«2 United States Patent Tague et al. US 8,869,843 B2 Oct. 28, 2014 (10) Patent No.t (4s) Date of Patent: (58) 5) oO @ @) 6) (0) on (2) (68) FUEL NOZZLE BREAKAWAY PREVENTION SAFETY SYSTEM Inventors: Johnie Lee Tague, Anaheim Hill, CA (US); Michael James Noble, Yorba Linda, CA (US) Notice: Subject wo any disclaimer the term ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 35 US. 1540) by 469 days Appl. No. 13/186,284 Filed: Jul. 19,2011 Prior Publication Data US 2012000184461 Jan, 26,2012 Related US. Application Data Provisional application No. 61/365,931, filed on Jul. 20,2010. Int.cl, B6TD 32 01001) BOD 706 (201001) 67D 714 201001) us.cL CPC B67D 7/064 (2013.01); B67D 72 (2013.01) B67D 7/3218 (2013.01); B67D 7/04 2013.01) USPC nn LALO; 141/15 141/98; 222/28; 222790 Fleld of Classification Search, 'B6TD 7104; B67D 71064; BETD 7132: BOTD 73218 cre spc 41/1, 94, 98; 222023, 25,28, 39 ‘See application file for complete search histor. (56) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 425050 A$ 21981 Fleischer ‘osats 4726492 A #1986 Komal ‘Bid SUM7I6 At 71992 Cig 88.651 SS06570 A * 41906 Seat ea 401603 S900327 A * 21998 Foster. Je av SSMS BE? 1/2002 Raby eal lava 61577 BL* 102003 Mason ans GSOOIS1 BL* $2005 Latkactal 141392 7021345 B2* 42006 Webb 1198 8301768 B2* 32013 Benik vat 2or3i0028608 AL* 12013 SafSamglabal etal. I37i68 18 * cited by examiner Primary Examiner —Nicolas A Amett 7) ABSTRACT A breakaway separation prevention safety device that pro vides waming indicators reminding users to replace fuel nozale after dispensing fuel. The safety warning system reminds uses ofa fuel pump to replace the nozle into the nozzle mount. Thesystem sactivated asthe wser removes the nozzle from the nozzle mount. Anaudio ana visual wamingis mite asa reminder forthe user. 7 Claims, 3 Drawing SheetsUS. Patent Oct. 28, 2014 Sheet 1 of 3 US 8,869,843 B2 FIG.1US. Patent Oct. 28, 2014 Sheet 2 of 3 41 FIG.2 US 8,869,843 B2US. Patent Oct. 28, 2014 Sheet 3 of 3 US 8,869,843 B2 6 T LED Speakers ControlRelay | 3 KO Limit Switch FIG. 3US 8,869,843 B2 1 FUEL NOZZLE BREAKAWAY PREVENTION SAFETY SYSTEM ‘The current application claims a priority to the US, Pro- ‘isional Patent application Ser No. 61/368,931 filed on Jul 20,2010. FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention relates generally fo a safety system for sof-servie fel pumps at gasoline stations. More speci cally the present invention isa safety alr system that warns users about the absence ofthe fuel nozzle fom the nozzle mount on the pump. AS a resul, the user is reminded to remave the nozze from ther cars and replace the gozzle onto ‘he pump. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Inrevent years, selfservce fel pumps t gasoline stations have become the industry stindard, The majority of fel pumps at gasoline stations are self-service as apposed to fallservice. Many consumers prefer to pump their owa fuel ‘duo toa lower cost. By providing seliservice, gasoline sta tions do not have the extra expense of hiring employees, Selfservce fuel pumps allow individual coasumers to pump their own gasoline without the need for wained emplayees 10 help perform such a sevice. However, self-service stations ‘open the operation ofthe gasoline pumps toalltypes of users, “The cousaquence of providing self-service gasoline pumpsat the gasoline station is that it can be operated by carlos, forgetful, or rushed users. Such types of users are prone 10 forget the removal and replacement of the fuel nozzle tothe nozzle mouaton the gasoline pump. AS ares the users will ive off while the nozzle are sil inserted in thie vehicles. The force ofthe cr pling sway causes the hose tobe ripped offof the gasoline tation, This situation, which iscommonly referred to asa “breakaway separation”, a “dive off”, or “drive away”, can be very dangerous and expensive. The ‘consequences ofa breakaway separation can include, a lage sole lek, damage to the gasoline pump, and damage to the user's vehicle. Targe gasoline lal i 8 large hazard as ignition ofthe spilled gasoline can result ina large disaster. large gas station having four islands of three pups per sland may experience at least one to 00 breakaway separations ‘conditions per month on average ‘Toaudressthis problem, the present invention ntduces a safety system that is able to elfectvely emind a gas pump user fo remove the nozzle from thee Vehicle and replace it back onto the pump. The safety system provides a visual and audio reminder that is activated by the removal of the nozzle from the gas pump. The visual indicator continually provides a visual reminder and isposiioned evidently onthe gas pump to increase its chance of boing sen, Additionally, the present invention provides a continual, periodical, or one-time audio reminder for the patron 1 replace the nozzle when they have finshed filling their vehicle. By providing very evident reminder o replace a fuel aczze tothe gas pump, the chances ‘of breakaway separation from occurring is significantly reduce. The present invention saves the gas tation owners and the vehicle drivers from auy embarassment or hecost of| ‘damage repair to the gas pump othe vehicle, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel dispensing station ‘enclosure with the preset invention installed fr breakaway separation prevention. 2 FIG. 2 is a detiled cross sectional view of the nozle ‘mount. The limit switch is shown interacting withthe nozzle door FIG, 3isa connectivity diagram showing the interaction of electrical components that activates the visual indicator and the audio indicator, The limit switeh sctvates the control relay which in tun aetvates or deactivates the visual indica- ‘or and audio indicator. DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION All illustations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to Timit the seope ofthe present invention, ‘The present invention sa breakaway separation prevention. system for a fuel dispensing station enclosure 1 that com prises a limit switch 2, nozzle mount 4 fuel nozzle 7, a visual indicator 8, and an audio indicator 6, In reference to FIG. 1.3, the nozzle mount 4 is positioned on the fuel dis- easing sation enclosure 1. The nozzlemiount4 futher com prises of a nozzle door 41. The nozzle door 4 is positioned within and is joimly connected to the nozzle mount 4. The limit switeh 2is mounted onthe inside of the fuel dispensing sation enclosure 1. The limit switch 2 connects othe nozzle door 41 and consequently activates or deactivates a circuit control elay 3, The eieuit contol zelay 3s a normally open circuit switch that is eletrically connected to the visual ndi= ator $ and the audio indicator 6. The circuit contol relay 3 competes or disconnects circuit forthe visual indicator 5 and the audio indicator 6 for setivation or deactivation. The visual indicator § and the audio indicator 6 are both posi= tioned on the fel dispensing station enclosure 1. The visual Jndiator can by aay typo! lighting indicator from an LED light stip, a LED light patch, or individual pluraliies of LEDs. However, in the prefered embodiment ofthe present ‘invention, the visual indicator $ is a warning light fixture made with a ed LED light strip. The visual indicator 5 is ‘mounted on the ouside ofthe fel dispensing station enelo- sure 1, There can be a plurality of the visual indicator 5s ‘mounted onthe fuel dispensing station enclosure Ito maxi> mize the chance of a user noticing the light reminder. The tno indicator 6 sa speaker that is mounted inside the fuel dispensing station enclosure I. The audio indicator 6 andthe visual indicator Sar simultaneously activated whea the user removes the aozzle7 from the ozzle mouat 4 Inn inactive positioned, the nozzle 7 is positioned and docked onto the nozzle mount 4, The nozzle door 41 is secured in aa opea postion as the nozzle Tisinsertedintoand placed on the nozale mouat 4, With the nozale door 41 in an ‘pen pesition the limit switeh 2is also secured in an open position. The open limit switch 2 keeps th circuit control relay 3 in an open postion as well. The open positon keeps the audio indicator 6 andthe visual indicator 5 inactive. ‘To use the present invention, a patron of a gas station simply follows the normal procedure for paying and remov- ing the nozale 7 o fill their vehicle. By removing the nozale 7iromthe nozzle mount 4, the nozzle door 41 isreleased from an open position int a closed position. The releasing of the nozzle door 41 switches the limit switch 2 into a closed positon. As a result, the limit switch 2 causes the circuit Control relay 3 ta move from normally open position into a closed position, The closing of the cireuit contol relay 3 completes the circuit of forthe activation ofthe visual indi= ator 8 and the audio indicator 6. The activation of the visual ndiator andthe audio indicator 6allows the present inven tionto emita warming signal notifying and eminding he gas station patron to replace the fuel nozzle 7 back ino the nozzleUS 8,869,843 B2 3 rmouat 4. Inthe prefered embodiment of the present iaven- tion, the visual indicator 8 sa red LED light strip that emits a soguentialoscilating light. However, inher embodiments, ‘ofthe presen iavention, the visual indicator Scan also be an patel array of LED lights that emit a Mashing ights with ‘varying frequencies depending on the prefered setings. The visual indicator § ean also notify and remind a gas station patron to replace the nozzle hy other means including ights With diferent illuminating patterns. Inthe preferred embodi- ment ofthe present invention, the warning signal emited by the audio indicator 6 isa pre-recorded message with notii- ‘ation reminder to replace the fuel nozzle 7 In an embodi- ment ofthe present invention, the audible vaing message by the aut indieator 6 can say, “Please remember to return the uel nozzle 7 after dispensing fuel, The red LED waning lights will continue o fash unt the nozzle Tisreurnedto the sispenser.” The audible warning messoge can be played con- tinvously as the user i filling ther vehicle with gasoline, or petiodically at predetermined time intervals. ‘When the dispensing of fel has been completed, the fuel nozzle 7 i to be returied tothe nozzle mount 4 on the fuel clspensing station enclosure 1, When the fuel nozzle 7 is replaced onto the nozzle mount 4, the nozzle door 41 andthe limit switeh 2 inside the fue! dispensing station enclosure 1 are once again secured back into their aoemal open position. ‘Consequently, the circuit contol relay 3s are retumed to 4 ‘open positon as wel. Theopening ofthe circuit contra rely 3 breaks the visual indicator $ and the audio indicator 6 off fom thecirouit, Thered LED light strip andthe audio speaker ‘are tuned ff until another gas sation patron stops to il eit Vehicle AAs with any electronic system ina gas station, itis impor: tant foreach electronic component tobe insulated and sealed, “The audi indicator 6 and the Visual indicator § are to be ‘connected the fue dispensing station enclosure 1 by a sel Additionally the cirenit contol relay 3 is positioned within the fuel dispensing station enlosure aay from any and all flamaabl gasoline. Such safety precautions are necessary 10 protect each and all patrons ulizing a gasoline station Although the invention has been explained in relation tits prefered embodiment, its to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations ean be made without ‘departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as here- inafter claimed. ‘What is claimed is: 1A fuel nozzle breakaway prevention safety system com prises, ‘fel dispensing station enclosure; ‘limit switch: anozale, ‘aozzle mount «visual indicator an adi indicator, ‘acini contol relay the nozzle mouat comprises a nozzle door, the nozale being positioned on the nozale mouat; the nozzle door being secured by the nozzle, wherein the limit switch is esultantly secured in an open positon: the nozzle mount being positioned on the fuel dispensing station enclosure, the nozzle door being positioned within and jointly con- ‘ected the nozzle mount the limit switch being connected to the aozze door the visual indicator being positioned on the fuel dispensing station enclosure ‘he aut indicator being positioned on the fuel dispensing station enclosure, » s 4 the circuit control relay being connected to the limit site; ‘the circuit control relay being electrically connected tothe indicator and the audio indicator; and the circuit control relay being a normally open circuit stitch 2. The fe! nozzle breakaway prevention safety system as claimed in claim 1 comprises, ‘wherein the visual indicator isan LED light strip. 3. The fel nozzle breskaway prevention safety system as claimed in elim 1 comprises, wherein the audio indicator is a speaker 4.A method of using a fuel nozzle breakaway prevention safety system comprises, providing alue! dispensing sition, wherein an enclosure ‘ofthe fuel dispensing station consists of aii site, 2 nozale, a nozzle mouat having @ nozzle door, a visual indicator, and an audio indicator the limit switch being ‘connected tothe nozzle door, ‘removing ofthe nozzle fom the nozzle mount; ‘releasing ofthe limit switch from a normally open postion to-achosed position; closing a circuit contro relay, the circuit control relay boing connected tothe limit switch; ‘activating the visual indicator andthe audio indicator via the contol eicut relay; and emitting of warning signal; ‘wherein the warning signal is emitted by the visual inieas tor and the audio indicator. ‘5. The method of using the fue! nozzle breakaway preven tion safety system as claimed in claim 4 comprises, ‘wherein the waraing signal emitted bythe visual indicator ‘can bea oscillating light ra flashing light of any color 6. Themethod oF using the fuel nozale breskaviay’preven- tion safety system as claimed in claim 4 comprises, whereia the warning signal emitted by the audio indicator isa prerecorded message with notification reminder to replace the nozzle onto the nozzle mount. 7. fue nozale breakaway prevention safety sytem com= 7 il iopenting tion enlasr, limit swith; nozzle, ‘nozzle mount a visual indicator, an aio indicator; the nozzle mount comprises a nozzle door, the nozzle mount being positioned oa the fuel dispensing station enclosure; the nozzle door being positioned within and jointly coa- nected the nozzle mount the limit switch being connected to the nozzle door; ‘he visual ndcator being positioned onthe fuel dispensing station enclosure; ‘the audio indicator being positioned on the fel dispensing sation enclosure; aciruit contol zy; the circuit congo) relay being connected to the limit site; ‘he iret contol relay being electrically connected to the visual indicator and the aud indicat the cicuit coat relay being a aormally open circuit site; ‘when the visual indicator is am LED light strips, ‘wherein the audio indicator isa speaker, the nozzle being positioned onthe nozzle mount; andUS 8,869,843 B2 5 the nozzle door being secured by the nozzle, wherein the limit switch i esultanly secured in an open position