Tools – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-27
2003-11-18
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Miscellaneous
C081S003400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06647838
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a coupler tool for use in manually opening an API standard dry break coupler used in the loading of gasoline or other fuels from fuel loading equipment into fuel transport trucks and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel tanker trucks are typically loaded with fuel at bulk terminals by attaching an API standard dry break coupler on the end of a flexible fuel transfer hose to a mating adapter on the tanker truck to permit the flow of fuel to the tanker truck. For safety and leak-free operation, such couplers are designed with suitable internal mechanisms to insure proper alignment and connections with the mating tanker truck adapters when coupled before the couplers can be opened by the operator.
A typical bulk loading terminal may have ten to twelve couplers in use. Some larger terminals may have as many as thirty or more couplers in use. These couplers require maintenance due to constant use. When servicing and repairing the couplers and associated fuel loading equipment, it becomes necessary to open the couplers to drain the fuel from the equipment. Heretofore this was accomplished by hand, which was made difficult because of the multiple internal mechanisms of the couplers that insure safe and leak-free operation. Thus there is a need for a coupler tool that enables a single operator to manually open such couplers with ease to drain the fuel from the fuel loading equipment prior to servicing and repairing of the couplers and associated fuel loading equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupler tool that enables a single operator to manually open API standard dry break couplers to drain the fuel from the fuel loading equipment to enable servicing and repair of the couplers and associated fuel loading equipment.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the coupler tool comprises a ring machined or molded to simulate a mating tanker truck adapter and a handle portion that allows for easy insertion of the ring into and removal from the coupler.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the coupler tool ring when inserted into the coupler engages the internal mechanisms allowing the coupler to be opened without the use of the mating adapter.
These and other objects, advantages, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2956461 (1960-10-01), Anderson
patent: 3280662 (1966-10-01), Frankenfield
patent: 4788894 (1988-12-01), Mitschele
patent: 5203240 (1993-04-01), Sorter
patent: 5275086 (1994-01-01), Stallings, Jr.
patent: 5407175 (1995-04-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 5628344 (1997-05-01), Roberts
patent: 6044732 (2000-04-01), Astle
Matthews John H.
Miller Roy A.
Esposito Michael F.
Gilbert Teresan W.
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
The Lubrizol Corporation
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