Abstract:
A clip is provided for use with a fuel dispensing device having a nozzle equipped with bellows, wherein the fuel dispensing device requires movement of the bellows away from the nozzle tip to a dispensing position to dispense a fuel. The clip holds the bellows at least at the dispensing position so the fuel can be dispensed with one hand, even for shallow fuel tanks.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Modern fuel dispensers comprise a nozzle with a bellows, also known as a vapor collection boot, around the nozzle. The purpose of the bellows is to engage an inlet to a fuel tank to collect vapors to minimize air pollution. The fuel pump can include an interlock system so that unless the bellows is retracted from the nozzle tip a sufficient distance, fuel cannot be dispensed, thus making sure the bellows is properly engaged with the fuel inlet. 
         [0002]    A problem with these types of dispensers occurs with shallow fuel tanks, such as those on motorcycles or refill tanks. In such devices, the tip of the nozzle can bottom out before the bellows is pushed a sufficient distance away from the tip of the nozzle to reach the dispensing position so that the interlock allows fuel to be dispensed. 
         [0003]    A remedy for this situation that sometimes works is the user, by hand, pushes the bellows back from the nozzle tip while the user&#39;s other hand holds the nozzle handle for dispensing fuel. This may not be a satisfactory solution for some handicapped persons, and for persons lacking sufficient strength to hold the bellows in a retracted position for the time it takes to fill up a tank. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a system that permits dispensing of fuel from a bellows equipped nozzle into shallow containers, preferably one-handed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The invention is directed to a system that satisfies this need. The system allows fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispensing device having a nozzle equipped with bellows requiring movement away from the nozzle tip to at least a dispensing position to dispense the fuel. According to a method of the present invention, the bellows are moved away from the nozzle tip to at least the dispensing position, and a clip is placed on the nozzle adjacent to the bellows to hold the bellows retracted at least at the dispensing position. The clip comprises a substantially rigid body with a slot therein. The slot is sufficiently large that it slides over the nozzle, but sufficiently small that it does not slide down the nozzle towards the tip after placement. After the clip is in position, the dispensing device is activated to dispense fuel through the nozzle. 
         [0006]    Preferably the clip is sized and shaped so that it can fit into a wallet so it is easily transported and accessible. Thus, the clip can comprise a body having parallel planar upper and lower surfaces with a thickness of about 1/32 to about ¼ inch. More preferably the thickness is from about 1/16 to about ¼ inch, and most preferably about ⅛ inch. The upper and lower surfaces preferably are generally rectangular with a width less than about 3 inches and a length less than about 4 inches, more preferably with a width of from about 2 to about 2¼ inches, and a length of from about 3 to about 3¼ inches. 
         [0007]    The slot extends from the peripheral edge of the body and preferably the end of the slot away from the peripheral edge is radiused, and typically with a radius of about 1 inch, and preferably ⅞ inch, which is similar to the radius of a typical gasoline dispensing nozzle. The slot can have a width of from about ¾ to about 1 inch and a length of about 1¾ inches. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with references to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional fuel dispensing nozzle with the bellows being held in a retracted position at least up to or beyond the dispensing position by a clip; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the clip shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    With regard to  FIG. 1 , a conventional fuel dispensing vapor recovery device  10  has a nozzle  12  with a dispensing tip  14 . The device  10  has a handle  16  portion and a vapor recovery bellows  18  around most of the length of the nozzle  12 . When the bellows  18  is retracted to a dispensing position  20  or further, i.e., at least to the dispensing position, an interlock system (not shown) allows fuel to be dispensed from the nozzle  12  by pulling on the handle  22 . 
         [0012]    A clip  24  holds the bellows  18  in a retracted position at least to the dispensing position  20 . Typically there is a circumferential, ridge, rib, or flange  21  on the outside of the nozzle to which the bellows needs to be retracted to dispense fuel. Thus the flange can be at the dispensing position. The flange  21  prevents the clip from sliding down the nozzle and allowing the bellows to move below the dispensing point, thereby preventing fuel from being dispensed. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the clip  24  has a body  26  with substantially planar, substantially parallel upper  28  and lower  30  surfaces and a peripheral edge  32 . The surfaces  28  and  30  are referred to as “upper” and “lower” for convenience; it is apparent that the clip  24  can be oriented in any position such as being flipped over and used with either surface being the relatively “upper” surface. 
         [0014]    The system can be used with all types of fuels, including gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and heating oil. 
         [0015]    It is desirable that the clip  24  be sized and shaped and easily transportable and not lost, and for this purpose, it is sized and shaped to fit into a wallet much like a credit card can. Accordingly, the peripheral edge  32  is shaped so that upper surface  28  and lower surface  30  are generally rectangular, which includes square-shaped. Preferably the width of the body is less than about 3 inches and the length is less than about 4 inches, and more preferably the width is about 2 to about 2¼ inches and the length is from about 3 to about 3¼ inches. The thickness of the body  26  is preferably from about 1/32 to about ¼ inch, more preferably from about 1/16 to about ¼ inch, and most preferably about ⅛ inch. 
         [0016]    The body  26  has a slot  34  that is sized and shaped to fit over the nozzle  12  and hold the bellows  18  in place. The slot  34  is sufficiently small that it does not slide down the nozzle towards the nozzle tip  14  after placement; i.e cannot slide over the flange  21 . Typically the slot  34  has a width of about ¾ to about 1 inch, and preferably has a length of less than about 2 inches, and typically about 1¾ inch, so that the slot  34  can fit snugly over the nozzle  12 . Preferably the end  36  of the slot  34  distal from the peripheral edge  32  is radiused, having a radius of about 1 inch, and typically ⅞ inch. 
         [0017]    Preferably the clip  24  is formed from a substantially rigid material, preferably a plastic such as a polycarbonate or acrylic. Optionally it can be made of a metal, such as sheet steel. 
         [0018]    To use the clip  24 , the end of the bellows  18  is retracted from the dispensing tip  14  of the nozzle at least to the dispensing position  20  with the flange  21  visible. The clip  24  is then slipped onto the nozzle  12  as shown in  FIG. 1  adjacent to the bellows  18  and above the flange  21  to hold the bellows  18  at least at the dispensing position  20 . The nozzle  12  is inserted into a fuel tank and the handle  22  is engaged. Thus the fuel dispensing device is activated to dispense fuel, and fuel can be dispensed one handed. 
         [0019]    All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112. 
         [0020]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to the preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, it is not necessary that all surfaces be planar. For example, the clip  24  can be spherical. Also the slot  34  need not have parallel sides  38 . It instead it can have a tapering width, where it is wider at the peripheral edge  32  tapering to become smaller further into the body to accommodate nozzles of various shapes and diameters. Therefore the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.