With Vehicle Guide Or Support, E.g., Service Station Patents (Class 137/234.6)
  • Patent number: 6767660
    Abstract: Distributor systems supply a stationary fuel-cell system with a combustible via a combustible source. The stationary fuel-cell system is assigned to one or more buildings arranged in a stationary quarter. The distribution system serves for supplying the building or buildings with power and/or heat, and the distributor system has, in the stationary quarter, an extraction station, assigned to the combustible source, for supplying mobile consumers with a combustible or with a fuel extracted from the latter, the mobile consumers having a mobile fuel-cell system and a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Ferdinand Panik
  • Patent number: 6752244
    Abstract: Apparatus for draining fluids from a vehicle has an elevated platform supported on a frame, the platform being pivotable side-to-side and end-to-end, to permit complete draining of fluids from the vehicle through an opening in the platform prior to dismantling the vehicle for scrapping. A unique bracket assembly connects one end of the platform to the frame at first and second perpendicular pivots, to permit pivoting about both a longitudinal and a transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Sheppard Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Dean A. Sheppard, Philip J. Sheppard, Michael T. Sheppard, Gordon F. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6679291
    Abstract: A poppet valve assembly is provided for use on a fuel tanker truck which enables the truck's driver to determine whether fuel is flowing through the valve assembly and whether fuel is present in the valve assembly. When a threshold flow rate through the valve assembly is reached, fluid flows inside a flow channel. The flow channel has a fluid indicator and a flow indicator therein mounted in a sight glass. When fluid is flowing in the flow channel both indicators rise. When fluid is present but not flowing in the flow channel only the fluid indicator rises. The fluid and flow indicators, being different colors, may be easily seen at a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Exxon.Valve and Coupling Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Fahl, John T. Hill
  • Patent number: 6488057
    Abstract: A fueling system to be provided in a gas station is disclosed, which comprises at least one fueling machine, and a data input/output unit, the data input/output unit being movable in a required direction, and a fueling data being input from the data input/output unit and being output to the fueling machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Tatsuno Corporation
    Inventor: Hiyoshi Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 6435204
    Abstract: Dispensing system for automotive fuel including a casing mounted within the ground and containing a fuel flow meter and an associated valve. The meter is linked by a fuel line to a fuel tank. An above-ground structure is provided for supporting a dispensing hose to which the meter and associated valve within the casing are linked by a delivery line passing externally of the casing. The casing is adjacent to but separate from the above-ground structure whereby the aboveground structure is mounted independently of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: BP Oil International Limited
    Inventors: John G. White, Ronald Robson Hymers
  • Patent number: 6418985
    Abstract: A system for delivering fuel comprising a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a fuel tank of a vehicle, a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source and interactive alignment structure for mating the nozzle with receiver in response to movement of the receiver and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Freddie S. Aguilar
  • Patent number: 6311873
    Abstract: A system for automated vending of automotive fluid such as windshield washer fluid from large volume tanks. In one embodiment the system includes two or more vending control units and a fluid storage system that includes one or more fluid storage tanks mounted at a level above the vending control units. Preferably the fluid storage tanks are mounted to an over head canopy, either on the roof of the canopy or on one of the canopy support columns. Where two or more fluid storage tanks are utilized, fluid equalization conduits connect the storage tanks to each other so that fluid levels in the storage tanks equalize as fluid is added to or withdrawn from any one of the tanks. Two or more fluid dispensing hoses are provided, each one being associated with and controlled by one of the vending control units. Each hose is connected to the fluid storage system and dispenses fluid by force of gravity in response to selective activation of the corresponding vending control unit by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Clean Shield Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willeke, Jeffrey M. Eliason, Dale A. Severson
  • Patent number: 6230939
    Abstract: A system for automated vending of windshield washer fluid from large volume tanks. In one embodiment the system includes two or more vending control units and a fluid storage system that includes one or more fluid storage tanks mounted at a level above the vending control units. Preferably the fluid storage tanks are mounted to an over head canopy, either on the roof of the canopy or on one of the canopy support columns. Where two or more fluid storage tanks are utilized, fluid equalization conduits connect the storage tanks to each other so that fluid levels in the storage tanks equalize as fluid is added to or withdrawn from any one of the tanks. Two or more fluid dispensing hoses are provided, each one being associated with and controlled by one of the vending control units. Each hose is connected to the fluid storage system and dispenses fluid by force of gravity in response to selective activation of the corresponding vending control unit by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Clean Shield Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willeke, Jeffrey M. Eliason, Dale A. Severson
  • Patent number: 6223855
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for dismantling vehicles, in particular for draining the latter. The device comprises, on pillars (30), a framework on which the vehicles are placed and inspection-type work platforms (40, 50, 60, 80, 90) which can optionally be pivoted to the side. At least one tank-emptying module and/or at least one liquid-collection module and/or at least one liquid-extraction module are provided on the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Itochu Corporation
    Inventor: Anton Lindner
  • Patent number: 6209569
    Abstract: A safety shut-off valve assembly is especially for use with a dispenser unit used at retail gasoline service stations. The shut-off valve assembly comprises an open-top fuel flow chamber for permanent mounting at a base of the fuel dispenser, a removable cover plate with a break-away tube member extending therefrom, and a bonnet valve mounted in the open-top fuel flow chamber. An ingress opening in the fuel flow chamber receives a terminus of a primary supply pipeline. The terminus of the break-away tube member serves as an egress for the fuel. The bonnet valve has a plate disc to close off the break-away tube member terminus when needed. When the dispenser unit is disturbed such as by an accidental bumping, the bonnet valve is activated to prevent further flow of fuel into the dispenser unit. The assembly prevents an accumulation of fuel vapors and allows ready access to the primary pipeline for periodic inspection or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Bruce R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6202712
    Abstract: A system for delivering fuel comprising a receiver coupled in liquid communication with a fuel tank of a vehicle, a nozzle coupled in liquid communication with a fuel source and interactive alignment structure for mating the nozzle with receiver in response to movement of the receiver and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Freddie S. Aguilar
  • Patent number: 6176279
    Abstract: A motor truck has a frame supporting a fuel tank, an oil tank and a water tank along with a container for sand for servicing a rail locomotive located at a remote location or rail yard. Pumps mounted on the frame move the fuel, oil, and water from the tanks through hoses to tanks on the locomotive. A hoist on the truck moves the sand container from the truck to a location adjacent the locomotive to allow sand to flow into a sand hopper on the locomotive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: M-Bar-D Railcar Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Dahlin, William S. Pladson