Fluid dispensing system

• US 6,640,997 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harlan D. Anderson
• Original Assignee: Harlan D. Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, Harlan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUECHNER, PATRICK M
• Application Number:
  US09/965,010
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 222/2, 222/23, 222/32, 222/66, 222/74, 222/75, 222/174, 222/180, 222/153.03, 222/182, 222/189.11, 222/372, 222/526, 222/538, 222/639, 222/642, 312/100, 312/245, 248/218.4, 248/219.4, 248/300, 248/311.2
• US Class Current: 222/2
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/308 involving digital counting

Abstract

A fluid dispensing system includes a housing surrounding a tank holding a vehicle fluid. A control assembly is housed in the housing and operationally coupled to a pump assembly for permitting dispensing of the vehicle fluid upon insertion of a pre-determined amount of currency into a currency collection assembly. Additional features include a cover member coupled to the housing using a spindle lock and a channel, a holster in the cover panel for holding a free end of a dispensing hose, free standing embodiment using a base, a main mounting bracket formed to accommodate coupling to existing surfaces, and a transmitter and associated hardware for monitoring fluid levels and usage from a remote location.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly;

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered; and

said opening in said housing having a channel extending along a bottom of said opening for receiving a bottom of said cover member.

2. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising:

a display panel coupled to said cover member, said display panel being operationally coupled to said control assembly for displaying a remaining time for dispensing said vehicle fluid.

3. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a spindle lock coupled to said cover member proximate a top of said cover member, said spindle lock having an interior end portion selectively engageable to a socket fixedly coupled to an interior wall of said housing for locking said cover member to said housing.

4. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

said pump assembly including a pump;

said pump assembly including a filter for removing debris from said vehicle fluid, said filter being positioned between said tank and said pump whereby said filter removes debris from said vehicle fluid before said vehicle fluid enters said pump.

5. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

said pump assembly including a flow meter for monitoring flow through said pump assembly.

6. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

said control assembly including an electronic connection port; and

a wire coupled between said pump assembly and said control assembly whereby said pump is activatable by said control assembly, said wire having a first end removably insertable into said electronic connection port for facilitating replacement of said control assembly.

7. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base portion coupled to said housing for supporting said housing above a surface on which said base portion rests;

said base portion being integrally coupled to said housing; and

said tank extending into said base portion.

8. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

said channel in said opening of said housing having a protrusion;

said bottom of said cover member having a notch for receiving said protrusion when said cover member is coupled to said housing.

9. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter operationally coupled to said control assembly for transmitting status data to a remote location for monitoring use of said fluid dispensing system.

10. The fluid dispensing system of claim 9, further comprising:

a tank fluid level sensor coupled to said tank for monitoring a level of said vehicle fluid in said tank, said tank level sensor being operationally coupled to said control assembly such that said transmitter transmits a refilling signal to said remote location upon detection of a pre-determined level of fluid in said tank.

11. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

said cover member including a holster portion for receiving a free end of said dispensing hose.

12. The fluid dispensing system of claim 11, further comprising:

a holster switch coupled to said cover member, said holster switch being operationally coupled to said control assembly for preventing dispensing of said vehicle fluid upon return of said free end of said dispensing hose to said holster portion after use.

13. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a main mounting bracket adapted for coupling to a surface, said housing being coupled to said main mounting bracket.

14. The fluid dispensing system of claim 13 wherein said main mounting bracket includes a medial portion adapted for coupling to an outer surface of a structure, said main mounting bracket further including a pair of outer portions extending from said medial portion, said outer portions being coupled to said housing.

15. The fluid dispensing system of claim 14 wherein said medial portion of said main mounting bracket includes a pair of planar outside portions and a recessed central portion between said planar outside portions.

16. The fluid dispensing system of claim 15, further comprising:

said central recessed portion including a pair of spaced vertical parallel structure bracket walls extending said planar outside portions whereby said central recessed portion is adapted for receiving a generally rectangular shaped structure.

17. The fluid dispensing system of claim 16, further comprising:

said central recessed portion having an arcuate curvature whereby said central recessed portion is adapted for receiving a generally arcuately shaped outer face of said structure.

18. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a currency collection assembly operationally coupled to said control assembly whereby said control assembly dispenses said vehicle fluid only upon reception of a pre-determined initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly.

19. The fluid dispensing system of claim 18, further comprising:

said currency collection assembly including a currency collection bin coupled to said cover member, said currency collection bin being positionable beneath a main portion of said currency collection assembly when said cover member is engaged to said housing whereby currency passing through said main portion of said currency collection assembly is collected in said currency collection bin.

20. The fluid dispensing system of claim 19, further comprising:

said control assembly including computer controller utilizing pulses associated with a pre-determined amount of said vehicle fluid for permitting dispensing of said vehicle fluid for a pre-determines number of pulses upon reception of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly.

21. The fluid dispensing system of claim 20, further comprising:

said control assembly including an amount display operationally coupled to said computer controller for showing an amount of vehicle fluid remaining to be dispensed.

22. The fluid dispensing system of claim 19, further comprising:

said control assembly including an accumulating timer for permitting dispensing of said vehicle fluid for a pre-determined period of time upon reception of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly.

23. The fluid dispensing system of claim 22, further comprising:

said currency collection assembly being operationally coupled to said control assembly whereby said vehicle fluid is dispensable for an additional pre-determined period of time upon reception of an additional currency in excess of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly.

24. The fluid dispensing system of claim 22, further comprising:

said control assembly including a time display operationally coupled to said accumulating timer for showing an amount of time remaining for dispensing said vehicle fluid.

25. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly;

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered;

a currency collection assembly operationally coupled to said control assembly whereby said control assembly dispenses said vehicle fluid only upon reception of a pre-determined initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly;

said currency collection assembly including a currency collection bin coupled to said cover member, said currency collection bin being positionable beneath a main portion of said currency collection assembly when said cover member is engaged to said housing whereby currency passing through said main portion of said currency collection assembly is collected in said currency collection bin;

said control assembly including computer controller utilizing pulses associated with a pre-determined amount of said vehicle fluid for permitting dispensing of said vehicle fluid for a pre-determined number of pulses upon reception of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly; and

a notch extending upwardly into said cover member such that an upper portion of said notch receives said dispensing hose therethrough when said cover member is coupled to said housing.

26. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly;

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered;

a base portion coupled to said housing for supporting said housing above a surface on which said base portion rests;

said base portion being integrally coupled to said housing; and

said tank extending into said base portion;

said base portion including a channeled rib extending upward from a bottom of said base portion; and

an electrical wire conduit for enclosing electrical wiring, said electrical wire conduit being positioned substantially within said channeled rib, said electrical wire conduit having an upper end extending into said housing.

27. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly;

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered;

said cover member having a pair of orthogonally positioned outer portions;

said housing having a recessed lip, said cover member being positionable into said recessed lip; and

said outer portions of said cover member being positioned adjacent to sides of said recessed lip when said cover member is coupled to said housing whereby said outer portions facilitate prevention of removal of said cover member from said housing.

28. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly;

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered;

said tank having a fill opening positioned on a top surface of said tank; and

a cap member selectively engageable to said fill opening for covering said fill opening.

29. The fluid dispensing system of claim 28, further comprising:

said cap member having a locking mechanism for preventing removal of said cap member for facilitating access to said tank only by authorized persons for maintenance of said fluid dispensing system.

30. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

a tank positioned in said housing, said tank having an interior space adapted for holding a vehicle fluid;

said housing being structured to have an opening in a forward face of said housing;

a dispensing hose assembly coupled to said tank, said dispensing hose assembly including a dispensing hose having a first end in environmental communication with said interior space of said tank whereby said dispensing hose is adapted for dispensing the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a pump assembly coupled to said dispensing hose for pumping the vehicle fluid through said dispensing hose;

a control assembly operationally coupled to said pump assembly for selectively activating said pump whereby said pump dispenses the vehicle fluid only upon activation by said control assembly; and

a cover member couplable to said housing for covering said opening in said forward face such that said control assembly is covered;

a currency collection assembly operationally coupled to said control assembly whereby said control assembly dispenses said vehicle fluid only upon reception of a pre-determined initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly;

said currency collection assembly including a currency collection bin coupled to said cover member, said currency collection bin being positionable beneath a main portion of said currency collection assembly when said cover member is engaged to said housing whereby currency passing through said main portion of said currency collection assembly is collected in said currency collection bin;

said control assembly including an accumulating timer for permitting dispensing of said vehicle fluid for a pre-determined period of time upon reception of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly;

said currency collection assembly being operationally coupled to said control assembly whereby said vehicle fluid is dispensable for an additional pre-determined period of time upon reception of an additional currency in excess of said initial value of currency collected by said currency collection assembly;

said opening in said housing having a channel extending along a bottom of said opening for receiving a bottom of said cover member;

said cover member including a holster portion for receiving a free end of said dispensing hose;

a holster switch coupled to said cover member, said holster switch being operationally coupled to said control assembly for preventing dispensing of said vehicle fluid upon return of said free end of said dispensing hose to said holster portion after use;

a display panel coupled to said cover member, said display panel being operationally coupled to said control assembly for displaying a remaining time for dispensing said vehicle fluid;

a spindle lock coupled to said cover member proximate a top of said cover member, said spindle lock having an interior end portion selectively engageable to an interior wall of said housing for locking said cover member to said housing;

said channel in said opening of said housing having a protrusion;

said bottom of said cover member having a notch for receiving said protrusion when said cover member is coupled to said housing;

said notch extending upwardly into said cover member such that an upper portion of said notch receives said dispensing hose therethrough when said cover member is coupled to said housing;

a transmitter operationally coupled to said control assembly for transmitting status data to a remote location for monitoring use of said fluid dispensing system;

a tank fluid level sensor coupled to said tank for monitoring a level of said vehicle fluid in said tank, said tank level sensor being operationally coupled to said control assembly such that said transmitter transmits a refilling signal to said remote location upon detection of a pre-determined level of fluid in said tank;

said pump assembly including a pump;

said pump assembly including a filter for removing debris from said vehicle fluid, said filter being positioned between said tank and said pump whereby said filter removes debris from said vehicle fluid before said vehicle fluid enters said pump;

said pump assembly including a flow meter for monitoring flow through said pump assembly;

said tank having a fill opening positioned on a top surface of said tank;

a cap member selectively engageable to said fill opening for covering said fill opening;

said cap member having a locking mechanism for preventing removal of said cap member for facilitating access to said tank only by authorized persons for maintenance of said fluid dispensing system;

said control assembly including a time display operationally coupled to said accumulating timer for showing an amount of time remaining for dispensing said vehicle fluid;

said control assembly including an electronic connection port; and

a wire coupled between said pump assembly and said control assembly whereby said pump is activatable by said control assembly, said wire having a first end removably insertable into said electronic connection port for facilitating replacement of said control assembly.

31. The fluid dispensing system of claim 30, further comprising:

a base portion coupled to said housing for supporting said housing above a surface on which said base portion rests;

said base portion including a channeled rib extending upward from a bottom of said base portion;

an electrical wire conduit for enclosing electrical wiring, said electrical wire conduit being positioned substantially within said channeled rib, said electrical wire conduit having an upper end extending into said housing.

32. The fluid dispensing system of claim 30, further comprising:

a main mounting bracket adapted for coupling to a surface, said housing being coupled to said main mounting bracket;

wherein said main mounting bracket includes a medial portion adapted for coupling to an outer surface of a structure, said main mounting bracket further including a pair of outer portions extending from said medial portion, said outer portions being coupled to said housing;

wherein said medial portion of said main mounting bracket includes a pair of planar outside portions and a recessed central portion between said planar outside portions;

said central recessed portion including a pair of spaced vertical parallel structure bracket walls extending said planar outside portions whereby said central recessed portion is adapted for receiving a generally rectangular shaped structure;

said central recessed portion having an arcuate curvature whereby said central recessed portion is adapted for receiving a generally arcuately shaped outer face of said structure.