Fluid dispensing system

• US 7,296,709 B1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• 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): Nicolas; Frederick
• Assistant Examiner(s): KHAIRA, NAVNEET K
• Application Number:
  US10/684,839
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• Field of Search: 222/74, 222/75, 222/2, 222/66, 222/642, 222/180, 222/73, 222/529, 222/530, 222/333, 222/372, 2223831-3832, 141/59
• US Class Current: 222/75
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/308 involving digital counting

Abstract

A fluid dispensing system for providing improved freestanding capabilities and improved automatic shutoff of the system upon returning a nozzle to a nozzle holster after use. The fluid dispensing system includes a portable stand and self-contained power source. The system further includes a holster switch using a sliding panel to ensure shutoff of the system upon placement of the dispensing hose in a dispensing hose holster.

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;

a holster assembly coupled to said housing for receiving a free end of said dispensing hose;

said holster assembly including a holster opening for receiving said free end of said dispensing hose and a sliding panel, said sliding panel being movable between a receiving position and a blocking position, said blocking position being for at least partially blocking said holster opening whereby insertion of said free end of said dispensing hose is prevented until said sliding panel is moved from said blocking position.

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

said holster portion including a holster switch, said holster switch being operationally coupled to said sliding panel and said control assembly for preventing dispensing of said vehicle fluid when said sliding panel is in said receiving position.

3. The fluid dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said free end of said dispensing hose supports said sliding panel in said receiving position when said free end of said dispensing hose rests in said holster opening.

4. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said sliding panel is vertically oriented whereby gravity urges said sliding panel into said blocking position.

5. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said sliding panel is coupled to an interior of said cover member.

6. The fluid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said sliding panel has an arcuate edge, said arcuate edge extending across said holster opening such that said sliding panel partially blocks said holster opening when said sliding panel is in said blocking position.

7. The fluid dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said holster switch further comprises:

a main portion positioned adjacent to said sliding panel;

a switch arm extending from said main portion, said switch arm being operationally coupled to said sliding panel such that movement of said sliding panel between said moves said receiving position and said blocking position moves said switch arm between a use position and a shutoff position, said switch arm being in said use position when said sliding panel is in said blocking position to permit activation of said pump assembly and use of said dispensing hose when said sliding panel is in said blocking position.

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

a guide member statically positioned on an interior face of said cover member; and

said sliding panel being secured to slide within a medial cutout portion of said guide member.

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

a plurality of washers secured to said guide member by tension screws, said washers being positioned for securing said sliding panel within said medial cutout portion of said guide member.

13. 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.

10. A fluid dispensing system comprising:

a housing;

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

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 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 holster assembly coupled to said housing for receiving a free end of said dispensing hose;

said holster assembly including a holster opening for receiving said free end of said dispensing hose and a sliding panel, said sliding panel being movable between a receiving position and a blocking position, said blocking position being for at least partially blocking position, said blocking position being for at least partially blocking said holster opening whereby insertion of said free end of said dispensing hose is prevented until said sliding panel is moved from said blocking position; and

a main mounting bracket coupled to said housing;

wherein said main mounting bracket includes a medial section having opposite ends, a pair of transition sections each having an outer end, and a pair of outside sections, each transition section of said pair of transition sections extending from one end of the ends of said medial section, each outside section of said pair of outer sections extending from the outer end of one of said transition sections;

wherein each of said outside sections are positioned in substantially the same plane;

wherein each of said outer sections are oriented substantially parallel to said medial section;

wherein said pair of transition sections converge toward each other toward said medial section and diverge away from each other toward said outer sections.

11. The fluid dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said main mounting bracket further including a pair of outer sections extending from said outside sections, said outer sections being coupled to said housing.

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

a portable stand member having a base portion and an elevation portion, said main mounting bracket being coupled to said elevation portion of said stand member such that said housing and stand member are free-standing for positioning at a desired location.

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

a power source self-contained within said housing, said power source being operationally coupled to said control assembly and said pump assembly, said power source including a 12 volt direct current battery positioned within said housing.