U.S. patent number 3,558,013 [Application Number 04/726,879] was granted by the patent office on 1971-01-26 for fluid dispenser assembly for automobiles.
Invention is credited to John C. Ponzo, Joseph Tkach.
United States Patent |
3,558,013 |
Ponzo , et al. |
January 26, 1971 |
FLUID DISPENSER ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES
Abstract
A fluid dispenser assembly for automobiles and the like
including a diaphragm-type pump for dispensing the liquid from a
container by compressed air. A control circuit prevents dispensing
of the liquid until the ignition of the automobile is turned
on.
Inventors: |
Ponzo; John C. (Cleveland,
OH), Tkach; Joseph (North Royalton, OH) |
Family
ID: |
24920397 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/726,879 |
Filed: |
May 6, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/61;
222/146.2; 222/394; 222/146.6; 222/626 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/04 (20130101); B60N 3/18 (20130101); B67D
2001/0493 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60N
3/18 (20060101); B60N 3/00 (20060101); B67D
1/04 (20060101); B67D 1/00 (20060101); B67d
005/08 (); B67d 005/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/284
;222/52,178,394,400.5,400,8,176,396,61 ;15/(Inquired),250.01,250.02
;141/(Inquired),360--362 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Coleman; Samuel F.
Claims
We claim:
1. A liquid dispenser assembly for motor vehicles and the like
comprising a liquid container, diaphragm pump means for supplying
air pressure to said liquid container to pressurize the liquid
contained therein, and a dispenser valve assembly operatively
connected to said container for dispensing the liquid supplied
thereto by such air pressure, said diaphragm pump means comprising
a pumping chamber having suction and discharge ports, a flexible
diaphragm in said pumping chamber, means for reciprocating said
flexible diaphragm within said pumping chamber, and check valves
for said suction and discharge ports permitting air to enter said
chamber through said suction port and discharge through said
discharge port during such reciprocating of said flexible
diaphragm, said discharge port being operatively connected to said
container for supplying air pressure thereto as aforesaid, said
means for reciprocating said flexible diaphragm comprising a
plunger connected to said diaphragm, a coil surrounding said
plunger which when energized pulls said plunger and thus said
diaphragm from a first position to a second position, spring means
urging said diaphragm toward such first position, and contact means
which are closed by said plunger to connect said coil with a
current source when said plunger is in such first position to
energize said coil, and opened when said plunger is moved toward
such second position to permit said spring means to return said
plunger to such first position, and so on, and pressure switch
means in the current path between said contact means and said
current source for opening said current path when the air pressure
developed by said diaphragm pump means exceeds a predetermined
level.
2. A liquid dispenser assembly for motor vehicles and the like
comprising a liquid container, electrically operated pump means for
supplying air pressure to the top of said liquid container to
maintain the liquid contained therein under pressure, a dispenser
valve assembly, and a liquid line extending from adjacent the
bottom of said container to said dispenser valve assembly through
which liquid is forced by the pressure acting thereon in said
container to said dispenser valve assembly and pressure switch
means in the current path for said electrically operated pump means
for opening said current path when the air pressure developed by
said electrically operated pump means exceeds a predetermined
level.
3. The liquid dispenser assembly of claim 2 wherein said
electrically operated pump means comprises a pumping chamber having
suction and discharge ports, a flexible diaphragm in said pumping
chamber, electrically operated means for reciprocating said
flexible diaphragm within said pumping chamber, and check valves
for said suction and discharge ports permitting air to enter said
chamber through said suction port and discharge through said
discharge port during such reciprocating of said flexible
diaphragm, said discharge port having an air line extending
therefrom to the top of said container for supplying air pressure
thereto as aforesaid.
4. The liquid dispenser assembly of claim 3 wherein said means for
reciprocating said flexible diaphragm comprises a plunger connected
to said diaphragm, a coil surrounding said plunger which when
energized pulls said plunger and thus said diaphragm from a first
position to a second position, spring means urging said plunger
toward such first position, a movable contact carried by said
plunger for movement therewith, and a stationary contact which is
engaged by said movable contact to connect said coil with a current
source when said plunger is in such first position to energize said
coil, and disengaged by said movable contact when said plunger is
moved toward such second position to deenergize said coil and
permit such spring means to return said plunger to such first
position, and so on.
5. The liquid dispenser assembly of claim 4 further comprising an
ignition switch in the current path between said contact means and
said current source for breaking said current path when said
ignition switch is in the off-position.
6. The liquid dispenser assembly of claim 3 wherein said container
has a removable closure member, and said air and liquid lines have
quick disconnect couplings to said closure member to permit removal
of said air and liquid lines from said closure member.
7. The combination of a liquid dispenser assembly mounted within a
motor vehicle comprising a liquid container contained in the trunk
compartment of said vehicle, electrically operated pump means
contained in said trunk compartment for supplying air pressure to
the top of said liquid container to maintain the liquid contained
therein under pressure, a dispenser valve assembly mounted in the
passenger compartment of said vehicle, and a liquid line extending
from adjacent the bottom of said container to said dispenser valve
assembly through which liquid is forced by the pressure acting
thereon in said container to said dispenser valve assembly, said
pump means being electrically connected to the battery of said
vehicle through the ignition switch, whereby when said ignition
switch is off, electrical contact is broken to prevent unauthorized
use of said liquid dispenser assembly and pressure switch means in
the current path for said electrically operated pump means for
opening said current path when the air pressure developed by said
electrically operated pump means exceeds a predetermined level.
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said dispenser valve assembly
comprises a pivotally mounted handle having a downwardly extending
portion, a spigot, a valve element spring biased into engagement
with a seat to prevent flow to said spigot, and a plunger movable
into engagement with said valve element by pressing against said
downwardly extending portion with a cup and the like to permit
discharge of liquid from said spigot which has been supplied
thereto by the air pressure in said container, and a bracket for
mounting said dispenser valve assembly to the instrument panel of
said vehicle, said bracket having a horizontally extending flange
below said valve assembly for supporting such cup directly beneath
said spigot.
9. The combination of claim 7 further comprising coil means in said
trunk wrapped about said container and associated with the air
conditioning unit of said vehicle for maintaining the contents of
said container at a desired temperature.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally as indicated to a fluid
dispenser assembly particularly adapted for use with automobiles
and the like.
In conditions of modern-day travel, it is often inconvenient or
impossible to stop when liquid refreshment is desired, particularly
during high-speed travel conditions which exist on turnpikes,
interstate highways and freeways. Even when facilities for such
refreshment are available along the way, service is normally
relatively slow and the liquid refreshment and other food products
are quite expensive.
As a result, there have been efforts in the past to provide
liquid-containing and dispensing equipment within the automobile
itself to permit dispensing of liquids as desired by the occupants
of the vehicle. However, previous equipment of this general type
has not always been satisfactory for a number of reasons. The
dispensing assemblies have usually been difficult to install.
Moreover, it has been common practice to locate the liquid
container and pumping device therefor beneath the hood of the
vehicle, which has presented an increasing problem due to the lack
of sufficient space under the hood of present-day vehicles.
Furthermore, the usual pumping device is relatively complex and
expensive and requires the liquid to pass directly through the
pump, whereby the various pump parts may become contaminated by the
liquids, resulting in early pump failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a fluid dispenser assembly which is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture and which can be quickly installed in an
automobile.
A more specific object is to provide such a dispenser assembly
wherein the pump and liquid container can be conveniently mounted
in the trunk of the vehicle to be simultaneously inconspicuous and
accessible, and wherein the dispensing control mechanism is mounted
on or adjacent the dashboard or control panel of the vehicle for
convenient dispensing of the liquid by the driver or front seat
occupant. The pump is in the form of a diaphragm-type compressor
which creates sufficient pressure acting on the liquid in the
container to force the liquid therefrom for flow to the dispensing
control mechanism.
A further object is to provide a fluid dispenser assembly with a
control circuit which prevents dispensing of the liquid until the
ignition of the automobile is turned on thereby completely
eliminating unauthorized use of the device.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following
description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail a
certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being
indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the
principles of the invention may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the annexed drawing:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic diagram of an automobile with the
various elements of the fluid dispenser assembly of the present
invention shown mounted therein; and
FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the fluid dispenser
assembly of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawing, wherein like parts are
indicated by like reference numerals, and initially to FIG. 1, an
automobile is shown fragmentarily at 1, with the detailed features
of the automobile being illustrated merely to represent a typical
installation of the present invention. As shown, the vehicle 1
includes a trunk compartment 2, an engine compartment 3 beneath the
hood 4, and a passenger compartment generally indicated at 5. The
latter such compartment includes conventional seating equipment 6
and a dashboard or control panel 7 mounting in normal fashion the
usual controls and instrument dials (not shown).
In accordance with the present invention, a liquid container 8
which comprises a part of the fluid dispenser assembly 9 is
received in a well 10 in the trunk compartment 2 supported
ultimately by the frame of the vehicle. The container 8 may be of
any desired capacity, and as best seen in FIG. 2 is provided with a
screw-on closure member 16 having a pair of ports 11 and 12 therein
for insertion of an air line 13 and fluid line 14, respectively.
Suitable quick disconnect couplings 15 may be provided for
releasably clamping the lines 13 and 14 to the closure member 16,
thus permitting withdrawal of the lines 13 and 14 so that the
container 8 may be removed from the well 10 for filling and
cleaning, as required. Thermal insulation or the like may be
disposed around the container 8 to maintain liquid temperature
levels of relatively hot or cold liquids such as, for example,
coffee of hot chocolate and water, milk or the like, respectively,
for relatively long periods of time. Additional means may also be
provided in or around the container 8 to maintain the liquid
contents at a predetermined temperature, as, for example, a
plurality of cooling or heating coils 20 wrapped around the
container which may be operatively connected to the heating or air
conditioning unit of the automobile.
Compressed air is supplied to the container 8 through the air line
13 by means of a diaphragm-type pump 21 which, like the container
8, may be mounted in the trunk compartment using a bracket 22 or
the like connected to the vehicle frame. The pump 21 is of a
relatively simple and inexpensive construction, comprising a
pumping chamber 22 containing a flexible diaphragm 23 which when
moved toward the left as viewed in FIG. 2 creates a suction for
pulling air into the chamber through the filter 24, check valve 25,
and suction port 26, and when moved toward the right forces the air
out of the chamber 22 through the discharge port 27, check valve
28, and air line 13 connected thereto.
Reciprocation of the flexible diaphragm 23 is effected by means of
an iron plunger 29 operatively connected to the diaphragm 23 by a
plunger shaft 30 and axially movable into and out of a wire coil
31. When the coil 31 is energized, a magnetic field is created
which pulls the iron plunger 29 toward the right into the coil,
whereas when the coil is deenergized, a spring 32 surrounding the
plunger shaft 30 causes return movement of the plunger 29.
The air line 13 extends only a short distance into the top of the
container 8 so that the air pressure supplied thereby will act on
the upper surface 33 of the liquid 34 in the container. The fluid
line 14, on the other hand, extends a substantial distance into the
container, preferably terminating closely adjacent the bottom
thereof so that substantially all of the liquid may be forced
therethrough by the air pressure. From the container 8 the fluid
line 14 desirably extends beneath the floor of the automobile and
up into the passenger compartment 5 through the firewall 35 where
it is connected to a dispenser valve assembly 37 mounted on the
instrument panel 7 by a bracket 38. The bracket 38 may also be
provided with a horizontally outwardly extending flange 39 below
the dispenser valve 37 for supporting a beverage cup 40 directly
beneath the spigot 41. Pivotally mounted on the dispenser valve
assembly 37 is a handle 42 provided with a downwardly extending
portion 43 for engagement by the cup 40. The spigot 41 extends
through an opening 44 in the handle extension. When pressure is
applied to the handle extension 43 as by pushing the cup against
the handle extension, a plunger 45 is forced inwardly, thereby
moving the valve element 46 of the valve assembly 37 away from its
seat 47 against the bias of a spring 48 thus to permit fluid flow
through the spigot for filling the cup. When the cup is full, the
pressure exerted on the handle extension 43 is released thus
permitting the spring 48 to return the valve 46 to the closed
position preventing further flow through the spigot.
The coil 31 for the pump 21 is desirably electrically connected to
the vehicle battery 50 to permit the operation of the dispenser
assembly 9 of the present invention without providing a separate
source of power. The electrical connection may be through the
ignition switch 51 so that the circuit between the battery 50 and
coil 31 is completed only when the ignition switch is turned on or
in the accessory position, as desired. Thus, when the ignition key
is not in the ignition switch, the dispensing of liquid from the
container 8 is prevented, thereby substantially eliminating
unauthorized operation of the dispenser assembly.
With the initial switch on, current will flow through the coil 31
when the plunger 29 has been moved to the left by the spring 32
forcing the spring contact 55 into engagement with stationary
ground contact 56 to establish electrical contact therebetween.
Energization of the coil 31 causes the plunger 29 to move toward
the right until the contacts 55 and 56 are disengaged, after which
the magnetic field collapses and the spring 32 returns the plunger
29 to the initial left position again closing the contacts 55, 56,
and so on, causing reciprocation of the flexible diaphragm 23 for
supplying air pressure to the container 8 as previously described.
A pressure switch 57 may be inserted in the electric line 58
between the ignition switch 51 and coil 31 for opening the
electrical circuit when the pressure in the air line 13 reaches a
predetermined level of approximately 3 p.s.i. even though ignition
switch 51 is on to prevent excessive pressure from acting on the
liquid within the container 8. As shown, the pressure switch 57 may
comprise an electrically conductive pressure plate 60 which is
normally biased against a pair of isolated stationary contacts 61
by a spring 62 to close the electrical circuit 58 when the fluid
pressure supplied by the branch line 63 is below 3 p.s.i., but
which is moved away from the stationary contacts to open the
circuit when the pressure acting on the pressure plate 60 exceeds 3
p.s.i. As long as there is sufficient pressure acting on the liquid
within the container 8, such liquid may be dispensed from the
dispenser valve assembly 37 simply by actuating the handle
extension 43 to open the valve 46, as previously described.
It will thus be seen that the fluid dispenser assembly of the
present invention is comprises of but a few parts thereby
permitting manufacture at relatively low cost. The assembly can be
quickly installed in practically any existing automobile, with the
pump of the assembly being electrically connected to the vehicle
battery. The liquid container can be conveniently mounted in the
trunk compartment of the vehicle so that it is readily accessible
and removable for filling and cleaning.
Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be
employed, change being made as regards the details described,
provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the
equivalent of such be employed.
* * * * *