WO2007134396A1

WO2007134396A1 - A fuel dispensing method and an anti-flight apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007134396A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nick Vlahos; Michael Akras
Original assignee: Akras Engineering Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-22
Filing date: 2007-05-22
Publication date: 2007-11-29

Abstract

An anti-flight apparatus comprising an anti-flight mechanism (605), a sensor (610) for producing an output indicative of a vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed being positioned relative to the anti-flight mechanism (605) such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism (605) will cause it to be operable against flight movement of the vehicle whereby it can be determined that the anti-flight mechanism (605) can be activated, and an activation mechanism (603) for activating and deactivating the anti-flight mechanism (605).

Description

A FUEL DISPENSING METHOD AND AN ANTI-FLIGHT APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fuel dispensing method and an anti- flight apparatus. The invention has application in ensuring that customers pay for fuel dispensed into vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A relatively common problem for service station operators is that people will fill their vehicles with petrol and drive off without paying. This leads to a financial loss to the operator of the service station.

Existing techniques for deterring people from fleeing the service station without paying include video monitoring and pre-payment.

A problem with video monitoring is that it does not act as a deterrent to more determined thieves. For example, it is relatively common for such thieves to use stolen number plate on their vehicles for the duration of the petrol theft to make it difficult for police to identify the thieves. Even if such devious means are not employed by the petrol thieves, the time involved in following such matters up through the police or other agencies is significant and hence expensive.

In a pre-payment model, customers are required to pay for their petrol in advance either by using specially designed petrol bowsers or by going to the cashier before fuel is dispensed. Such techniques are not favoured by honest customers as they do not conveniently allow for customers who want to put an unknown amount of petrol into their vehicle (e.g. wish to fill up their tank) and can add to the length of time required to fill the tank with petrol if the customer is required, to go to the cashier in advance .

An alternative technique is required for discouraging theft of petrol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides an anti-flight apparatus comprising: ' an anti- flight mechanism; a sensor for producing an output indicative of a vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed is positioned relative to an anti-flight mechanism such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism will cause it to be operable against flight movement of the vehicle; and an activation mechanism for activating and deactivating the anti-flight mechanism.

In one embodiment the activation mechanism is manually operable.

In one embodiment the activation mechanism is . automatically operable. For example in response to said sensor signal or in response to said sensor signal in combination with detection that a fuel dispenser has been moved from a stowed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the anti- flight mechanism comprises a wheel platform and said sensor produces said signal when at least one wheel is located on said wheel platform.

Preferably, said sensor is a load sensor for measuring a load on said wheel platform.

Preferably, said wheel platform includes at least one location member to assist location of at least one wheel relative to said wheel platform.

Preferably, said anti- flight mechanism is configured such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism to deter movement of a vehicle relative to the wheel platform. For example, spikes are provided at either end of the wheel platforms .

In some embodiments, the anti-flight mechanism is configured to restrain a vehicle from movement. For example, the anti- flight mechanism may incorporate a clamping mechanism.

In some embodiments, the anti-flight mechanism may also incorporate a turning barrier.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a guide for guiding a vehicle wheel on to the wheel platform.

In a second aspect the invention provides a fuel dispensing method comprising: determining that a vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed is positioned relative to an anti-flight mechanism such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism will cause it to be operable against movement of the vehicle; activating the anti-flight mechanism; and deactivating the anti-flight mechanism in response to receipt of payment for any dispensed fuel.

In an embodiment the method further comprises activating a fuel dispenser to allow fuel to be dispensed in response to determining that the vehicle is in position.

In another embodiment the method further comprises activating a fuel dispenser in response to activation of the anti-flight mechanism. In another embodiment the method comprises determining whether a fuel dispenser has been moved from a stowed position; and activating the anti-flight mechanism if it is determined that the fuel dispenser has been moved and it is determined that the vehicle is in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anti-flight mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the anti-flight mechanism of figure 2;

Figure 3 is a top view of the anti- flight mechanism;

Figure 4 is a side view of the anti-flight mechanism;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the anti-flight mechanism.

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing signal flow of a control mechanism of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 7 is a flow-chart of the method of the preferred embodiment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of an anti- flight mechanism; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment provides a anti-flight apparatus that can be used to prevent a person from driving their vehicle away from a petrol station without paying. This also allows the preferred embodiment to provide a fuel dispensing method that employs the anti- flight mechanism.

The anti- flight mechanism 100 of the first preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1. The anti-flight mechanism has a wheel platform 110. The wheel platform is typically formed of sheet metal bent to define first and second raised portions 140, 150 and an intermediate wheel supporting portion 160. First and second raised portions 140, 150 house respectively first and second sets of spikes 120, 130 that can moved from an inactive position in which they lie flush or below the surface of raised portions 140, 150 to an active position as illustrated in Figure 1 in which they stand proud of the raised portions 140, 150 and prevent the vehicle from driving off, i.e. the spikes 120, 130 will puncture a vehicle's tyre if the vehicle drives off will they are in the active position. These features are shown in more detail in the end view of Figure 2, the top view of Figure 3 and the side view of Figure 4.

In particular, from Figure 3 it will be apparent that slots 122, 132 are designed to allow spikes 120, 130 to be moved to the inactive position in which they will not interfere with a vehicle's tyres.

Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the wheel receiving portion 160 is raised above the surface 165 of the petrol station. Typically the anti-flight mechanism will be attached by bolts to the surface 165 which will typically be concrete. The raised wheel receiving portion 160 accommodates a load sensor 170. The load sensor 170 is configured to determine when a vehicle is in position relative to the anti- flight mechanism. Load sensor 170 will typically be configured to produce a activation signal when a load of approximately 200kg has been detected on the wheel platform 110. While this can be used to activate the controller from control box 180, typically further actions are employed before activating the spikes of the anti-flight mechanism 100. In a preferred embodiment the anti-flight mechanism is configured to operate once the fuel dispensing device, for example the nozzle of a petrol bowser, has been moved from the stowed position and an attendant has reset the pump. Accordingly, the control box is typically connected to the petrol bowser and/or the pump activation circuit.

In order to move the spikes to and from the active/inactive positions, there is provided a piston 123, 133 attached via linkage 124, 125 to spike axle 125, 135 on which the spikes 122, 133 are mounted. Spike axle 123, 133 is mounted within bearings 126, 136. The piston 123, 133 is a linear actuator that is electrically operated.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically the control protocol that can be employed in an embodiment, however, a person skilled in the art will appreciate there are a number of possible variations as will be discussed in further detail below. The control protocol illustrated in Figure 6 is intended to fit with the current common methodology used in service stations for activating a petrol bowser (pump) . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred embodiment may allow different pump activation methodologies. Accordingly, when the sensor 601 notes the presence of a vehicle on the wheel platform it sends a first signal 610 to the controller. When a customer lifts the pump from the bowser 602 a pump lift signal 620 is sent to the cash register 603. The cash register includes a button or switch for activating the petrol bowser 602. When the service station attendant presses the activate button an activation signal 630 is sent to the controller 604 which activates the anti-flight mechanism 605. The controller 604 signals 650 the cash register that the mechanism has been activated and the cash register 603 sends activation signal 660 to the bowser. Upon receipt of payment, a deactivation signal 670 is sent to the controller 604 which deactivates 680 the mechanism 605.

Other methodologies may be used. For example, the pump can be activated automatically once the pump handle is lifted and this can lead to automatic activation of the petrol bowser. This can avoid the need for a service station attendant to activate the pump.

A person skilled in the art will also appreciate that warning signals, for example warning lights, can be provided in order to indicate that the anti-flight mechanism is activated.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is illustrated a flow chart which shows the fuel dispensing method of a preferred embodiment. At step 700, the system monitors whether the pump handle has been lifted (removed from the stowed position) . If it is not the system enters a WAIT condition 705.

If it is determined at step 700 that the pump handle has been lifted, the system determines whether the vehicle has been sensed at step 710. If it has not being sensed, the system provides a warning 715 indicating that the pump will not be activated and the vehicle will need to be moved into position.

At step 720, the system determines whether it is operating an automatic pump activation mode. If it is not, at step

730 it determines whether it has received manual pump activation from the service station attendant. If it has not received manual pump activation it enters the wait stage 735.

When it does receive the manual pump activation signal the system activates the anti- flight mechanism 740 and the pump 750. If the pump is operating in automatic pump activation mode, the pump is activated following step 720. The anti- flight mechanism is activated automatically at step 740 and the pump is activated automatically at step 750.

At step 760, the system determines whether the petrol has been paid for. While it has not been paid for the system enters a wait mode 765. When the petrol has been paid for, the system deactivates the pump, at step 770 and deactivates the anti-flight mechanism at step 780 and the system reverts to waiting for the pump handle to be lifted 700, 705.

Referring to Figure 8 there is illustrated an action flight mechanism 800 of an alternative embodiment. Details of the anti- flight mechanism which are the same as the previous embodiment are not illustrated however it will be seen that the anti-flight mechanism incorporates an anti-turn barrier 890 illustrated in Figure 8 in a deactivated position where it lies flat to the ground. The anti-turn barrier 890 is moved to a vertical orientation after the wheel is sensed in position in order to prevent the vehicle from attempting to drive around the spikes. It is typically only necessary to provide an anti-turn mechanism on one side of the anti-flight mechanism 800 as a vehicle would not be able to drive around the spikes on the petrol valve side of the vehicle without striking the petrol bowser.

A further alternative anti-flight mechanism is illustrated in relation to Figure 9 which shows a turning barrier 990 in an activated position. This embodiment also incorporates a pair of guide rails 992A, 992B. Outwardly diverting portions of the guide rails 994A, 994B, 996A,

996B define a pair of necks 999A, 999B in order to assist a driver with aligning their vehicle relative to the anti- flight mechanism and getting the wheel of their vehicle onto the wheel platform.

Various other modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, rather than employing pistons to drive the spike axles, it would be possible to use worm drives or the like. These other modification should be considered to be within the scope of the invention described herein.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

i. An anti-flight apparatus comprising: an anti-flight mechanism; a sensor for producing an output indicative of a vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed being positioned relative to the anti-flight mechanism such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism will cause it to be operable against flight movement of the vehicle whereby it can be determined that the anti- flight mechanism can be activated; and an activation mechanism for activating and deactivating the anti-flight mechanism.

2. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is manually operable.

3. An anti- flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism is arranged to operate automatically to activate the anti-flight mechanism in response to at least one condition being met.

4. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a condition is that the sensor output indicates that a vehicle is in position.

5. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a first condition is that the sensor output indicates that a vehicle is in position and a second condition is that a fuel dispenser corresponding to the vehicle position has been moved from a stowed position.

6. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a wheel platform and wherein said sensor is arranged to produce said output when at least one wheel is located on said wheel platform.

7. An anti- flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sensor is a load sensor for measuring a load on said wheel platform.

8. An anti- flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said wheel platform includes at least one location member to assist location of at least one wheel relative to said wheel platform.

9. An anti- flight-apparatus as claimed in claim anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein activation of the anti- flight mechanism deters movement of a vehicle relative to the wheel platform.

10. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein spikes are provided at each end of the wheel platform, the spikes being moved to an active position when the anti-flight mechanism is activated.

11. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a turning barrier.

12. An anti- flight-apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the anti-flight mechanism is configured to restrain a vehicle from movement.

13. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising a clamping mechanism.

14. An anti-flight-apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a guide for guiding a vehicle wheel on to the wheel platform.

15. An anti-flight apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 operatively connected to a cash register having a fuel dispenser activator such that a condition of dispensing fuel is that the fuel dispenser activator has been operated to indicate that fuel may be dispensed.

16. A fuel dispensing method comprising: determining that a vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed is positioned relative to an anti-flight mechanism such that activation of the anti-flight mechanism will cause it to be operable against movement of the vehicle; activating the anti-flight mechanism to prevent a vehicle from fleeing until the anti-flight mechanism is deactivated.

17. A fuel dispensing method as claimed in claim 16 comprising deactivating the anti-flight mechanism in response to receipt of payment for any dispensed fuel.

18. A fuel dispensing method as claimed in claim 16, comprising activating a fuel dispenser to allow fuel to be dispensed in response to determining that the vehicle is in position.

19. A fuel dispensing method as claimed in claim 16 comprising activating a fuel dispenser in response to activation of the anti-flight mechanism.

20. A fuel dispensing method as claimed in claim 16 comprising determining whether a fuel dispenser has been moved from a stowed position; and activating the anti- flight mechanism if it is determined that the fuel dispenser has been moved and it is determined that the vehicle is in position.