Abstract: An 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.

Abstract: An overfill sensing system uses a capacitive sensor (12) on the interior of a tank for sensing the presence of a liquid to cease the filling process. The capacitive sensor (12) includes a sensing capacitor (16) and a reference capacitor (18) on separate arms of a bridge circuit (22). An oscillator (28) supplies an AC signal to the bridge circuit (22) divided by a variable resistor (30 ) to balance the bridge (22). A comparator (24) receives the output on each arm of the bridge (22) to sense a differential therebetween. When a liquid reaches the sensing capacitor (16), the capacitance changes from a predetermined capacitance, thereby changing the differential. A control circuit (14) is responsive to the differential at the output of the comparator (24) for visually indicating the status of the filling process and ceasing the filling process from the filling facility when a liquid has been detected.

Abstract: A breakaway hose coupling includes axially separable housing sections maintained in coupled relationship with each other by a frangible coupling pin or set screw. Each housing section includes a valve controlled flow passage in which a spring biassed valve closes the flow passage when the housing sections are separated. Valve stems on the respective valves moves into axial abutment with each other as the housing sections are coupled to mutually hold the respective valves open when the housing sections are coupled.

Abstract: A locking lid assembly for sealably closing the upper end of a cylindrical stack of a fuel spillage capture recovery device includes a lid hingedly mounted on an annular base member constructed to be sealingly seated upon the top of the stack. Diametrically opposed pivoted cams mounted on the lid are wedgingly engageable with locking pins mounted on the base member to firmly compress a resilient annular seal between the lid and base member.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing nozzle of the type for dispensing liquid such as gasoline, or the like, into a container and for automatically shutting off when the container is full. The assembly includes a housing having a fluid inlet and an outlet with the fluid passage extending therebetween and a valve disposed in the passage with a valve actuating stem extending exteriorly of the housing. A handle guard including a downwardly extending guide portion and a forwardly extending guard stem. A handle is pivotally supported at a front end adjacent the connection of the handle guard to the housing and extends to a rear end disposed adjacent the guide portion of the handle guard and engages the valve actuating stem for moving the valve actuating stem upon pivotal movement of the handle. The guide portion of the handle guard includes a forwardly extending rib and the rear end of the handle means is bifurcated to define flanges disposed on either side of the rib.

Abstract: An automatic nozzle assembly for the dispensing of gasoline and similar liquids and of simple, efficient and low cost construction. A stem extends into a housing and is actuated by a handle. The stem extends through a check valve which closes a downstream opening in a valve seat secured in the housing. A poppet valve is disposed about the valve stem and closes the upstream side of the opening in the valve seat to prevent fluid flow therethrough. A yoke is disposed about the upper end of the poppet valve and balls are disposed in openings in the poppet valve and are forced into engagement with the top of the stem whereby the poppet valve moves upwardly with the stem and whereby the yoke may be moved to allow the balls out of engagement with the stem whereby the poppet valve may close independently of movement of the stem.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly including an adapter body having a fluid passage extending therethrough with a poppet valve movable between open and closed positions. The poppet valve is supported on a valve stem having a gear rack thereon. A shaft extends into the adapter body and supports a manually movable handle exteriorly of the adapter body. A pinion engaging the gear rack is supported on the shaft through a lost motion connection so that the poppet valve may automatically open as the pinion rotates independently of the shaft yet may be opened as the pinion is rotated by the shaft.