when the hose is not in'use, and hose retrieving means including mechanism operably tending to maintain said flexible hose retrieved within said housing about relatively movable pulleys, said mechanism including means interconnected with said pulley mechanisms for retracting the major portion of the flexible hose through the opening of the housing into coiled position about said pulleys comprising a nonlinear force applying means and a transmission mechanism interconnecting the force applying means and the pulley mechanism, said transmission mechanism and force applying means producing a pull on said flexible hose which varies in a non-linear manner with the distance Number Name Date the discharge end of the flexible hose is removed 1,829,161 Smithson Oct. 27, 1931 from the housing. 1,881,952 Hayfield Oct. 11, 1932 EDWIN s. HIGGINBOTHAM. 1,950,833 Woodford Mar. 13, 1934 5 1,975,633 Cakora Oct. 2, 1934 References Cited in the file of this patent 1993517 Nason 1935 2,242,749 Hope May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,255,180 Marvel Sept. 9, 1941 Number Name Date 2,327,475 Waugh Aug. 24, 1943 1,206,563 McConnell Nov. 28, 1916 10

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