Fueling system

• US 6,488,057 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tatsuno Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tatsuno Corporation
• Inventors: Tatsuno, Hiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/617,276
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/98, 141/231, 141/232, 222/14, 222/23, 222/25-28, 137/234.6, 700/231, 700/237, 700/241, 700/236, 700/232, 705/413
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0453 recognising the fuel to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/065 acting on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/106 operated by push-buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3802 With vehicle guide or support, e.g., service station

Abstract

A fueling system to be provided in a gas station is disclosed, which comprises at least one fueling machine, and a data input/output unit, the data input/output unit being movable in a required direction, and a fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machines.

Claims

1. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

at least one fueling machine in a fixed location, the at least one fueling machine being non-movable; and

a data input/output unit, the data input/output unit being exclusively linearly movable in a back and forth direction relative to the at least one fueling machine so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, and fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machine.

2. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an entry sensor for sensing one of the cars at a fueling area wherein fueling is performed, and a conveyance unit which moves the data input/output unit toward said one of the cars in response to detection of a signal from the entry sensor.

3. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a fuel-state communicator for indicating fueling states of the fueling machine provided at a place visible from most parts of the gas station, the fuel-state communicator indicating the fueling states by the receipt of signals from the data input/output unit and the fueling machine.

4. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fuel-state communicator comprises an indication lamp which is turned on, turned on and off, and turned off depending upon the fueling states.

5. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fuel-state communicator comprises a sound machine which indicates the fueling states by several sorts of sounds.

6. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data input/output unit further has a function of settling a fueling account.

7. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

a plurality of fueling machines;

at least one data input/output unit exclusively linearly movable back and forth by a conveyance unit so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machines;

entry sensors, each for sensing one of the cars at a fueling area wherein fueling operation is performed;

the data input/output unit being moved toward said one of the cars by means of the conveyance unit in response to detection of a signal from each of the entry sensors; and

a fuel-state communicator separate from the plurality of fueling machines, the communicator being visible from most parts of the gas station and providing information to an attendant, the fuel-state communicator indicating fueling states by receipt of signals from the data input/output units and the fueling machines and providing information about all of the plurality of fueling machines.

8. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the data input/output unit further has a function of settling a fueling account.

9. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel-state communicator is provided in the fueling area, the fuel-state communicator comprising an indication lamp which is turned on, turned on and off, and turned off depending upon the fueling states.

10. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fuel-state communicator is provided in the fueling area, the fuel-state communicator comprising a sound machine which gives different sounds depending on the fueling areas and the fueling states.

11. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel-state communicator is provided in the fueling area, the fuel-state communicator comprising a sound machine which gives different sounds depending on the fueling areas and the fueling states.

12. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel state communicator is composed of individual fuel-state communicators respectively provided on the fueling machines.

13. The fueling system to be provided in a gas station as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the fueling machines are fixed and non-movable and wherein each of the fueling machines have one of the at least one data input/output units associated therewith, the data input/output units being linearly reciprocal relative to the associated fueling machine in order to be accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the associated fueling machine.

14. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

at least one fueling machine in a fixed location, the at least one fueling machine being non-movable; and

a data input/output unit, the data input/output unit being linearly movable in a back and forth direction relative to the at least one fueling machine so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, and fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machine, the data input/output unit having a card insertion port, a money insertion port and a change port for receiving change.

15. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

at least one fueling machine in a fixed location, the at least one fueling machine being non-movable;

a data input/output unit, the data input/output unit being linearly movable in a back and forth direction relative to the at least one fueling machine so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, and fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machine; and

an interceptor provided proximate to the at least one fueling machine, the interceptor having a pivotable arm which in a raised position blocks an exit from adjacent the at least one fueling machine such that the arm will prevent a vehicle from leaving the at least one fueling machine until a fueling operation is complete.

16. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

a plurality of fueling machines;

at least one data input/output unit movable back and forth by a conveyance unit so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machines;

entry sensors, each for sending one of the cars at a fueling area wherein fueling operation is performed;

the data input/output unit being moved toward said one of the cars by means of the conveyance unit in response to detection of a signal from each of the entry sensors; and

a fuel-state communicator separate from the plurality of fueling machines, the communicator being visible from most parts of the gas station and providing information to an attendant, the fuel-state communicator indicating fueling states by receipt of signals from the data input/output units and the fueling machines and providing information about all of the plurality of fueling machines, the data input/output unit having a card insertion port, a money insertion port and a change port for receiving change.

17. A fueling system to be provided in a gas station comprising:

a plurality of fueling machines;

at least one data input/output unit movable back and forth by a conveyance unit so that the data input/output unit is accessible from cars parked in parallel on either side of the data input/output unit, fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machines;

entry sensors, each for sending one of the cars at a fueling area wherein fueling operation is performed;

the data input/output unit being moved toward said one of the cars by means of the conveyance unit in response to detection of a signal from each of the entry sensors;

a fuel-state communicator separate from the plurality of fueling machines, the communicator being visible from most parts of the gas station and providing information to an attendant, the fuel-state communicator indicating fueling states by receipt of signals from the data input/output units and the fueling machines and providing information about all of the plurality of fueling machines; and

an interceptor provided proximate to each of the fueling machines, the interceptors having pivotable arms which in a raised position block an exit from adjacent the fueling machine such that the arm will prevent a vehicle from leaving the fueling machine until a fueling operation is complete.