Methods and devices for handling a fuel dispenser hose

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10308498-B2
Application number	US-201615222280-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2016
Priority date	May 26, 2014
Publication date	Jun 4, 2019
Grant date	Jun 4, 2019

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are based on the idea of providing a device (2) for handling a hose (3) and a fuel dispensing unit (1) having such a device (2). This is basically achieved by an elastic element (13) that is adapted to extend within a frame element (8) and to be guided by a guiding element (9, 10), and by a hose guiding means (15) which is movable away from said frame element (8) allowing said hose (3) to be pulled from an idle position to an operating position when said elastic element (13) is extended.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
removing a nozzle from a fuel dispenser having a cabinet with fuel dispensing components and a frame having a channel defined by two opposing hollow columns that extend vertically above the cabinet and a top hollow part that extends horizontally between and connects the two opposing hollow columns, the nozzle being coupled to a first end of a hose and the hose having a second end coupled to the fuel dispenser, the hose extending through a hose guide coupled to the frame, the hose guide being coupled to a first end of an elastic element, and a second end of the elastic element being fixedly attached to an end of the channel of the frame such that a first portion of the elastic element vertically extends through the channel along one of the two opposing hollow columns and a second portion of the elastic element horizontally extends through the channel along the top hollow part, wherein the hose guide moves away from the frame to extend the elastic element when the nozzle is moved a distance away such that the hose is pulled from an idle position to an operating position.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hose guide is coupled to the top hollow part and moves away from the top hollow part when the hose is pulled from the idle position to the operating position.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastic element moves in both vertical and horizontal directions when the elastic element is extended.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes at least one guiding element that guides the elastic element as the elastic element is extended.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastic element is fixedly attached to one of the two opposing hollow columns.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastic element is fixedly attached to the top hollow part.

7. A method, comprising:
removing a nozzle from a fuel dispenser having a cabinet with fuel dispensing components and a frame having first and second hollow columns extending vertically above the cabinet and a top hollow part extending horizontally from an upper end of the first hollow column to an upper end of the second column, the nozzle being coupled to a first end of a hose and the hose having a second end coupled to the fuel dispenser, the hose extending through a hose guide coupled to the frame of the fuel dispenser, the hose guide being coupled to a first end of an elastic element, and a second end of the elastic element being fixedly attached to a lower end of the first hollow column, the lower end being opposite the upper end of the first hollow column, such that the elastic element extends through the first hollow column and through the top hollow part, wherein the hose guide moves away from the frame to stretch the elastic element from an initial length to an extended length when the nozzle is moved a distance away such that the hose is pulled from an idle position to an operating position.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the hose guide is coupled to the top hollow part and moves away from the top hollow part when the hose is pulled from the idle position to the operating position.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the elastic element moves in both vertical and horizontal directions when the elastic element is stretched.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the frame includes at least one guiding element that guides the elastic element as the elastic element is stretched.

11. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
a cabinet;
a frame having first and second hollow columns, the first column vertically extending from a first side of the cabinet and the second column vertically extending from an opposing second side of the cabinet, and a top hollow part extending horizontally from an upper end of the first hollow column to an upper end of the second hollow column;
a hose guide coupled to the frame and movable away from the frame;
an elastic element having a first end coupled to the hose guide and a second end coupled to one of the first and second columns, wherein the elastic element has a first portion extending vertically through one of the first and second hollow columns of the frame and a second portion extending horizontally through the top hollow part of the frame;
a hose extending through the hose guide and configured to move the hose guide away from the frame such that the elastic element is extended; and
a first unbiased guiding element disposed within the frame and having the elastic element positioned therearound such that the first unbiased guiding element guides the elastic element when the hose guide is moved away from the frame.

12. The fuel dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the first unbiased guiding element is disposed at a first end of the top hollow part of the frame.

13. The fuel dispenser of claim 11 , further comprising a second unbiased guiding element disposed within the frame and having the elastic element positioned therearound such that the second guiding element guides the elastic element when the hose guide is moved away from the frame.

14. The fuel dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the first unbiased guiding element is disposed within the frame at a first end of the top hollow part adjacent to the first hollow column of the frame, and the second unbiased guiding element is disposed within the frame at a second end of the top hollow part adjacent to the second hollow column of the frame.

15. The fuel dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the cabinet includes a hydraulics cabinet containing fuel dispensing components, and an electronics cabinet mounted above the hydraulics cabinet.

16. The fuel dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the hose guide is coupled to the top hollow part of the frame adjacent to one of the first and second hollow columns.

Assignees

• Wayne Fueling Systems Llc

Inventors

• Larsson Bengt I
• Martensson Mattias G
• Helgesson Hanna

Classifications

• B67D7/04

  for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants · CPC title

• F16L3/012

  using reels · CPC title

• B67D7/40 Primary

  Suspending, reeling or storing devices (supports for storing lengths of hoses, in general B65H75/34) · CPC title

• B67D7/84

  Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports · CPC title