US2002107A - Illuminated hose nozzle - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1935. c. E. BOURRET ILLUMINATED HOSE NOZZLE Filed March 29, 1934 [mafia-d on- CZ d? I Boa/W 62" @"awwawym,

Patented May 21, 1935 UNITED," STATES PATENT omen- Clyde E. Bourr t, Morrisonville, Wis., assi'gnor of one-half to Roman A. Heilrnan, Madison, Wis.

Application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 717,942

e e 14' Claims. This invention relates to illumination means for hose discharge nozzles, and more particularly is directed to means for'illuminating the interior of a tank or the like into which a fluidfuel hose from a dispensing'pump or the like discharges.

In filling the fuel tank of automotive vehicles and the like by means of a flexible hose connection from the ordinary type of filling station dispensing unit or fuel pump,*the quantity of fuel in the tank is Ordinarily not ascertainable by the attendantoperating thepump, Because of this, it quiteoften happens that overflowing of the tank occurs, resulting in loss of fuel, and damage to the luster and finish of the external surface of i the tank. Also, it is inherently dangerous to have highly combustible fluid or vapors about the premises, and on the body of the vehicle, due to the possible ignition or explosion of the same.

a In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, I' have provided an illumi-- nated hose nozzle which is capable of reflecting light into the tank, whereby the attendant may readily ascertain the level of the fuel within the tank,'and thus eliminate, to a large extent, any

possibility of having the fuel overflow over the tank surface and surrounding objects. Inas; much as gasoline vapors are highly inflammable, I have further provided a vapor-proof illuminating structure which is clamped to the nozzle of the gasoline hose, and which is positively sealed like thereinto. a i V e One object of my invention is to provide illuminating means of this type which is directly clamped to the hose nozzle, and which is'vapor and explosion-proof.

Another object of thepresent against the entrance of any vapor, moisture or the invention is the provision of illuminating means of this typev which is actuated simultaneously with theactuation of the motor for operating the pump, whereby only the switch now in use in the ordinary type of electrically operated pump need-be provided. This eliminates separate switching means, reducing the hazards incident thereto, and relieving the attendant of the necessity for operating several control mechanisms.

A further object of the presentinvention is the provision of a hinged reflector carried by the! illuminating means, which is swingable about its pivot in accordance withvarying positions of the nozzle, whereby upon insertion of the nozzle into the fuel tank opening the reflector swings into position to direct the light rays into the interior of the'tank. A feature of distinct advantage in thepresent construction is the provision of a (01. 240-2) V 0 e e vapor-proof housing for the light bulb which, however, is capable of being readily opened for inspection or replacement of. the bulb, but in closed position prevents entrance of moisture, vapors, air orthe like into the interior of the 5 bulb housing. V

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in con nection with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction andoperation of a preferred form of my invention.

' In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an ordinary type of electrically operated fluid fuel dispensing unit, such as a filling station pump, provided with the illumination means of the present invention, a portion of the pump structure being broken away to show the operating mechanism therefor; a e

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing in detail the construction of the illuminating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational View showing the illuminating means in one of its op-' crating positions;

' Figure 4 is a partial elevational view, broken away to show a modified manner of constructing, thevapor-proof housing for the light bulb; and j Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections for the pump and illuminating means.

Referring now in detail to e the drawing, in Figure 1 Ihave provided a fluid fuel dispensing unit, indicated generally by the reference numeralB, which is mounted upon a base member 1 suitably supported in position, and which is provided with thedial member 8 having a rdtatable arm 9 thereon for indicating the quail tity of fuel being delivered. The uppef'portion of the fuel pump 6, comprising the dome I6, is provided with a visible flow indicator H of general type, and is provided with an outlet connection l2 to which the flexible hose I3 is connected. This hose ispreferably a metallic lined hosejwith a braided overlay, and has, at its free end, a'control or shut-off valve l4 .pro-; vided with a trigger operating mechanism l5 and a flexible discharge nozzle tip l6. The shut-oif valve has a trigger guard I1, whichis supported, when the pump is not in operation, upon a nozzle hook IS, the nozzle hock having a switch operating; lever pivoted with respect thereto, "and heldin non-operating po 55 sition by the trigger guard I! when the nozzle is placed in position upon the hook.

Secured to the discharge portion of the shutoff valve M are a pair of clamp members 20, which members securely grip the nozzle, and in turn are adapted to retain the casing for the illuminating means in position.-

The illuminating means is shown in detail in Figure 2, and comprises a housing member 22 having an inwardly extending flanged end 23 provided with a centrally located bushing 24 through which the insulated conductor cable 25 extends. This conductor cable 25 is carried along the hose it by means of clamps 26 semember 27, which is held'in position by means of the annular crimp 28 formed in the housing 22, the carrier member 2! being formed of fiber or any suitable insulating material.

Mounted upon the carrier 21 is a light socket 29' having a flanged portion 38 secured to the upper surface of the carrier 21 bymeans of a pin or rivet 3i and the conductor. or contact rivet 32, which receives one conductor 33 of the cable 25, and provides for electrical contact between the conductor 33 and the socket 2E).

The other conductor 35, carried by the cable 25, is engaged in the contact sleeve 36 secured to and extending through the carrier member 27, the contact sleeve 36 providing a support for the contact spring member 37 which engages the contact stud carried by the base 38 of the light bulb 39. The light bulb isengaged within the socket'29 in the usual manner by means of the guide pins 40 engaging within the bayonet slots, 42 formed in the socket 29. The contact spring 31 serves to urge the bulb 39 outwardly of the socket, to retain it in tight engagement with the socket.

The upper portion of the housing 22 is threaded, as indicated at 33,. and the upper end thereof is flanged inwardly, .as indicated at 44. vA cover for the housing 22, comprisinga substantially cylindrical member 45, has itsv inner threaded portion io engaging over the threaded portion 43 of -the housing Z2.' The housing 45 is preferably provided with a lip portion ii, which is snapped over a projecting stud button lB of the housing 22 in order to lock the housing 55, in fixed. position with respect to the housing 22.

A lens. 59 is provided within thehousing 22.

. and is held in position therein by means of av pair of sealing gaskets 59 disposed on either side thereof, the lower gasket 50 abutting against and being compressed by the flange 44 when the housing 45 is threaded into closed position upon the housing 22. The upper gasket 59 is held in position by means of an annular angle mem ber 52 which is press-fitted into the housing 45 upperend of the housing The reflector member 53 may be formed of chrome nickel steel or any other material capable of taking a high polish, whereby the inner surface thereof acts as a reflector for the light rays emitted from the bulb 39. Optionally, a reflecting surface may be formed on any type of weighted member pivoted in like manner. Further, it will be noted that the reflector 53 is of varying cross section, whereby the lower end thereof is weighted to fall into the position shown in Figure 2 when the illuminating means is disposed in the position shown in Figure l. The lens opening is thus covered to keep dust and the like from entering therein.

After the carrier 2? has been placed in position and the contacts 32 and 36 have been engaged by the corresponding conductors 33 and 35, the lower end of the housing 22 is filled with a suitable insulating compound, such as sealing wax or a similar substance, indicated at 58, to seal effectively the lower end of the housing against the entrance of vapors, moisture or the like. The upper end of the housing is sealed against the entrance of such vapors by the engagement between the threaded portion i3 and the threaded portion (it of the two housings. Further, by the provision of the sealing gaskets 56, no vapors or moisture can enter the light housing past the lens member 39.

It is thus apparent that I have provided a vapor and explosion proof light housing, wherein the light contacts and all of the electrically conducting portions thereof are sealed against the entrance of vapor, moisture or the like. However, by reason of the threaded engagement the housing can be easily opened for inspection or replacement of the bulb 39.

In Figure 3 I have shown the upper end of the light or illuminating means in one of its operating positions, in which it will be noted that by reason of the weighted reflector 53;, the reflector swings into the position shown, to reflect light rays from the bulb 3%! into the interior of a tank opening or the like into which the nozzle it may be inserted. Regardless of the angle of the nozzle with respect to the fuel opening, the freely swinging reflector 53 will always assume a position such that the light-rays will be reflected into the tank or opening. Thus the level of fluid within the tank may be readily ascertained by the attendant at the time that the tank is being filled. .In Figure 4 a modified construction is shown, in which the lens 59 is held in position by means of a pair of sealing gaskets 56' which are compressed thereagainst and against the inner periphery of the housing it by means of a pair of annular angle members 98 and 6!, which members may be pressed into tight engaging position with the gaskets 55, and held in this position while being spot welded in place. Any other suitable means for securing the members 6% and 58 in fixed position within the housing may be provided. In this construction, the sealing engagement for preventing passage of vapors past the lens 59 into the interior of-the light housing is effected independently of the housing22, so that the upper end of the housing need .not be flanged as shown at li in Figure 2.

Considering now. in detail the manner of connecting the light circuit for simultaneous operation with the operating circuit for the dispensing unit, in Figure I have shown the conductors 53 and E34 leading from any suitable source of electrical current. An electric motor, shown at 65-in- Figures 1 and 5, is connected through conductor 8S and switch member 6?- to the line conductor 64.; The other side of the motor 65 ductor 63;

aofoaro'z guard releases the arm 72, which allowsthe arm I to drop, and thus closes the switch .61.:

A second switch, indicated at 14, is. connected to operate simultaneously with switch' 61,- when the illumination means of the present invention is incorporated in the motor circuit, the link member 69' (Figure5) corresponding to the link member69ofFigure1.."

Thus, upon removal of the trigger: guardfrom the pivoted lever 12, the switches 61 and 14 are simultaneouslyclosed, and the actuating motor 65 is operated to deliver fuel to the outlet-12 of the dispensing unit. At'the sameitime, thetransformer Z5 is energized through conductor 16',

'1 connected through switch Ht-to conductor 66,1

which in turn is connected to the line conductor 64, the other sideof the, transformerrcircuit'being connected through conductor 68 to line con- The secondary 16' of the transformer 15 is fconnected through the conductors 33 and 35 to the light bulb 39 in the manner described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Thus, upon removal of the hose nozzle from the hook, the actuating motor 85 is placed in operation, and at the same time the light bulb 39 is energized through the secondary of the transformer 15, the two circuits being simultaneously closed by switches 6i and 74. Thus, during all times that the trigger guard is not engaged over the hook it the light will be actuated, and insertion of the nozzle Iii into a fuel tank opening will cause the reflector 53 to swing away from the housing 45, whereby light rays emitted from the bulb 39 will be directed into the fuel tank opening to enable the attendant to ascertain readily the level of fluid in the fuel tank. It will thus be apparent that no additional switching equipment need be provided in order to actuate the illumination means of the present invention.

It is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in certain details'of construction herein disclosed, and I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown and described, except as limited by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Illumination means for the nozzle of a discharge hose for a fluid fuel dispensing unit comprising a first housing, alight socket secured therein, a bulb member mounted in said socket, electrical conductors connected to said-socket, sealing means in said housing preventing entrance of moisture and vapors along said conductors, a second housing secured in sealing engagement over said first housing and having lens means sealed therein, and a weighted'closure member pivoted to, said second housing and having a light reflecting surface, said closure member being freely swingable out of closing position upon tilting of said nozzle to direct light rays along said nozzle.

2. The combination'with a fluid fuel dispensing unit including a delivery hose having a nozzle provided with a shut-off valve, of illumination means clamped to said nozzle and comprising a moistureland vapor proof; sealed housing containing alight emitting member, a lens for said member, and a freelyswingable weighted reflector pivoted to they end'of said housing and forming. a dust-proofclcsure therefor when not in use, 'sai'cl reflectorswinging' into positionto reflect :lightmays from said member in the use of saidnozzleiu V 3. In a fluid fuel dispensing unit having an electrically: operated pump, a hook'support, a delivery hose for said unit having a shut-off valve at the free end thereof and an extending nozzle portion, aguard memberfor said valve adapted to be engaged on said hook support, circuit closing means for actuating said pump operable upon removalof said guard fromsaid support, a transformer connected in shuntinsaid circuit'and energized by operation of said circuit closing means,a light .membe r means connecting said light member .to'the secondary of said transformer, a moisture .and vapor proof housing clamped to' said: nozzle portion and enclosing said lightmember, and light reflecting means freely V swin'gablelwith respect to said housing for refleeting lightrays fromsaid'light member upon tilting-of said nozzle. i 4; Illumination" means adapted to be secured to a dischargenozzle of a gasoline dispensing unit comprising a cylindrical cup-shaped housing, a

carrier member having a light socket thereon secured in said housing and spaced from the base thereof, a light member in said socket, conductors leading through the base of said housing and connected to said socket, insulating and sealing means disposed within said housingbetween said ously with the operation of said dispensing unit.

5. Illuminating means for use with fluid fuel delivery nozzles comprising a vapor-proof casing having a light member therein, a transparent closure member in one end of. said casing, and a reflector freely hinged to said end of said casing and positionable to reflect light rays from said member upon tilting movement of said casing.

6. Illuminating means for use with fluid fuel delivery nozzles comprising an elongated vaporproof casing having a light member disposed therein, transparent closuremeans in said cassci ing adjacent one end thereofiand a reflector thereof, said. end of said casing being cut off at an angle, and reflector means hinged to the projecting portion of said end of said casing and freely swingable into position upon tilting of said casing to reflect light rays from said light member downwardly.

8. Illumination means for usewith a fluid delivery nozzle comprising a casing having alight member disposed therein, transparent closure means for one end of said casing in alinement with said light member, the end of said casing beyond said closure means being cut at an angle todefine an oval-shaped opening, and a reflector pivoted. to the extending portion of said end and swingable into a vertical position upon tilting of said casing to reflect light rays from said member downwardly. i l

9. Illuminating means for use with fluid fu'eldelivery nozzles comprising avapor-proof casing having a light member therein, a transparent closure member in one end of said casing, and a reflector hinged to said casing and freely swingable into a position to reflect light rays from said light memher at an angle with respect to the axis of said casing upon tilting of said casing out of a horirays from said light member downwardly into said fuel tank opening upon tilting of said nozzle.

11. The combination with a fluid fuel dispensingunit including a delivery hose havinga shut off valve at theend of said hose, and a delivery nozzle connected to the outlet side of said valve,

of a moisture and vapor-proof housing clamped to said housing, a light bulb member sealed within said housing, means for energizing said light bulb member, and means pivoted to one end of said housing and positionable upon tilting of said nozzle to direct light rays emanating from said housing along said nozzle.

12.- In combination, a. fluid fuel delivery unit having a nozzle, vapor-proof illuminating means associated with said nozzle, and a reflector hinged to said illuminating means and positionable by tilting movement of said nozzle to direct light rays emanating from said illuminating means along said nozzle.

13. The combination with a vapor-proof housing having a light bulb sealed therein and having a transparent closure member in one end thereof, of a reflector pivoted to said housing exteriorly of said closure member and automatically positionable by tilting of said housing tovary the direction of the light rays emanating through said closure member.

14. In combination, a fluid fuel nozzle for delivering fuel into a vehicle fuel tank, illuminating means associated with said nozzle, and a reflector carried by said illuminating means and automatically positionable, by tilting of said nozzle, to direct light rays from said illuminating means downwardly into the opening in the fuel tank.

CLYDE E. BOURRET.

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