Fuel dispensing devices equipped with a sound and/or video system

• US 6,648,031 B1
• Filed: 08/15/1995
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Information Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Information Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: McKinley, Mark J., Ferguson, James D., Lilienfeld, Robert, Mishler, Timothy, Ambrose, Alan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US08/515,438
• Time in Patent Office: 3,017 Days
• Field of Search: 141/98, 141/392, 141/94, 369/20, 369/22, 369/72, 369/73, 340/603, 340/606, 364/510
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/425 including components powered by electricity or light
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 25/00 Audible advertising sound recording or reproducing per se G11B; public address systems H04R27/00

Abstract

This invention deals with a novel boot and its use on fuel dispensing devices. The boot contains a sound system and/or a video system for messages or sounds as fuel is being pumped into a vehicle. Also disclosed is a novel nozzle for dispensing fluids.

Claims

1. A flexible boot for a fuel dispensing nozzle, said boot comprising:

(a) a flexible boot adapted for a close conforming fit over at least a front portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle;

(b) said boot having integrally surmounted thereon, a housing;

(c) said housing containing therein, a system selected from the group consisting essentially of

(i) a wireless sound receiving recording and playback system and

(ii) a wireless video signal receiving recording and playback system.

2. A fuel dispensing nozzle comprising:

(a) a spout;

(b) a handle for the spout;

(c) a flexible boot adapted for a close conforming fit over at least a front portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle;

(d) said boot having integrally surmounted thereon, a housing;

(e) said housing containing therein, a system selected from the group consisting essentially of

(i) a wireless sound receiving recording and playback system and

(ii) a wireless video signal receiving recording and playback system;

each of (i) and (ii) having individually linked electrically thereto a switch for activating and deactivating said (i) and (ii), respectively.

3. A method of providing a message during the fueling of a vehicle having a fuel port, said method comprising:

utilizing a fuel dispensing device which is equipped with a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising;

(a) a spout;

(b) a handle for the spout;

(c) a flexible boot adapted for a close conforming fit over at least a front portion of the fuel dispensing nozzle, said boot having integrally surmounted thereon,

(d) a housing;

(e) said housing containing therein, a system selected from the group consisting essentially of

(i) a wireless sound receiving recording and playback system and

(ii) a wireless video signal receiving recording and playback system;

each of (i) and (ii) having individually linked electrically thereto a switch for activating and deactivating said (i) and (ii), respectively;

which fuel dispensing device is in a deactivated position at the beginning of the fueling;

removing said nozzle from the deactivated position;

placing the nozzle in said fueling port, whereby the switch is activated, which activates (i) or (ii), respectively, whereby a message is rendered audible or viewable.

4. A fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch (f) is located on the handle for the nozzle.

5. A fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch (f) is located in the housing.