Abstract:
A portable hands-free gas pumping device and method therefor, comprising a elongated body which can be inserted between a bottom surface of an activation lever and a bottom portion of a gas pump handle frame in order to maintain the activation lever in an activated position during the fueling process.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to gas pumping devices and, more specifically, to a hands-free gas pumping device having the characteristics of portability and ease of use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     All vehicle owners who have had occasion to use a self-service gas pump are well familiar with the mechanics of filling a gas tank. Where the pump activation lever has to be manually held in position by the vehicle owner, the process of filling the gas tank can be time-consuming and uncomfortable, and can result in the inhalation of harmful vapors. If not for the need to keep his or her hand on the activation lever, a person pumping gas could otherwise engage in more useful activities, such as cleaning the vehicle&#39;s windows, going to the bathroom, purchasing something to drink or eat, using a phone, or the like. 
     Some gas stations equip the gas pump handle with an integral latch or other device which can be used to maintain the activation lever in an activated position without the continued use of a person&#39;s hand. However, the constant use of these devices causes many of them to become unreliable. Additionally, many gas stations are not equipped with these devices at all. 
     A need therefore existed for a portable hands-free gas pumping device which can be carried by the driver from gas station to gas station and used to keep the activation lever in an activated position without the continued use of a person&#39;s hand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a portable hands-free gas pumping device capable of providing the user with the hands-free ability to pump gas into his or her vehicle at various gas stations. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for pumping gas allowing for hands-free operation and portability. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a portable device for hands-free pumping of gas is disclosed, comprising, in combination: a portable, detached elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion; wherein the portable, detached elongated body is dimensioned to be interposed between a bottom portion of a gas pump handle frame and a bottom surface of a gas activation lever when the activation lever is in an activated position, so as to maintain the activation lever in the activated position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for hands-free pumping of gas is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a portable, detached elongated body having a top portion and a bottom portion; wherein the portable, detached elongated body is dimensioned to be interposed between a bottom portion of a gas pump handle frame and a bottom surface of a gas activation lever when the activation lever is in an activated position, so as to maintain the activation lever in the activated position; activating the activation lever by pulling it in a direction toward the top portion of the gas pump handle frame; and interposing the elongated body between the bottom portion of the gas pump handle frame and the bottom surface of the activation lever so as to maintain the activation lever in an activated position. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable hands-free gas pumping device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along line  2 — 2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in position between a gas pump activation lever and a bottom portion of a gas pump handle. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 affixed to the inside of a gas tank protection lid. 
     FIG. 5 is an perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 positioned on a key ring. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5, reference number  10  refers generally to the portable hands-free gas pumping device (herein “device  10 ”) of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 3, the components of a typical gas pump handle are shown. It comprises a gas pump handle frame  12  having a top portion  14  and a bottom portion  16 , and an activation lever  18  for activating a flow of gas. The activation lever  18  has a bottom surface  20  and a top surface  22  and is positioned within the gas pump handle frame  12  between the top portion  14  and the bottom portion  16  of the gas pump handle frame  12 . (The bottom portion of the gas pump handle frame  12  generally defines a U-shaped channel, while the bottom surface  20  is generally convex.) The activation lever  18  is activated by pulling it in a direction toward the top portion  14  of the gas pump handle frame  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the device  10  is shown. The device  10  comprises an elongated body  24  having a top portion  26  and a bottom portion  28 . The elongated body  24  is dimensioned to be interposed between the bottom portion  16  of the gas pump handle frame  12  and the bottom surface  20  of the activation lever  18  when the activation lever  18  is in the activated position. The elongated body  24  maintains the activation lever  18  in an activated position. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the top portion  26  of the elongated body  24  is concave and dimensioned to mate with a corresponding convex bottom surface  20  of the activation lever  18 . (It should be understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration in which the top portion  26  is not concave.) 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, preferably, the elongated body  24  defines an aperture  30  proximate an end thereof for coupling the elongated body  24  to a key ring  32 . The aperture  30  could be proximate the bottom portion  28 , as shown in FIG. 5, or proximate the top portion  26 . The aperture  30  permits ready transport of the device  10  and, assuming the key ring  32  also carries the user&#39;s car keys, virtually guarantees that the user will have the device  10  in his or her possession when going to a gas station. (It may be preferred in this regard to couple the device  10  to a key ring of the type that permits the ready attaching and de-attaching of individual keys without the necessity of removing the individual key from an actual ring, so as to permit especially convenient removal and reattachment by a user.) 
     Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 4, the device  10  further preferably comprises a magnet  34 , which may be affixed (by gluing or other appropriate means) to one side of the elongated body  24  (as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and  5 ), or which may be integrated into the elongated body  24 . Indeed, it would also be possible to magnetize the entire elongated body  24 , so as to eliminate the need for affixing a magnet to the elongated body  24 . The magnet  34 —however configured—has sufficient attractive force to couple the device  10  in a fixed position to a metal object, and in particular to the inside of a gas tank protection lid  36 . In this manner, the magnet  34  allows the device  10  to be easily stored in a manner that essentially guarantees that it will be able to be found and used when the user needs to pump gas. Alternatively, the device  10  could include a clipping mechanism or other retaining device (not shown) to affix the device  10  to a vehicle sun visor (not shown) or some other object if so desired—for example if there is no gas tank protection lid  36  or if the gas protection lid  36  is not made of metal. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the elongated body  24  is approximately 2.5 inches in length, approximately 0.68 inches in width, and approximately 0.125 inches in thickness, however it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could also be provided from an alternative configuration of the elongated body  24  having dimensions which deviate, perhaps even substantially, from these dimensions—and in particular those relating to width and thickness. As regards the length of the elongated body  24 , any length that maintains the activation lever  18  in at least a partial “on” position will impart some benefit, with the maximum benefit provided by a length capable of maintaining the activation lever in a fully “on” position. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.