Abstract:
A ball bearing swivel connectable between the output end of a fuel dispensing hose and the input end of a fuel dispensing nozzle to allow multi-plane rotation of the nozzle The swivel includes three segments, a nozzle fitting, a midsection, and a hose fitting. The end segments are joined to the midsection by ball bearing races which allow each segment to rotate 360° relative to the adjacent segment. The ball bearing races are positioned between a first and second O-ring seal to prevent dust or dirt accumulation and fuel leakage. The ball bearing races allow rotation of the swivel under increased fluid pressure conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to fuel dispensing systems and, more specifically, to a swivel which is incorporated into a fuel dispensing hose including a fuel dispensing nozzle to allow freedom of rotation or articulation of a fuel dispensing nozzle in more than one plane without twisting or binding of the hose when a user is aligning the fuel dispensing nozzle with the fillpipe of a vehicle, for example. 
     Fuel dispensing systems are known to the art. For example, the A0360 Hose Swivel (Emco Wheaton Retail Corporation, Wilson, N.C.); The OPW 25 and OPW 36S (OPW Fueling Components, Cincinnati, Ohio) are examples of hose swivels used in fuel dispensing system hoses. Generally, these representative styles of hose end swivels are designed for use with the nozzle inlet, i.e. at the juncture of the fuel dispensing hose and the nozzle. The prior art nozzles usually allow one plane of swiveling rotation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,547, owned by the common assignee of the instant invention provides for a multi-plane swivel connector. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 268,612, also owned by the common assignee, which does not disclose the functional elements of the illustrated swivel connector, shows a novel ornamental design of a swivel connector for a hose which can be employed in the hose of a fuel dispensing system. 
     Although the prior art hose swivels worked well in limited applications, they suffered from some drawbacks. For example, the prior art swivel provided in the &#39;547 patent includes fluorocarbon and fluorosilicone O-rings for sealing and for the facilitation of rotation. However, the swivel becomes difficult to rotate under higher fuel pressures, such as 30 psi to 50 psi, which commonly are used today. Also, some competitive prior art swivels are not adapted for use in vapor recovery fuel dispensing systems that include vapor recovery lines or channels in the fuel dispensing hose. 
     It would be advantageous, therefore, to have a swivel for use in a fuel dispensing system fuel dispensing hose that can accommodate a vapor recovery channel that does not rely on the sealing O-rings to facilitate rotation and that maintains its ability to rotate freely even at higher fuel pressures, such as 30 psi to 50 psi or more. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is among the general objects of the invention to provide a swivel for use in a fuel dispensing system that maintains its ability to rotate at higher fuel pressures. 
     Another object of the invention to provide a swivel for use in a fuel dispensing system that employs ball bearings at its junctures to facilitate rotation. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a swivel for use in a fuel dispensing system that is double sealed about the points of rotation to prevent leakage of fuel or accumulation of debris. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide such a swivel that can be adapted for use in any fuel dispensing system hose including a hose with a vapor recovery channel or hoses of various external or internal diameters. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a swivel that is impervious to any deleterious effect of hydrocarbon fuels. 
     Yet an other object of the present invention is to provide such a swivel that is economical and relatively simple to manufacture and assemble, which can be retrofitted to existing fuel dispensing hoses, and is well suited for its intended purposes. 
     In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a ball bearing swivel connectable between the output end of a fuel dispensing hose and the input end of a fuel dispensing nozzle to allow multi-plane rotation of the nozzle for alignment of the nozzle with the fuel filltube of a vehicle is provided. The swivel includes three segments, a nozzle fitting, a midsection, and a hose fitting. The nozzle fitting and the hose fitting are joined to the midsection by ball bearing races which allow each segment to rotate 360° relative to the adjacent segment. The ball bearing races are positioned between a first and second O-ring seal forming a double seal to prevent dust or dirt accumulation and fuel leakage. The ball bearing races allow rotation of the swivel under increased fluid pressure conditions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of the ball bearing swivel of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the ball bearing swivel of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof; and 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the ball bearing swivel of the present invention illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding elements throughout the various drawing figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A ball bearing swivel of the present invention is indicated generally by reference number  10  in the figures. Ball bearing swivel  10  is designed to allow articulation at the juncture between a fuel dispensing hose and a fuel dispensing nozzle employed in a fuel dispensing system. It will be appreciated, however, that ball bearing swivel  10  may be employed in fluid dispensing environments other than fuel dispensing systems without departing from the scope of the invention. Ball bearing swivel  10 A, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is intended to be used in a fuel dispensing system which includes a vapor recovery pathway. In any event, swivels  10  and  10 A both satisfy the various objects of the invention. 
     As seen the figures, the swivel includes three generally tubular body segments,  12 ,  13  and  14 . The respective segments are rotatably connected at junctures which include ball bearings races, as will be explained in greater detail below, which allow each segment to rotate 360° about its axis relative to an adjoining segment. The respective segments of the swivel can be formed by casting using the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,547, which is incorporated herein by reference, or may be cast, machined or manufactured by any satisfactory method. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, when the respective tubular segments of swivel  10  are joined in their useful configuration, they form a contiguous internal fluid flow pathway  16  that extends between the hose fluid flow pathway and that of dispensing nozzle. As seen in FIG. 4, in swivel  10 A, designed for use with a vapor recovery fuel delivery system, the joined tubular segments define an internal fluid flow pathway  17 . A concentric vapor recovery pathway  18  extends through the fluid flow pathway. The concentric vapor recovery pathway  18  includes a first sealed rotatable joint  19  having internal sealing rings (not shown) and a second sealed rotatable joint  20 . The second rotatable joint  20  comprises a tubular polymer bearing  21  inserted between two sections of the concentric vapor recovery pathway  18 . 
     Segment  12 , which can be defined generally as a male connector nut for attachment to a dispensing nozzle or as a nozzle connector, includes an externally threaded connector  22  a faceted collar  24  with an interposed shoulder  26  for the seating of a sealing O-ring  27 . Threaded connector  22  is designed to thread tightly within the standard end of a dispenser nozzle. The faceted collar  24  allows the application of a wrench to facilitate tightening within the nozzle. The O-ring  27  seals the connection against leakage. The internal surface of collar  24  is stepped and has a narrow groove  28  for a snap ring and a wider groove  29  having a lesser circumference to seat a sealing O-ring as will be explained below. 
     The midsection  13  in the preferred embodiment, includes a body  30  with a first extension  31  at a first end and a second extension  33  at a second end. As shown, midsection  13  has a substantially curved or elbow-shaped profile. Between the body  30  and first extension  31  is a boss  35  of lesser diameter than the body but of a greater diameter than the extension  31  creating a first shoulder  37  and a second shoulder  39 . Likewise, between the body  30  and the second extension  33  is a boss  41  of lesser diameter than the body but of a greater diameter than the extension  33  also creating a first shoulder and a second shoulder. Extension  31  has a circumferential snap ring groove  42  and a circumferential seal groove  43  formed at the approximate midpoint. The seal groove  43  is for the seating of an outer O-ring seal  44 . Likewise, extension  33  has a circumferential snap ring groove  45  and a circumferential seal groove  46  for the seating of outer O-ring seal  48 . The outer O-ring seals  44  and  48  are made from a synthetic polymer which is compatible with fuels to prevent premature deterioration and wear. The polymers have low temperature flexibility and high resistance to wear to prevent leakage. For example the outer O-rings can be formed of fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon, but fluorosilicone is preferred for these fuel seals. 
     Segment  14 , which is defined generally as a hose connector, is designed to rotatably attach to the output end of a hose at a first end and to the midsection  13  at a second end. As shown, segment  14  is tubular and has a substantially elbow-shaped profile. The first open end  50  has internal threads  52  for the threaded attachment to the externally threaded output end of a hose. The second open end  54  has a beveled lip  56 , which prevents binding between segments during rotation, and a stepped internal surface forming shoulder  57  with a circumferential groove  58  for a snap ring as will now be explained. 
     The assembly and function of the swivel which allows free movement of the swivel under high fluid pressure while maintaining seals against leakage and debris is best seen by referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 along with FIG.  5 . The first extension  31  of middle segment  13  rotatably seats within the second open end  54  of the hose connector segment. An inner O-ring  60  formed of fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon, but preferably fluorocarbon, abuts shoulder  39 . A circular ball bearing race  62  is positioned adjacent boss  35 . A first snap ring  64  and second snap ring  66  are compressed into position in the snap ring grooves on each side of the ball bearing race  62  secures the ball bearing race in position, O-ring  44  provides a fuel impervious seal within the swivel. O-ring  60  seals the juncture between the midsection and the hose connector section from the introduction of external debris to the ball bearings and also to prevent fuel leakage. 
     The second extension  33  of middle segment  13  rotatably seats within collar  24  of the nozzle connector as illustrated. An inner O-ring  68  formed of fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon, but preferably fluorocarbon, is positioned over boss  41 . A circular ball bearing race  70  is positioned adjacent boss  41 . A first snap ring  72  and second snap ring  74  are compressed into position in the snap ring grooves on each side of the ball bearing race  70  secures the ball bearing race in position. O-ring  48  provides a fuel impervious seal within the swivel and O-ring  68  seals the juncture between the midsection and the nozzle connector from the introduction of external debris to the ball bearings and also to prevent fuel leakage. 
     The respective segments of the swivel freely rotate about the ball bearings. Moreover, due to the presence of the ball bearings, the swivel functions well even under high internal fluid pressures. The presence of the double seal, one each on each side of a ball bearing race, prevents fuel leakage and prevents entry or accumulation of debris at the junctures of the segments which could impede rotation, damages the bearings and cause excessive wear. 
     It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative only and should not be construed in a limiting sense.