Easy opening fuel dispensing nozzle
First Claim
1. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body, a fuel flow path within the body, an inlet at a first end of the fuel flow path, an outlet at a second end of the fuel flow path, a valve assembly positioned along the fuel flow path and being movable between a closed position in which fuel flow through the nozzle is prevented and an opened position in which fuel flows through the nozzle, an axially movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions, an automatic fuel flow shutoff mechanism, and a lever assembly engaged with the valve stem, the lever assembly comprising:
- a. a latch plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally connected to the shutoff mechanism; and
b. a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the latch plate between the first and second ends of said latch plate, the handle engaging the valve stem between the first and second ends of said handle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel dispensing nozzle incorporating a lever assembly that enables a user to more easily and controllably dispense fuel through the nozzle. More particularly, the nozzle has a fuel flow path running through it, with an automatic fuel flow shutoff mechanism and a spring loaded valve assembly with an associated valve stem positioned along the fuel flow path above a lever assembly that regulates the flow of fuel through the nozzle. The lever assembly has a latch plate pivotally connected between the shutoff mechanism and a handle, such that the handle engages the valve stem to provide the user with more leverage to open the valve assembly than is available in conventional nozzle configurations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body, a fuel flow path within the body, an inlet at a first end of the fuel flow path, an outlet at a second end of the fuel flow path, a valve assembly positioned along the fuel flow path and being movable between a closed position in which fuel flow through the nozzle is prevented and an opened position in which fuel flows through the nozzle, an axially movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions, an automatic fuel flow shutoff mechanism, and a lever assembly engaged with the valve stem, the lever assembly comprising:
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a. a latch plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally connected to the shutoff mechanism; and
b. a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the latch plate between the first and second ends of said latch plate, the handle engaging the valve stem between the first and second ends of said handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lever assembly for an automatic fuel dispensing nozzle, the nozzle comprising a body, a fuel flow path within the body, an inlet at a first end of the fuel flow path, an outlet at a second end of the fuel flow path, a valve assembly positioned along the fuel flow path and being movable between a closed position in which fuel flow through the nozzle is prevented and an opened position in which fuel flows through the nozzle;
- and an axially movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions;
said lever assembly engaging said valve stem to move said valve from its closed to opened positions;
the lever assembly comprising;a. a latch plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively pivotally connected to the shutoff mechanism; and
b. a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally connected to the latch plate between the first and second ends of said latch plate, the handle engaging the valve stem between the first and second ends of said handle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- and an axially movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions;
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18. An automatic fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body, a fuel flow path within the body, an inlet at a first end of the fuel flow path, an outlet at a second end of the fuel flow path, a valve assembly positioned along the fuel flow path and being movable between a closed position in which fuel flow through the nozzle is prevented and an opened position in which fuel flows through the nozzle, an axially movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions, and a lever assembly engaged with the valve stem, the lever assembly comprising:
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a. a latch plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively pivotally connected to the shutoff mechanism; and
b. a handle having a grip portion and a link portion, the link being pivotally connected at one end to the latch plate between the first and second ends of said latch plate;
the grip portion being pivotally connected to a second end of the link; and
the link engaging the valve stem between the first and second ends of said link.- View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A conventional fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body, a fuel flow path within the body, an inlet at a first end of the fuel flow path, an outlet at a second end of the fuel flow path, a valve assembly positioned along the fuel flow path and being movable between a closed position during which fuel flow through the nozzle is prevented, and then opens to a position in which fuel flows through the nozzle, a movable valve stem that engages said valve to move the valve between its opened and closed positions, and a lever assembly engaged with the valve stem, a handle guard connecting with the nozzle body, and locating the lever assembly within the same, the lever assembly comprising;
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a. a latch plate having a first end and a second end, said first end being operatively pivotally connected to the handle guard; and
b. a handle having a grip portion and a link portion, the link being pivotally connected at one end to one of the latch plate and handle guard, the grip portion of the handle being pivotally connected to a second end of the link; and
the link engaging the valve stem between the first and second ends of said link, to open the valve assembly upon raising of the handle of the nozzle during dispensing.
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Specification