Abstract:
Dual concentric fuel and vapor recovery hoses are disclosed wherein an inner substantially kink-proof reinforced pressure hose carries fuel while an outer larger diameter extruded cover hose provides a vapor recovery path between the two hoses. The dual concentric hoses terminate into an end fitting that provides for separate rotatability of the hoses while also providing direct fuel feed through the fitting and a parallel vapor recovery path.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to curb pump hoses and more particularly to a dual concentric vapor recovery fuel hose and end fitting that is attachable to dual parallel hose pump and nozzle assemblies. 
     In the activity of refueling vehicles, fuel loss in the form of vapor may be measured in the thousands of tons per year and this waste, as well as the obvious hazard and polluting effect, is being countered by various types of vapor recovery systems. These systems generally include a pair of hoses, one carrying fuel to the vehicle while being pumped from the supply, the other carrying fuel vapor from the vehicle tank being filled. Presently used dual hose systems carry parallel hoses that connect, via mounted end fittings, into mating ports on the pump and nozzle. These parallel hoses are made fairly large to permit gravity return of fuel vapors and consequently are heavy, difficult to maneuver without kinking, and do not drape well on the pump stand. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved vapor recovery dual hose configuration that is more flexible in handling, eliminates excess weight and bulk of parallel hose systems, is economical to produce, and is readily adapted to parallel hose and nozzle systems by reason of its unique end fitting. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an end fitting for dual concentric hoses that is easily dismantled reusable, and facilitates replacement of either or both hoses. 
     In this respect the invention provides a vapor recovery hose and end fitting assembly comprising a reinforced, substantially non-compressible pressure hose; an extruded rubber cover hose of larger diameter than the pressure hose; and an end fitting connecting both pressure and cover hoses in concentric relationship to each other; said end fitting comprising: a primary body member having an exit port and an inner chamber; means coupling the pressure hose to the exit port; means coupling the cover hose to the inner chamber; and a secondary body member having an exit port and an inner chamber, said secondary body member coupled to said primary body member such that the inner chambers are interconnected, said exit port of the primary body member providing a path for fuel delivery while said exit port of the secondary body member provides a vapor return path between the concentric pressure and cover hoses. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects of advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like reference numerals. 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the dual concentric vapor recovery hose and end fitting assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view; in section, of the assembly of FIG. 1 showing the details of the assembly; and 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view, in section and partially broken away, of an alternate embodiment of the end fitting forming a part of this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, a hose end fitting 10 is shown accepting a pair of concentrically oriented hoses 12. The inner hose 14 of the pair is a substantially incompressible reinforced pressure hose as may be used for pumping vehicle fuels. Various constructions are known in the art and may include wire wound reinforcement to maintain the non-kinking integrity of the hose in the pumping of fuels. While the inner hose is substantially incompressible, the outer hose 16 is an extruded rubber cover compounded for abrasion resistance and wear and has an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the inner hose. Assuming that the drawing illustrates the hose fitting at the nozzle end of a fuel dispensing system, arrow 18 indicates the direction of fuel flow into the nozzle while arrows 20 indicate the direction of fuel vapor return. As is clearly evident, vapor recovery is accomplished using the annular volume that exists between the inner and outer hoses. 
     The hose end fitting 10 is designed to couple into prior art nozzles or pump stands having parallel ports wherein dual parallel hoses are attached for communicating fuel and vapor. In this respect, a primary body member 22 is provided to accept concentric hoses 12 while a secondary body member 24 is provided for passage of fuel vapor. As shown in FIG. 1, fuel line attachment is made via threaded nipple 26 while vapor line attachment is made via threaded nipple 28. Obviously, when the end fitting is attached to the pump stand end of the hose assembly, arrows 18 and 20 will be reversed in direction. FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the working elements of hose fitting 10. In particular the fitting comprises a primary body member 22 and an interconnected secondary body member 24. The primary body 22 is characterized by a threaded nipple 26 defining an exit port 30 that terminates on the inside of the body 22 in a larger diameter chamber 32. A hose retaining cylindrical stem 34 is mounted for rotation within the port 30 and the interface 36 is sealed by reason of an O-ring 38. To limit the inward travel of the stem, a contracting type snap ring 40 is mounted in a recess 42 on the protruding end of the stem 34. At the opposite end of the stem 34 the reinforced fuel hose 14 is secured to the stem by gripping ribs 44 and a ferrule 46 in a manner well known in the art. Of course the outward travel of the stem 34 is limited by a shoulder or flange 34a located midway on the stem and abuts the O-ring 38 to effect the seal. Thus the stem 34 is fixed within the primary body 22 but capable of rotational movement therein while communicating fuel in a direct path thru the fitting. 
     In a similar manner, the primary body 22 receives a second hose retaining cylindrical stem 48 that is secured to the larger diameter cover hose 16 by reason of gripping ribs 50 and ferrule 52. The hose stem 48 is slidably received within the primary body 22 and held in position by a threaded collar 54 acting on a stem flange or shoulder 56. Sealing of the stem within the primary body is accomplished by an O-ring 58. As clearly illustrated in the drawing, the diameter of the chamber 32, the inside diameter of the stem 48, and the inside diameter of the hose 16 are substantially the same dimension. 
     In order to communicate fuel vapor to the chamber 32 and thus to the vapor path provided between the hoses 14 and 16, the secondary body member 24 is fit into a connecting port 60 via a nipple end 62 defining a passage 62a into the chamber 32. Secondary body 24 thus rotates on an axis transversely to the axis of the primary body 22. A seal is effected between the secondary body and the port 60 by an elastomeric O-ring 64. In this manner the relative depth and spacing of the two threaded ports 26 and 28 are self-adjusting to the parallel ports of the nozzle or pump stand assembly. 
     Slidably received within the secondary body member and in parallel relationship with the primary body 22 is an insert of hollow stud 66 that has a threaded open end 28 and terminates in a hexagonal nut 68 at the opposite end thereof. The stud 66 defines a chamber 70 that provides a passage to an annular recess 72 cut into the outer surface of the stud. The recess 72 cooperates with the passage 62a in such a manner that fuel vapors entering the chamber 70 may be communicated to the vapor recovery path between the hoses 14 and 16. To seal the stud 66 within the secondary body member, a pair of elastomeric O-rings 74 and 76 are located at either side of the recess 72. 
     An alternate embodiment of the primary body member 22 is illustrated in FIG. 3. For simplicity, the inner hose connection is not included in the drawing as no change is made to that portion shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the primary body 22 is greatly simplified by eliminating the threaded end portion 22b and the hose stem 48 is simplified by eliminating threaded collar 54. Instead, body member 22A comprises a stepped bore 80 having inner increased diameter portions 82 and 84. At the entrance end of portion 84 an annular slot or groove 86 is provided for receiving an expanding type snap-ring 88. In this embodiment hose stem 48 may be shortened and is retrained within the body member 22A by reason of the snap-ring acting on the stem flange or shoulder 56. To seal the connection an O-ring 90 is mounted on the stem 48 at its nipple end 48a. 
     While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.