Patent Publication Number: US-6701982-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for a gasoline hose assembly cover

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/296,828 filed on Jun. 11, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a gasoline hose assembly and, more particularly, is concerned with an apparatus and method for a cover for a gasoline hose assembly. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Containment assemblies for fill hoses have been described in the prior art. However, none of the prior art devices disclose the unique features of the present. 
     In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,907, dated Nov. 15, 1994, Dunning et al, disclosed a hose assembly suited for delivering viscous material to a dispenser nozzle at a controlled viscosity and temperature. The hose assembly includes a jacketed hose including an outer hose positioned around an inner hose carrying the mastic and defining an annular passage between the inner hose and the outer hose, and a hose cover assembly adapted to be releasably wrapped around a further remote hose carrying the mastic. The cover assembly includes an elongated strip of flexible material including generally parallel opposite longitudinal edges; a plurality of tubes embedded in the strip and running longitudinally through the strip; and coacting interengagable quick release means (such as a zipper) on the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip to enable the strip to be wrapped around the hose and secured in position around the hose by releasable interengagement of the quick release means. 
     In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,063 dated Oct. 25, 1988, Tuckey disclosed an electric in-tank fuel pump for vehicles which is provided with a noise-reduction jacket of relative soft material spaced from the pump housing by internal projections on the jacket which contact the pump housing by internal projections on the jacket which contact the pump housing. An extended skirt on one embodiment serves to collect vapor which rises in the jacket to maintain a low liquid fuel level around the pump. A quick connect-disconnect from the pump to a fuel line with an integral unidirectional valve is provided to maintain fuel line pressure when the pump is not operating. Also, an inlet unidirectional valve is provided to prevent fuel from siphoning out of the pump. 
     In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,973, dated Nov. 22, 1994 Fink, Jr. et al., disclosed a break away hose coupling for use in conjunction with a vapor recovery nozzle and for application within a fuel line, that prevents untimely decoupling, that only decouples upon the exertion of a pre-determined amount of tension, while preventing unnecessary leakage of fuel and vapors, while being fully reconnectable. The coupling includes a pair of fittings, for connecting to the fuel line, a sleeve for housing the fittings, and each fitting incorporating a check valve to provide for closure of the fluid flow passage and closure of the vapor flow passage when decoupling occurs, a fluid chamber providing for flow of fluid and vapor return passage, internal of the fluid flow passage, allowing vapor recovery in a concentric line. The device is pressure compensated to eliminate the effects of line shock. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,052, dated Jun. 8, 1993, Sharp disclosed an assembly intended for use on underground storage tanks provides ready access to fill pipe from ground level. At the same time the assembly serves as a spill containment means for accidental spillage and a secondary containment means for the fill pipe. The assembly of the invention comprises a secondary containment chamber having a sidewall with means for attaching to the storage tank. An anchor ring which is attached to an upper open end of the containment chamber acts as a permanent ground base for the assembly. A bridging surface cover within an anchor ring has a removable lid positioned in its interior portion to gain access to the chamber&#39;s interior for a filling operation. The assembly also comprises a fill pipe for delivering liquid to the storage tank. The fill pipe is positioned within the secondary containment chamber with a discharging end extending through the chambers bottom and a receiving end terminating within the chamber but near the bridging surface cover. An open top spill compartment is positioned within the secondary containment chamber and at the receiving end of the fill pipe so as to encompass the fill pipe&#39;s receiving end for the purpose of catching any spilled liquid from the filling operation. The spill compartment also prevents any of the spilled liquid and vapors from entering the secondary containment chamber. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,387, dated Dec. 27, 2988, LeBlanc et al., disclosed and overfill and spillage protection device for capturing fuel spilled from a tank touch supply hose or the fill pipe of an underground fuel storage tank takes the form of a tubular reservoir having an axially flexible bellows shaped side wall. Forces induced by freezing or thawing of the ground in which the reservoir is embedded which would apply strain to the coupling between the reservoir and fill pipe are absorbed by the flexing action of the bellows shaped reservoir. A rigid tubular skirt slidably encloses the bellows portion to prevent concrete or dirt from packing into the concave regions of the bellows. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,731, dated Oct. 22, 1996, Holland disclosed a device to capture, contain and collect hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel before they can be spilled or leaked from the ventilation valve or fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel and on to the surface of the water during fueling operations a marine fueling facilities. The device is formed as a low-profile box with a floor section and upright wall sections having stratified layers of a textile material and a solidifying polymer enclosed within an outer envelope of textile material. A seamed area at the center of the device with slits in the textile material allows the device to circumscribe the annular conduit of a device passing through the seamed area. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,543, dated Jun. 5, 1990, Zuiches disclosed a flexible body member is constructed so as to be wrapped around a hose at connector portions thereof and has overlapping side portions. The body member has releasable securement on its overlapping areas and also has a widened portion intermediate the ends thereof for accommodating the interfitting coupling members and for holding the device on the coupling members. The releasable securement on the overlapping side areas is by continuous and full length fastening elements such as Velcro. The device also has padding to provide desired cushioning and insulation 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,990 B1, dated Jan. 30, 2001, Bellenger et al., disclosed a drop chute guard contains spills in conjunction with a loading hose supplying fuel to an in-ground storage tank. The spill guard includes a flexible barrier sized to surround the sump and sealing ring having an outside diameter substantially corresponding to a diameter of the sump. An opening is disposed in the vicinity of the tank inlet and extends through the barrier and the sealing ring for receiving the drop chute. 
     While these containment devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for a cover for placement over a gasoline hose assembly of a gasoline delivery system for a gasoline delivery truck. The cover comprises a hole for placement of the hose therein along with fasteners for attachment of the cover to the hose having weights stitched into the hem of the cover in such a way to hold the edges of the cover down so as to prevent the entrance of rain or debris into the gasoline tank receiving nozzle. 
     An object of the present invention is to prevent the entrance of debris into the fill aperture of the gasoline tank. A further object of the present invention is to prevent the entrance of water or rain into the gasoline tank aperture. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive way to maintain a neat area around the gasoline tank fill aperture area. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a photograph of a conventional hose assembly in use. 
     FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the present invention in use. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention in a flattened disposition. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention in use. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings. 
       10  present invention 
       12  fill hose 
       14  head of fill hose assembly 
       15  fuel filler nozzle 
       16  hole 
       17  fasteners 
       18  clip 
       20  hook and loop material straps 
       22  weighted edge 
       24  gasoline tank aperture 
       26  upper portion 
       28  lower portion 
       30  head-hose connection 
       32  reinforced edges 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the present invention wherein a cover for a gasoline hose assembly is disclosed. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a photograph of a conventional gasoline hose assembly  12  having a head  14  thereon with the fuel filler nozzle  15  extending downwardly into the underground gasoline tank inlet aperture  24  without the present invention being attached thereto. It can be seen that in the standard configuration the hose  12 , head  14  and filler nozzle  15  form an “L” shaped assembly having about a 90 degree elbow therein wherein the hose is in substantially the horizontal plane so that the head-hose connection area  30  has an upper portion  26  and a lower portion  28 . 
     Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is the present invention  10  in operative connection having a hole therein  16  through which the fill hose  12  and fill head  14  pass. A plurality of fasteners  17  are shown for attaching the hole  16  of the present invention  10  over and about the fill hose  12  by having the fasteners  17  connect to each other at the lower portion of the head-hose connection area to form a tent-like cover. The fasteners  17  may be heavy duty snaps, hook and loop material or the like. Also shown are a weighted edge  22  stitched or otherwise formed into the lower hemline of the present invention  10  whereby the present invention is maintained in place so as to provide a secure cover about the gasoline tank receiving aperture  24  in which the fill hose head  14  is placed. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is the flexible, clear present invention  10  in a flattened disposition showing the off-center hole  16 , fasteners  17 , the weighted edges  22 , and a pair of nylon reinforced connecting radially disposed edges  32  which are formed by a split or part in the cover which run in generally a straight line from the edge of hole  16  to the outer circumference of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  may also be waterproof and fuelproof. 
     Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is an alternate embodiment of the present invention  10  placed about a gasoline fill line  12  with head  14  thereon. The present invention  10  is shown having a hole therein  16  through which the fill hose and fill head pass. An aluminum clip  18  is shown for attaching the hole of the present invention about the fill hose  12 . Also shown are hook and loop material straps  20  for placement about the fill hose so as to attach the present invention  10  thereto. Also shown are weights  22  stitched or formed into the lower hemline of the present invention  10  whereby the present invention is maintained in place so as to provide a secure cover about the gasoline tank receiving aperture  24  in which the fill hose head  14  is placed. 
     The method of the present invention for shrouding a fuel nozzle assembly while filling an underground fuel storage tank can be described generally as follows: 1) providing a flexible shroud for placement about the fuel nozzle assembly, wherein the shroud is substantially circular shaped when flattened having a hole therein and a split therein; 2) placing the hole off-center of the shroud, so that the shroud is parted into a first part and a second part by a split running substantially straight from an edge of the hole toward an outer edge of the shroud thereby forming a first radial edge and a second radial edge of the shroud; c) placing a portion of the fuel nozzle assembly in the hole to permit the shroud to be placed about the fuel nozzle assembly; d) fastening the first radial edge and second radial edge of the parted shroud together to attach the shroud about the fuel nozzle assembly in order to secure the shroud to the fuel nozzle assembly; and, e) weighting the edge of the outer circumference of the shroud to permit the outer edges of the shroud to be secured about the fuel nozzle assembly. 
     What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.