HOSE STORING DEVICE

Abstract: The invention relates to a hose storing device comprsing a housing, in which a fuel supply connection is disposed, a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to said fuel supply connection and the other end of which, which extends through a hose passage, is fitted with a fuel nozzle which can be stored in said housing by means of a support attached to said housing, wherein the flexible hose is passed over one or more rollers in said housing, at least one roller of which is accommodated in said housing in such manner as to be movable against a return force in substantially vertical direction. The hose storing device is according to the invention characterized in that in use, when the flexible hose is being pulled from the housing, the movable roller can be moved to a position near the hose passage.

Description: Title: Hose storing device. The invention relates to a hose storing device comprising a housing, in which a fuel supply connection is 5 disposed, a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to said fuel supply connection and the other end of which, which extends through a hose passage, is fitted with a fuel nozzle which can be stored in said housing by means of a support attached to said housing, wherein the flexible hose 10 is passed over one or more rollers in said housing, at least one roller of which is accommodated in said housing in such manner as to be movable against a return force in substantially vertical direction. Such a generally known hose storing device is for 15 example shown in Dutch patent application No. 84 03718, and it is used for delivering fuels to motor vehicles at filling stations. The driver who wishes to fill the fuel tank of his motor vehicle, must thereby pull the hose with the fuel nozzle from the housing. 20 In order to prevent the flexible hose from dragging on the ground in extended condition, getting fouled, with motor vehicles running over the hose and damaging it, after the fuel tank has been filled and the fuel nozzle has been stored in the support intended for that purpose, the hose storing 25 device disclosed in NL-A-84 03718 is so designed that the hose is stored in the housing after use. To this end, the hose is passed in loops over one or more rollers which is (are) accommodated in the housing in such manner as to be movable against a return force in substantially vertical 30 direction. One drawback of such a hose storing device is the fact that the current construction of the roller (s) which is (are) movably accommodated in said housing and the flexible hose passed over said roller (s) in loops require a considerably 35..amount of space. Not only does this make the hose storing device expensive, but it furthermore has a negative influence on the infrastructure of filling stations yet to be constructed. The object of the invention is to obviate the above drawbacks and to provide a hose storing device of the type referred to in the introduction which is of more compact construction, which is less expensive and which furthermore constitutes an improvement as regards the infrastructure of existing and new filling stations. According to the invention, the hose storing device is characterized in that during use, when the flexible hose is being pulled from the housing, the movable roller can be moved to a position near the hose passage. This makes it possible to construct a hose storing device having a smaller height whilst retaining the same functionality thereof. Not only is a more compact hose storing device of this kind less expensive, but it furthermore constitutes an improvement as regards the lay-out or the infrastructure of existing or new filling stations. In addition to that, the flexible hose can be pulled out of the housing over a greater length. On the one hand this makes it possible to obtain a hose storing device having an improved radius of action and functionality, on the other hand the hose storing device can be fitted with a shorter hose whilst retaining the original functionality, which means a further saving. According to the invention, in order to be able to pull the hose out of the housing over an even greater length, the fuel supply connection may be positioned near the side where the hose exits the housing. According to one aspect of the invention, the path of movement of the movable roller exhibits a curve. This ensures a smooth movement of the movable roller in the housing, without any risk of being blocked or getting jammed. Furthermore the amount of wear is minimized. According to one embodiment of the hose storing device according to the invention, the movable roller is present at ' the top or at the bottom of the fuel pump in the position of rest. Another embodiment of the hose storing device according to the invention is characterized in that said flexible hose is passed over a further roller which is movably accommodated in said housing, which further roller exerts a force in the direction of the interior of the housing via a return force on the hose. Since the flexible hose of the current hose storing devices is stored in the housing in one or more freely suspended loops, such a further roller enables a more optimum utilization of the interior space of the housing. This makes it possible to provide an even more compact and thus less expensive construction of the hose storing device, or to fit the hose storing device with a longer flexible hose, which means a considerable improvement as regards the radius of action and the functionality thereof. In this embodiment of the hose storing device according to the invention, said further roller is preferably movable in the direction of the hose passage during use, or said further roller is pivotally connected to the housing, with the pivoting point possibly being located near said hose passage. In order to obtain an effectively and reliably functioning, low-maintenance hose storing device according to the invention, said return forces are the force of gravity or spring forces. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, which successively shows in: Figures la and lb an embodiment of a hose storing device according to the invention in the starting position; Figures 2a and 2b the hose storing device of Figures la and lb in the operating position; Figures 3a and 3b the hose storing device of Figures la and lb in the extreme operating position. Figures la and lb show a hose storing device according to the invention in the starting position, which is formed of a housing 1. Accommodated in said housing is a flexible hose 3 , which is connected with one end to a fuel supply connection 2, which is likewise present inside housing 1. Hose 3 is passed over a roller 7 in a number of loops 3a and 3b. Roller 7 is rotatable about its axis 8, and, in the case of prior art hose storing devices, it is accommodated in said housing 1 in such manner as to be movable against a return force 8 in substantially vertical direction. The other end of hose 3 extends through a passage 5 formed in housing 1, and it is provided with a fuel nozzle 4, which can be stored in a support in housing 1 (not shown) . Fuel supply connection 2 is preferably disposed near the side where hose 3 exits the housing. In practice, the fuel supply connection 2 is connected, via a further fuel line (not shown) , to a fuel storage tank (likewise not shown) , which is disposed some distance away, under the ground. In addition to that, the prior art hose storing device includes a pump device comprising valves, volumeters and the driving, measuring and control equipment cooperating therewith, as well as a display panel for displaying the amount of fuel being delivered (in volume units) and the amount of money thus being due. Hose storing devices of this kind are usually grouped in fuel pump islands of a filling station. A driver or other user who wishes to fill the fuel tank of his motor vehicle must remove the fuel nozzle 4 from the support and insert it into the filling opening of said fuel tank. Hose 3 can be extended by the user by pulling it out of housing 1 so as to bridge the distance between the hose storing device and said filling opening. Roller 7 thereby moves in housing 1. After filling, the user returns the fuel nozzle 4 to the support, and roller 7 moves back to its starting position under the influence of the return force 9, whereby hose 3 is retracted and automatically stored in housing 1. In order to enable movement of roller 7 in housing 1, said roller 7 is mounted in guides, for example rails 6. As is also shown in the figure, the hose storing device according to the invention includes a second roller 11 disposed in housing 1, which is preferably mounted on the end of a lever 13 so as to be rotatable about its axis 12. Lever 13 (and rollers 11 and 15) are movably accommodated in housing 1. Furthermore, the lever may be provided at its other end with another roller 15, which is rotatable about its axis 14. As is shown in Figure la, roller 11 is supported against the hose 3 which is stored in housing 1 and thus exerts a force on hose 3 in the direction of the interior of housing 1. As a result, hose 3 is pressed further into housing 1 and stored there, as a result of which an improved and more optimum utilization of the interior space of housing 1 is obtained. On the one han »d it is possible to construct a more compact hose storing device having smaller external dimensions (and being cheaper, therefore) , and on the other hand the hose storing device may be fitted with a longer flexible hose, which considerably improves the radius of action and the functionality thereof. Figure lb is a perspective view of the interior of hose storing device 1, wherein corresponding parts are indicated by the same numerals. Rollers 7 and 11 (and possibly roller 15) are provided with a groove for receiving and guiding flexible hose 3. Lever 13 is positioned between guides 6 in this situation. Figures 2a and 2b show the hose storing device of Figures la and lb occupying a position halfway the operating position. Also in these figures corresponding parts are indicated by the same numerals. Flexible hose 3 is being pulled through passage 5 by a user. As is clearly shown in Figure 2a, the roller 7 which is movably accommodated in the housing has been moved from the starting position at the top of housing 1 as shown in Figures la and lb, over guides 6, in the direction of passage 5. The path of movement of roller 7 preferably exhibits a curve, which is in this case determined by curved guides 6. A smooth movement of movable roller 7 along a curve minimizes the risk of roller 7 being blocked or getting jammed in housing 1. In addition to that, the amount of wear is reduced to a minimum. Roller 11 has been moved in the direction of passage 5, whilst roller 15 has been moved in the direction of the support for fuel nozzle 10 (not shown) . Lever 13 has tilted from a horizontal position (Figures la and lb) to a vertical position (Figures 3a and 3b) thereby. . Figures 3a and 3b show the same hose storing device in the extreme operating position. Also in these figures corresponding parts are indicated by the same numerals. Flexible hose 3 has been pulled out of hose storing device 1, through passage 5, over its entire length L. Roller 7 has thereby been moved over guides 6 from the position as shown in Figure 1, via the position shown in Figure 2a, to a position near passage 5. Lever 13 has tilted about point 12 towards the interior of housing 1 and is supported, extending between guides 6, with roller 15 against cable 9a. As a result of the more optimum utilization of the interior space of the hose storing device, it can be designed to have a smaller height whilst retaining the same functionality of the hose storing device. Not only are such more compact hose storing device cheaper, but also the layout or the infrastructure of the fuel pump islands of existing or new filling stations is improved. A further consequence of the movement of roller 7 over guides 6 to a position near passage 5 (Figures 3a and 3b) is that fact that during use the flexible hose 3 can be pulled out of housing 1 over a greater length L. This advantage is enhanced even further in that the fuel supply connection 2 is disposed near the side where hose 3 exits the housing. On the one hand this leads to an enhanced radius of action and functionality, whilst on the other hand the hose storing device 1 can be fitted with a shorter hose 3 whilst retaining its original functionality, which means a further saving. When fuel nozzle 4 is returned to its position in the support, roller 7 will move back under the influence of return force 9, in this case a cable 9a connected to a spring, via guides 6, to the position as shown in Figures la and lb, wherein hose 3 is retracted and stored in housing 1. Lever 13 and roller 11 (and also roller 15) will likewise return to the position as shown in Figure la under the influence of a return force, in this case for example a spring force or the force of gravity, pressing the loop 3b of hose 3 that passes over roller 11 further into the interior of housing 1 thereby. It will be apparent that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated embodiments, and that many variants and combinations of variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Roller 7 may be accommodated at the bottom of the housing and fuel supply connection 2 may be accommodated at the top of said housing. In that case, roller 7 can make a similar movement in housing 1 during use and slide back along guides 6 to the starting position under the influence of the force of gravity. Lever 13 may be mounted in housing 1 in such manner as to be pivotable about point 14, so that roller 11 will pivot about this point during use.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A hose storing device comprising a housing, in which a fuel supply connection is disposed, a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to said fuel supply connection and the other end of which, which extends through a hose passage, is fitted with a fuel nozzle which can be stored in said housing by means of a support attached to said housing, wherein the flexible hose is passed over one or more rollers in said housing, at least one roller of which is accommodated in said housing in such manner as to be movable against a return force in substantially vertical direction, characterized in that during use, when the flexible hose is being pulled from the housing, the movable roller can be moved to a position near the hose passage. 2. A hose storing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fuel supply connection is positioned near the side where the hose exits the housing. 3. A hose storing device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the path of movement of the movable roller exhibits a curve. 4. A hose storing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable roller is present at the top or at the bottom of the fuel pump in the position of rest. 5. A hose storing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible hose is passed over a further roller which is movably accommodated in said housing, which further roller exerts a force in the direction of the interior of the housing via a return force on the hose. 6. A hose storing device according to claim 5, characterized in that during use, said further roller is movable in the direction of the hose passage. 7. A hose storing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said further roller is pivotally connected to the housing via a lever. 8. A hose storing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivoting point of said further roller is located near said hose passage. 9. A hose storing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said return forces are the force of gravity or spring forces.

Inventors: BAYENS WALTERUS MARIA, VAN DRIEL ROELOF, BAYENS, WALTERUS, MARIA, VAN DRIEL, ROELOF
Applicants: BAYENS WALTERUS MARIA, DRIEL ROELOF VAN, KOPPENS AUTOMATIC FABRIEKEN BV, BAYENS, WALTERUS, MARIA, KOPPENS AUTOMATIC FABRIEKEN B.V., VAN DRIEL, ROELOF
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B67D5