US3692212A

US3692212A - Fuel supplying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3692212A
Application number: US149202A
Authority: US
Inventors: Yoshihiko Irie; Shunro Yamawaki; Yukio Ogawa
Original assignee: Tokico Ltd; Tokico Yuki Ltd
Current assignee: Tokico Ltd; Tokico Yuki Ltd
Priority date: 1971-06-07
Filing date: 1971-06-07
Publication date: 1972-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-19

Abstract

A fuel supplying apparatus comprises a single fuel feeding port including a pumping means, a motor for driving the pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator; and a plurality of fuel supplying parts which are fed the fuel through the flowmeter from the fuel feeding part. The fuel supplying apparatus further comprises an interlocking device actuating to stop the motor for driving the pumping means, when one fuel supplying part is operated to start the fuel supplying while other fuel supplying part is supplying the fuel, thereby to interrupt the fuel supplying and prevent the fuel supplying to be performed simultaneously at two or more fuel supplying parts.

Description

United States Patent Irie et 51 Sept. 19, 1972 1 FUEL SUPPLYING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Yoshlhiko lrie; Shunro Yamawaki;

Yukio Ogawa, all of Tokyo, Japan [731 Assignees: Tokico Ltd., Kawasaki-City, Kanagawa-ken; Tokico Yuki Ltd., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: June 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,202

[52] US. Cl. ..222/32, 222/52, 222/74,

222/483 [51] Int. Cl. ..B67d 5/26 [58] Field of Search ZZZ/483,32, 42, 74, 75, 52;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,816,901 8/1931 Grise ..222l74 1,931,427 10/1933 Bond ..'.222/74 Romanowski ..222/32 X Tatsuno ..222/74 X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Edwin D. Grant Attorney-Holman & Stern 57 ABSTRACT A fuel supplying apparatus comprises a single fuel feeding port including a pumping means, a motor for driving the pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator; and aplurality of fuel supplying parts which are fed the fuel through the flowmeter from the fuel feeding'part. The fuel supplying apparatus further comprises an interlocking device actuating to stop the motor for driving the pumping means, when one fuel supplying part is operated to start the fuel supplying while other fuel supplying part is supplying the fuel, thereby to interrupt the fuel supplying'and prevent the fuel supplying to be performed simultaneously at two or more fuel supplying parts.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED EP 19 sum 1 OF 5 4. m? W m. S W V PATENTEDSEP 19 I972 SHEEI 0F 5 QB. NR. 7 Nb Q. g m? $4 Q Vb nu. R 7 AW m QE FUEL SUPPLYING APPARATUS This invention relates to a fuel supplying apparatus and more particularly to a fuel supplying apparatus having an interlocking device to prevent the plural fuel supplying parts from simultaneously delivering the fuel fed from a single fuel feeding part including a pumping means, a flowmeter and an indicator.

Generally, in a fuel supplying station provided with standard type fuel supply standing posts or socalled gasoline pumps (hereinafter they are referred to as fuel supply standing post or standing post) each housing pumping means, motor, flowmeter and indicator and located islands in a fuel supplying service area, it is desired to lead the vehicles to be supplied with fuel in a range of radius that a fuel supply hose can reach the vehicles from the fuel supply standing post. Usually the above range of fuel supply has been narrow. Therefore, it was inconvenient to lead the vehicles into the area without troubles or to expect a smooth and rapid operation of fuel supply.

In order to increase the range in which the fuel supply can be effected on vehicles stopped at positions as preferred, it may be proposed to increase only the number of the fuel supply standing posts. The increase of the number of standing posts however results a high cost for the fuel supplying apparatus and a difficulty for the vehicles to enter or recede from the station site since the standing post houses a number of devices such as pumping means, flowmeter and indicator and is usually large in size.

When lifts or washing equipments are newly set up for the increasing of the number of kinds of services. in the station, there is produced another difficulty that the previously located standing posts are consequently positioned very close to the ends of the service area or the structure thereby lowering the efficiency of fuel supplying operation. Therefore, in this case the increase of range of fuel supply must be sought for raising the efficiency of fuel supply.

In the fuel supplying station which employs the standing posts as described above, there are disadvantages that the standing posts often obstract the vehicles to enter or recede from the service area and limit the range of stationning of the vehicles. There is also disadvantage that the efficiency of utilization of service area is low. A fuel supplying apparatus is now widely used which is of the system that a ceiling, beams and like structures are provided over the service area and several fuel delivery units are fixedly attached to these structures. The delivery unit substantially comprises a hose reel and a fuel supply hose having a nozzle at its end and wound on the hose reel. The fuel supply nozzle and hose can be lowered downwards from the hose reel when the fuel supplying operation is performed.

In the fuel supplying apparatus of the type as above described, however, the range of fuel supply is rather limited in the service area. It is at maximum equivalent to the bottom area of an imaginary cone shape made by the fuel delivery hose having a length equal to an oblique side of the cone. The vehicle which stopped out of the range of fuel supply cannot receive the fuel supply as the fuel supply is mainly confined to that narrow area.

Under these circumstances, the apparatus of the present invention intends to increase the range of fuel supply without need of high cost for the overall fuel supplying apparatus. According to the invention, there is provided a single fuel feeding part which comprises the pumping means, motor, flowmeter and indicator and a plurality of fuel supplying parts which are connected through pipes to the single fuel feeding part. The fuel supplying parts each of which has a fuel supply hose and a nozzle are provided apart at intervals from each other. Therefore, the fuel supply can be effected in much wider range several times the range of fuel supply made by a single fuel supply part. Therefore, vehicles which stopped out of the range of a fuel supply of one fuel supply part can be supplied with the fuel from other fuel supply part.

The apparatus of the invention can be utilized at low cost in reconstruction of the conventional fuel supplying station which uses a known standard type standing post which houses the pumping means, motor, flowmeter and indicator and has also one fuel supply part comprising a fuel supply hose and nozzle. Reconstructing the conventional fuel supplying station to the apparatus of the invention can be made very easily by providing conduit pipes branched off from the outlet of the flowmeter in the standing post with fuel feeding part and fuel supply part connected to the branched conduit pipes and located in position spaced from the standing post.

In case plurality of fuel supply part are fed the fuel from a single fuel feeding part, it occurs that, while one fuel supply part is performing its fuel supply, other fuel supplying operation is started in other fuel supply part. At that time, the measured volume of fuel in two fuel supply part is integrally indicated on one indicator. There is occurred such a'trouble that only the measured volume of either one fuel supply part is not indicated.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is provided with an interlocking device which can stop the fuel supply of all fuel supply parts when other fuel supply part is erroneously operated to supply the fuel while one fuel supply part is supplying the fuel.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a novel and useful fuel supplying apparatus which can provide a much larger range of fuel supply with a relatively simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplying apparatus which comprises a single fuel feeding part housing the pumping means, motor, flowmeter and indicator, and a plurality of fuel supply parts connected to the single fuel feeding part and located apart from each other. This fuel supplying apparatus has larger fuel supply range. By only providing other fuel supply parts, the fuel supplying apparatus which has used the conventional standard type standing post having a fuel feeding part and a fuel supply part can be easily reconstructed to the fuel supplying apparatus according to the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplying apparatus having an interlocking device which can stop the fuel supply of all fuel supply parts when a plurality of fuel supply parts connected to one fuel feeding part are simultaneously operated to supply the fuel. For instance, when one fuel supply part is supplying the fuel and other fuel supply part is erroneously operated to start the fuel supply, all fuel supply parts stop their operations. Consequently, it is avoided to produce a trouble that the fuel supplies are simultaneously performed by a plurality of fuel supply parts and the measured volume of fuel supply of either one fuel supply part is now known on the indicator operated by a single flowmeter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fuel supplying apparatus which is provided with means for resetting the flowmeter to zero position in relation to operations of any of the plural fuel supply parts.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a first embodiment of a fuel supplying apparatus according to this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively diagrams of an embodiment of an electric circuit of an interlockin device in the fuel supplying apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a zero-resetting means for the interlocking device;

FIG.'5 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a second embodiment of the fuel supplying apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a third embodiment of the fuel supplying apparatus according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively circuit diagrams of an embodiment of an electric circuit used in the fuel supplying apparatus shown in FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively circuit diagrams of an embodiment of an electric circuit of an interlocking device in the fuel supplying apparatus having three fuel supply parts.

Now, referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the fuel supplying apparatus according to the invention will be illustrated. A fuel reservoir 11 provided under the ground surface stores gasoline or other fuel. A standard type standing post 12 socalled as the gasoline pump is fixedly provided on the ground surface. The standing post 12 houses a pump 13 for feeding the fuel, a flowmeter 15 and an indicator 16. The pump 13 is driven by a motor 14 which is opened or closed its power source circuit and controlled of its revolution by operation as later described. The indicator 16 indicates an integrated result of the volume of the fuel the flowmeter 15. There may be provided another indicator separately from the'indicator 16 at a location so as to be readily observable by a driver and an operator. This indicator may be provided to synchronize with the indicator 16 to display the integrated result of measured volume.

The pump 13 is connected with a pipe 17 having an open end in the reservoir 11. The pump 13 and the flowmeter 15 is connected through a pipe 18. A pipe 19 connected to the outlet side of the flowmeter 15 is communicated to a flexible fuel supply hose 20 which extends to the outside of a casing of the standing post At the outlet side of the flowmeter 15, a pipe 25 is branched off from the pipe 19. The branched pipe 25 extends from the standing post 12 and enters into a wall 26. A pipe 28 provided on a ceiling (or beam) 27 is connected to the pipe 25.

There is provided a delivery unit 29 at a suitable position on the lower surface of the ceiling 27. In the delivery unit 29, there is provided a hose reel 30 wound with a flexible fuel supply hose 31. The hose reel 30 is rotated by means of a rack and pinion operated by motor or pneumatic cylinder. When the fuel supplying operation is not performed, the hose reel 30 winds up the hose 31 at a height not obstructing the entrance of vehicles. An end of the fuel supply hose 3] is connected to the pipe 28. The hose 31 has a fuel supply nozzle 32, at the forward end. The

nozzles

21 and 32 have respectively nozzle valves and further have nondrip valves which open only when they are supplied hydraulic pressure higher than the predetermined value. A cam 33 is provided to rotate with the rotation of the hose reel 30. A switch 34 is opened or closed by the cam 33. In the state before start of fuel supply, a projection of the cam 33 is not contacted with the switch 34 whereby the switch is opened.

When a vehicle stopps out of range of fuel supply of the standing post 12 in the area that the fuel supply hose 20 of the standing post 12 can extend, the hose reel 30 is rotated to lower the fuel supply hose 31 and nozzle 32. Fuel supply is thus effected through the nozzle 32. Therefore, the range of fuel supply of the whole apparatus is the range such that either one of the

nozzles

21 or 32 can supply the fuel. Then the range available for fuel supply is greatly enlarged as compared with the case when fuel supply is made only by use of the nozzle 21.

This conventional fuel supplying apparatus using the standing post 12 can be readily reconstructed and rebuilt with small reconstruction expense into the fuel supplying apparatus of the above described construction merely by arranging the pipe 25 branched from the pipe 19 and by increase of structures such as wall 26 and ceiling 27 as well as the second fuel supply part including the nozzle 32, fuel supply hose 31 and delivery unit 29.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show electric circuits for an interlocking device used in the apparatus of the above described construction. In the figures, relay exciting coils R1, R2 and R3 are respectively connected in parallel to power source. The exciting coil R1 actuates normally opened relay contact Rl-IA normally closed relay contact Rl-lB (the contacts R1-1A and Rl-IB are referred to as Rl-1 as a whole). The exciting coil R2 connected in series to the switch 23 actuates normally opened relay contact R2-1 and further actuates normally opened relay contact R2-2A and normally closed relay contact R2-2B (the contacts R2-2A and R2-2B are referred to as R2-2 as a whole). The exciting coil R3 connected in series to the switch 34 actuates normally opened relay contact R3-1 and further actuates normally opened relay contact R3-2A and normally closed relay contact R3-2B (the contacts R3-2A and R3-2B are referred to as R3-2 as a whole).

The contact R2-1 and contact R3-1 are connected in parallel to each other and in series with the exciting coil R1. The contacts R2-2 and the contacts R3-2 are so connected mutually in series that the contact R2-2A and contact R3-2B are connected and the contact R2-2B and contact R32A are connected.

A zero-resetting motor 36 is provided in the zeroresetting means 24 and connected through a switch 38 and the contacts Rl-l to the power source. A zeroresetting cam 37 has a circular land 37a and a recess 37b A contact member 39 contacting with the outer periphery of the cam 37 is fixed at a movable contact 38c which is switched between

contacts

38a and 38b of the switch 38.

In series with the contacts R2-2 and R3-2, an exciting coil 41 is connected to the power source. A magnet switch 40 actuated by an exciting coil 41 is inserted in the power source circuit of the pump driving motor 4. A switch 42 connected in series with the switch 40 is fixed at the above contact member 39 and adapted to operate in cooperation therewith. The switch 42 is opened or closed responsive to displacement of the contact member 39. In the state as shown, the switch 42 is opened.

The operation of the apparatus of the construction as above described will be illustrated below.

In the state before, the fuel supply is started, the nozzle 21 is hung on the nozzle hanger 22 of the standing post 12 so that the switch 23 is opened. The fuel supply hose 31 is wound on the hose reel 30 in the delivery unit 29. Therefore, the switch 34 is opened. Hence, the exciting coils R2 and R3 are both opened and are in non-exciting states. The contacts R2-2 and R3-2 are in the states as shown in FIG. 3. The exciting coil 41 is opened to the power source and is in non-operating state. The motor 4 is opened to the power source and is in a stopped condition. The contact member 39 is mounted on the land 37a of the cam 37. The movable contact 380 of the switch 38 is connected to the contact 38a Therefore, the motor 36 is opened to the power source and is in a stopped condition.

In the state as hereinabove described, it is assumed that a vehicle stopped in the range available for fuel supply from the fuel supply part including the delivery unit 29. Then, the hose reel 30 is rotated, the fuel supply hose 31 is unwound, and the fuel supply hose 21 and nozzle 32 are lowered to a height as desired. With rotation of the hose reel 30, the cam 33 is rotated. By rotation of the cam 33, the switch 34 is closed. As the switch 34 is closed, the exciting coil R3 is closed to the power source to actuate the contacts R3l and R32 The contacts R3-l and R3-2A are then closed and the contact R3-2B is opened.

As the contact R3-1 is closed, the exciting coil R1 is supplied with a current to actuate the contacts Rl-l. The contacts Rl-lA is then closed and the contact Rl-lB is opened. By closing of the contact R1-1A, the motor 36 is closed through the contact Rl-lA and the switch 38 to the power source and then starts its rotating. The cam 37 is revolved in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by.rotation of the motor 36. As the motor 36 rotates, the indicating figures on the indicator 16 is returned to zero whereby the zeroresetting is performed. When the cam 38 is revolved and the contact member 39 is fitted to the recess 37b of the cam 37, the movablecontact 380 of the switch 38 is switched to the contact 38b At the instant, the switch 42 is closed. Since the contact Rl-lB connected to the contact 38b is opened, the motor 36 is opened to the power source and stopps its rotation.

By closing of the contact R3-2A, on the other hand, the exciting coil 41 is closed through contacts R2-2B and R3-2A to the power source and is actuated. The switch 40 is therefore closed and the motor 14 is closed through

switches

42 and 40 to the power source and starts its rotation. By rotation of the motor 14, the pump 13 is driven to feed the fuel from the reservoir 11 to the

pipes

19 and 25. Thus, the switch 42 is not closed unless the motor 36 and cam 37 rotate and the indicator 16 is reset to zero with the contact member 39 inserted into the recess 37b Therefore, since the switch 42 is opened during the resetting action as above described, the motor 14 does not start its action during the above resetting action, even if the switch 40 is instantly closed by closing of the switch 34. Thus, the fuel supplying cannot be performed during the zeroresetting action of the indicator 16.

Now, the nozzle valve of the nozzle 32 is opened. The fuel fed by the pump 13 through the flowmeter 15 and

pipes

25 and 28 is discharged from the nozzle 32 and supplied into the fuel tank of a vehicle. The volume of fuel supplied through the flowmeter 15 is integrated and indicated successively on the indicator 16.

The interlocking device is now described with respect to an operation in case, for instance, the fuel supply is intended to be simultaneously performed through the hose 20 and nozzle 21 while the fuel supply is being carried on through the hose 31 and nozzle 32.

If the nozzle 21 is erroneously taken off from the nozzle hanger 22 of the standing post 12 so as to supply the fuel through the nozzle 21, the switch 23 which has been opened is then closed. With closing of the switch 23, the exciting coil R2 is supplied an electric current whereby the contacts R2-1 and R2-2 are actuated to be switched over. Thus, the contacts R2-1 and R2-2A are closed and the contact R2-2B is opened.

In spite of closing of the contact R2-1, the exciting coil R1 does not change and maintains its operation because the contact R3-1 has already closed and the exciting coil R1 has been supplied an electric current. By exciting of the coil R3 which is supplied a current through the switch 34 previously closed as above described, the contact R3-2B connected to the contact R22A has been already opened and the contact R3-2A connected to contact R2-2B has been already closed. As the contact R3-2B has been already opened though the contact R2-2A is closed as described above, and as the contact R2-2B is opened though the contact R3-2A has been already closed, the exciting coil 41 is then opened to the power source.

When the exciting coil 41 is not operated, the switch 40 is opened thereby opening the power source circuit of the motor 14. Thus, the motor 14 stops its rotation and the pump 13 is not driven.

Accordingly, if the fuel supply is performed through the hose 20 and nozzle 21 in one fuel supply part which the fuel supply is being performed through the hose 31 and nozzle 32 of other fuel supply part, the switch 40 for the power source circuit of motor 14 is opened to stop the rotation of the motor 14. The pump 13 becomes not to be driven and fuel supply becomes not to be performed. Thus, by the above mentioned operation, the interlocking action is carried out. Therefore, the fuel is not supplied to the nozzle 32 which was sup-. plying fuel so that the fuel supply is stopped. At this instant, fuel supply is not performed even if the nozzle valve of nozzle 21 is opened.

It is also prevented to produce a trouble that the supply of the fuel fed through the single flowmeter is supplied through

nozzles

32 and 21 respectively of the two fuel supply part at the same time. Furthermore, as the pump 13 is stopped and the fuel supply is suspended as described above, the indication of the volume of the fuel supplied through the nozzle 32 remains on the indicator 16 as before. There is no possibility to produce an inconvenience that the fuel supply is performed simultaneously in the two fuel supply parts and the volume of fuel of these two fuel supply parts are integrated and displayed on the indicator 16 so that the volume of fuel in one fuel supply part becomes indefinite.

When the nozzle 21 which was erroneously taken off from the nozzle hanger 22 is again hung thereon, the switch 23 is again opened. Therefore, the exciting coil R2 is not supplied an electric current and it becomes inoperative. The contacts R2-1 and R2-2 again become to be in conditions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Since the contact R2-2A is opened and the contact R 2-2B is closed at the same time,the exciting coil 41 is again actuated, the switch 40 isclosed, and the motor 41 starts its rotation. In consequence, the pump 13 is again driven to start the feeding of fuel and the supply of fuel from the nozzle 32 is again started. The indicator 16 indicates the volume of supplied fuel successively continuing after the indication made when the fuel supply was interrupted by the interlocking action as above described.

After the fuel is supplied in the desired volume through the nozzle 32, the hose reel 30 is rotated to wind up the fuel supply hose 31. Then, the cam 33 is again rotated to open the switch 34. As the switch 34 is opened, the exciting coil R3 is not supplied an electric current. The contacts R3-1 and R3-2 are both returned to positions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the contacts R3-2 are returned to the positions shown in FIG. 3, the exciting coil 41 is opened. The switch 40 is opened and the motor 14 stops its rotation. As the contact R3-1 is opened, the exciting coil R1 is not actuated whereby the contact R11A is opened and the contact Rl-lB is closed. At this instant, the movable contact 38c of the switch 38 is connected to the contact 38b so that the motor 36 is closed to the power source through the witch 38 and the contact Rl-lB and the motor 36 starts its rotation. As the cam 37 rotates by rotation of the motor 36, the contact member 39 is released from the recess 37b and again mounts on the land 37a of the cam 37. As the movable contact 380 of the switch 38 is switched over to the contact 38a, the motor 36 stops its rotation. Then, the switch 42 is also opened. Thus all parts are returned to positions which are in the states before fuel supplying as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and wait for next starting of the fuel supply.

In the above embodiment, the description primarily concerned with the operation in case that the fuel supply is performed through the nozzle 21 while the fuel is being supplied through the nozzle 32. The interlocking operation in case that the fuel supply is performed through the nozzle 32 while the fuel supply is being performed through the nozzle 21 is similar to the above described interlocking operation. At this instant, the switch 40 is opened and the rotation of the motor 14 is stopped in the similar way.

The apparatus of the above described embodiment is so constructed that the

switches

23 and 24 are respectively closed when the nozzle 21 is taken off from the nozzle hanger 22 and also when the hose reel is rotated. The invention is not confined only to this construction. It may likewise be constructed such that the

switches

23 and 34 may close in cooperation with the operation after start of fuel supplying operation. For example, the

switches

23 and 34 may be closed in connection with the operation of the nozzle valve of each nozzle.

A practical structure of one embodiment of the ze roresetting mechanism in the zero-resetting device 24 is shown in FIG. 4. An arm 92 provided with a pawl is fixed to the foremost end of the rotating shaft 90 of the motor 36 for zero-resetting. A cylinder 95 provided with a gear 93 and a cam 94 at both end issupported on the shaft 90 in freely rotatable manner. The cam 94 has a step portion to engage the pawl 91.

Gears

93, 96, and 97 successively mesh with each other. Gear 98 which is coaxially rotated with the gear 97, and gears 99 and 100 successively mesh with each other. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 93 is transmitted to the gear through the gears 9699. A rotating shaft 101 of the gear 100 is connected with the zero-resetting mechanism of the indicator 16. The rotating shaft 10] is provided with a handle for manual zero-resetting. A

rotating shaft 103 of the gear 96 is provided with the above described cam 37. A switch box 104 has the contact member 39 contacting the land 37a and recess 37b of the cam 37 and houses the above described

switches

38 and 42.

When the power source circuit of the motor 36 is closed and the motor 36 starts its rotation, the pawl 91 rotates together with the rotating shaft 90. As the pawl 91 is engaged with the cam 94, the rotation of the motor 36 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 101 through the gear 93 rotating with the cam 94 and the gears 96-100, whereby the indication on the indicator 16 is reset to zero. And, at the same time, the cam 37 rotates together with the gear 96. The contact member 39 is displaced in accordance with the rotation of the cam 37 and the

switches

38 and 42 in the switch box 104 are changed over as above described.

With reference to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is described. Through FIGS. 1 to 5, numerals denote the identical parts and the description thereof is therefore omitted.

A standard type standing post 12 of the construction as described above is fixed on the ground surface. A pipe 50 is branched off from the pipe 19 at the outlet of the flowmeter 15 in the standing post 12. The branched pipe 50 is communicated to an end of a pipe'Sl provided under the ground surface. The pipe 51 extends under the ground to a position properly spaced from the standing post 12. A nozzle hanger post 52 is fixed on the ground surface in a position at an interval from the standing post 12. A fuel supply nozzle 53 is hung on a nozzle hanger 54 of the post 52 when it is not used. The nozzle 53 is provided at a forward end of a flexible hose connected to the other end of the pipe 51. A switch 56 is provided within the post 52. The switch 56 is opened while the nozzle 53 is hung on the nozzle hanger 54 and closed while the nozzle 53 is takenoff from the hanger 54.

The nozzle hanger post 52 is provided at a location in the range out of the fuel supply range of the fuel supply hose 20 and nozzle 21 of the standing post 12. When a vehicle stopps out of the fuel supply range of the standing post 12, it is possible to supply the fuel through the hose 55 and nozzle 53 of the post 52, whereby the total fuel supply range can be increased. Furthermore, the fuel supplying apparatus using the standing post 12 can be easily reconstructed into a fuel supplying apparatus of the above construction. At that time the pipe 50 is branched from the pipe 19 and the pipe 51 and the second fuel supply part including the nozzle 52, hose 55 and nozzle hanger post 52 are newly provided. This is available at a low construction cost.

The electric circuit of the interlocking device in the apparatus of this embodiment is quite same as the electric circuit of the interlocking device in the apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with regard to its construction and operation, except that the switch 34 of the first embodiment may be replaced with the switch 56 of the present embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, a third embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated. Through FIGS. 1 and 6 and through FIGS. 2 to 7, identical numerals denote identical parts and the detailed description is therefore omitted.

A fuel supplying apparatus 60 housing the pump 13, motor 14 and flowmeter is provided at a position in the structure 61. An indicator 62 is provided at a position to be readily observed on a wall 63 or ceiling of the structure 61. The indicator 62 is transmitted with flow quantity pulses sent from a flow quantity pulse emitter 65 provided with the flowmeter 15. The indicator indicates the integrated result of the measured volume.

A pipe 66 connected to the outlet of the flowmeter 15 extends through the wall 63 of the structure 61 and is communicated to a pipe 67 extending in a ceiling 64. The pipe 67 is communicated to

pipes

70 and 71 respectively of two

delivery units

68 and 69 provided on the ceiling 64 at proper positions spaced apart from each other. In the

delivery units

68 and 69, flexible

fuel supply hoses

72 and 73 are respectively wound on hose reels 74 and 75. The

hoses

72 and 73 are respectively communicated at ends to the

pipes

70 and 71 and respectively have

fuel supply nozzles

76 and 77 at the forward ends. When the fuel supply is not performed, the

hoses

72 and 73 are wound on the hose reels 74 and 75 with the

nozzles

76 and 77 positioned at a height not obstructing the entrance of vehicles.

Cams

78 and 79 are provided so as to rotate with the hose reels 74 and 75. In the

delivery units

68 and 69, switches 80 and 81 are provided to open or close by the

cams

78 and 79. The

cams

78 and 79 are associated with

switches

80 and 81 in such manner that when the

hoses

72 and 73 are lowered the

switches

80 and 81 are closed and when the

hoses

72 and 73 are wound up the

switches

80 and 81 are opened.

According to the construction as above described, the fuel supply can be performed over a very wide range covered by the fuel supply range of the fuel supply part having the hose 72 and nozzle 76 and the fuel supply range of another fuel supply part having the hose 73 and nozzle 77.

The interlocking device of the present embodiment is now described. The electric circuit of the interlocking device of the embodiment is similar to the electric circuit of the interlocking device of the second embodiment. In comparison of the electric circuits shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, it is noted that switches 80 and 81 correspond to the

switches

23 and 34 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, this embodiment has not the zeroresetting means 24 employed in the first embodiment, nor the motor 36, cam 37, switch 38, contacts Rl-l as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the zero-resetting means is provided on the indicator 62 having a contact R1-1' actuated by the exciting coil R1 shown in FIG. 8. The switch system of the power source circuit for driving the motor 14 is quite same as the circuit shown in FIG. 3, except that the switch 42 is not provided in the latter.

For example, the hose 72 and nozzle 76 constituting a fuel supply part is lowered. The switch 80 is closed, the exciting coil R2 is supplied an electric current, and the motor 14 is rotated by the same operation as above described. When the exciting coil R2 is supplied an electric current, the contact R2-'-1 is closed, the exciting coil R1 is supplied an electric current, and thecontact R11-1' is closed. Thus, the indication of the indicator 62 is electrically reset to zero.

During the fuel supplying operation by the above described fuel supply part, the hose 73 and nozzle 77 forming other fuel supply part are lowered downwards for fuel supply. Then, the switch 81 is closed and the exciting coil R3 is supplied an electric current. As the exciting coil R3 is supplied an electric current during operating of the exciting coil R2, the motor 14 is opened to the power source and stops its rotation as in the first embodiment as hereinbefore described. During the fuel supply of the fuel supply part having the hose 73 and nozzle 77, the same interlocking action is performed when the fuel supply of the fuel supply part having the hose 72 and nozzle 76 is intended to be performed.

Throughout the above embodiments, the description has concerned only with the fuel supplying apparatus having the single fuel feeding part andtwo fuel supply parts supplied with the fuel from the above single fuel feeding part. However, the apparatus can be constructed such that it can have three or more fuel supply parts for the single fuel feeding part.

An embodiment of electric circuit for the interlocking device will be described for the fuel supplying apparatus having three fuel supply parts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIGS. 2 and 9, and in FIGS. 3 and 10, identical numerals denote identical parts and the description thereof is therefore omitted. In FIG. 9, a switch of a first fuel supply part and an exciting coil R2 are connected in series, a switch 111 of a second fuel supply part and an exciting coil R3 are connected in series, and a switch 112 of a third fuel supply part and an exciting coil R4 are connected in series. The above described first and third fuel supply parts may have preferred fuel supply parts out of the supply parts of each embodiment. In FIG. 10, contacts R2-2 which is switched by the exciting coil R2 includes a normally opened contact R2-2A and normally-closed contacts R22 B and R2-2C. Contacts R3-2 which is switched by the exciting coil R3 includes a normally opened contact R3-2A and normally closed contacts R3-2B and R3-2C. Contacts R4-2 which is switched by the exciting coil R4 includes a normally opened contact R4-2A and normally closed contacts R4-2B and R4-2C.

For example, the switch 110 is opened to supply the fuel from the first fuel supply part. Then, the exciting coil R2 is actuated. Though the contacts R2-2B and R2-2C are opened, the contact R2-2A is closed so that the exciting coil 41 is supplied an electric current through the contacts RZ-ZA, R3-2B, and R4-2B to close the switch 40 and the motor 14 is rotated. If the fuel is supplied, for example, from the second fuel supply part, the switch 111 is closed and the exciting coil R3 is actuated. Thus, the contacts R3-2B and R3'2C are opened. Though the contact R3-2A is closed, the contact R2-2B is opened so that the exciting coil 41 is opened and the switch 40 is opened to stop the rotation of the motor 14 and whereby the interlocking action is performed. This applies to the interlocking action as in case the fuel is suppliedfrom the third fuel supply part while the fuel supply of the described first fuel supply part is performed. At this instant, the switch 112 is closed and the contacts R4-2B and R4-2C are opened. Though the contact R4-2A is closed, the contact R2-2C is opened so that the exciting coil 41 is not supplied an electric current. The rotation of the motor 14 is therefore stopped.

If one fuel supply part performs the fuel supply when either of the first to third fuel supply parts is supplying the fuel, the same interlocking operation is performed in such way that the motor 14 is stopped of its rotation and the fuel supply is not performed any more.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A fuel supplying apparatus comprising a fuel reservoir in which a fuel is stored, a pump for feeding the fuel from said reservoir, a motor for driving said pump, a power source for driving said motor, a flowmeter for measuring volume of the fuel fed by said pump, an indicator for indicating the measured volume of said flowmeter, a plurality of fuel supply parts including fuel supply hoses respectively having fuel supply nozzles at forward ends thereof, conduit pipes respectively leading the fuel fed through said flowmeter to said plurality of fuel supply parts, fuel supply part switches respectively provided in said fuel supply parts and switched over to act in cooperation with the starting of fuel supply of said fuel supply parts, and an interlocking circuit which is actuated in such way that it closes a power source circuit of said motor only when either one of said fuel supply part switches is switched over and opens said power source circuit when other switch is said group of contacts, wherein said group of contacts are so constructed that said group of contacts switch over the power source circuit of the exciting COll for the power source switch so that the power source switch is opened when other fuel supply part switch is switched over in a state that one fuel supply part switch has already been switched.

3. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a casing having said pump, motor, flowmeter and indicator housed therein and having one of said fuel supply hoses provided thereon, said casing being fixed on the ground surface, a structure of ceiling or beam transversely extending over a fuel supply service area, and delivery units provided on said structure and having said other fuel supply hose movable upwards and downwards, wherein said conduit pipes consist of a first conduit pipe leading the fuel to said one fuel supply hose and a second conduit pipe branched from said first conduit pipe, said second conduit pipe extending along said structure and leading the fuel to said other fuel supply hose.

4. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a casing having said pump, motor, flowmeter and indicator housed therein and having one of said fuel supply hoses provided thereon, said casing being fixed on the ground surface, and a nozzle hanger post fixed on the ground surface at a spaced position from said casing in the fuel service area, wherein other one of said fuel supply hose being provided on said nozzle hanger post, said conduit pipes consist of a first conduit pipe leading the fuel to said one fuel supply hose and a second conduit pipe branched and extending from said first conduit pipe, said second conduit pipe leading the fuel to said other fuel supply hose.

5. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a ceiling or beam structure transversely extending over a fuel supply service area and delivery units provided respectively on said structure spaced apart and respectively provided with fuel supply hoses movable upwards and downwards, wherein said conduit pipes extends along said structure so as to lead the fuel fed passing through said flowmeter to the fuel supply hose of each delivery unit.

6. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a zero-resetting motor for resetting the indication of said indicator to zero position, a contact mechanism for closing a power source circuit of said zero-resetting motor by switching of one of said fuel supply part switch, a cam having a land and a recess and being rotated by rotation of said zeroresetting motor, a contact member displaced in contact with the land and recess of said cam, and a changeover switch inserted into said power source circuit of said zero-resetting motor and switched over by displacement of said contact member.

. 7. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 6, which further comprises a second power source switch inserted into said power source circuit of said motor for driving said pump, said second power source switch opening said power source circuit of said pump driving motor during operation of zero-resetting by said zeroresetting motor.

Claims

1. A fuel supplying apparatus comprising a fuel reservoir in which a fuel is stored, a pump for feeding the fuel from said reservoir, a motor for driving said pump, a power source for driving said motor, a flowmeter for measuring volume of the fuel fed by said pump, an indicator for indicating the measured volume of said flowmeter, a plurality of fuel supply parts including fuel supply hoses respectively having fuel supply nozzles at forward ends thereof, conduit pipes respectively leading the fuel fed through said flowmeter to said plurality of fuel supply parts, fuel supply part switches respectively provided in said fuel supply parts and switched over to act in cooperation with the starting of fuel supply of said fuel supply parts, and an interlocking circuit which is actuated in such way that it closes a power source circuit of said motor only when either one of said fuel supply part switches is switched over and opens said power source circuit when other switch is switched over said one switch being switched.

2. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interlocking circuit comprises a power source switch opening or closing a power source circuit of said motor, exciting coils switching over said power source switch, a group of contacts opening or closing a power source circuit of said exciting coils, and exciting coils respectively connected to said fuel supply part switches and actuating each responsive contact out of said group of contacts, wherein said group of contacts are so constructed that said group of contacts switch over the power source circuit of the exciting coil for the power source switch so that the power source switch is opened when other fuel supply part switch is switched over in a state that one fuel supply part switch has already been switched.

6. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises a zero-resetting motor for resetting the indication of said indicator to zero position, a contact mechanism for closing a power source circuit of said zero-resetting motor by switching of one of said fuel supply part switch, a cam having a land and a recess and being rotated by rotation of said zero-resetting motor, a contact member displaced in contact with the land and recess of said cam, and a changeover switch inserted into said power source circuit of said zero-resetting motor and switched over by displacement of said contact member.

7. The fuel supplying apparatus as defined in claim 6, which further comprises a second power source switch inserted into said power source circuit of said motor for driving said pump, said second power source switch opening said power source circuit of said pump driving motor during operation of zero-resetting by said zero-resetting motor.