Nozzle actuated system for disabling a vehicle

A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a substance in a storage tank includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving a nozzle in fluidic connection to the storage tank when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable the at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates generally to a vehicle disabling system and specifically to a system for disabling a material handling vehicle that is actuated by placement of a nozzle.

2. Description of the Related Art

A material handling vehicle generally has a length of hose coupled to a dispensing tank for dispersing a material, such as a fuel, from the dispensing tank to a holding tank. The hose typically includes a nozzle such that cooperates with the holding tank to pass the fuel from the dispensing tank to the holding tank. The fuel hose is secured to the material handling vehicle after the fuel is transferred from the dispensing tank to the holding tank. Generally, the fuel hose is wound on a reel located on the vehicle during transit.

The material handling vehicle should be manually disabled during the fueling process to prevent the material handling vehicle from traversing away from the holding tank while the fuel hose is still connected. Generally, an operator of the material handling vehicle manually shifts the transmission of the vehicle to a parked condition and applies an emergency parking brake thereby disabling the vehicle. However, operators commonly fail to complete each of the abovementioned steps to safely render the material handling vehicle inoperable during material transfer. In one instance, the operator traverses away from the holding tank before disconnecting the fuel hose from the holding tank, thereby causing damage to the dispensing tank, the fuel hose and the holding tank. In another instance, the operator traverses away without securing the fuel hose to the reel.

The prior art suggests a variety of devices for rendering a material handing vehicle inoperable. Unfortunately, these prior art devices are often suited only for use with certain vehicles, thus limiting their broad application. Furthermore, these prior art devices may require a large number of moving parts required for operation and/or extensive modification to the vehicle. Moreover, these devices often significantly extend the duration in which a material transfer operation takes place.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to manufacture a disabling system that requires minimal modification to and integration with existing components of the material handling vehicle. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to develop a disabling system that can cooperate with one or more vehicle systems depending on application.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system for disabling a vehicle is disclosed herein, wherein the vehicle carries a storage tank for holding a substance and a nozzle is connectable to a hose in fluidic communication with the storage tank. The system includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving the nozzle when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a system20for disabling a vehicle V carrying a storage tank S is shown herein.

The storage tank S is utilized for holding a substance. The substance may be a flammable liquid or gas, such as, but not limited to, propane, liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline (petrol), petroleum, ethanol, methanol, diesel, hydrogen, kerosene, and jet fuel. The substance may also be a non-flammable liquid or gas, such as, but not limited to, water, compressed air, milk, and vegetable oil. Furthermore, the substance may be a solid, especially a solid in granular form, such as, but not limited to, grains. Moreover, those skilled in the art realize other substances that may be held in the storage tank S in accordance with the subject invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the substance held in the storage tank S is not used to propel the vehicle V, but is instead being merely transported by the vehicle V. A hose H is in fluidic communication with the storage tank S for transporting the substance therethrough.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the system20includes a nozzle22connectable to the hose H, such that, when connected, the nozzle is in fluidic communication with the hose H. As such, the nozzle22is also in fluidic communication with the storage tank S such that the substance stored in the storage tank S may be discharged through the nozzle22. Conversely, the nozzle22may be used to transfer the substance into the storage tank S. The hose H may be wound around a reel R when in transport and unwound as necessary for transfer of the substance. However, those skilled in the art realize that the system20described herein may be utilized without the nozzle22of the illustrated embodiment.

The system20includes a holster24for receiving the nozzle22when the nozzle22is not in use, as can be seen inFIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, the holster24defines a cavity26, as can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, for receiving the nozzle22. Referring toFIGS. 2-5, the holster24of the illustrated embodiment includes a main body28(which defines the cavity26) and a bracket30. The main body28and bracket30, in the illustrated embodiment, are composed of metal for rigidity and durability, and are painted to prevent corrosion. However, those skilled in the art realize that other suitable materials, e.g., plastics, may be utilized to form the main body28and bracket30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle V includes a base B having a generally planar configuration. The bracket30is affixable to the vehicle V. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the bracket30is shown affixed to the generally planar base B. However, those skilled in the art realize that the bracket30may be suitably affixed to other portions of the vehicle V as necessary. The bracket30of the illustrated embodiment includes a flange portion32defining a substantially flat surface (not numbered) and defining a plurality of holes (not numbered). As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of bolts34are disposed through the holes in the flange portion32and holes (not numbered) in the base B. The bolts34engage with a plate36disposed adjacent the base B and opposite the bracket30. Of course, other techniques may be utilized to affix the bracket30to the vehicle V, including, but not limited to, screws (not shown) and welding.

The bracket30is engagable with the main body28. As such, the bracket30of the illustrated embodiment includes an engagement portion38extending from the flange portion32and having an interior surface39. The interior surface39is engagable with the main body28of the holster24. As such, when the main body28is secured to the bracket30and the bracket30is affixed to the vehicle V, the main body28is also secured to the vehicle V.

The bracket30is engagable with the main body28at a plurality of positions along the main body28. As such, the position of the main body28, and the positioning of the holster24itself, may be configured and/or adjusted based on the specific configuration of the vehicle V. This can be readily appreciated by comparingFIG. 2toFIG. 3, where the main body28is in a different position in the respective figures. As such, the system20may be be implemented in a wide variety of vehicles V having different geometrical and spatial configurations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body28has a generally cylindrical shape that extends between a top end40and a bottom end42. That is, the main body28resembles a shaft and has a generally circular cross section. The main body28also has an inner surface44disposed adjacent the cavity26and an outer surface46opposite the cavity26.

The outer surface46of the main body28in the illustrated embodiment defines a plurality of recesses48spaced from one another. The recesses48are annular, or ring like, and extend completely around the outer surface46such that the main body28may be secured in any rotational position. This allows a large amount of flexibility for accommodating different vehicle V designs. However, in another embodiment, the plurality of recesses48may not be ring shaped, i.e., the recesses48may not extend completely around the outer surface46to limit the rotational position of the main body28. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment, the outer surface46may define a single recess (not numbered) in a spiral fashion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement portion38of the bracket30defines at least one hole (not numbered). The hole passes through the interior surface39. More specifically, two holes are disposed through the interior surface39in the illustrated embodiment. Each hole accommodates a bolt50. The bolt50cooperates with at least one of the recesses48of the outer surface46of the main body28for securing the main body28to the bracket24at one of the plurality of positions.

The bracket30of the illustrated embodiment also defines a gap52defined through the engagement portion38. The at least one hole is positioned such that the bolt50traverses the gap52. When the bolt50is tightened, a width of the gap52is reduced, thus allowing the engagement portion38of the bracket30to further engage with the outer surface46of the main body to assist in securing the main body28to the bracket24.

The system20further includes a sensor54for sensing whether or not the nozzle22is received in the holster24. The system20prevents movement of the vehicle V when the nozzle22is not properly disposed in the holster24, as described in greater detail below. This prevents the vehicle V from being accidently moved when the nozzle22is being used to transfer the substance. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor54is an inductive proximity sensor that senses non-ferrous metals, such as model number BI5U-Q08-AP6X2, manufactured by Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG of Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. Of course, other suitable sensors will be realized by those skilled in the art.

The system20of the illustrated embodiment includes a sensor housing56for supporting and enclosing the sensor54. The sensor housing56has walls (not separately numbered) defining an inner chamber58. The sensor54is disposed within the inner chamber58and attached to at least one of the walls.

In the illustrated embodiment, the main body28defines an opening60, best seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, which extends through the inner and outer surfaces44,46. The sensor housing56is disposed adjacent the outer surface46of the main body28and at least partially encloses the opening60. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the opening60is generally rectangular shaped and the sensor housing56covers the entire opening60.

A sensor block62is operatively connected to the sensor housing56and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, as shown inFIG. 4, the sensor block62is disposed substantially within the cavity26of the holster24. In the second position, the sensor block62is disposed substantially within the inner chamber58of the sensor housing56such that the sensor54senses the proximity of the sensor block62when in the second position. The sensor block62is hingibly connected to the sensor housing56with a pin64disposed through a hole (not numbered) in the sensor block62. A spring (not shown) connects the sensor block62to the sensor housing56and biases the sensor block62towards the first position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor block62is formed of plastic, which is a non-conductive material. A conductive insert65is disposed within the sensor block62. More specifically, the conductive insert65is incased within the plastic of the sensor block62. The conductive insert65is formed of a conductive material, such as metal, to trigger actuation of the sensor54when the sensor block62is in the second position. By encasing the conductive insert65in the sensor block62, the conductive insert65is generally protected from corrosion while providing a positive sensing material for the sensor54.

Insertion of the nozzle22into the holster24actuates movement of the sensor block62from the first position to the second position, as can be seen inFIG. 5. Therefore, by sensing the proximity of the sensor block62, the sensor54is also sensing that the nozzle22is received within the holster24.

Referring toFIG. 10, the system20of the illustrated embodiment also includes a switch66in communication with the sensor54. The switch66is connectable to at least one drive element E of the vehicle V to disable the at least one drive element E of the vehicle V when the nozzle22is not received within the holster24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch66is implemented as an electromechanical relay (not separately numbered) electrically connected to the sensor54. Of course, solid state relays, transistors, or other devices may alternatively be utilized to implement the switch66as are well known to those skilled in the art. The electromechanical relay of the illustrated embodiment includes a coil68and at least one normally open contact70. When the coil68is energized, the normally open contact70closes to allow electric current to flow, i.e., provides a logical “1” signal. When the coil68is not energized, the contact70is open and prevents electric current from flowing, i.e., provides a logical “0” signal.

The drive element E of the vehicle V may be any of the mechanisms used to propel the vehicle, including, but not limited to, an engine, a transmission, brakes, a transmission shifting device, an engine controller, and a vehicle controller. In the illustrated embodiment, the normally open contact70of the switch66is electrically connected to the transmission shifting device (not separately numbered). When the switch is open, i.e., when the nozzle22is not disposed within the holster24, the transmission switching device maintains the transmission in a “park” position in response to the logical “0” signal, and will not allow transfer to any other position or gear (e.g., “drive” or “neutral”). When the switch is closed, i.e., when the nozzle22is received within the holster24, the transmission switching device allows the transmission to be switched to any position in a normal operating fashion in response to the logical “1” signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch66is disposed remote from the holster24and the sensor54. For instance, the switch66may be disposed in an engine compartment (not labeled) of the vehicle V. As such, in the illustrated embodiment, a cable71electrically connects the switch66to the sensor54. However, those skilled in the art realize that the switch66may alternatively be disposed adjacent to or within the sensor housing56.

The holster24of the illustrated embodiment also includes a sleeve72disposed within the cavity26for preventing the nozzle22from directly contacting the main body28. The sleeve72extends between a top74and a bottom76and, in cooperation with the main body28, defines the cavity26for accommodating the nozzle22.

Referring toFIG. 6, the sleeve72includes a bumper78disposed at the top74. The bumper supports a portion (not numbered) of the nozzle22when the nozzle22is received in the holster24. The bumper78has a general rectangular configuration and defines an indentation80complementary to a portion of the nozzle22. This indentation80assists in preventing the nozzle22from rotating while stored in the holster24. The bumper78also has a pair of studs82opposite each other and projecting generally outward. A strap84, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, cooperates with each of the studs82to secure the nozzle22to the bumper78. Said differently, the strap84engages the nozzle22and each of the studs82, as best seen inFIG. 9.

Referring again toFIG. 4, the bottom76of the sleeve72and the bottom end42of the main body28cooperate such that a diameter of the bottom76extends a predetermined distance beyond the bottom end42of the main body28for securing the sleeve72in the cavity26of the main body28. The sleeve72defines one or more slots88each extending a predetermined distance above the bottom86to allow the sleeve72to be pinched when inserting the sleeve72into the main body28. Referring toFIG. 4, the sleeve72of the illustrated embodiment defines four slots88, each having an L-shape and being circumferentially and evenly spaced from each other. One advantage of the sleeve72defining one or more slots88is that a fluid may freely drain from the open cavity26. However, it is to be appreciated that the sleeve72may be inserted into the main body28using other methods without departing from the nature of the present invention. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the sleeve72and the strap84each may comprise a material such as, but not limited to, a polymer such as an elastomer, a thermoplastic, and blends thereof. Preferably, the sleeve72and strap84each comprises an elastomer for protecting the nozzle22from mechanical wear.

In an alternative embodiment, an enclosure (not shown) may be disposed around at least part of the holster24to enclose and thereby protect the holster24, and the nozzle22, from the elements. The enclosure includes a door (not shown) which is openable to provide access to the holster24and the nozzle22. A door sensor (not shown) senses whether the door is open or not. In one implementation, the door sensor is in communication with the drive element E of the vehicle to disable the drive element E of the vehicle V, in conjunction with the sensor54and switch66. That is, the drive element E is disabled when either the nozzle22is not disposed within the holster24or when the door is open. In another implementation, the door sensor is utilized instead of the sensor54such that the drive element E is disabled when the door is open.