Fluid nozzle and adapter for existing fluid nozzles

Abstract

A fluid dispensing nozzle includes an elongated body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve having an open position and a closed position. The valve has first and second ports, the first and second ports are in fluid communication within the valve in the open position and not in fluid communication in the closed position. The first port is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port is in fluid communication with the outlet. The apparatus includes structure for operating the nozzle that includes a pivotally mounted lever having a handle portion which is movable toward and away from the outlet. Movement of the handle portion toward the outlet increases the rate of fluid flow by increasing the opening of the valve, whereby a handicapped user may use arm or torso movement to both urge the nozzle toward a vehicle being refueled as well as change the rate of fluid flow.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to fluid delivery systems and particularly to nozzles such as those used for gasoline delivery to vehicles. While the invention has particular application to nozzles used to deliver liquids such as gasoline as well as other fluid fuels to cars, trucks, buses, boats, race cars and the like, it will be understood that the invention also as application to nozzles for delivery of other fluids in a wide variety of applications. For example, the apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be utilized in the delivery of other petroleum products such as the nozzles used in delivering home heating oil, Marine, aircraft and diesel fuels as well as other liquid or fluid dispensing units including but not limited to firefighting hoses. [0002] Nozzles utilized for dispensing gasoline to motor vehicles, at least in the United States, are designed to capture smog-forming vapors at service stations. They often incorporate accordion-like seals that some motori...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002] Nozzles utilized for dispensing gasoline to motor vehicles, at least in the United States, are designed to capture smog-forming vapors at service stations. They often incorporate accordion-like seals that some motorists contend make the nozzles more difficult to use. Vapor recovery nozzles on gas pumps are the most visible part of a system designed to capture hydrocarbons that otherwise would be vented to the air where they form urban smog. Similar vapor collection devices are used to unload tanker ships, on refineries, bulk loading terminals and on gasoline tanker delivery trucks, producing an airtight gasoline distribution network. In addition to reducing hydrocarbon that forms urban smog, vapor recovery nozzles reduce personal exposure to benzene, a highly toxic component of gasoline vapor.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus that can be operated by persons who may not have the physical ability to easily manipulate the existing apparatus and will be able to operate the apparatus in accordance with the present invention with even relatively little strength in the fingers.

[0007] It is another object the invention to provide apparatus that enables the user to provide a single force which will simultaneously control the rate of flow of a fluid in which will simultaneously urge the nozzle toward the refueling connection of the vehicle been fueled.

[0010] It is now been found that these and other objects of the invention may be attained in a fluid dispensing nozzle which includes an elongated body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve having an open position and a closed position, the valve having first and second ports, the first and second ports being in fluid communication within the valve in the open position and not in fluid communication in the closed position. The first port is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port is in fluid communication with the outlet. The apparatus includes structure for operating the nozzle that includes a pivotally mounted lever having a handle portion which is movable toward and away from said outlet, movement of said handle portion toward said outlet increasing the rate of fluid flow by increasing the opening of said valve, whereby a handicapped user may use arm or torso movement to both urge the nozzle toward a vehicle being refueled as well has changed the rate of fluid flow.

[0013] Other forms of the invention provide an attachment for a fluid dispensing nozzle having an elongated body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve having an open position and a closed position, the valve having first and second ports, the first and second ports being in fluid communication within the valve in the open position and not in fluid communication in the closed position, the first port being in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port being in fluid communication with the outlet wherein the improvement includes structure for mounting an attachment on the elongated body and structure for operating the the nozzle including a pivotally mounted lever having a handle portion which is movable toward and away from the outlet, movement of the handle portion toward the outlet increases the rate of fluid flow by increasing the opening of the valve, whereby a user may use arm or torso movement to both urge the nozzle toward a vehicle being refueled as well has changed the rate of fluid flow.

Problems solved by technology

They often incorporate accordion-like seals that some motorists contend make the nozzles more difficult to use.

Conventional gasoline dispensing nozzles are often found to be difficult to operate by handicapped, physically impaired, prosthetic limb users, and other disadvantaged consumers.

Conventional fuel delivery nozzles do not utilize ball valves and thus the teachings of the prior art apparatus are not readily applicable to the valves used for gasoline nozzles and the like.

This motion and specifically the required motor skills and muscular strength in the fingers is difficult to achieve for some disadvantaged persons.

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