US 7,575,028 B2 · Hydraulic interlocking fuel nozzle

Abstract

A fuel dispensing nozzle is provided with fuel activated levers that engage the vehicle fill pipe to prevent drive-off without paying. Fuel pump pressure acts on plungers to pivot fill pipe levers, against spring pressure, to lock the two together. Movement of the levers is initially prevented by a trigger that is spring biased forward on the nozzle spout. Since the fill pipe is not large enough to pass the trigger, insertion of the spout into the fill pipe moves the trigger against spring pressure to uncover the levers. The levers are locked to the fill pipe as long as pump pressure is present. Removal of fuel pressure allows the levers to be withdrawn by spring action. A breakaway joint is provided to stop fuel flow in the event of drive-off with the fuel nozzle in a fuel filled pipe.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An interlocking fuel nozzle comprising:

an inlet for transporting fuel under pressure into said fuel nozzle;
a fuel spout having an inner end and an outer end for dispensing fuel from said fuel nozzle;
a latch means in said fuel spout for engaging a fuel tank fill pipe;
a plunger means operated by fuel under pressure at said fuel spout for pressing said latch means out of said spout to engage the fuel tank fill pipe;
a conduit for conducting fuel under pressure from said inlet to said plunger means at said fuel spout.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hydraulic interlocking fuel nozzle

Life of this patent

Hydraulic interlocking fuel nozzle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20