Patent Publication Number: US-2007109068-A1

Title: Multi-layer security system and method to prevent unauthorized access to fuel dispenser compartments

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/736,782, entitled “MULTI-LAYER SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO FUEL DISPENSER COMPARTMENTS,” filed on Nov. 15, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a multi-layer fuel dispenser security system and method that prevents unauthorized access to the fuel dispenser and requires service personnel to engage the multiple layers of security to prevent unauthorized access to internal compartments of the fuel dispenser where sensitive components reside.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Service station environments provide fuel dispensers for consumers to dispense fuel into their vehicles. The fuel dispensers are typically comprised of a housing consisting of one or more compartments that contain internal fuel-handling, payment, and other components. For example, if the fuel dispenser is a Gilbarco® branded fuel dispenser equipped with a CRIND® payment device, card readers, printers, and other electronics, the circuitry that supports operation of these devices is located within an internal compartment of the dispenser housing. If an authorized service personnel desires to gain access to these internal components for servicing or other reasons, an access panel attached to the compartment must be opened.  
      Since the internal components of a fuel dispenser handle hazardous liquids, such as gasoline and diesel fuels, or because the dispensers may contain card readers and other payment devices that can be tampered with or tapped to “skim” customer data, it is important that these components remain securely enclosed within the fuel dispenser and inaccessible to the general public. Security is typically provided in the form of a key lock, wherein a key is required to unlock and open a panel that provides access to the internal compartments of the fuel dispenser. Only authorized personnel possessing the key are supposed to have access, but the key locks may be tampered with or damaged to bypass this requirement.  
      Some fuel dispensers, such as the Gilbarco® Trim-line® fuel dispenser and Legacy® Mechanical fuel dispenser, contain an additional latching mechanism that prevents the upper or main accessibility panel from being opened as an extra measure of security, in addition to a lock. The upper compartment is thought of as more sensitive, because payment devices transmitting customer payment data are typically located in the upper compartment. The latching mechanism for the upper compartment is hidden behind a lower panel of the fuel dispenser, so that both the lower panel and upper, or main access, panel must be opened to unlock the latch. Therefore, a key is used to unlock the lower panel, the latch in the lower compartment is disengaged, and the upper panel is unlocked to gain access to the upper compartment. In this manner, two locks, instead of one, protect access to the upper panel. However, in order for this additional security measure to be effective, service personnel must remember to engage the latch behind the lower panel properly. Service personnel often either forget to take this action, or refuse to do so, since the upper and lower panels of the fuel dispenser can still be closed properly without engaging the latch.  
      Therefore, a need exists to provide an enhanced and multiple layer security system to prevent opening of the upper or main access panel, even if its lock is bypassed, which requires without option, engagement all of the multiple security layers to prevent access to the main access compartment of the fuel dispenser. Otherwise, the additional layers of security are not guaranteed to be effective.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides enhanced security to the internal components in the main access compartment of a fuel dispenser. Both a primary lock on the main panel, that secures the main access compartment, and a hidden second lock, concealed inside a lower compartment of the fuel dispenser, must be bypassed to gain access to the internal components, thus providing enhanced security. The lower compartment is also protected by a lock, which must be bypassed to open the lower panel and gain access to the hidden second lock in an attempt to bypass the hidden second lock. This locking arrangement provides greater security than prior art methods, since three locks must be bypassed to breach security and gain access to internal components in the main access compartment of the fuel dispenser.  
      Further, according to the present invention, the main panel includes a hook, wherein the hook attaches to an inside lip on the lower portion of the main panel, and further attaches to a latch within the lower compartment of the fuel dispenser to secure the main panel from unauthorized access.  
      Several latch embodiments are applicable to the present invention. Generally, the latch contains a hook ring which attaches to the hook on the main panel of the fuel dispenser. The latch also comprises some mounting means, typically mounting screw holes, from which the latch is mounted to part of the fuel dispenser housing. Further the latch comprises a latch arm that is used to secure the latch in the closed position when the hook ring is attached to the hook on the main panel.  
      The preferred embodiment of the latch comprises a pad-lock acceptor for the addition of a standard pad-lock as the third lock in the security system. The latch also comprises a hook ring which is flat and square in shape.  
      Alternative embodiments of the latch are contemplated by the present invention and are disclosed. A first alternative embodiment of the latch comprises a pin-lock latch arm, which allows for the addition of a lock-pin for securing the latch arm in the closed position. This latch also comprises a radially curved hook ring. A second alternative embodiment of the latch comprises an alternative attachment means comprised of an edge-mounting clip. A third alternative embodiment of the latch comprises an alternative attachment means comprised of back and side mounting tabs. A fourth alternative embodiment of the latch comprises a mini-latch arm which is smaller in size than the previous latch arm embodiments. A fifth alternative embodiment of the latch comprises a mini-latch arm without a pin-lock hole. This embodiment also contains an alternative mounting means comprised of a latch base that extends beyond the edges of the mini-latch arm and where the mounting holes are aligned perpendicular to the length of the latch.  
      In accordance with the present invention, certain steps must be carried out to properly assemble and secure the main compartment of the fuel dispenser. These steps enhance security of the main panel of the fuel dispenser by providing the three levels of lock security.  
      Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present invention and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a fuel dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2A  is an illustration depicting a partially open main panel and detached lower panel of the fuel dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  is an illustration depicting a ski-boot latch mechanism attached to a metal mounting brace mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2C  is an illustration depicting a ski-boot latch embodiment coupled to the metal mounting brace mechanism which is further coupled to the fuel dispenser housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3A  is an illustration depicting the ski-boot latch embodiment and hook illustrated in  FIG. 2 , wherein the latch is in the closed/locked position;  
       FIG. 3B  is an illustration depicting the ski-boot latch embodiment and hook illustrated in  FIG. 2 , wherein the latch is in the open/unlocked position;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of an additional pad-lock mechanism provided as part of the ski-boot latch security in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of an exploded view of the hook mechanism according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 6A  is a side view illustration of the hook mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 6B  is a top view illustration of the hook mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 6C  is a front view illustration of the hook mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 7A  a side view illustration of a preferred ski-boot latch embodiment with exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7B  a top view illustration of the preferred ski-boot latch embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7A  with exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8A  is a side view illustration of a first alternative latch with a pin-lock hole and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8B  is a top view illustration of the first alternative latch illustrated in  FIG. 8A  with exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9A  a side view illustration of a second alternative latch containing a first alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9B  is a top view illustration of the second alternative latch illustrated in  FIG. 9A  containing a first alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 10A  is a side view illustration of a third alternative latch containing a second alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 10B  is a top view illustration of the third alternative latch illustrated in  FIG. 10A  containing a second alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11A  is a side view illustration of a fourth alternative miniature latch containing a third alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11B  is a top view of the fourth alternative miniature latch illustrated in  FIG. 11A  containing a third alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 12A  is a side view illustration of a fifth alternative miniature latch containing a fourth alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 12B  is a top view of the fifth alternative miniature latch illustrated in  FIG. 12A  containing a fourth alternative mounting means and exemplary dimensional measurements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.  
      The present invention provides enhanced security to the internal components in the main access compartment of a fuel dispenser. Both a primary lock on the main panel, that secures the main access compartment, and a hidden second lock, hidden inside a lower compartment of the fuel dispenser, must be bypassed to gain access to the internal components, thus providing enhanced security. The lower compartment is also protected by a lock, which must be bypassed to open the lower panel and gain access to the hidden second lock in an attempt to bypass the hidden second lock. This locking arrangement provides greater security than prior art methods, since three locks must be bypassed to breach security and gain access to internal components in the main access compartment of the fuel dispenser.  
      Further, according to the present invention, the main panel includes a hook, wherein the hook attaches to an inside lip on the lower portion of the main panel, and further attaches to a latch within the lower compartment of the fuel dispenser to secure the main panel from unauthorized access.  
      Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary fuel dispenser  2  of the present invention. The fuel dispenser  2  is comprised of a fuel dispenser housing  4 , which is physically coupled to a base stand  6  and may also include an overhead canopy  8  physically coupled to the top of the fuel dispenser housing  4 . The fuel dispenser housing  4  further comprises a lower panel  10  and a main panel  12 , which separate accessibility to internal fueling components  14  hidden in a lower compartment  16  from internal electrical components  18  residing in a main access compartment  20 .  
      The present invention provides enhanced security to the internal electrical components  18  in the main access compartment  20  of the fuel dispenser  2 . Both a primary lock  22  on the main panel  12 , that secures access to the main access compartment  20 , and a hidden second lock  24 , inside the lower compartment  16  of the fuel dispenser  2 , must be bypassed to open the main panel  12  and gain access to the internal electrical components  18 , thus providing enhanced security. Further, the lower panel  10  is also protected by its own lock  26 , which must be bypassed in order to gain access to the lower compartment  16  where the hidden second lock  24  is located. This locking arrangement provides greater security than prior art methods, since three locks, shown here as  22 ,  24 , and  26 , must be bypassed to breach security and gain access to the internal electrical components  18  in the main access compartment  20  of the fuel dispenser  2 .  
       FIG. 1  also illustrates the standard components of the fuel dispenser  2 , which allow customers to complete a fueling transaction, as are well known to those skilled in the art. A card reader  28  may be provided to allow a customer to pay for the purchase of fuel and/or other merchandise at the fuel dispenser  2 . The card reader  28  may be adapted to accept a variety of media and media technologies such as magnetic, bar code, optical, and radio-frequency based technologies, including but not limited to transponders, RFID, and Smartcard technologies. Additionally, a keypad  30  may be provided to allow a customer to use an automated teller machine (ATM)/debit card to complete the purchasing transaction. A grade of fuel is chosen by using fuel grade selection buttons  32 , while the price relating to the available grades of fuel are displayed by fuel grade price display screens  34  on the main panel  12 . The fuel dispenser  2  may also include a soft-key user interface  36 , which is used to select payment options or additional merchandise displayed on a customer screen  37  and desired for purchase at the fuel dispenser  2 .  
      Also, a fuel-dispensing nozzle  38  is provided for the dispensing of fuel, and a transaction display screen  40  displays the price and amount of fuel dispensed during the fueling transaction. The fuel dispenser  2  main panel  12  may also contain speakers  42  to provide audible instructions to the customer should they require assistance. Additionally, the speakers  42  may simply provide audible advertising and/or music to the customer during the fueling transaction. A receipt printer  44  is provided to allow printing of a receipt related to the purchasing and/or fueling transaction. However, the receipt printer  44  may also be capable of printing a transaction code that can be used at a car wash station or other service areas within the service station environment. According to the present invention, the fuel dispenser  2  of  FIG. 1  also comprises a hook  46 , coupled to the inside lower left portion of the main panel  12 , for securing the main panel  12  and deterring unauthorized access to the main access compartment  20 . The hook  46  will be described in detail below.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary view of the fuel dispenser  2  with its main panel  12  partially open. To open the main panel  12  and gain access to the internal electrical components  18  within the main access compartment  20 , authorized personnel must bypass three locking systems. The primary lock  22  must be unlocked with a primary lock key  48  to disengage the top portion of the main panel  12  from a lock brace  49 . Alternatively, retrieval of the primary lock key  48  can only be achieved if the primary lock  22  is in the locked position. In this manner, the main panel  12  will be restricted from fully closing unless the primary lock  22  is in the unlocked position, because the lock brace  49  will impede the main panel from fully closing. Next, in order to free the bottom portion of the main panel  12 , the lock  26  on the lower panel  10  must be unlocked in order to remove the lower panel  10  and to gain access to the lower compartment  16 . Once access is obtained to the lower compartment  16 , the hidden second lock  24  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) must be bypassed. The hidden second lock  24  attaches to a ski-boot latch  50  residing in the lower compartment  16 , which further couples to the hook  46  on the main panel  12 , securing the main panel  12  from unauthorized access. After the hidden second lock  24  is bypassed and the ski-boot latch  50  is unlatched from the hook  46  on the main panel  12 , the main panel  12  can be opened to access the main access compartment  20 . Additionally, a seal gasket  52  is placed on the main panel  12  to protect the internal electrical components  18  from external weather conditions. In this manner, the primary lock  22  must be locked and the ski-boot latch  50  must be latched in the closed position to ensure that a seal gasket  52  on the main panel  12  is compressed against the fuel dispenser housing  4 .  
      The preferred ski-boot latch  50  and an exemplary means of attachment to the fuel dispenser housing  4  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . Referring to  FIG. 2B , the preferred ski-boot latch  50  of the present invention includes a hook ring  54 , which attaches to the hook  46  on the main panel  12  of the fuel dispenser housing  4 . A body lever  56  of the ski-boot latch  50  is coupled to a latch base  58  via an arm pin  60 . The body lever  56  swivels about the axis of the arm pin  60 , allowing the hook ring  54  to extend outward and physically couple to the hook  46 . In this manner, placing the body lever  56  in the closed position (illustrated in  FIG. 3A ) will secure the bottom portion of the main panel  12  and also compress the related portion of the seal gasket  52 .  
      The preferred embodiment of the ski-boot latch  50  also contains a pad-lock acceptor  62  as an additional measure of security. The implementation of additional locks on the pad-lock acceptor  62  is discussed below. Further, the latch base  58  is physically mounted to a separate metal brace  64  via screws  66 .  FIG. 2C  is an exemplary view showing attachment of the metal brace  64  to the fuel dispenser housing  4  via a bolt  68 . According to the present invention, the metal brace  64  is attached to the fuel dispenser housing  4  within the lower compartment  16  of the fuel dispenser housing  4 . One ordinarily skilled in the art is aware that there are several ways to attach the bolt  68  to the fuel dispenser housing  4 , including, but not limited to, screwing the bolt  68  into a threaded orifice found on the fuel dispenser housing  4  or sliding the bolt  68  through a non-threaded orifice and securing the bolt  68  in place with a nut (not shown) on the opposite side of the orifice.  
       FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary view of the ski-boot latch  50  in the closed position and attached to the hook  46  on the main panel  12  of the fuel dispenser housing  4 . The hook  46  is coupled to a lip  70  on the inside lower-left portion of the main panel  12 . The lip  70  is physically coupled to front and side  72  of the main panel  12  at a first end  74 , while a second end  76  of the lip  70  is open and only physically coupled to the side  72  of the main panel  12 . The hook  46  is attached to the second end  76  of the lip  70  via a bolt  78 , a washer  80  (not shown), and a nut  82 . Further,  FIG. 3B  shows an exemplary view of the ski-boot latch  50  unlatched from the hook  46  of the main panel  12 .  
      An exemplary view of the ski-boot latch  50  in the closed position with the additionally attached hidden second lock  24  in the form of a pad-lock  84  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and described below. As discussed above, the preferred embodiment ski-boot latch  50  comprises the pad-lock acceptor  62 , which will allow service personnel and/or a service station owner to attach the pad-lock  84  for added security. This adds an additional layer of security by forcing those who have bypassed the lock  26  on the lower panel  10  and the primary lock  22  of the main panel  12 , to further bypass the attached pad-lock  84  in order to open the main panel  12 . Once this pad-lock  84  is unlocked and removed, the ski-boot latch  50  can be opened and disengaged from the hook  46  on the main panel  12  to gain access to the main access compartment  20  of the fuel dispenser  2 .  
      A description of the hook  46 , which is used to secure the main panel  12  via the ski-boot latch  50 , is presently described.  FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the hook  46  that attaches to the inside lip  70  of the main panel  12 . The dashed lines show an exemplary embodiment of how the bolt  78 , washer  80 , and nut  82  are assembled in attaching the hook  46  to the lip  70 . The bolt is inserted through the washer  80  and orifice  86  and proceeds through area  88 , where the hook  46  attaches to the second end  76  of the lip  70 . The hook  46  is further secured by attaching a nut  82  to the end of the bolt  78 . Further, the hook ring  54  of the ski-boot latch  50  attaches to a hook ring attachment area  90  of the hook  46  to secure the main panel  12 .  
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show a variety of profile views related to the hook  46 .  FIG. 6A  is a side view illustration of the hook  46  depicting the various elements described above.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  show top  92  and front  94  view illustrations, respectively, also depicting the various elements of the hook  46  described above.  
       FIGS. 7A-12B  illustrate exemplary views of the preferred ski-boot latch  50  embodiment, as well as alternative latch embodiments applicable to the present invention. The dimensional measurements shown in these figures are exemplary and are only shown to demonstrate some of the common latches that are currently available.  
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a side view of a preferred ski-boot latch  50 A embodiment of the present invention with exemplary dimensional measurements. Most of the elements previously described in  FIG. 2B  are, again, shown here. Additionally, a link contact range  96  is shown, relating to the area in which the hook ring  54  can extend below a baseline  98 . The baseline  98  is the point at which the hook ring  54  is at its greatest extension when the body lever  56  is in the closed position.  FIG. 7B  is a top view illustration of the preferred ski-boot latch  50 A embodiment. In addition to the exemplary dimensional measurements and previously described components, this view illustrates mounting holes  100  used to attach the ski-boot latch  50 A to the metal brace  64  of the preferred embodiment.  
       FIG. 8A  is a side view illustration of a first alternate latch  50 B embodiment according to the present invention. Unlike the preferred ski-boot latch  50 A embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B , this first alternate latch  50 B embodiment comprises a pin-lock latch arm  104 , which allows for the placement of a lock-pin (not shown) into a pin-lock hole  106 . In this manner, the pin-lock latch arm  104  will be obstructed from opening when the lock-pin is in place. The first alternate latch  50 B also comprises an alternate curved hook ring  108  used to attach to the hook  46  on the main panel  12  and an alternate latch base  109  that does not contain a pad lock acceptor  62 . Similar to the preferred ski-boot latch  50 A embodiment, this first alternate latch  50 B embodiment contains the arm pin  60 , wherein the pin-lock latch arm  104  swivels about the arm pin  60  axis in order to extend outward and attach to the hook  46 . This figure also shows similar exemplary dimensional measurements.  FIG. 8B  further illustrates a top view of this first alternate latch  50 B embodiment. From this view, the difference in the mounting hole  100  positions are shown in comparison to the preferred ski-boot latch  50 A embodiment.  
       FIG. 9A  is a side view illustration of a second alternate latch  50 C embodiment according to the present invention. The second alternate latch  50 C embodiment differs from the first alternate latch  50 B embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 8A , in that the attachment means comprises of an edge-mounting clip  112 . An exemplary embodiment of the present invention using this second alternate latch  50 C embodiment would couple the edge-mounting clip  112  to the end of the metal brace  64  furthest away from where the curved hook ring  108  would attach to the hook  46 , thereby allowing this second alternate latch  50 B embodiment to be used as described above according to the present invention.  FIG. 9B  is a top view illustration of the second alternate latch  50 C embodiment, wherein the second alternate latch  50 C embodiment does not contain the mounting holes  100  seen in the previous embodiments due to the attachment means of the edge-mounting clip  112 .  
       FIG. 10A  is a side view illustration of a third alternate latch  50 D embodiment according to the present invention. This third alternate latch  50 D embodiment illustrates an alternative latch base  116  comprising a back mounting tab  118  and a side mounting tab  120 .  FIG. 10B  is a top view illustration of the third alternative latch  50 D, wherein the third alternate latch  50 D embodiment does not contain mounting holes  100  seen in prior embodiments due to the alternative back  118  and side  120  mounting tabs.  
       FIG. 11A  is a side view illustration of a fourth alternate latch  50 E embodiment according to the present invention. The fourth alternate latch  50 E comprises a mini-latch arm  124 , which is smaller in size than the previous latch arm embodiments. The size of the mini-latch arm  124  requires a greater amount of closing force be applied to place the fourth alternate latch  50 E in the closed position, since there is a decrease in leverage force. The exemplary dimensions of the fourth alternate latch  50 E also demonstrate the varying distances that the end of the curved hook ring  108  can be set away from the latch base  58 . Alternatively, a latch base  126  can be of varying sizes, as seen by comparing  FIG. 11A  to previous latch base embodiments. Further, the mounting holes  100  seen in the top view of  FIG. 11B  are closer together due to the decrease in the size of the latch base  126 .  
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a side view of a fifth alternate latch  50 F embodiment according to the present invention. Unlike the fourth alternate latch  50 E embodiment, the fifth alternate latch  50 F embodiment comprises a mini-latch arm  130  without a pin-lock hole  106 .  FIG. 12B  also shows that the fifth alternate latch  50 F may contain an alternative mounting means comprised of a latch base  132  that extends beyond the edges of the mini-latch arm  130 , and where the mounting holes  100  are aligned perpendicular to the length of the fifth alternate latch  50 F.  
      The steps required to properly reassemble and secure the main panel  12  of the fuel dispenser  2  according to the present invention is presently described in detail. As discussed above,  FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary view of the fuel dispenser  2 , which has the lower panel  10  and main panel  12  open and/or removed for servicing and in condition to be reassembled. First, the main panel  12  must be placed in the closed position before the lower panel  10  is attached. If this step is not performed, the main panel  12  is obstructed from closing properly, because the hook  46  is impeded by the attached lower panel  10 . Additionally, to place the main panel  12  in the closed position, the primary lock  22  is required to be placed in the open position; otherwise the lock brace  49  will obstruct the top portion of the main panel  12  from fully closing. Further, the seal gasket  52  will not seal properly to protect the internal electrical components  18  from external weather conditions if the main panel  12  is not fully closed. Second, the hook ring  54  of the ski-boot latch  50  should be coupled to the hook  46  on the main panel  12 . The ski-boot latch  50  is then latched shut, thereby pulling the main panel  12  against the fuel dispenser housing  4  and securing the bottom portion of the main panel  12 . Again, this allows the main panel  12  to fully close, thereby allowing the seal gasket  52  to protect the internal electrical components  18  from external weather conditions. Next, the hidden second lock  24 , or the pad-lock  84 , for instance, can be placed on the pad-lock acceptor  62  of the ski-boot latch  50  for added security, thereby providing a first level of security for the main panel  12 . Third, the lower panel  10  is placed over the lower compartment  16  and secured by positioning the lock  26  in the locked position, thereby providing a second level of security for the main panel  12 . Finally, the primary lock  22  on the main panel  12  must be placed in the locked position to allow retrieval of the primary lock key  48  by service personnel, thereby providing a third level of security for the main panel  12  of the fuel dispenser  2 . This can only be done if the main panel  12  is fully closed, which requires the ski-boot latch  50  to be engaged. Since service personnel will desire to make the fuel dispenser  2  appear re-assembled and, more importantly, retrieve their primary lock key  48 , these steps will encourage them to properly secure the main panel  12  of the fuel dispenser  2  according to the present invention.  
      Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.