Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2041203 ln80-4
MESSAGE DISPL~Y BOOT FOR FVEh DISPENSING NOZZLE
BI~CKGROUND OF IN~;N ~ ION
This invention relates to advertising message display
devices. More particularly, it relates to a message
display boot to be used on a Euel dispensirlg nozzle. The
display boot permits the advertising message to be
periodically changed, and locates it at a visually
prominent position to the self-service customer, while he
is dispensing his own fuel, without interfering with or
encumbering his operation of the fuel dispensing nozzle.
In the prior art devices, it was known to attacll a
message display to the top a fuel dispensing nozzle. With
the recent proliferation of self-service stations, it is
now common for drivers to pump fuel lnto their own
vehicles. In so cloing, the customer's visual attention ls
necessarily focused directly on the fuel nozzle ltself,
making the top of the fuel nozzle a desirable site for an
advertising message, s;nce the customer is compe]ed to
notice and read the message as he dispenses his fuel.
I~owever, such prior art message displays are cumbersome,
visually unattractive, and easlly damaged devlces in that
they are afflxed to the fuel nozzle by harness straps,
connected by *Ve]cro or snap connectors. The present
invention overcomes the disadvantage of these prlor devlces
by providing a close-fitting vinyl boot with the message
display platform mounted directly thereon, either by
integral molding with the boot itself or by an appropriate
retainer means to the boot such as rivets or adhesive
bonding. Conseqllent-ly, the message display device of the
present invention is non-obstructive, appears to be a part
of the nozzle itself, and is difficult to damage or remove
from the nozzle.
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These and other advantages of the present invention
will be readily apparent in the detailed description and
drawings which follow.
OBJECTS OF THE lNV~. ~lON
A principal object of the invention is to provide a
message display for a fuel dispensing nozzle in which the
message display is contained on a flexible boot closely
conforming to the contour of the fuel nozzle itself.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
message display platform which is securely mounted on the
boot, either by integral molding with the boot or by
appropriate permanent fastening to the boot, such that the
message display platform will not be an obstruction to
dispensing fuel, and will not be easily damaged or
dislodged from the fuel nozzle.
Another object is to provide message display platforms
of
a variety of shapes such that an individual platform shape
may be a replica of the logo of a fuel refiner or a fuel
retailer.
Another object of the invention is to provide means to
periodically change the displayed message with relative
ease and without the necessity of removing the display boot
from the nozzle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a
protective bumper guard between the display platform and
the body of the vehicle so that the display is not damaged
during the fuel dispensing operation.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the specifications and
drawings.
SUMM~RY OF THE lNv~N~lON
A message display boot is provided for a fuel
dispersing nozzle. The boot comprises a flexible plastic
boot in close conforming fit over at least the front valve
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housing of the nozzle. At the top of the boot is mounted
a message display platform upon which rests a message
placard. The placard is removably held on the platform by
an optically clear skirted cover conforming to the contour
of the platform, such that it is held on the platform by
the close conforming fit of the skirt along the sides of
the platform, but can be easily pried off the platform to
change the placard. A bellows portion at the bottom of the
boot provides a conforming fit over nozzles of various
height. A resilient bumper shields the message platform
and cover from contact with the vehicle. In a preferred
embodiment, the boot, platform, bellows and bumper are
integrally molded of plasisol vinyl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical fuel
dispensing nozzle having mounted thereon a message display
boot according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a basic
embodiment of a message dispensing boot according to the
present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective and exploded view of an
alternative embodiment boot according to the present
invention, having a platform with a protective lip.
Figure 4 is a perspective and exploded view of another
alternative embodiment boot according to the present
invention, having a permanent message encased in the
message platform, wherein the changeable message placard
overlies the permanent message.
Figure 5 is a perspective and exploded view of an
alternative and presently preferred embodiment boot
according to the invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a message display
platform.
DETAILED DISCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a typical fuel
h~
dispensing nozzle 1, as is commonly found at service
stations for dispensing gasoline, kerosene, diesel and
other fuels. Mounted on the nozzle 1 is a message display
boot 10 according to the present invention. As can be seen
from Figure 1, the message display boot 10 fits in close
conformity over the front portion of the nozzle where the
nozzle valves are housed, and as such, appears to be part
of the nozzle itself. This boot is easily installed over
the nozzle, and because of the close conforming fit, is
prevented from sliding around or becoming a cumbersome
obstacle in dispensing the fuel. The boot further places
the message directly on top of the nozzle at the point
where the customer's visual attention will be focused
during nozzle insertion and operation.
Details of the boot are shown more particularly in the
embodiments of Figures 2, 3 and 4. The display boot 10
comprises a boot portion 12, which is preferably
constructed of a plastic material such as a plastisol
vinyl. The boot portion 12 conforms closely to the contour
of the front portion of the nozzle ahead of its handle and
operating lever, and is preferably of unitary construction,
wherein it is pulled onto the nozzle over its insertion
end. However, the boot 12 could be constructed so that the
bottom portion forms two separate flaps which are joined by
snap fasteners. Further, the boot portion 12 may be
extended back over the handle of the nozzle if the nozzle
does not already have a rubber of plastic leak guard, or
where the original leak guard needs replacement.
The bottom of the boot portion 12 further comprises a
bellows portion 14 to accommodate the differences in height
of various nozzles. The boot portion 12 is dimensioned to
conform to nozzles of the smallest height with the bellows
14 relaxed, allowing the accordion folds of the bellows 14
to expand to provide a close-conforming fit over nozzles
having a greater height.
Located at the top of the boot portion 12 is the
message display platform 16. The message display platform
16 is preferably molded integrally with the boot porA on
12, or alternatively may be affixed to the boot portion 12
by any appropriate fastening means, such as rivets or
adhesive bond. The message platform 16 may be of a variety
of shapes, such that a particular shape may replicate the
outline of the logo of a fuel refiner or retailer, such as,
for example, the MOBIL, CHEVRON, SHELL, or 7-11 logos.
This is a particularly desirable feature in that the
affiliation of the service station to a particular refiner
or retailer chain is made and reinforced simultaneously
with the text of the message. The platform 16 will
preferably be molded around an appropriately shaped
metallic plate to provide it with rigidity.
As shown in Figure 3, the message platform 16 may have
a protective rim 18 surrounding it. The protective rim 18
will absorb impact to the side of the message display
platform 16, keeping the message and its cover from being
damaged or dislodged.
As shown in Figure 4, the message display platform 16
may further include a recessed lip 20, into which may be
inserted a permanent message disk 22. The permanent
message disk 22 may preferably be an aluminum disk which is
set into the recessed lip 20 after molding while the hot
vinyl is soft, and thereby be tightly affixed after
cooling. The permanent message disk 22 may display
information of a continuing nature, such as an
identification of the retailer, the pump operating
instructions or other information which does not relate to
periodic promotions or temporary conditions.
A changeable message placard 24, preferably of
paperboard having the same shape as the platform 16, rests
upon the platform 16. The message placard 24 will
typically advertise periodic promotional messages, such as
free or discounted merchandise with a certain volume fuel
purchase, other services provided by the retailer, or other
temporary information, such as an "OUT-OF-ORDER" message
when the pump is empty or inoperative.
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Overlying the message placard 24 and making a sealing
attachment to the platform 16 is a removable message cover
26. The cover 26 has an optically clear top surface 28 so
that the message can be seen, and a retainer skirt 30 to
fit closely along the sides of the platform 16. The skirt
may also be of the same optically clear material as the top
surface 28, although it is not necessary that it be so.
The cover 26 may be vacuum formed or injection molded of an
appropriate material, such as clear polyvinylchloride.
When the message platform is constructed of a plastisol
vinyl, the plasticizer additive provides a surface
attraction to the polyvinylchloride which helps to hold the
cover on the platform and prevent moisture from leaking
under the cover.
The closely fitting skirt 30 retains the cover 26 over the
platform 16, but it can easily be pried off to allow the
message placard 24 to be changed.
A bumper 32 is provided at the front of the boot
portion 12 and extends beyond the message display platform
16, to contact the vehicle when the nozzle is inserted into
the filler pipe. The bumper 32 is preferably an integrally
molded hollow protrusion of the boot portion 12 generally
rectangular in shape, to provide a resilient bumper that
will protect the message display but not mar the vehicle.
As can easily be visualized, the display boot 10 can be
easily installed on a fuel pump nozzle by pulling it on
over the insertion end of the nozzle, and once installed
appears to be part of the nozzle itself, much as a second
leak guard. In fact, it will perform as an additional leak
guard over the area it covers.
A presently preferred embodiment is depicted in
figure 5. The boot 10 has an integral raised resilient
bumper 34, which surrounds the message display platform 16
substantially to or above the platform height, to reduce
the possibility of the message cover 26 being dislodged or
damaged by impact from any side. The bumper 34 replaces
the front bumper 32 of the previously described
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embodiments and the protective rim 18 of the embodiment
shown in figure 3. In this embodiment, the display
platform 16 is preferably an aluminum disc 36 mounted on a
base 37 and pedestal 38, as depicted in figure 6. The boot
portion 12 is molded around the base 37 to secure the
platform, and the pedestal 38 raises the disc 36 above the
boot portion 12 to accommodate the cover 26.
By its close conforming fit, the display boot 10 keeps
the advertising message in its proper location on the top
of the nozzle, without being a cumbersome or visually
unattractive device such as the prior art harnesses. When
the nozzle is inserted into the vehicle's tank filler pipe,
the resilient bumper 26 limits the insertion and protects
the message display and the cover 26 from being impacted.
By simply snapping off the cover 26 and replacing the
message placard 24, the advertising message can be easily
changed by the service station operator.
