05/076817

03/27/1973

09/30/1970

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361/189

222/14

B67D5/30; B67D5/08; B67D5/30

317/134,135R 222/14,15,16

Hix L. T.

I claim

1. Apparatus for actuating a pump cutoff mechanism independently of the operation of a pump and in response to an indication of a pre-selected value of dispensed fluent material displayed on a totalizer having a moving surface for indicating said value:

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second assemblies are connected in series with said electro-mechanical means and with said circuit.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electro-mechanical means is further operable to actuate a selector switch reset mechanism for reopening said circuit in response to the closing thereof.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first module assembly comprises an electrically conductive shaft journaled for rotation within an electrically insulated support means;

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotary switch means is disposed within a casing consisting of an electrically insulating material;

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second module assembly comprises a first elongated conductor formed with resilient contact fingers extending transversely therefrom;

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said wiper contact resiliently urges against said support means to spring bias said first end of said shaft into a journal means supporting said first end of said shaft.

8. In an apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said pushbutton means comprises discrete camming means operable to urge against any of said resilient fingers of said first conductor member in response to the depression of said camming means into a supporting keyboard;

9. In an apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said camming means is formed with a downwardly extending surface;

10. A module assembly of integrated elements for use in a control system for dispensing fuel from any existing automobile service station fuel pump wherein said control system operates in response to an indication of a predetermined desired value of dispensed fuel displayed on a cost-of-fuel totalizer comprising:

11. An assembly according to claim 10, with the addition of pushbutton means for manually closing one of said plurality of selector switches.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 with the addition of latching means for locking one of said selector switches in a closed condition upon the manual depression of said pushbutton means.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein said pushbutton means is spring biased away from operative engagement with any of said selector switches; and

14. An assembly according to claim 13 with the addition of manual selector switch reset means comprising pushbutton means operable to release said latching means in response to the depression of said last mentioned pushbutton means.

15. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said casing is of an elongated rhomboidal shape and support said selector switches in a generally straight line arrangement:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dispensing control means and, more specifically, relates to an arrangement of integrated elements for controlling the dispensing of a specific value of fuel from existing or original equipment commercial pumps such as those commonly found in automobile service stations.

Over the years, there has been a continual effort to provide an improved control apparatus for dispensing specific dollar amounts of fuel, which apparatus may be easily installed within existing commercial fuel pumps found in gas stations. Early efforts in the field include an attempt by Rockwell, as evidenced by U. S. Pat. No. 1,714,447, wherein a fairly intricate electrical circuit and a rudimentary mechanical mechanism is disclosed for controlling fluid dispensing. The Rockwell apparatus could not easily be adapted to existing conventional service station fuel pumps without additional inventive skill being applied thereto.

At a later date, Daley, et al., provided an improved fuel dispensing system shown in U. S. Pat. No. 2,643,792. The Daley, et al., apparatus incorporates a rather complicated and intricate counting system with an attending expense of manufacture which would minimize any advantages of the overall system.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,734,661, issued to Settergren, et al., reveals a system for controlling the dispensing of fuel from fuel pumps and illustrates the complexity of currently known such apparatus. The Settergren, et al., arrangement includes a complicated step relay system operating through a plurality of sequential steps and requiring substantial revision and modification of existing service station fuel pumps for the proper operation thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,784,874, issued to Harper, illustrates another effort in improving fuel dispensing attachments. Harper discloses the utilization of a second cost-of-purchase wheel which must be installed within a pump to count backward as fuel is being dispensed to an automobile. The Harper apparatus requires substantial mechanical gearing and electrical circuitry. Bliss, et al., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,037,666 and 3,087,651, discloses some recent efforts in improving fuel dispensing control apparatus which patents, once again, illustrate the complicated nature of currently used such control systems.

Contrue, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,807, teaches one of the latest arrangements for providing a commercially and mechanically feasible apparatus for controlling the dollar amount of fuel dispensed from conventional fuel pumps. The Contrue arrangement is not integrated into modules presents a proliferation of switches, and requires critical placement of a plurality of micro-switches for sequential operation. Despite the relative complexity of the Contrue apparatus, a manual reset is required so as to preclude the fully automatic operation thereof.

A perusal of the above cited patents indicates that rather complicated and expensive apparatus has been embodied in the various prior attempts to solve the many problems arising from the strict requirements attending the dispensing of predetermined dollar amounts of fuel. Such control means must be of a practical nature in that it must be easily adaptable for installation within existing service station fuel pumps comprising any of a wide spectrum of sizes and shapes. To be commercially feasible, such a control apparatus must be uniquely uncomplicated and comprise a minimum number of components. The apparatus must be compact and should be fully automatic, requiring only a one-step operation by an attendant or a customer. Due to the gasoline fume environment within which such control apparatus must function, it would be further desirable if any electrical switching portion of the control system were adaptable for immersion in a spark suppressing fluid, such as oil. Alternately, an explosion proof housing or mercury switches could be incorporated in the design.

Maintenance is always an important consideration in any control system, therefore, it is desirable that the fuel pump control elements be easily removable for periodic maintenance and trouble-shooting. Such maintenance would be facilitated if the apparatus were unitized into a few principal assemblies including uniquely compartmented modules. The assemblies may be formed in configurations which would facilitate the strategic positioning thereof within conventional service station fuel pumps as well as providing for the easy removal of control system elements for the proper maintenance thereof. Further advantages would be realized if the elements facilitated remote operation wherein an operator could control an outdoor pump from inside a sheltered space.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of elements for controlling a fuel pump in response to a selection of a desired value of fuel, which apparatus solves many of the problems attending prior such apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling a fuel pump in response to a desired value of fuel, which apparatus is uniquely uncomplicated.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for dispensing fuel from existing or original equipment service station fuel pumps which may be easily installed therein without altering fuel pump structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fuel pump control apparatus which may operate in response to a cost of fuel dispensed, which control apparatus has fewer elements than heretofore possible.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for a commercial fuel pump, which apparatus is integrated into modules for ease of installation and removal.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for a fuel pump which is compact so as to occupy a minimum amount of space within a fuel pump.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a control apparatus for a fuel pump wherein any sparking due to electrical switching may be effectively suppressed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling the amount of fluid dispensed from a pump in accordance with a pre-selected dollar value, which apparatus is fully automatic and requires only a single step actuation by a pump attendant or a customer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling a pumping operation, which apparatus is uniquely adaptable for providing a remote control capability.

At least some of the above listed objects are achieved by integrating elements into a unique arrangement of module assemblies which cooperate in a synergestic manner to actuate a pump cutoff mechanism in response to the closing of an electrical circuit formed by the elements. The apparatus includes a first module assembly, having a rotary switch, and a second module assembly comprising a plurality of, normally open, dollar value selector switches. The circuit is adapted for connection with a source of electrical power and electromagnetic means is connected therewith to actuate the fuel pump cutoff mechanism in response to a momentary closing of the circuit. The rotary switch is mechanically driven directly by a moving surface of a cost-of-fuel totalizer of the pump. The rotary switch is operable to sequentially close a plurality of circuit branches, comprising the overall circuit, in response to the movement of the totalizer. When the rotary switch closes a circuit branch, which includes a closed fuel dollar value selector switch, the overall circuit is closed and the electro-magnetic means is operable. Additional electro-magnetic means may be integrated into the second module assembly to automatically open a closed dollar value selector switch to reset the overall control apparatus to an intial position for the next dispensing operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification, a preferred embodiment is disclosed in the following detailed description, which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the present invention, showing the integrated nature of the control system and schematically indicating the positioning of the module assemblies thereof within an existing conventional service station pump;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the fuel pump control apparatus of the present invention as embodied within the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the physical configuration and arrangement of electrical elements comprising the circuit shown in diagrammatic view in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the desired cost-of-fuel selector, which is compartmentized into a single module assembly comprising a portion of the circuit shown diagramatically in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the module assembly shown in FIG. 4, taken along line 5--5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views thereof, FIG. 1 shows a unique arrangement of unitized compartmented elements forming module assemblies according to the present invention.

A conventional service station fuel pump is represented by phantom lines and is indicated generally as 10. A fuel dispensing hose 12 leads from the fuel pump 10 and terminates in a nozzle 14. The nozzle 14 may be formed with a hand guard 16 and a mechanical trigger-like fuel pump cutoff lever 18. Of course, the overall fuel pump 10 may be internally provided with conventional pumping and conduit apparatus which is well known in the art. The dispensing pump (not shown) may be of a centrifugal type and may be mechanically geared to drive a "cost-of-dispensed-fuel" totalizer, indicated generally as 20, and also well known in the art.

The totalizer arrangement 20, shown in FIG. 1, includes a drive shaft 22 which is journaled to be continuously diriven while the dispensing pump (not shown) is operating. The drive shaft 22 may be provided with a pinion drive gear 24 fixed thereon for rotation therewith. The totalizer 20 is rotatably mounted adjacent to the drive shaft 22 and generally comprises three rotatable drums 26, 28 and 30. The totalizer 20 is provided with conventional gearing which may be of the Geneva type or the like, for engagement with the drive pinion gear 24 of the shaft 22. A gear 32 is associated with the drum 26 and is driven by the drive pinion 24 to rotate the drum 26. The drive train between the pump (not shown) and the drum 26 is calibrated to rotate numerical indicia displayed on the drum 26, so as to indicate the value of fuel, in terms of cents, which has been dispensed to an automobile between the initiation of the pumping operation and the time of totalizer reading.

The drum 26 is adapted through appropriate conventional gearing to rotate the next adjacent drum 28, once for every 10 revolutions thereof. The drum 30, in turn, is adapted by similar gearing to be rotated once for every 10 turns of the drum 28. In this manner, the drum 26 is operable to indicate the cents value of fuel dispensed, the drum 28 is operable to indicate the tens of cents value of fuel dispensed, and the drum 30 is operable to indicate the whole dollar value of fuel dispensed. The overall totalizer 20 may be of any conventional existing design for the proper functioning of the present invention, provided that the totalizer presents a moving surface for indicating dollar values.

First Module Assembly

A unique rotary switch and gear arrangement is integrated into a module assembly 34 and adapted for mounting immediately adjacent any existing rotary totalizer 20. The assembly 34 includes a shaft 36 journaled for rotation within a housing 38. The housing 38 may consist of an electrically insulating material. A torque transmitting gear 40 may be fixed for rotation with a shaft 36, and may be so disposed with respect to the whole dollar indicating drum 30, of the rotary totalizer 20, that the shaft 36 rotates in a fixed relationship with the rotation of the whole dollar indicating drum 30. Of course, other torque transmitting devices (e.g.driving wheel with rubber edge) may be substituted for the gear 40. Similarly, the driving surface may be a planar surface instead of the gear 66 associated with the totalizer 20. A flange 42 may be provided on the housing 38 of the assembly 34 to extend outwardly therefrom. An aperture 44 may be formed within the flange member 42 for the insertion of fastening means (not shown) for the proper mounting of the assembly 34 within the overall fuel pump assembly 10, and for proper positioning with respect to the included totalizer 20. Of course, any conventional bracket means may be utilized for mounting the assembly 34. The flange 42 may be made adjustable by providing a mounting leg 43 on the flange 42 and forming the leg 43 with a slot 45. The leg 43 may be adjustably attached to the housing 38 by a fastening member 47 inserted through the slot 45 and threadedly engaged within the housing 38. Similarly, the aperture 44 may be formed as an elongated slot 46, indicated in phantom lines, to permit additional freedom of adjustment in mounting the overall assembly 34.

The shaft 36 is of an electrically conductive material and the driving gear 40 is preferably of an electrically insulating material. The shaft 36 may be rotatably supported at a first end thereof by an electrically conductive journal member 48, and may terminate at the second end thereof in a radially extending wiper contact 50. The second end of the shaft 36, provided with the wiper contact 50, may be merely journaled by the insertion thereof within a bore hole formed in a wall 52 of the casing 38. The first end may be spring biased into engagement with the member 48 by the wiper contact 50 which may be resiliently urged toward an initial position and against the wall 52.

The wall 52 of the housing 38 is provided with a plurality of fixed button contacts 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. The fixed button contacts 54 through 62 are arranged in an arcuate path described by the terminal end of the wiper contact 50 as the contact is rotated by the shaft 36 of the overall assembly 34.

The housing 38 of the assembly 34 may, itself, by compartmented to enclose the wiper contact 50 and the fixed button contacts 54 through 62 by means of a laterally extending internal wall 64. Thusly, an enclosed space is defined between the walls 52 and 64, which space may be of a generally rhomboidal configuration. Since the switching action of the wiper contact 50, when engaging with the fixed button contacts 54 through 62, may cause sparking, and since the occurence of such sparking may be dangerous in a gasoline fume environment, such as that presented in a gasoline fuel pump, a spark suppressing fluid, such as oil, may be retained within the compartment defined by the walls 52 and 64 of the module assembly 34. Similarly, explosion proof housings or mercury switches may be used to prevent ignition of any fuel fumes.

The remaining portion of the housing 38 of the module assembly 34 may be opened at a bottom side thereof for the projection of the driven gear 40 outwardly therefrom for engagement with a driving gear 66 associated with the whole dollar indicator 30 of the overall totalizer 20. Since no sparking would be anticipated from this gear portion of the assembly 34, this portion may be left opened and need only comprise the walls 68, 70 and 72. Of course, the function of the walls 68, 70 and 72 is merely to provide a bracket-like rigid support extending from the enclosed portion of the module assembly 34, defined by the walls 52 and 64, which support functions to position the journal member 48 within which the shaft 36 is rotatably mounted. Therefore, these walls 68, 70 and 72 could be replaced by any bracket-like member suitable for supporting the journal member 48 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The fixed contact buttons 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62 are arcuately arranged on the wall 52 of the assembly 34. The fixed contact buttons 54 through 62 are spaced and calibrated with respect to the whole dollar indicating drum 30, so that the wiper contact 50 engages the fixed button contact 54 when the numeral 1, indicated on the whole dollar drum 30 is visible through a viewer window (not shown) of the overall fuel pumping apparatus 10. Similarly, the numeral 2 of the drum 30 is displayed in the viewer window when the wiper contact 50 engages the fixed contact button 56. in the same manner, fixed contact button 58 corresponds with the numeral 3 displayed on the drum 30, fixed contact 60 corresponds with the numeral 4, and fixed contact 62 corresponds with the numeral 5.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the overall assembly 34 is of a very simple and compact nature suitable for adjustable mounting adjacent to an existing cost-of-fuel totalizer rotatably mounted within the conventional fuel pump equipment commonly found in service stations. No modification need be made on a fuel pump for the proper installation of the module assembly 34, and the use of adjustable bracket flange members 42 permits the installation of the assembly 34 in any of the many variously configured types of existing fuel pumps. The bracket-like flange member 42 may be bent to any desired shape to facilitate the proper positioning of the assembly 34. Of course, the apparatus may also be incorporated in original equipment as well as existing equipment.

Second Module Assembly

A second group of elements is integrated into a second module assembly indicated generally as 74. The assembly 74 may be housed within a casing 76, presenting a relatively thin, rhomboidal profile. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the casing 76 houses electrical selector switches 78, 80, 82, 84 and 86. Pushbutton actuators 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96 are slidably mounted within a keyboard-like front face 87 of the assembly 74. Pushbutton actuator 88 is operable to close selector switch 78, pushbutton actuator 90 is operable to close selector switch 80, pushbutton actuator 92 is operable to close selector switch 82, pushbutton actuator 94 is operable to close the selector switch 84, and the pushbutton 96 is operable to close the selector switch 86. An additional pushbutton actuator 98 is provided on the face of the casing 76. The pushbutton actuator 98 is operable to unlatch and to open all the selector switches 78 through 86 by a mechanical arrangement which will be discussed in detail later in the specification with respect to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings.

Electrical conductors 100 through 108 each lead from one of the fixed contact buttons 54 through 62 to the respective selector switches 78 through 86 so that the electrical conductor 100 connects the fixed contact button 54 with the normally opened selector switch 78 housed within the assembly 74. Similarly, electrical conductor 102 connects the fixed contact button 56 with the normally opened selector switch 80, the conductor 104 connects the fixed contact button 58 with the normally open selector switch 82, the electrical conductor 106 connects the fixed contact button 60 with the normally open selector switch 84, and the electrical conductor 108 connects the fixed button contact 62 with the normally opened selector switch 86.

The selector switches 78 through 86 of the cost-of-fuel selector assembly 74 may be also connected by an electrical conductor 110 to a source of alternating current indicated as 112. The shaft 36 supporting the wiper contact 50 is also electrically connected with the source of power 112 by means of an electrical conductor 114 to complete a circuit which is normally opened at the wiper contact 50 and at the selector switches 78 through 86.

A solenoid 116 may be mounted on a rear portion of the cost-of-fuel selector assembly 74 by any conventional means. The solenoid 116 is operable to reopen any of the switches 78 through 86 upon the closing of the overall circuit by virtue of the wiper contact 50 engaging the one of the fixed contact buttons 54 through 62 associated with one of the selector switches 78 through 86, which has been closed by a corresponding one of the pushbutton actuators 88 through 96. The physical arrangement of the solenoid 116 with respect to the switch opening mechanism disposed within the selector assembly 74 will be discussed in detail with respect to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The solenoid 116 may be connected with the electrical conductor 110 connecting the selector switches 78 through 86 with the source of electrical power 112.

Fuel Pump Cutoff Actuator

A second solenoid 118 may be mounted within the overall service station fuel pump 10 as a discrete entity by any conventional fastening means and may be electrically connected with the electrical conductor 110, connecting the selector 78 through 86 with the power source 112. The coils of the solenoids 116 and 118 may be connected in series or parallel with each other. Upon closing one of the cost-of-fuel selector switches 78 through 86, and upon the subsequent engagement of the wiper contact 50 with the one of the fixed contact buttons 54 through 62 associated with that closed selector switch, the overall circuit is closed so as to energize the solenoid 118 and to move a plunger 120 provided as the working member of the solenoid 118. The plunger 120 may be pivotally connected with an existing lever 122 of the pump shutoff apparatus provided within conventional fuel pumps so that the longitudinal movement of the plunger 120 is operable to pivot, push or pull the lever 122 into a pump shutoff position by a direct mechanical linkage between the lever 122 and the plunger 120. Alternatively, an actuating cord 124 may be attached to and moved by the plunger 120 of the solenoid 118 over a series of pulleys represented by the members 126, 128 and 130, provided along the length of the fuel dispensing hose 12. The actuating cord 124 may be attached at a free end thereof with the trigger-like fuel cutoff mechanism 18 provided on the handle portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle 14. By such aforesaid arrangements, the solenoid 118 actuates the existing conventional cutoff mechanisms of existing fuel pumps commonly found in service stations in response to the closing of the overall circuit provided within the preferred embodiment of the present invention and diagrammed in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The Electrical Circuit

Referring now to FIG. 2, a circuit diagram is displayed showing, symbolically, the allocation of electrical elements to the two principal assemblies 34 and 74, indicated in phantom lines. As can be see, the circuit generally comprises a plurality of circuit branches "a" through "e". Circuit branch "a" is defined by fixed contact 54, conductor 100 and selector switch 78; circuit branch "b" is defined by fixed contact 56, electrical conductor 102 and selector switch 80; branch "c" comprises the fixed contact 58, the electrical conductor 104 and the selector switch 82; the circuit branch "d" comprises the fixed contact 60, the electrical conductor 106 and the selector switch 84; and finally, the circuit branch "e" comprises the fixed contact button 62, the electrical conductor 108 and the selector switch 86.

The overall circuit is energized upon the closing of one of the selector switches 78 through 86 by a pushbutton selection and the subsequent rotation of the wiper contact 50 within the assembly 34 to complete a circuit through one of the branches "a", "b", "c", "d" or "e". Upon the closing of the overall circuit, the solenoid 116 is momentarily actuated long enough to reopen the one of the selector switches 78 through 86 which was chosen, so as to once again reopen the circuit in readiness for the next selection. However, during the time that the circuit is closed and the solenoid 116 operating, the second solenoid 118 is operating to mechanically pivot the fuel shutoff lever 122 or to actuate the trigger-like cutoff mechanism 18 discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

Therefore, the unique arrangement of circuit elements provided in the present invention is operable to perform the dual functions of cutting off the dispensing of fuel and automatically resetting the selector switch arrangement to an initial position in a synergestic manner utilizing a minimum number of components which may be unitized into assemblies readily adaptable for easy installation within any existing service station fuel pump.

Physical Arrangement of the Elements Comprising the Overall Circuit

Referring now to FIG. 3, the physical elements of the overall circuit shown in FIG. 2 are shown in perspective view. The arrangement is shown with the pushbutton actuator 94 depressed so as to indicate a selection of $4.00 worth of fuel. The pushbutton actuator 94 operates to latch the selector switch 84 in a closed position so as to complete the overall circuit through branch "d" upon the engagement of the wiper contact 50 with the fixed button contact 60.

It will be noted that the pushbutton selectors 88 through 96 are labeled with numerical indicia ranging from 1 through 5. It has been found that the whole number dollar selections are the most practical for fuel pump systems in that a service station customer will generally ask for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 dollars' worth of fuel. Very often,when a customer desires more than 5 dollars worth of fuel, he will desire to have his fuel tank filled and, consequently, the control apparatus of the present invention need not be utilized. Therefore, it is preferable that the customer be provided with dollar choices ranging from 1 to 5 dollars. However, any number of selections may be provided.

The physical construction of the selector switches 78 through 86 of the preferred embodiment generally comprise an elongated plate-like conductor element 150, having resilient fingers 152, 154, 156, 158 and 160, curving generally downwardly and upwardly from a flat surface 162 thereof. The elongated contact 150 supports each of the contact fingers 152 through 160 and also electrically connects each contact finger to the other at the lower end thereof. The remaining portion of the selector switches 78 through 86 consist of fixed button contacts 164-174 positioned so that, for example, the button contact 164 cooperates with the resilient finger contact 152 to form the overall selector switch 78. Similarly, the contact button 166 cooperates with the resilient contact finger 154 to provide the selector switch 80. The button contact 170 cooperates with the finger contact 156 to form the selector switch 82, the button contact 172 cooperates with the finger contact 158 to form the selector switch 84, and the button contact 174 cooperates with the finger contact 160 to provide the selector switch 86.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the resilient finger contact 158 is being urged in to engagement with the fixed button contact 172 to close the selector switch 84. The engagement is forced by the operation of the pushbutton actuator 94, displaying the dollar value 4. The pushbutton actuator 94 is provided with a shank portion 176 formed with a downwardly extending camming portion 178, formed at a terminal free end thereof. A latching member 180 is hingedly mounted about an axis 182 within the overall assembly 74 and may be arranged transversely of a path described by the pushbutton movement of the members 88 through 96, when depressed by an operator. The latching member 180 may be spring biased by a conventional spring 186, which may be fixedly attached to the housing of the selector unit 74 at point 188. The spring bias on the member 180 is operable to urge the upper edge 184 of the member 180 about the hinge axis 182 thereof, and toward the selector pushbuttons 88 through 96.

When a pushbutton selector, e.g. pushbutton 94, is depressed by an operator, a forward camming surface 190 of the downwardly extending portion 178 formed on the shank extension 176, cams the latching member 180 to pivot about the hinge axis 182 away from the pushbuttons until a rear detented portion 192 of the downwardly extended cam 178 is disposed adjacent the upper edge of the latch 180. At this point, the edge 184 of the latch member 180 locks within the detent 192 of the overall pushbutton 194 to lock the pushbutton 94 in the depressed position and to latch the selector switch 84 closed.

With the selector switch 84 closed and the contacts 172 and 158 thereof in electrical connection relationship, the solenoids 116 and 118 will be energized upon the sequential rotary movement of the contact wiper 50 over the arcuately arranged contact buttons 54 through 62 until the wiper 50 engages the button contact 60 electrically connected with the closed selector switch 84. Upon the engagement of the wiper contact 50 with the button contact 60, the solenoid 116 is energized momentarily and a plunger member 194 thereof is longitudinally translated. The plunger 194 is connected with the latch member 180 by connector member 195 so as to displace the upper edge 184 of the latching member 180 from engagement within the detent 192 of the pushbutton actuator 94 upon actuation of the solenoid 116.

The pushbutton actuators 88 through 96 may be spring biased outwardly by a conventional helical spring 196, so that, e.g. upon the disengagement of the latching member 180 from within the detent 192, the pushbutton actuator 94 is repositioned away from the selector switch 84, permitting the resilient contact finger 158 to disengage from the fixed button contact 172 so as to open the overall selector switch 84 and disable the circuit. This last operation clears the keyboard in readiness for a new selection of a dollar value of fuel to be dispensed.

It will be noted in FIG. 3, that an additional selector pushbutton 98 is provided and displays the letter R. The pushbutton 98 comprises a portion of a manual reset arrangement and is formed with a camming shank 198 extending therefrom. The shank 198 terminates in an abutting surface 200 which is aligned so that the latching member 180 is disengaged from within the detent 192 of, e.g. pushbutton 94, upon the abutment of the terminal end 200 thereagainst, which is operable to pivot the edge 184 of the latching member 180 about the axis 182. In this manner, if an incorrect dollar value of fuel should be selected, the manual reset button actuator 98 may be depressed so as to reset the improperly depressed fuel-dollar value selector button and a new dollar value may be selected. Of course, the location of any of the buttons may be arranged to suit without departing from the invention.

Physical Details of Second Module Assembly

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the selector module assembly 74 is shown in detail.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly 74, showing the generally box-like housing 300 provided for closing the elements comprising the selector switch module. The housing 300 may consist of an electrically insulating material and may be constructed of a fluid tight nature, so that a spark suppressing fluid may be retained therein to preclude any sparking of the selector switches 78 through 86 during gasoline dispensing operations. A partition 302 may be mounted within the casing 300 to extend transversely of the direction of movement of the selector pushbuttons 88 through 96. The partition 302 may be formed with slots 304 for the sliding support of the pushbutton actuating members 88 through 96. The reset springs 196, which bias the pushbuttons out from engagement with the fingers 78 through 86, urge against both a rear wall surface 306 of each pushbutton and a front wall surface 308 of the partition 302.

The pushbutton reset solenoid 116 may be mounted on the rear portion 310 of the overall selector assembly 74 and may be connected with the latching member 180 in the manner discussed with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings. The solenoid 116 may be secured to the rear wall of the assembly 74 by any conventional fastening means.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, taken along the line 5--5. It will be noted that the arrangement of the assembly 74 is such as to present a very thin profile, which is significant in that, if the apparatus is to be installed with an existing service station fuel pump having a cylindrical configuration, the assembly 74 may be arranged with the longitudinal extension thereof extending generally along the axial extension of the cylindrical pump, therefore, the keyboard-like front wall 312 of the module assembly 74 may be flush with the outer skin of the overall service station fuel pump.

Some Advantages of the Present Invention

It can thus be seen that a service station fuel pump control apparatus has been herein provided which is operable to regulate the dispensing of fuel in response to the selection of a desired value thereof. The apparatus according to the present invention is uniquely uncomplicated and includes a minimum number of elements which are integrated into module assemblies for ease of installation within any existing service station fuel pump. The installation of apparatus according to the present invention requires a minimum of, if any, modification of existing service station fuel pumps. The only operable connections between the fuel pump and the control apparatus of the present invention are the torque drive engagement of the first module assembly 34 with the existing totalizer 20 and a simple connection of the plunger 120 of the solenoid 118 with the existing fuel pump cutoff mechanism.

Due to the uncomplicated nature of the apparatus according to the present invention, the arrangement lends itself to economy and ease of manufacture. A pushbutton feature of the selector selection of the present invention permits economy of space when installing the apparatus within existing fuel pumps. While the present invention is uniquely uncomplicated, the functioning thereof is fully automatic, requiring only the depression of a selector pushbutton for the proper operation thereof. The apparatus according to the present invention resets itself to an initial position and may be manually reset if a wrong selector button is pushed.

Since the apparatus according to the present invention is only energized momentarily while the fuel pump is being shut off, the apparatus is not consuming electrical power for long periods of time, as is the case in existing apparatus which is energized during the pumping operation and is disabled to effect the fuel cutoff upon the dispensing of the predetermined dollar value of fuel. The integration of the apparatus according to the present invention, into two module assemblies, lends itself to the inclusion of a spark suppressing fluid, so as to provide a safety feature which has heretofore not been shown in the fuel pump control art. A remote control feature is provided in that the length of electrical connectors 100-108 may be chosen so as to permit the first module assembly to be installed in an outdoor pump while the second module assembly is operatively installed inside a sheltered space.

Scope of the Invention

While what has been shown is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is of course understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the control may be adapted for measuring out a desired value of any fluid or fungible material from any pump having a pump cutoff and a totalizer including a moving surface for indicating dispensed value of material. For the purposes of the invention, the term value includes both quantity and dollar cost total of dispensed fluent material.

Therefore, it is intended to cover in the following claims all such modifications and changes as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.