Abstract: A gauge assembly for use in measuring the level of a liquid in a storage tank is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing having an interior and having a lower opening communicating with that interior. A flanged spool is rotatably mounted within the housing and has wound thereabout a filament extending through the opening with its free end attached to a float element within the tank. A spring is connected to the spool and exerts a rotating force for winding the filament under the spool, and a removable strip of adhesive tape has opposite end portions adhering to the housing and a central portion adhering to the spool for locking for releasably securing the spool against rotation. A second strip of adhesive tape may also be used for detachably securing the filament to the housing.

Abstract: A float for a liquid level gauge mechanism is disclosed, along with the mechanism with which such float is used. The float takes the form of an elongated hollow body of approximately the same weight or lighter than the weight of an equal volume of the liquid involved. The elongated body has first and second ends with the first end being heavier than the second and being the end to which the filament of a spring-operated reel is connected. In a preferred embodiment, the difference in weight between the first and second ends approximates the retraction force exerted upon the filament by the spring-operated reel.

Abstract: An improved overfill shut-off system for a liquid storage tank includes a passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a valve seat in the passage, a plunger that is movable within the passage for the purpose of engaging the valve seat to impede flow of liquid in the passage, and a guide member for guiding movement of the plunger. The plunger and the guide member are sealed with respect to each other and together define a control space. A first port is defined in the plunger for communicating the control space with an upstream end of the passage, and a second port is defined in the guide member for communicating the control space with a downstream end of the passage. A valve is provided for selectively impeding fluid flow through the second port in response to the level of a float member within the storage tank. When liquid level in the storage tank reaches a predetermined maximum, liquid flowing through the passage will be permitted through the first port, but not through the second port.