Abstract:
A breakaway separation detection and alerting system. A breakaway fuel hose is connected to a fuel pump. A breakaway unit connects the nozzle hose section and the fuel pump hose section of the breakaway fuel hose together. When the breakaway fuel hose is subject to tension in excess of a predetermined load, the breakaway unit will separate. An alarm activation device will then activate an alarm capable of alerting an individual remotely located from the breakaway fuel hose. In a first preferred embodiment, the at least one alarm is a first alarm and a second alarm. The first alarm is located in proximity to the fuel pump and the second alarm is located remotely where a fueling station employee can monitor it. The first preferred embodiment also has a transmitter and a receiver. When a breakaway separation condition occurs, the first alarm sounds. Also, the transmitter sends a signal to the receiver. The receiver then activates the second alarm, alerting the remotely located fueling station employee.

Description:
The present invention relates to fuel dispensers, and in particular to devices for preventing or minimizing damage caused by a breakaway separation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years self-service fuel pumps at gasoline stations have become the industry standard. The majority of fuel pumps at gasoline stations are self-service as opposed to full-service. Most consumers prefer to pump their own fuel because it costs less than it does to have a gas station employee pump it. However, a consequence of allowing customers to pump their own fuel occurs when a customer forgets to remove the fuel nozzle from a vehicle&#39;s fuel tank inlet before driving away. This situation, which is commonly referred to today as either a “breakaway separation”, “drive off”, or a “drive away” can be very dangerous and expensive. A large gas station having four islands of three pumps per island, on average, may experience at least one breakaway separation condition per month. 
     To address the problem of a drive off, breakaway units have been developed. A breakaway unit enables a fuel hose to be easily and safely severed in the event of a breakaway separation condition. FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of a prior art breakaway unit during a breakaway separation condition. Breakaway unit  304  of fuel hose  307  of pump  301  has broken apart as automobile  308  has driven away with nozzle  309  in its fuel tank inlet. Upper section  305  of breakaway unit  304  remains attached to the section of fuel hose  307  connected to pump  301  and lower section  306  remains attached to the section of fuel hose  307  that is attached to nozzle  309 . A valve in upper section  305  closes, thereby preventing spillage of fuel out of the section of the severed fuel hose  307  that is connected to fuel pump  301 . A fuel hose breakaway unit is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,471, which is herein incorporated by reference. Regardless of the utilization of breakaway units, breakaway separation conditions are still very costly. A typical repair bill can be on average anywhere from approximately $500 to $1000. The repair can even reach as high as $10,000 or more if there is dispenser damage or a fire occurs as the result of the breakaway separation. If the breakaway separation condition occurs and the gas station employee does not know about it until the driver of the automobile has left the scene, the repair cost will have to be carried by the owners of the gas station. If the driver voluntarily stops or is stopped prior to leaving the scene, his automobile liability insurance can typically be relied upon to cover the cost or repairs. In many cases when a breakaway separation occurs, the driver leaves the gas station before the employee recognizes the damage. The driver may not be aware of the damage, or if he is, he often does not report it. Therefore, usually it is the gas station owner that pays for repairs as the result of a breakaway separation. 
     A Prior Art Method for Addressing Drive Off Conditions 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,247, issued to Botkin, discloses a nozzle that has a discharge tube that is attached to the nozzle valve by means of a nut that breaks “with a sound that is audible for considerable distance”. However, there is no explanation in of how the Botkin device would alert a remotely located gas station employee of a breakaway separation condition. For example, it is unlikely that the sound described by Botkin would be loud enough to alert a gas station employee located in an office. Moreover, Applicants are not aware of any current application of the Botkin device. 
     What is needed is a device for providing ample warning to remotely located gas station employees that a breakaway separation has occurred. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a breakaway separation detection and alerting system. A breakaway fuel hose is connected to a fuel pump. A breakaway unit connects the nozzle hose section and the fuel pump hose section of the breakaway fuel hose together. When the breakaway fuel hose is subject to tension in excess of a predetermined load, the breakaway unit will separate. An alarm activation device will then activate an alarm capable of alerting an individual remotely located from the breakaway fuel hose. In a first preferred embodiment, the at least one alarm is a first alarm and a second alarm. The first alarm is located in proximity to the fuel pump and the second alarm is located remotely where a fueling station employee can monitor it. The first preferred embodiment also has a transmitter and a receiver. When a breakaway separation condition occurs, the first alarm sounds. Also, the transmitter sends a signal to the receiver. The receiver then activates the second alarm, alerting the remotely located fueling station employee. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows the present invention during a breakaway separation condition. 
     FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified drawing of a preferred transmitter/alarm. 
     FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a simplified drawing of a preferred receiver/alarm. 
     FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 10-12 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the operation of a prior art breakaway unit. 
     FIG. 14 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be seen by reference to FIGS. 1-12 and  14 . 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of nozzle  50  inserted into fuel pump  1  of island  20 . FIG. 2 shows a front view of island  20 . In addition to fuel pump  1 , island  20  also has fuel pumps  2  and  3 . As shown in FIG. 1, fuel hose  52  is connected at one end to nozzle  50  and at its other end to breakaway unit  54 . Breakaway unit  54  has an upper section  51  and a lower section  53  that are connected to each other. In a preferred embodiment, when fuel hose  52  is subject to a tension force of  250  lbs., lower section  53  will separate from upper section  51 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of fuel hose  52  connected to breakaway unit  54 . Collar  56  is loosely slid over fuel hose  52 . Collar  56  hangs from swivel joint  58  via cable  60  so that it is situated below breakaway unit  54 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rigid support  64  extends downward from island  20 . Cable  62  is connected to swivel joint  58  at one end, is then run through rigid support  64 , and is connected to magnetic unit  66  at its other end. A detailed view of magnetic unit  66  is shown in FIG.  4 . In a preferred embodiment, rare earth magnets  67  and  68  are bolted together via bolt  69 . Bolt  69  has loop  70  attached at its end. Split rubber pointed end piece  71  is held secure against magnet  68  via loop  70 . Preferably, split rubber pointed end piece  71  is also glued to magnet  68 . Cable  62  is looped through loop  70  of bolt  69 . 
     Magnetic attractive force holds magnetic unit  66  flush against metallic support box  72 . When magnetic unit  66  is in place and flush against metallic support box  72 , it presses against button  74 . Button  74  is connected to transmitter/alarm  30 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Guide plate  76  functions to help properly position magnetic unit  66  flush against metallic support box  72  and centered over button  74 , as shown in FIG.  2  and FIG.  4 . Preferably, guide plate  76  is riveted to metallic support box  72  via rivets  77 . 
     Operation of the First Preferred Embodiment 
     FIG. 3 shows nozzle  50  of pump  3  inserted through gas tank inlet  80  of automobile  82 . In FIG. 3, automobile  82  has driven away from island  20  without removing nozzle  50 . This has caused fuel hose  52  to break at breakaway unit  54 . Lower section  53  is attached to the section of fuel hose  52  that is attached to nozzle  50  and upper section  51  is attached to the section of fuel hose  52  that is attached to fuel pump  3 . 
     As lower section  53  separates from upper section  51 , it pulls collar  56  along with it. Collar  56  pulls cable  62 , which in turn pulls magnetic unit  66 . As automobile  82  is driven away, magnetic unit  66  is pulled away from island  20  through support  64 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of magnetic unit  66  being pulled away from metallic support box  72 . As magnetic unit  66  is pulled away, pressure is released from button  74 , allowing it to expand. As button  75  expands, a loud, audible alarm sounds and flashing lights go off at transmitter/alarm  30 . Also, a RF signal is transmitted from transmitter/alarm  30  so that it can be received by receiver/alarm  120  in employee office  130 , as shown in FIG.  9 . As with transmitter/alarm  30 , receiver/alarm  120  also emits a loud, audible alarm and flashing lights as a warning that a breakaway separation has occurred. Details of the operation of transmitter/alarm  30  and receiver/alarm  120  are given below. 
     Transmitter 
     FIG. 6 shows a simplified drawing of the components of a preferred transmitter/alarm  30 . In the first preferred embodiment, transmitter/alarm  30  is powered by battery  86 . One advantage of making transmitter/alarm  30  battery powered is that it becomes relatively easy to install. Battery status circuit  88  is connected to battery  86  and directs current to L.E.D.  90 . By monitoring L.E.D.  90 , an employee is able to verify that battery  86  has sufficient charge to power transmitter/alarm  30 . 
     Switch  92  is connected to battery  86 . As explained above, when magnetic unit  66  is pulled away, pressure is released from button  74 , allowing it to expand. When button  74  expands a circuit (not shown) is closed sending an electrical signal to switch  92  causing it to close. Current is then allowed to flow from battery  86  to L.E.D. flashing circuit  94 , two tone siren circuit  96  and RF transmitter circuit  98 . L.E.D. flashing circuit  94  directs current flow to flashing circuit L.E.D.&#39;s  95 . Two tone siren circuit directs current flow to speaker amp  97  which amplifies speaker  99 . RF transmitter circuit  98  converts the signal from battery  86  to a radio frequency signal that is transmitted from transmitter/alarm  30  via antenna  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the RF signal leaving antenna  100  is a FM signal. 
     Reset circuit  104  is connected to switch  92 . By pressing button  102 , the employee can cause switch  92  to open, which breaks the flow of current to L.E.D. flashing circuit  94 , two tone siren circuit  96  and RF transmitter circuit  98 . Also, in the preferred embodiment, when magnetic unit  66  is replaced, button  74  is collapsed. This causes switch  92  to open. 
     Receiver 
     FIG. 8 shows a simplified drawing of the components of a preferred receiver/alarm  120 . Preferably, receiver/alarm  120  is located in the employee office  130 , as shown in FIG.  9 . As shown in FIG. 8, power plug  124  connects receiver/alarm  120  to a suitable power source, such as a rectified and regulated standard household electric circuit. The RF signal transmitted from antenna  100  (FIG. 6) is received by antenna  128  and is directed to RF receiver circuit  122  where it is converted to an electrical signal. Switch  126  is normally in the closed position and allows current from RF receiver circuit  122  to be directed to L.E.D. flashing circuit  132  and bell driver circuit  134 . RF receiver circuit  132  directs current flow to flashing circuit L.E.D.&#39;s  133  and bell driver circuit  134  directs current flow to bell  135 . The ringing of bell  135  and the flashing of flashing circuit L.E.D.&#39;s  133  alerts the employee stationed in employee office  130  that a breakaway separation has occurred. 
     The employee can turn off bell  135  and flashing circuit L.E.D.&#39;s  133  by pressing button  136 . Pressing button  136  causes open switch circuit  137  to open switch  126 . Likewise, the employee can close switch  126  by pressing button  138 . Pressing button  138  causes close switch circuit  139  to close switch  126 . 
     Use of the First Preferred Embodiment with Multiple Islands at a Gas Station FIG. 9 shows island  20  (having pump  1 , pump  2  and pump  3 ), island  22  (having pump  4 , pump  5  and pump  6 ), island  24  (having pump  7 , pump  8  and pump  9 ) and island  26  (having pump  10 , pump  11  and pump  12 ). Each island has its own transmitter/alarm  30 . In the first preferred embodiment, each transmitter/alarm  30  transmits a RF signal at the same frequency. Therefore, for example, if a breakaway separation condition occurred at pump  8 , an audible and visual alarm would be emitted at transmitter/alarm  30  at island  24 . Also, a RF signal would be transmitted by transmitter/alarm  30  and received at receiver/alarm  120  in employee office  130  where an audible and visual alarm would be emitted. The employee would know that somewhere at the gas station a breakaway separation condition has occurred. After leaving the employee office, he would be able to observe each of the islands and immediately determine where the condition occurred. At this point, for example, the driver of the vehicle will hear the sound of transmitter/alarm  30  and will most likely voluntarily stop his vehicle. If the driver of the vehicle does not stop and proceeds to drive away from the gas station, the employee (alerted by transmitter/alarm  30  and/or receiver/alarm  120 ) can record his license plate and report the incident to the police. The driver of the vehicle can then be held accountable for all necessary repairs as the result of the breakaway separation. 
     Cost Savings Benefit of the Present Invention 
     Applicant estimates that the cost of purchasing and installing transmitter/alarm  30  at an island having three pumps is approximately $300.00. Applicant also estimates that the cost of purchasing and installing receiver/alarm  120  in the employee&#39;s office is approximate $250.00. Therefore, if a gas station has four islands and one employee&#39;s office, the total cost to purchase and install the present invention on each island at the gas station and in the employee&#39;s office is approximately $1450.00. If it is assumed that the gas station owner pays on average $500 per month to repair breakaway separation resultant damage, in the first year a gas station owner will save approximately $4550 (12 months×$500/month−$1450=$4550). Thereafter, the gas station owner may save approximately $6000 per year by utilization of the present invention. 
     Second Preferred Embodiment 
     A second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10-12. The second preferred embodiment shows that it is possible to attach transmitter/alarm  150  directly to breakaway unit  54 , as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 11 shows transmitter/alarm  150  rigidly attached to upper section  51 . Pressure from lower section  53  holds button  152  in a compressed state. When a breakaway separation condition occurs, lower section  53  is removed, as shown in FIG.  12 . The pressure on button  152  is released and button  152  is allowed to expand. As button  152  expands, a loud, audible alarm sounds and flashing lights go off at transmitter/alarm  150 . Also, a RF signal is transmitted from transmitter/alarm  150  so that it can be received by receiver/alarm  120  in employee office  130 . As with transmitter/alarm  150 , receiver/alarm  120  also emits a loud, audible alarm and flashing lights as a warning that a breakaway separation has occurred. Details of the operation of transmitter/alarm  150  are similar to those of transmitter/alarm  30  that are described above. 
     Third Preferred Embodiment 
     In both the first and second preferred embodiments, the present invention was described such that when a breakaway separation has occurred, a visual and audible alarm is emitted at the actual island where the breakaway separation occurred and a RF signal is sent to an employee office where there is a receiver and another visual and audible alarm. In the third preferred embodiment, there is only an electrical alarm at the gas pump and no transmitter. The internal components of the alarm for the third preferred embodiment are similar to those shown in FIG. 6 for transmitter/alarm  30 , except that RF transmitter circuit  98  and antenna  100  are omitted. In the third preferred embodiment, the alarm is preferably loud enough so that an employee can hear it at remote locations of the gas station. A preferred audible alarm would emit a siren sound that would measure approximately 100 dbA at 50 feet in any direction from the alarm. A typical fire engine siren emits a sound that is approximately 100 dbA at 50 feet in front of the fire engine. 
     Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
     In the fourth preferred embodiment, RF transmitter  602  is connected to island  600  with pumps  1 - 3 , as shown in FIG.  14 . RF transmitter  602  is configured to emit an RF signal when a breakaway separation condition occurs at island  600  in a fashion similar to that described above for transmitter/alarm  30  in the first preferred embodiment. However, RF transmitter  602  preferably does not have a visual or audio alarm. In the fourth preferred embodiment employee  502  wears beeper  500  that emits a beeping noise that the employee can hear when it receives a RF signal generated by RF transmitter  602 . Beeper  500  is a portable receiver/alarm. After hearing beeper  500 , employee  502  will know immediately that a breakaway separation condition has occurred. 
     Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the above preferred embodiments specifically discussed the utilization of the present invention at gas stations, it could be used with equal effectiveness at all types of fueling stations. Also, although in referring to FIG. 9 while discussing the first preferred embodiment it was stated that each transmitter/alarm  30  transmits a RF signal at the same frequency, it would also be possible to configure each transmitter/alarm  30  to transmit at its own unique frequency. Then, receiver/alarm  120  could likewise be configured to sound a unique visual and/or audible alarm depending on which island the breakaway separation occurred. Therefore, the employee would be able to know immediately which island the breakaway separation occurred at without having to leave employee office  130 . Also, although the first preferred embodiment showed transmitter/alarm  30  as a separate item that be easily mounted to an island, it is also possible to build an island or a gas pump with transmitter/alarm  30  already installed. Moreover, receiver/alarm  120  could easily be integrated into the dispenser control system typically monitored by the gas station employee operating the cash register. Also, although the first and second preferred embodiments stated the transmitter/alarm  30  transmits an RF signal, it would be possible to configure it to transmit other types of signals that could be received by receiver/alarm  120 . For example, transmitter/alarm  30  could transmit an optical signal or an infrared signal. Also, transmitter/alarm  30  could be electrically connected to receiver/alarm  120  via an electrically conductive wire. Also, although it is stated that in the above preferred embodiments that receiver/alarm  120  is located in the employee&#39;s office, receiver/alarm  120  can be located at other locations, such as in the repair garage or in the wash room. Also, several receiver/alarms  120  could be placed throughout the gas station so that the employee could be sure to hear it wherever he may be. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.