Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Vehicle
Utility Patent
1999-01-22
2001-01-02
Fox, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Vehicle
C137S572000, C123S469000
Utility Patent
active
06167903
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel dispensing system attachable to a vehicle fuel line for dispensing gasoline directly to an engine driven external device such as a lawnmower or weed eater.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Various household tools such as lawnmowers and weed eaters operate with gasoline powered engines. Accordingly, a small gasoline container must be kept nearby in order to periodically refill the engine's gasoline tank. Because such containers have a limited capacity (usually 5 gallons or less), a user must frequently transport the container to a gasoline station for refilling which is burdensome and inconvenient. Furthermore, when such containers are stored, they often disperse dangerous gasoline fumes throughout a storage facility, significantly increasing the likelihood of fire or explosion. Additionally, vehicles often become stranded roadside when the vehicle's fuel supply is inadvertently exhausted. To aid a stranded driver, another person must transport a portable gasoline container thereto which is dangerous and inconvenient for the reasons described above.
The present invention solves the above enumerated problems by providing a dispensing apparatus attachable to a vehicle's fuel line which allows a user to quickly and conveniently transfer a small quantity of gasoline to an external source. Various fuel tank and transfer systems exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,239 issued to Ford relates to a fuel transfer control apparatus for automatically disabling fuel flow from an auxiliary tank to a main tank when the main tank is full. The device is primarily designed for trucks used in the transportation industry.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,034 issued to Der Manuelian relates to a dual fuel tank system for a vehicle which allows a main tank to be used independently from or in combination with an auxiliary tank.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,294 issued to Jackson relates to a method and apparatus for defueling a vehicle having a fuel tank and fuel pump. The method includes connecting a hose to the fuel system downstream of the fuel tank and electrically connecting the fuel pump to a battery.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,537 issued to Farmer relates to a vehicle fuel system for a truck having multiple tanks, an above tank crossover line interconnecting the tanks, a draw line coupled to a primary tank and a return line coupled to the crossover line or to either of the tanks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,030 issued to Yazaki relates to a fuel tank for a water craft including a wall forming a main container and a lateral extension adjacent the bottom of the container. The extension has at least one transparent wall so that a user may visibly detect moisture accumulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,498 issued to Hajek, II et al relates to a draining apparatus for a fluid reservoir. The device includes a guide housing connected about a fluid reservoir opening and a fluid carrier conduit slidably positioned within the guide housing. The conduit is movable relative to the housing to an extended position for draining the fluid reservoir.
Although various fuel dispensing devices for vehicles exist in the prior art, none relate to a device that is attachable to a vehicle's fuel line for conveniently dispensing fluid to an external source. The present invention includes a manifold means adapted to be coupled with the vehicle's fuel line for dispensing gasoline through an attached hose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser for use with a vehicle's fuel system to conveniently dispense a predetermined quantity of gasoline to an external source. The device comprises a manifold means having an inlet in communication with a pair of outlets. The inlet is configured to be coupled with a port on the vehicle's fuel line. Each outlet includes an internal safety valve means that allows flow therethrough only when a dispensing hose, a pressure gauge or a similar device is connected thereto. Fluid flow to a first outlet may be further disabled or restricted with a mechanical valve means. The device also includes an elongated, flexible hose member having a coupling member at a first end for coupling the hose with the first outlet on the manifold means. At a distal end of the hose is a nozzle member through which gasoline may be selectively delivered. A conventional fuel gauge may be secured to the other outlet. When not in use, the hose may be conveniently stored beneath the engine hood. To dispense gasoline to an external source, the user activates the ignition, opens the mechanical valve means and dispenses a desired amount of gasoline through the nozzle. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gasoline dispensing system that eliminates the dangerous practice of storing portable gasoline containers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a gasoline dispensing system that eliminates the burdensome practice of frequently refilling a portable gasoline container.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3170495 (1965-02-01), Wagner
patent: 4064901 (1977-12-01), Bailey
patent: 4183498 (1980-01-01), Hajek, II et al.
patent: 4595030 (1986-06-01), Yazaki
patent: 4860785 (1989-08-01), Sundstrom, Jr.
patent: 4930537 (1990-06-01), Farmer
patent: 5092294 (1992-03-01), Jackson
patent: 5360034 (1994-11-01), Der Manuelian
patent: 5417239 (1995-05-01), Ford
patent: 5718260 (1998-02-01), Leonardi
Fox John
Tolar Kenneth L.
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