US3570644A

US3570644A - Money-operated liquid dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3570644A
Application number: US844447A
Authority: US
Inventors: William M Booth
Original assignee: Wood John Co
Current assignee: John Wood Co
Priority date: 1969-07-24
Filing date: 1969-07-24
Publication date: 1971-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-16

Abstract

Money operated dispensing equipment for dispensing fluids, e.g., gasoline, etc., from self-serving fluid dispensers located, for example, at an automobile service station of the well-known type. A console controls plural dispensers simultaneously, and a control unit in each dispenser stores and removes credit independently of the console.

Description

United States Patent William M. Booth Grand Haven, Mich. 844,447

July 24, 1969 Mar. 16, 1971 John Wood Company East Orange, NJ.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MONEY-OPERATED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.... 194/5 Int. Cl G07f 13/00 Field of Search 222/2, 20; l94/5, 13

E O S REGULAR [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,285,381 11/1966 Robbins. 222/20x Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Att0rney-'I'l10mas M. Marshall PREMIUM 4.

PATENTEUMARI BIQII $570,644

' SHEETHUF'I PLUG- MALE TERMINAL STRIP minim m1 BIS?! 315570.644

SHEEI S 0? 7 I FIG. FIG. FIG.

3A 3B 3c com B 12 21/ .F|G.3

PRODUCT-A PRODUCT-B 2 POLER RELAY SELECTOR SWITCH s Ma O A I I I o I n I O O O (D O G PRODUCT A TERMINALS PATENTfinuAmslsn 5

sum

6 or 7 5 FIG. 38

PRODUCT B TERMINALS J 'PATENTEO

m1 s m sum

7 or 7 5 POLE RELAY R4 50.MA DIODE PLUG- COIN COLLECTOR PLUG- DOLLAR BILL VALIDATOR MONEY-OPERATED LIQUED DISPENSING APPARATUS One feature of my invention is that two customers can dispense fuel at the same time from separate dispensers in simultaneous deliveries.

Another feature of my invention is that each dispenser unit is controlled by a novel credit memory control unit, which stores and removes credit independently of a console for the insertion of money and selection of the dispenser unit.

Another feature of my invention is that accurate delivery of fuel is assured by the direct mechanical drive from the computer and variator unit in the gasoline dispenser, thereby positively protecting both the customer and the owner of the service station from losses from inaccurate delivery.

Another feature of my invention is that the apparatus is provided with an automatic 3-minute shutoff, or for any predetermined time, which allows sufficient time for maximum delivery of the fluid, but reduces hazards which might be caused by careless use by the self-service customer or by vandalism.

Another feature of my invention is that the dispensing unit automatically will slow down to a low rate of delivery of gallons per minute when the dispensing unit is nearing the completion of the delivery for which money has been inserted.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatical representation of an island at an automobile service station showing two dispensing units, and with the control console positioned between the two units.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C in the composite show the wiring diagram for dispenser control.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangements of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C in the composite show the wiring diagram for the collector console.

Referring to FIG. 1; two gasoline dispensers indicated generally at I and 2 are of the well-known type which includes within the housing of the dispenser piping connection to a fuel source of supply; a meter connected to the outlet end of the fuel piping; a variator and computer connected to the outlet drive shaft of the meter; and a dispensing hose 3 connected to the outlet, piping of the meter; said hose 3 at the outside of the housing, being provided at its distal end with a dispensing nozzle 4 for delivery of fuel into a receptacle, e.g., the gasoline supply tank of an automobile.

The collector console is indicated generally by the reference mark 5, the face 6 of the console includes a coin slot 7 for the insertion of coins, quarters, and/or half-dollars, and a dollar bill tray within an opening covered by the hinged member 9.

The console face 6 also includes a selector switch 10 which is adapted to be turned by its handle means to operate either the pump 1 or the pump 2. The pump 1 is designated by the letter A superimposed over a lightbulb l1 and the pump 2 is indicated by the letter B superimposed over the lightbulb 12. When the switch operating handle 10 is turned to either the lightbulb 11 or the light bulb 12, an electrical circuit is closed and the bulb becomes lighted, which indicates whether the circuit is closed to pump 1 or pump 2.

As hereinafter described in detail, a brief step-by-step operation'of the console and gasoline dispenser is as follows:

I. The customer selects the product desired with the product selector switch 10 on the console face 6. The light above the selector knob will become lighted to indicate the product selected.

2. The door cover 9 is lifted upwardly on its hinge and dollar bills are inserted in the currency acceptor tray, and one to six dollar bills are inserted. It is to be noted that the dollar bill is inserted face up in accordance with instructions printed below the dollar bill tray cover 9, and that from one to six dollars can be accepted.

3. Quarters or half-dollars are inserted in the coin slot 7, and any combination of coins and dollar bills may be accepted up to a maximum of a predetermined amount, and, in the mechanism disclosed, up to a maximum of $6.75.

4. As the selector switch 10 has been turned to the pump light 12 which islighted, the nozzle 4 of the pump 2 is removed from its supporting bracket and the operating switch 15 controlling the electrical circuit to the pump motor is turned to on" position.

5. The nozzle 4 is then inserted in the fuel tank fill pipe and the operating lever 4a is moved to open the valve of the nozzle 4 and dispense the fuel. The nozzle 4 automatically stops dispensing when the volume of gasoline at the price per gallon has reached the equivalent of the amount of coins and/or dollar bills inserted; the nozzle 4 is of the type which is adapted to shut off the flow of fuel when the tank of the automobile becomes filled by automatic means of the well-known type within the nozzle.

6. The pump switch 15 is then turned to off" position by its switch handle member, and the nozzle 4 is replaced on its supporting bracket, as shown at the right-hand side of the dispenser 2, in FIG. 1.

it is to be noted that if the customer neglects to turn off the pump switch for the motor of the pump, the mechanism as hereinafter described will automatically open the circuit to the pump motor at the end of a 3-minute delivery time, or at the end of some time period which may be predetermined.

OPERATION In the following description of operation, product B has been selected. If product A were selected, the circuitry thereof is symmetrical and would be identical except for the numbering of the wiring, etc.

Select Product Move selector switch 10 (S to the position indicating product B as indicated in FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C; L current from terminal I on the product B terminal strip is conducted through the wire 14 to a fixed contact on 2-pole relay R and through the wire 14 to the B terminal of the selector switch 10. The B common terminal of selector switch 10 is connected through the wire 16 to the unlatching coil B of the latching relay R which latches the relay in B position.

The light 12 beneath product 8 identification lights up upon selection of product B, and L current from terminal 4 on the product 8 terminal strip is brought through wiring 20 to a fixed contact on latching relay R and from that contact on R through the wire 20 to another fixed contact 20 and thence through the closed contact by the wire 21 to the terminal and a socket for the light 12.

Money Insertion Electrical credit impulses are received from both the dollar bill validator 9 and/or from the coin mechanism operatively connected with the coin slot 7. L current supplied from the pin 2 of the plug-coin collector through the wire 30 to the movable contact 30 of the latching relay R L current from the plug-dollar bill validator from the pin 5 thereof is connected by means of the wire 41 to the coil of relay R and through the wire 29 to the pulse motor M L current supplied from the pin 3 of the plug-dollar bill validator through the wire 3 to the common terminal of the pulse motor switch S and from the normally closed terminal of pulse motor switch S through the wire 40 to the fixed contact of the 3-pole relay R and through the movable contact of relay R through the wire 44 to another fixed contact of relay R and to the pulse motor M The normally open terminal of S is connected through the wire 45 to a movable contact on the relay R and through the wire 49 to another movable contact of relay R Energizing these circuits operates the pulse motor M to supply I current from the normally open terminal of pulse switch S through the wire 34 to the same movable contact as wire 32 is attached. Electrical credit impulses then are transmitted from fixed contact of R through the wire 24 to terminal 2 of terminal strip B.

Credit Storage The terminal 2 of terminal strip B in FIG. 3B is connected through an interconnecting wire to the terminal 2 on the PLUG-MALE T tenninal strip, shown in FIG. 2C for the B product dispenser. It is noted that the numbers in quotation marks, e.g., 6," in the drawing FIG. 2A, refer to the numbers on the PLUG-MALE T terminal strip shown in FIG. 2C.

The terminal 2 of the terminal strip in FIG. 2C is connected through the wire 26 to the add-coil of the add-subtract stepping relay R The first such electrical impulse to said addcoil causes a ratchet to advance one step, thus switching Home switch S from NC. (normally closed) to NO. (normally open) contact. This opens current through N.C. contacts and wire 22 to movable contact on latching relay R and through the wire 17 to the pin Q of the time delay relay R,,, and through the wire 16 to 12 of the terminal strip supplying L and from N.C. contact of R through the wire 33 to movable contact of R and from the fixed contact through wire 36 to l on the terminal strip. Thus, the L current is removed from 1 on the B terminal strip.

This first electrical impulse switching also makes up circuits through No. contacts as follows:

L, current from the movable contact as stated above is applied through the wire 23 to movable contact of reset relay R and through the wire to automatic terminal of the MODE switch S and through the wire 41 to the fixed contact of the self-stepping switch S and throughthe wire 37 to fixed contact on R Additional electric impulses, one for each 25 cents merely advance the ratchet wheel one step each, with no change in the switch relationship until the 27th step. At the 27th step, the 8, limit switch opens and breaks the L current circuit from R,, through the wire 25 and through the wire 24 connected to T on the terminal strip. Such breaking of the circuit removes the 1., current from T in the console through the wire to R thus deactivating the coin collector through the wire 30, and energizing the R relay through the wire 27, and opens the L circuit to the validator. Credit is now stored on R, in the amount of the number of steps applied to the ratchet wheel which as stated above, are at cents each, corresponding to the amount of money inserted up to the maximum of 27 steps, which is a maximum of $6.75.

DISPENSER HANDLE B TURNED ON, READY FOR DELIVERY Turning on the dispenser operating handle activates the power reset mechanism of the dispenser, and resets the computer mechanism to zero, and turns on S-, at two common contacts, one being from T and the other from T of the dispenser terminal strip. Upon the turning on of 8,, L current is supplied from T to T through the switch. The current is conveyed from T through the wire 19 to the movable contact of 5,, the MODE switch, which being in automatic position supplies the same L current through the wire 20 to the movable contact of the relay R and from the fixed contact of R, through the wire 32 to the latch coil of R.,, which latches R. in the on" position. Also, at the L, current from T is applied to T,;, and from T through the wire 45 to the fixed contact on R,;, the 6-pole latching relay. The relay R being in on position, L 2 current is supplied through the movable contact and the wire 47 to T of the terminal strip which is wired to the pump motor relay in the station control box. Also, a circuit is made up from R through the wire 40 to T which is wired to the hi-flow solenoid to open the main valve. Product B is now supplied under pressure to the dispensing nozzle 4 at the end of the dispensing hose.

DELIVERY OF PRODUCT B INTO THE FUEL TANK OF THE VEHICLE Opening of the valve of the dispensing nozzle 4 in the customary manner by the operator allows the product B to flow, which causes the meter to drive the computer clock register means. A shaft from the computer mechanism drives the input shaft to the cam in the dispenser control box through a 2Vzto l gear reduction to provide one revolution of the cam for each 25 cents worth of the product delivered. As the cam starts to rotate, it progresses for four-fifths of a revolution, or 288, or 20 cents, at which time the switch S is closed by the long dwell lobe of the cam. The closing of switch 5,, makes up an L circuit from R,; through the wire 30, the switch contacts, wire 29 to the fixed contact on R,, through the wire 27 to subtract coil R indexing the ratchet wheel back one step. Continued rotation of the cam causes one switch closure of S for each 25 cents of delivery until the ratchet wheel on R is stepped back to zero position. At zero position, the Home switch S is caused to switch from NO. to NC. contacts. The switching action of S removes the L current supply from those elements mentioned in the paragraph supra. The L current of S is applied through the NC. contacts of the wire 33 to the movable contact on R R being in latch-on condition, the L current is routed through a fixed contact, through the wire 34 to the common terminal of the shutoff switch S through the N.O. contact of the switch through wire 34 to the terminal T of the terminal strip and thence to the low-flow solenoid. The low-flow solenoid delivers the product at a reduced flow rate until the cam rotates the long dwell lobe into a position to actuate S The amount delivered by the low-flow solenoid since the shut down of the high-flow solenoid is 5 cents worth of product. The actuation of S breaks the L supply current circuit to the low-flow solenoid, thereby stopping delivery.

DELIVERY COMPLETED AND HANDLE TURNED TO OFF POSITION Turning the handle to off position actuates S switching from the NC. to the ND. contacts. This breaks the L current circuit between T and T releasing the latch-on coil of R Also the L circuit is open between T and T,;, which opens the pump motor relay in the station control box and applies L current between T and T through the wire 21 to a movable contact on R through the wire ,14-to the common contact of S the Reset Motor Switch. The same movable contact on R, supplies a fixed contact, through the wire 39 to the coil of R and through the wire 28 to a movable contact on R-,. The application of L current to the coil R makes up the NO. contacts providing power through a fixed contact and the wire 42 to the unlatched-off-coil of R After the operating handle of product B has been turned off, the system is returned to normal condition and is ready to accept money for the next disposition of product B.

ABNORMAL CONDITION IN DELIVERY; TIME DELAY After the operating handle has been turned on and R, latches on, as described above, L current is supplied from a fixed contact on R through the wire 43 to the pin Q on R,,, Time Delay Relay. This action starts a 180 second, plus or minus 15 seconds, timing cycle. Completion of this time before the operation handle is turned off results in the following circuitry and reactions: The L current is supplied from the pin Q to R through the wire 46 to a movable contact on R; and through a fixed contact on R to the coil of R by the wire 39, as mentioned above. An additional reaction would occur if the Home switch S was made up on NO. contacts; L current would be supplied through the wire 41 to S a self-step switch, through the wire 44 to a fixed contact on R-,, through a movable contact on R through the wire 27 to the subtract coil of R which will step the ratchet wheel back to zero position. Although the L current from R would be applied ihrough a wire to the common conta c t of Sn the Reset Motor Switch. which being off the short dwell lobe would make up the N.C. contact transferring the L2 current through the wire 50 to the Reset Motor M returning the cam to normal position. The time delay resetting returns all components to the dispensing control box to normal, the same as the turning off, except that money cannot be inserted for product 8" until the operating handle has been turned off.

DISPENSER UNIT OFF READY FOR NEXT DELIVERY Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser 1. Dispenser unit turned off and ready to accept credit by customer depositing coins or dollar bills in console.

A. Mode switches 5,, S S [3-SPDT (single pole double throw) 1 15 v. AC snap action switches with common actuator]. N.C. contacts made up.

B. Motor and valve switch S [a DPDT (double pole double throw) snap action switch, 115 v. AC]. N.O. contacts made up.

C. Add and Subtract Ratchet Relay R [a 2 coil, 27 step bidirectional sequencing relay with one Form B (off limit) contact SPST (single pole single throw) N.C., one form C (off normal) set of contacts SPDT N.O. contact made up.] Ratchet in zero position.

D. Control distribution relay R (a 6-pole Form C interlocking relay 115 v. AC coils, 115 v. AC contacts). Six lower contacts made up, latch on turn off armature locked in.

E. Reset Relay R (a 4-pole Form C Relay, 1 15 v. AC coil, 115 v. AC contacts). N.C. contacts made up. Coil not energized.

F. Shutoff (SPDT) snap action switch S N.O. contacts made up.

G. Subtract (SPDT) snap action switch S N.C. contacts made up.

H. Reset Motor (SPDT) snap action switch S N.O. contacts made up.

I. Motion Control Cam, Reset Switch S on apex of short dwell lobe, shutoff switch S on apex of long dwell lobe, and subtract switch S just off trailing edge of long dwell lobe.

J. Reset Motor M (unidirectional balanced oscillator type motor I v. AC not energized).

K. Cam Stop Solenoid. A laminated core, continuous duty in extended position.

L. Time delay relay R A 180 second time delay relay, closed after delay, 115 v. AC timing circuit, 115 v. AC contacts. Contacts open, no power to timing circuit.

MONEY DEPOSITED DISPENSER UNIT OFF Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser 2. Dispenser turned off and money credit recorded. A. Add and Subtract Ratchet Relay R Off normal contacts N.C. made up. All other components remain as above.

MONEY DEPOSITED, DISPENSER ON, READY TO DELIVER Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser 3. Credit recorded, dispensing unit on and ready to deliver product.

A. Motor and Valve Switch S N.C. contacts made up.

B. Control distribution relay R Turn on coil is energized, upper contacts made up, latch on tum on and armature locked in. v

C. Cam Snap Solenoid Coil energized armature in retracted position.

D. Time Delay Relay R power applied to the timing circuit.

Contacts open.

E. High-Flow Solenoid Valve open.

F. Low-Flow Solenoid Valve closed. All other components remain as above.

HIGH FLOW DELIVERY COMPLETED AND TO OFF IN PROCESS Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser ENTIRE DELIVERY COMPLETE AND HANDLE NOT SHUT OFF Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser 5. Top Off Completed and Handle Not Turned Off A. Low-Flow Solenoid closed. i

B. Main Control Cam. Shutoff switch S,, on apex of long dwell lobe. Subtract switch S,,just off trailing edge of long dwell lobe. Reset motor switch S on apex of short dwell lobe. Stop lug on cam against end of solenoid stop lever. All other components as above.

ENTIRE DELIVERY COMPLETE AND HANDLE SHUTOFF Operational Attitude of Components in Dispenser 6. Entire delivery completed and handle turned off.

A. Motor and valve switch S N.O. contacts made up. N.C.

contacts open.

B. Reset Relay R coil energized, and NO. contacts made C. Control Distribution Relay R Turn off coil energized, and 6 lower contacts made up and turn off armature locked in.

D. Time Delay Relay R power removed from timing circuit and contacts open.

DISPENSER UNIT OFF-READY FOR NEXT DELIVERY Operational Attitude of Components in Console 1. Ready to select and accept money. Product B selected as shown.

A. Selector Switch S (a double pole double throw rotary type switch) is turned fully to the product B position.

B. Enabling Relay R (a 2-pole Form C relay, v. AC coil, 1 15 v. AC contacts). N.C. contacts made up, but coil not energized.

C. Product Selector Relay R (a 6-pole Form C interlocking relay 115 v. AC coil, 115 v. AC contacts). Coil B energized, 6 lower contacts made up, latch on armature B locked in.

D. Money Acceptance Relay R (a 2-pole Form C relay 115 v. AC coil, 115 v. AC contacts) N.C. coil energized. Circuit made up through lower contacts.

E. Pulse Motor Starting Relay R (a 3-pole Form C relay 115 v. AC coil, 115 v. AC contacts). N.C. Coil not energized.

F. Pulse Motor Holding Switch S (SPDT Snap Action Switch) N.O. contacts made up. Actuator on lobe of motor holding cam.

G. Pulse Switch 5;, (SPDT Snap Action Switch). N.C. contacts made up. No circuit.

H. Pulse Motor M (60 rpm. synchronous geared motor 115 v. AC). Receiving 115 v. half wave rectified current from 50 MA diode to act as brake.

I. Pilot Lights P Product A; P Product B (a neon 1 watt 1 v. AC lamp). P energized and lighted.

MONEY DEPOSITED-DISPENSING UNIT OFF Operational Attitude of Components in Console 2. Money deposited and product selector isolated.

A. Enabling Relay R,. Coil energized normally open contacts made up. All other components remain as described in l.

MONEY DEPOSITED, DlSPENSER ON, READY TO DELIVER Operational Attitude of Components in Console 3. Money deposited, dispenser on and selection of product A or B possible.

A. Enabling Relay R, coil not energized, normally closed contacts made up.

B. Money Acceptance Relay R coil not energized, normally closed contacts made up.

C. Pilot Light l not energized and not lighted. All other components remain as above. High flow delivery completed, and top-off in process. Entire delivery completed, but handle not turned to shutoff position.

Although l have shown and described my invention in connection with two gasoline dispensers for dispensing product A and product B, and described herein the dispensing of product B with specificity, it is obvious that with only ordinary skill in the art my invention could be utilized to dispense three or more products, the circuitry of the additional third, or fourth, etc., products being symmetrical and identical except for the numbering of the wiring, etc.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications of my invention may be made without departing from the essential features of my invention.

lclaim:

1. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including:

A. a fluid dispenser which includes a meter, computer, and

a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning on and turning off dispensing means of said fluid dispenser;

B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper ourrency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset;

C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor;

D. manually setable selector means for determining which of said fluid dispensers is selected for said coins and currency deposited in said console acceptor;

E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor; and

F. means enabling said firstand second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof.

2. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including:

A. a fluid dispenser which includes a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning on" and turning off dispensing means of said fluid dispenser;

B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper currency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset;

E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor;

F. means enabling said firstand second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof; and

G. means for turning ofl said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser automatically at predetermined time interval after said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser has been turned on" manually.

3. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including:

F. means enabling said firstand second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof;

G. a high-flow solenoid and a low-flow solenoid operatively connected with said dispensing means of said fluid dispensers; and

H. means for initially activating said high-flow solenoid and with the low-flow solenoid being nonactivated, when said credit in said credit memory control unit has been removed to a predetermined low point, said high-flow solenoid is deactivated and said low-flow solenoid activated by said means.

41. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the means" in (H) is a rotatable cam. provided with a long dwell lobe and with a short dwell lobe operatively connected to activate a switch means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, including means for turning off said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser automatically at a predetermined time interval after said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser has been'turned on manually.

6. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including:

A. each of said multiplicity of fluid dispensers provided with a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning on and turning OFF dispensing means of each of said fluid dispensers; B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper ourrency of preselected value, said coin and currencyconsole acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up toa preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset; C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor;

F. means enabling each of said fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof.

Claims

1. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including: A. a fluid dispenser which includes a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning ''''on'''' and turning ''''off'''' dispensing means of said fluid dispenser; B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper currency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset; C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor; D. manually setable selector means for determining which of said fluid dispensers is selected for said coins and currency deposited in said console acceptor; E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor; and F. means enabling said first- and second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof.

2. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including: A. a fluid dispenser which includes a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning ''''on'''' and turning ''''off'''' dispensing means of said fluid dispenser; B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to acCept and validate coins of preselected value and paper currency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset; C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor; D. manually setable selector means for determining which of said fluid dispensers is selected for said coins and currency deposited in said console acceptor; E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor; F. means enabling said first- and second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof; and G. means for turning ''''off'''' said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser automatically at predetermined time interval after said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser has been turned ''''on'''' manually.

3. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including: A. a fluid dispenser which includes a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning ''''on'''' and turning ''''off'''' dispensing means of said fluid dispenser; B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper currency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset; C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor; D. manually setable selector means for determining which of said fluid dispensers is selected for said coins and currency deposited in said console acceptor; E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor; F. means enabling said first- and second-named fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof; G. a high-flow solenoid and a low-flow solenoid operatively connected with said dispensing means of said fluid dispensers; and H. means for initially activating said high-flow solenoid and with the low-flow solenoid being nonactivated, when said credit in said credit memory control unit has been removed to a predetermined low point, said high-flow solenoid is deactivated and said low-flow solenoid activated by said means.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the ''''means'''' in (H) is a rotatable cam provided with a long dwell lobe and with a short dwell lobe operatively connected to activate a switch means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3, including means for turning ''''off'''' said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser automatically at a predetermined time interval after said dispensing means of said fluid dispenser has been turned ''''on'''' manually.

6. Money operated dispensing apparatus for dispensing fluids from a multiplicity of fluid dispensers, including: A. each of said multiplicity of fluid dispensers provided with a meter, computer, and a variator which may be selectively preset to deliver fluid at a preselected price, and switch means for turning ''''on'''' and turning ''''off'''' dispensing means of each of said fluid dispensers; B. a coin and currency console acceptor adapted to accept and validate coins of preselected value and paper currency of preselected value, said coin and currency console acceptor being adapted to accept any combination of said coins and paper currency only up to a preselected value for which said console acceptor has been preset; C. a credit memory control unit in each of said fluid dispensers, said credit memory control unit being adapted to store and remove credit independently of said console acceptor; D. manually setable selector means for determining which of said fluid dispensers is selected for said coins and currency deposited in said console acceptor; E. means for enabling another of said fluid dispensers, by movement of said selector means, to dispense fluid, after said first-named dispenser has been activated, by the deposition of additional coins and currency in said console acceptor; and F. means enabling each of said fluid dispensers to separately and simultaneously dispense fluid, and separately and simultaneously compute the volume and price thereof.