Gasoline dispensing system and method with radio frequency customer identification antenna
First Claim
1. A gasoline dispensing system comprising a dispenser for dispensing fuel to vehicles and comprising a housing, a nozzle extending from the housing for receiving gasoline from a storage tank and dispensing the gasoline into a vehicle tank, and a mounting bracket affixed to the housing;
- and an antenna for receiving transmitted customer identification information from the vehicle, the antenna comprising a rod pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, and a member normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing system and method utilizing a break-away antenna in a radio frequency customer identification system for service stations to reliably and accurately identify and charge customers for their purchases. The antenna is formed by a bracket adapted to be affixed to the object, a rod pivotally mounted to the bracket, and a spring normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.
58 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A gasoline dispensing system comprising a dispenser for dispensing fuel to vehicles and comprising a housing, a nozzle extending from the housing for receiving gasoline from a storage tank and dispensing the gasoline into a vehicle tank, and a mounting bracket affixed to the housing;
- and an antenna for receiving transmitted customer identification information from the vehicle, the antenna comprising a rod pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, and a member normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- 7. An antenna for mounting to an object, the antenna comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be affixed to the object, a shaft mounted on the bracket, a rod comprising at least one flange having an opening for receiving the shaft to pivotally mount the rod to the bracket, and a member normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.
- 12. A method of dispensing gas comprising the step of providing a dispenser equipped with a nozzle for insertion into the fuel tank of a vehicle, providing a transponder on the vehicle for transmitting customer identification information to the dispenser for processing, and mounting an antenna on the dispenser in a first position for receiving the transmitted information, and permitting the antenna to pivot to a second position in response to a force applied to the antenna in a direction towards the second position.
Specification