|
PatentVote.com: Vote on your favourite invention!
|
|
|
 |
Title: Fluid dispensing nozzle including trigger retaining mechanism
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. In combination with a manually operable fluid dispensing nozzle including a valve to control the flow of fluid through the nozzle: a trigger member mounted on the nozzle for movement by a relatively high manual force between an inoperative position and an operative position to actuate the valve and control the fluid flow through the nozzle; and retaining means operable by a continuous relatively low manual force for holding said trigger member in its operative position and for automatically releasing said trigger member for return to its inoperative position upon termination of the relatively low manual force. 2. In combination with a manually operable gasoline dispensing nozzle including a valve to control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle: a manually operable trigger member pivotally mounted on the nozzle and normally biased to an inoperative position, said trigger member being movable by a relatively high manual force to an operative position to actuate the valve and control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle; and a manually operable trigger retaining mechanism mounted on the nozzle and operable by a continuous relatively low manual force for engaging said trigger member upon movement of said trigger member to its operative position to enable an operator to retain said trigger member in its operative position by continuous application of the relatively low manual force and for automatically releasing said trigger member for return to its inoperative position upon termination of the relatively low manual force. 3. A manually operable gasoline dispensing nozzle provided with a normally closed valve to control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle, including: a manually operable lever pivotally mounted on the nozzle for operating the valve, said lever being normally biased to an inoperative position and movable by a relatively high manual force to an operative position to open the valve and allow flow of gasoline through the nozzle; a first retaining member pivotally mounted on the nozzle for engaging said lever in its operative position; and a second retaining member mounted on the nozzle and manually operable by a relatively low manual force upon movement of said lever to its operative position for holding said first retaining member in engagement with said lever to prevent return movement of said lever to its inoperative position during continuous application of the relatively low manual force to said second retaining member. 4. A trigger mechanism for a manually operable gasoline dispensing nozzle including a normally closed valve provided with a displaceable actuator to control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle; comprising: an operating lever including a first end pivotally mounted on the nozzle adjacent to the valve actuator and a second, free end extending away from the valve actuator, said operating lever being normally biased to an inoperative position out of engagement with the valve actuator and movable by a relatively high manual force to an operative position into engagement with the valve actuator to open the valve and permit the flow of gasoline through the nozzle; an arm pivotally mounted on the nozzle and engageable with said free end of said operating lever upon movement of said operating lever to its operative position; and a manually operable retaining member being normally biased to a first position out of engagement with said arm and movable by a relatively low manual force to a second position in engagement with said arm to enable an operator to hold said arm in engagement with said free end of said operating lever to retain said operating lever in its operative position by continuous application of the relatively low manual force to said retaining member. 5. The trigger mechanism of claim 4, wherein: said arm includes a first end extending into the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever and a second arm extending in the opposite direction; and said retaining member is pivotally mounted on the nozzle adjacent to said arm and normally biased to a first position out of engagement with said second end of said arm, said retaining member being manually movable to a second position in engagement with said second end of said arm by a relatively low manual force upon movement of said operating lever to its operative position to hold said first end of said arm in engagement with said free end of said operating lever to retain said operating lever in its operative position during continuous application of the relatively low manual force to said retaining member. 6. The trigger mechanism of claim 5, which includes: a plunger mounted on said lever and movable into engagement with said retaining member upon movement of said operating lever to its operative position to enable an operator to hold said retaining member in its second position to retain said operating lever in its operative position by application of the relatively low manual force to said plunger. 7. The trigger mechanism of claim 5, which includes: a thumb actuated lever pivotally mounted on the nozzle above said operating lever, said thumb actuated lever including a first end provided with a thumb engageable portion and a second end connected to said retaining member to enable an operator to hold said retaining member in its second position to retain said operating lever to its operative position by application of the relatively low manual force to said thumb engageable portion. 8. A trigger mechanism for a manually operable gasoline dispensing nozzle including a normally closed valve provided with a displaceable actuator to control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle, comprising: an operating lever including a first end pivotally mounted on the nozzle adjacent to the valve actutator and a second, free end extending away from the valve actuator, said operating lever being normally biased to an inoperative position out of engagement with the valve actuator and movable by a relatively high manual force to an operative position into engagement with the valve actuator to operate the valve and control the flow of gasoline through the nozzle; a plunger mechanism mounted on the nozzle adjacent to said free end of said operating lever and including a slidable plunger normally biased to a first position away from said free end of said lever and movable to a second position located in the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever; and a plunger actuating lever pivotally mounted on the nozzle and operable by a relatively low manual force for moving said plunger into the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever to enable an operator to retain said operating lever in its operative position by continuous application of the relatively low manual force to said plunger actuating lever. 9. The trigger mechanism of claim 8, wherein said plunger mechanism includes: a hollow cylindrical support slidably mounted on the nozzle adjacent to said free end of said operating lever for supporting said plunger therein for slidable movement relative to said support; first spring bias means for normally biasing said support away from said free end of said operating lever to maintain said plunger in its first position out of the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever; and second spring bias means for normally biasing said plunger toward said free end of said operating lever to permit said plunger to be displaced out of the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever during movement of said operating lever between its inoperative position and its operative position. 10. The trigger mechanism of claim 9, wherein: said plunger includes an inclined cam surface cooperable with said free end of said operating lever to displace said plunger out of the path of movement of said free end of said operating lever during movement of said operating lever from its inoperative position to its operative position. Other info: Inventors: Robinson, Jr., George Dennis (Greensboro, NC, US) Hartsell, Jr., Hal Craig (Kernersville, NC, US) Application Number: 480156 Filing Date: 1974-06-17 Publication_date: 1976-02-17 Assignee: Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company (Greensboro, NC) Primary Class(es): 141/392 74/526, 141/84 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Bell, Jr., Houston S. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow & Garrett |
|