US3335247A

US3335247A - Selector switch for fuel dispensing system

Info

Publication number: US3335247A
Application number: US427542A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert F Romanowski
Original assignee: Bowser Inc
Current assignee: Bowser Inc; Keene Corp
Priority date: 1961-12-12
Filing date: 1965-01-15
Publication date: 1967-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-08

Description

1967 A. F. ROMANOWSKI 3,335,247

SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 12, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 III I05 I05 i I07 j I I I I0! 88 .89 I '1 I 37 y l I O3 99 I u I I I l 93 97 7 g 1 I SI 3 INVENTOR.

ALBERT F. ROMANOWSKI BYWZWAAV ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1967 A. F. ROMANOWSKI 3,335,247

SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 12, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet '4 INVENTOR. 9 ALBERT F. ROMANOWSK! |3| 7 fin? LIZ BY Wf ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,335,247 SELECTOR SWITCH FOR FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM Albert F. Roinanowski, Greeneville, Tenn., assignor to Bowser, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Original application Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,670, now Patent No. 3,199,727, dated Aug. 10, 1965. Divided and this application Jan. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 427,542

3 Claims. (Cl. 200153) This invention relates to a dispensing system for distribution of fuels, and more particularly it relates to a selector switch for a dispensing system having a computer-indicator that can be used on several grades of fuel such as regular, super and premium. This application is a divisional application of applicants parent application entitled, Fuel Dispensing System, filed Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,670, and now Patent No. 3,199,727, granted Aug. 10, 1965.

It is an object of the invention to provide a number of dispensing outlets having a single computer-indicator and in which each outlet is separately controlled by a selector switch.

A salient object of the invention is the provision of a selector control switch adapted to be set for predetermined transactions by the service station operator. The selector control switch may 'be set to deliver a predetermined gallonage, or, a predetermined number of dollars worth of fuel without the operators attention and time being required after setting the predetermined amount on the selector control switch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a selector switch adapted to support a nozzle valve in a storage position and so designed that the nozzle can not be replaced in the storage position without positioning the selector switch in the original position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an individual selector control switch for multiple grades of fuel being dispensed, and each selector switch is centrally located so that a selection of the grade of fuel can be dispensed without moving or positioning the automobile.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose by way of example the principle of the invention and the best mode which has been contemplated of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical fueling installation illustrating the remote positioning of the computer-indicator;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the selector switch supporting a nozzle valve in the storage position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the selector control switch;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view illustrating the spring loaded ball type detents which are associated with the selector control switch;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the code drum associated with the selector control switch;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view showing the microswitches positioned in a three dollar ($3.00) preset position on the code drum of the selector control switch.

Referring now to FIGURE-S 1 and 2, the reference numeral 71 indicates an island for supporting a housing 73. A number of scuff plates 75 having an elongated opening 77 for receiving the tip of the dispensing nozzle involved, are mounted in the upper portion of the housing 73.

Selector control switches

79, 81 and 83 are provided directly beneath the elongated openings 77 and are provided with a projection 85 adapted to support each of the dispensing nozzles. It should be noted that the selector control switches must be positioned so that the projections are straight up and down in order to support the nozzle on the housing. When the projection is straight up and down the selector control switch is in a normally off position. If the selector control switch is in any other position than in the normally off position the nozzle can not be supported by the housing. The construction of the projection is such that when the nozzle 29 is placed in the storage position it will actuate the lever 27 to close the nozzle valve.

The reference numeral 87 designates the master computer-indicator, and 88 the repeater indicator provided with a gollon totalizer 89 and total price indicator 91. The reference numeral 93 designates the price per gallon of the regular brand fuel, and the reference numeral 95 designates the price per gallon of the premium brand fuel, and the reference numeral 97 designates the price per gallon of the super brand fuel. The master indicator 99 is disposed on the other side of the island and is provided with a repeater indicator 101. The selector control switches and hoses are disposed on the opposite side of the housing 73. The supports 103 having arms 105 carry the electrical conduits to the computer-indicators, repeaters and, also, serve to position the computer-indicators and repeaters so that they are always in front of the automobile being serviced. Thus it is obvious that the driver of the automobile can view the computer-indicator without looking backwards as is required by conventional gasoline dispensers. The post 107 supports conventional lighting fixtures 109 and 111.

Referring to FIGURES 3-6 which illustrate the details of the selector control switch, the reference numeral 113 designates a shaft having a control knob 115 secured thereon by a set screw 117. The casting 119 is connected to a support 121 by screws 123. The support 121 is connected to the scuff plate by a bolt and nut 125.

A coded rurn 127 is mounted on the other end of the shaft 113 and is secured thereon by a pin (not shown) which is disposed in the groove 129. The code drum 127 is provided with a predetermined code in the form of spaced holes or depressions 131. The cam segment 133 is disposed on one end 135 of' the drum and functions to actuate additional switches in sequential order. A mounting plate 137 is spaced from the casting 119 by spacers 139 and 141 having a stud 140. A number of microswitches 143 are mounted between the casting 119 and mounting plate 137 by a pair of

studs

145 and 147. The microswitches are provided with arms 149 having rollers 151 adapted to be actuated by the predetermined code on the code drum. Lead lines (not shown) connect the microswitches to the terminal posts 153, mounted on the terminal plate 155.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the microswitches 143 having their rollers 151 disposed in the code holes 131 are closed. The microswitches having the rollers 151 disposed on the periphery of the code drum are open. The two

microswitches

195 and 193 are operated by the cam 133 to the closed position.

The code drum 127 is provided with a pair of

bores

157 and 159 for receiving a pair of

springs

161 and 163 which exert pressure against detent spheres or detent balls 165 and 167 to project them into spaced

openings

169 and 171 in the casting 119. The detent serves as a positive locating means for the selector control switch.

When the selector switch is set in the manual operating position the predetermined code on the code drum 127, FIGURE 5, sets up or provides circuits or electrical circuits so that gasoline can be manually dispensed by an operator. When the selector switch is set in an automatic operating condition, the selected predetermined code (for either dollars or gallons) on the code drum 127 sets up or provides circuits or electrical circuits so that gasoline will be automatically dispensed for the present amount (dollars or gallons); or so that gasoline, however, dispensed, will be automatically stopped after delivery of the preset amount (dollars or gallons). These circuits are shown and described in the parent application referred to above. The predetermined code on the code drum is as follows: the cam segment 13,3 operates

switches

195 and 193 and the code hole 387 conditions the fueling system for manual operation. The four code. holes 389 condition the fueling system for a one dollar ($1.00) preset operation. The three code holes 391 condition the fueling system for a two dollar ($2.00) preset operation. The three code holes 393 condition the fueling system for a three dollar ($300) preset operation. The code holes 395 condition the fueling system for a four dollar ($4.00) preset operation. The code holes 397 condition the fueling system for a five dollar ($5.00) preset operation. The code holes 399 condition the fueling system for a five (5) gallon preset operation.

It is to be understood in connection that the embodiments shown are only exemplary,

with this invention and that various modifications can be made in construction and arrangement within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A preselector control switch comprising,

nation:

(a) a base member for attachment to a support,

(b) a rotatableshaft extending through and beyond the base member to support a selector knob, said selector knobhaving a projection adapted to serve as a support for a fuel nozzle and-valve device when said projection is in an upward position,

(c) a code drum having means forming a predetermined code thereon, said code drum mounted on the other end of the shaft,

(d) said base member having a number of spaced detents, said drum having a number of spaced bores corresponding with the detents, a spring and ball mounted in each bore to form a slight resistance to the turning of the knob,

(e) a mounting plate spaced from the base member, said mounting plate having an opening for receiving and supporting one end of the shaft,

(f) and a bank of mic-roswitches mounted between the mounting plate and base member, said switches spaced from the drum so that the drum will operate the switches in accordance with the predetermined code on the drum.

in combi- 2. In a fuel dispensing. system wherein fuel is dispensed from a housing having a nozzle and a computing device for controlling the fuel dispensed, the improvement comprising: (a) a selector control switch mounted on said housing, said switch having a code member that provides a predetermined electrical circuit in accordance with the selected position of said selector control switch; (b) means connected to said code member andadapted to. be connected to said computing device for controlling said computing device as afunction of the electrical circuit provided by said code member; (c) and a member connected to said switch code member and adapted to be at least partially external of said housing for positioning said code member as a function of the desired dispensation of fuel from said system, said external part of said operating member having a physical surface configuration that must be in a predetermined position so that said nozzle can be supported on said housing.

3. In a fuel dispensing system having a housing, a hose associated with said housing, a hole nozzle connected to said hose, said housing having structure to re ceive said nozzle, and a computer for permitting a predetermined amount of fuel to be dispensed by said system, the improvement comprising: (a) a rotatable selector switch having a plurality of operable contacts adapted to be connected to said computer, said switch being adapted to be mounted on said housing; (b) an operating shaft connected to said selector switch for operating selected ones of said contacts as a function of the desired having a portion adapted to extend externally of said housing; (c) and an operating knob mounted on said portion of said shaft and having a surface that permits said nozzle -to be supported on said amount of fuel, said shaft housing only in response to said knob surface, and hence said shaft and selector switch, being in a predetermined rotated position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,462,050 7/1923 Scriven 200-l66 X 2,743,843 5/ 1956 Bliss 222-26 2,748,619 6/1956 Glover et al 200-382 X 2,817,722 12/1957 Johnson 200-l66 X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Prim'ary Examiner. H. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A PRESELECTOR CONTROL SWITCH COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BASE MEMBER FOR ATTACHMENT TO A SUPPORT, (B) A ROTATABLE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BEYOND THE BASE MEMBER TO SUPPORT A SELECTOR KNOB, SAID SELECTOR KNOB HAVING A PROJECTION ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A SUPPORT FOR A FUEL NOZZLE AND VALVE DEVICE WHEN SAID PROJECTION IS IN AN UPWARD POSITION, (C) A CODE DRUM HAVING MEANS FORMING A PREDETERMINED CODE THEREON, SAID CODE DRUM MOUNTED ON THE OTHER END OF THE SHAFT, (D) SAID BASE MEMBER HVING A NUMBER OF SPACED DETENTS, SAID DRUM HAVING A NUMBER OF SPACED BORES CORRESPONDING WITH THE DETENTS, A SPRING AND BALL MOUNTED IN EACH BORE TO FORM A SLIGHT RESISTANCE TO THE TURNING OF THE KNOB, (E) A MOUNTING PLATE SPACED FROM THE BASE MEMBER, SAID MOUNTING PLATE HAVING AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING ONE END OF THE SHAFT, (F) AND A BANK OF MICROSWITCHES MOUNTED BETWEEN THE MOUNTING PLATE AND BASE MEMBER, SAID SWITCHES SPACED FROM THE DRUM SO THAT THE DRUM WILL OPERATE THE SWITCHES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PREDETERMINED CODE ON THE DRUM.