Roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system

A roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system which is transportable, deployable, and made operable by a single individual, from a vehicle such as a truck and which includes a roll-off platform assembly, a roller assembly, and a large planar base. A plurality of essential and sensitive components including a fuel vessel, a fuel pumping and metering unit, a pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support, a fuel distribution hose having a fuel nozzle, and an area lighting apparatus including a pivotally collapsible light standard and a light are mounted on the large planar base. These essential and sensitive components are all confined within a security fence which is mounted on the large planar base around the perimeter thereof. The security fence includes front and side access doors or gates. Located outside the security fence along one side thereof is a pivotable arm assembly which at one end carries a generator platform that extends beneath the front access door or gate of the security fence and into the area confined by the security fence when the roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system is in its transport or storage mode. The generator platform supports an electric generator and a fire extinguisher. Upon opening the front access door or gate, the pivotable arm assembly is movable to relocate the electric generator and the fire extinguisher from within the security fence to a position outside the security fence at a distance away from the fuel vessel and the fuel pumping and metering unit for the operation mode to promote safety during operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention is for a roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing
 platform system which functions as a portable self-powered fuel dispenser,
 and in particular is for a roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform
 system which is operated and placed by a single operator, which is
 transportable upon and deployable from a vehicle such as a truck or other
 appropriately configured transport device, and which has an electrical
 power source that is pivotally relocatable at a safe distance from a fuel
 vessel and a fuel pumping and metering unit.
 2. Description of the Prior Art
 None.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a roll-off
 self-powered fuel dispensing platform system. The roll-off self-powered
 fuel dispensing platform system includes a roll-off platform assembly
 having a rectangular base upon which a fuel vessel, a fuel pumping and
 metering unit, an area lighting apparatus, a fire extinguisher and an
 electric generator mounted on a pivotable arm assembly, and other
 components are mounted. For safety and for fire or other codes, it is
 desirable to have the fuel vessel and the fuel pumping and metering unit
 located at a distance from any sources which could promote fire or
 explosion such as, but not limited to, the electric generator and its
 exhaust system. The pivotable arm assembly provides a means for easily and
 readily moving the electric generator to a location distant from the fuel
 vessel and the fuel pumping and metering unit prior to starting of the
 generator and use of the fuel pumping and metering unit. The area lighting
 apparatus includes a pivotally collapsible light standard and a light for
 illumination for use of the invention at night; and a security fence is
 provided to deter theft and vandalism of essential and sensitive
 components of the invention. The roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing
 platform system can be delivered, deployed and operated by a single
 operator. The invention can also function with electrical power provided
 by another external and outside source if nearby electrical power is
 available for use and if the electrical generator is not required or
 desired.
 According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
 roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system including a roll-off
 platform assembly and such elements as a security fence including access
 doors or gates, a pivotally collapsible light standard and a light, a
 pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support, a
 fuel vessel, a fuel pumping and metering unit, and a pivotable arm
 assembly, all of which secure to the base the roll-off platform or ending
 of and comprise the majority of the members of the roll-off platform
 assembly. An electric generator and a fire extinguisher are secured to a
 generator platform located on one end of the pivotable arm assembly.
 One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a roll-off
 self-powered fuel dispensing platform system which is portable,
 self-powered and self-contained.
 Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a
 roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system which includes a
 fuel vessel, a fuel pumping and metering unit, and an electric generator
 mounted to the base of a roll-off platform assembly, with the electric
 generator being mounted on a pivotable arm assembly which is moveable to
 distance and locate the electric generator away from the fuel vessel and
 the fuel pumping and metering unit prior to operation.
 Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an
 area lighting apparatus for operation of the invention at night.
 Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a
 security fence surrounding the inwardly located essential and sensitive
 components of the invention.
 A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a
 roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system which can be
 delivered, deployed from a vehicle and set up by a single operator.
 Having thus described embodiments and significant aspects and features of
 the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention
 to provide a roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing
 platform system 10. A plurality of components secure to a suitable
 portable and mobile structure, which in this case is a roll-off platform
 assembly 12 such as that which is transportable upon and deployable from a
 truck or other vehicle. Although a roll-off platform assembly 12, such as
 normally used with roll-off devices, is exemplified as the suitable
 portable and mobile structure, other suitable portable and mobile
 structures such as a truck bed, a rail car flat bed or other such
 structure which can be readily transported can be utilized as a suitable
 structure, and therefore the use of a roll-off platform assembly 12 shall
 not be deemed to be limiting to the scope of the invention. The roll-off
 platform assembly 12 includes a large planar base 14, skids 16 and 18
 secured and distributed horizontally along the bottom of the base 14,
 upwardly and inwardly extending box tubes 20 and 22 secured to one end of
 the skids 16 and 18 and to a vertically oriented support plate 24 mounted
 on the base 14, a forward hooking assembly 26 secured to the box tubes 20
 and 22 for use in pulling or otherwise transporting the roll-off platform
 assembly 12, vertically aligned support plates 28 and 30 secured between
 the support plate 24 and the base 14, a support plate 31 located between
 the tops of the support plates 24, 28, 30, and a roller assembly 32
 including a plurality of rollers secured to the bottom of the base 14. A
 security fence 33 mounted on the base 14 surrounds the essential and
 sensitive components of the roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform
 system 10. The security fence 33 is located at the perimeter of the base
 14 and includes a plurality of standards 34a1434n including fence support
 structure secured to the base 14, a front access door or gate 36, a side
 access door or gate 38 (FIG. 2), and woven wire mesh 40 (only partially
 shown) appropriately located and supported between the standards 34a-34n
 and the fence support structure. Woven wire mesh 40 also spans the access
 doors or gate 36 and 38. Some of the essential and sensitive components
 include a fuel vessel or fuel tank 42 secured to the base 14, a fuel
 pumping and metering unit 44, (i.e., a pump and meter combination) a fuel
 distribution hose 92 (FIG. 3), a readily and easily removable vent 46, and
 a filler tube 48. Other essential and sensitive components viewable in
 FIG. 1 are adjacently located components including a pivotally collapsible
 light standard 50, a light 52 and a light switch 53 both of which are
 explosion proof, a pivotally collapsible gravity operated distribution
 hose support 54, and a fuel nozzle support 55.
 With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, another sensitive component, a means for
 powering the pump, shown as an electric generator 56, which also is
 protected behind the security fence 33, is now described. The electric
 generator 56, when not functioning and for purposes of transport or for
 protection against theft or vandalism, is housed behind the security fence
 33 in general, and more specifically, is located just behind the front
 access door or gate 36. A pivotable arm assembly 58 at a forward end is
 provided for support of the electric generator 56 at all times including
 storage, transportation, and for distanced support during operation of the
 electric generator 56 for pumping or other uses. The pivotable arm
 assembly 58 includes a horizontally oriented pivot arm 60, a vertically
 oriented support tube 62 the lower end of which secures to the pivot arm
 60, a support bar 64 secured at one end to the upper region of the support
 tube 62 and at the other end to a mid portion of the support bar 60,
 vertically oriented pivot housings 66 and 68 secured to the upper and
 lower end regions of the support tube 62, upper and lower pivot brackets
 70 and 72 secured to the support plate 24, and pivot pins (not
 illustrated) passing through the pivot housings 66 and 68 and pivot
 brackets 70 and 72, respectively, to pivotally connect the pivotable arm
 assembly 58 to the base 14 via the support plates 24 and 28. A locking tab
 74 having a body hole secures to and extends outwardly towards the viewer
 from the upper region of the vertical support tube 62 and another locking
 tab 76 having a body hole extends sideways from the support plate 24, the
 uses of which are described later in detail. A generator platform 78, part
 of the pivot arm assembly 58, secures to and extends horizontally and
 inwardly from the left end of the pivot arm 60, as also shown in FIG. 3.
 The generator platform 78 also extends beneath the bottom of the front
 access door or gate 36. The electric generator 56 and a fire extinguisher
 82 mount to the upper side of the generator platform 78 and are
 protectively located inwardly from and behind the front access door or
 gate 36. A removable pin 84 extends through a cylindrical sleeve 83
 secured to the left end of the pivot arm 60 and through an aligned hole 81
 in the base 14 to secure the left end of the pivotable arm assembly 58
 from rotation about the pivot structure adjacent to the support tube 62
 during periods of transport or storage. The removable pin 84 is also
 utilized during operation of the invention, as later described in detail.
 Teflon support bars 85 and 87 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 are secured
 to the bottom of the generator platform 78 to provide for support of the
 electric generator 56, the fire extinguisher 82 and the generator platform
 78 in intimate contact with the base 14 located at the left end of the
 pivot arm 60. Such support is especially desirable during transportation
 of the roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system 10 to relieve
 vertical transportational stresses on the pivotal arm assembly 58. A
 properly housed (explosion proof) electrical power line (not illustrated)
 is routed from the electric generator 56 along the pivot arm 60, upwardly
 along the support bar 64 and through an orifice 89 (FIG. 1) extending
 through the support plate 24 to the required areas such as, but not
 limited to, the light 52 and the fuel pumping and metering unit 44. The
 pivotally collapsible light standard 50, the pivotally collapsible gravity
 operated fuel distribution hose support 54 and the fuel nozzle support 55
 are part of a support assembly 86, best shown in FIG. 3. The support
 assembly 86 provides structure for the support of the pivotally
 collapsible light standard 50 and the pivotally collapsible gravity
 operated fuel distribution hose support 54, each of which utilizes a pivot
 and a locking pin extending through the structure of the support assembly
 86, and for the fuel nozzle support 55. Clamps 88 and 90 are secured to
 the base 14 to secure the pivotally collapsible light standard 50 and the
 pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support 54,
 respectively, in the collapsed position such as for transport of the
 roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system 10.
 FIG. 3 illustrates a left end view of the roll-off self-powered fuel
 dispensing platform system 10, where all numerals correspond to those
 previously or otherwise described. The security fence woven wire mesh 40
 is not shown and several of the standards 34a-34n and the access doors or
 gates 36 and 38 are not shown for the purpose of brevity and clarity.
 Illustrated in particular is the relationship of the pivotable arm
 assembly 58 to the components of the roll-off platform assembly 12. In
 particular, the Teflon support bars 85 and 87 of the generator platform
 78, having the electric generator 56 and the fire extinguisher 82 attached
 thereto, are shown in intimate relationship with the upper surface of the
 base 14.
 Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is the fuel distribution hose 92 connecting
 between the fuel pumping and metering unit 44 and a fuel nozzle 94. The
 pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support 54
 supports the fuel distribution hose 92; and the fuel nozzle 94 is
 supported by the fuel nozzle support 55 located at one end of the support
 assembly 86.
 FIG. 4 illustrates a right end view of the roll-off self-powered fuel
 dispensing platform system 10, where all numerals correspond to those
 previously or otherwise described. Shown in particular is the hooking
 assembly 26 secured to the box tubes 20 and 22. Also shown in the
 illustration is the relationship of the locking tab 74 on the support tube
 62 to the locking tab 76 extending from the support plate 24.
 MODE OF OPERATION
 FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate the mode of operation of the roll-off self-powered
 fuel dispensing platform system 10, where all numerals correspond to those
 previously or otherwise described. FIG. 2 illustrates, with the exception
 of the pivotally collapsible light standard 50, the pivotally collapsible
 gravity operated fuel distribution hose support 54, and the vent 46, the
 configuration of the roll-off self-powered fuel dispensing platform system
 10 in the transport or storage mode. In the transport mode, and in the
 storage mode if desired, the pivotally collapsible light standard 50 and
 the pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support
 54 would be pivoted about the support assembly 86 and secured to the base
 14 in a substantially horizontal position by the clamps 88 and 90,
 respectively; and the vent 46 would be removed to present a low profile
 for vertical clearance during transport. The pivotable arm assembly 58 is
 secured in a position parallel to and just above the front edge of the
 base 14 by the pin 84 extending through the cylindrical sleeve 83 at the
 left end of the pivot arm 60. The majority of the generator platform 78 is
 subsequently fixed in position inwardly behind the front access door or
 gate 36, and a portion of the generator platform 78 extends beneath the
 front access door or gate 36. The electric generator 56 and the fire
 extinguisher 82 are protectively located on the generator platform 78
 behind the front access door or gate 36 which, of course, can include a
 locking mechanism.
 FIG. 5 illustrates the configuration of the roll-off self-powered fuel
 dispensing platform system 10 for use in the dispensing mode. In the
 dispensing mode either of the access doors or gates 36 or 38 is used to
 allow an operator access behind the security fence 33 to erect the
 pivotally collapsible gravity operated fuel distribution hose support 54,
 the pivotally collapsible light standard 50, and the vent 46. The access
 door or gate 36 must first be opened as shown by arrow 96 to allow for
 pivotal repositioning of the pivotable arm assembly 58 as shown by arrow
 98 about the pivot housings 66 and 68 and the pivot brackets 70 and 72.
 Pivotal repositioning of the pivotable arm assembly 58 is instrumental in
 transporting the electric generator 56 as well as the fire extinguisher 82
 a safe distance from the centrally located components of the invention
 such as the fuel vessel or fuel tank 42, the fuel pumping and metering
 unit 44 and other critical components. Subsequent to disengagement of the
 pin 84 from the hole 81 in the base 14 and from the cylindrical sleeve 83,
 the pivotable arm assembly 58 is pivotally repositioned as indicated by
 arrow 98. Pivotal repositioning of the pivotable arm assembly 58 provides
 for alignment of the locking tab 74 of the pivotable arm assembly 58 with
 the locking tab 76 located on the support plate 24. The pin 84 is then
 inserted through the aligned body holes located in the aligned locking
 tabs 74 and 76 to positionally secure the pivotable arm assembly 58 at a
 safe distance from the fuel vessel or fuel tank 42, the fuel pumping and
 metering unit 44 and other critical components. The electric generator 56
 can be started at the position shown to be utilized to provide power for
 the fuel pumping and metering unit 44, the light 52 and other externally
 located devices as required. Furthermore, during generator operation, the
 access doors or gates 36 and 38 can be locked closed to deny access to the
 components such as the fuel pumping and metering unit 44 located inside
 the security fence 33, if desired.
 Various modifications can be made to the present invention without
 departing from the apparent scope hereof.

ROLL-OFF SELF-POWERED
 FUEL DISPENSING PLATFORM SYSTEM
 TS LIST
 10 roll-off self-powered fuel
 dispensing platform system
 12 roll-off platform assembly
 14 base
 16 skid
 18 skid
 20 box tube
 22 box tube
 24 support plate
 26 hooking assembly
 28 support plate
 30 support plate
 31 support plate
 32 roller assembly
 33 security fence
 34a-n standards
 36 front access door or gate
 38 side access door or gate
 40 woven wire mesh
 42 fuel vessel or fuel tank
 44 fuel pumping and metering unit
 46 vent
 48 filler tube
 50 collapsible light standard
 52 light
 53 light switch
 54 collapsible fuel distribution
 hose support
 55 fuel nozzle support
 56 electric generator
 58 pivotable arm assembly
 60 pivot arm
 62 support tube
 64 support bar
 66 pivot housing
 68 pivot housing
 70 pivot bracket
 72 pivot bracket
 74 locking tab
 76 locking tab
 78 generator platform
 81 hole
 82 fire extinguisher
 83 cylindrical sleeve
 84 pin
 85 support bar
 86 support assembly
 87 support bar
 88 clamp
 89 orifice
 90 clamp
 92 fuel distribution hose
 94 fuel nozzle
 96 arrow
 98 arrow