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  Method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehiclesUSPTO Application #: 20070181212Title: Method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles Abstract: A refueling dock for refueling multiple vehicles at one time is disclosed. The dock has a manifold that has an inlet that can be connected to a fuel tanker truck and a plurality of outlet openings. Each outlet opening has a valve that controls the flow of fuel through the hose. A nozzle is fitted to the hose and is located at the end of the hose distant from the outlet opening. Two or more hoses can be simultaneously connected to different equipment in need of refueling. A valved fuel tank inlet line enables fuel to flow from the manifold to a fuel tank on the dock. When needed, fuel from the tank can then be pumped to the manifold through a fuel tank outlet line,.which can be connected to the same inlet on the manifold that is used to receive fuel from the tanker trick. (end of abstract) Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP - Chicago, IL, US Inventor: Joe Fell USPTO Applicaton #: 20070181212 - Class: 141231000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver Or Receiver Coacting Means, Portable Systems Or Track Mounted Supply Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181212. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No. 60/743,209, filed Feb. 1, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for refueling vehicles used on a construction site and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles at one time using a refueling dock with multiple fuel hoses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] While working on a construction site, large vehicles that are used in moving and hauling dirt and debris need to be refueled. To deal with this problem, construction companies generally hire fuel companies to bring a large fuel tanker truck to the construction site and connect the tanker truck individually to each piece of equipment that needs to be refueled. This is a time consuming, expensive process. The tanker truck travels to the location of each piece of equipment and refuels one piece of equipment at a time. The fuel company must travel to the work site each time refueling is needed, often one or more times per day. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0004] The new refueling dock reduces the time and expense needed to refuel multiple vehicles or pieces of equipment by providing fuel to multiple pieces of equipment at one time. [0005] The disclosed refueling dock includes a tank that can be used to hold fuel. The tank is supported on a wheeled base such as a trailer or flat-bed. Preferably, the base will allow ease of movement and convenient placement of the dock. Fuel is provided through a manifold in the dock. Fuel may be supplied to the manifold by the fuel tanker truck or from the fuel tank. A pump enables the dock to be used independently of the tanker truck. [0006] When refueling is necessary, the equipment is arranged around the refueling hoses are connected to the manifold, and each of the hoses is equipped with a nozzle to distribute fuel. The nozzle of a fuel hose is inserted into the gas tank of each piece of equipment and, consequently, fuel can be supplied to multiple pieces of equipment at one time. [0007] Prior to the beginning of construction at a new site, workers create a staging area is a temporary location where vehicles, equipment, or material are stored when not in use. Generally, when a construction site has been identified, the workers use bulldozers or similar equipment to level and clear a particular area to serve as the staging area. The staging area as constructed often looks like a very wide road. [0008] In many cases, the refueling dock should be located in this staging area. When refueling is required or when the equipment is not in use, it can be parked within range of the hoses on the refueling dock. Fuel may then be pumped through the manifold of the refueling e pieces of equipment at one time. In some cases, it may be desirable to arrange a along each side of the staging area, and align the equipment in need of fuel in front of and behind each refueling dock. Doing so leaves room for the tanker truck to drive refueling docks and conveniently access each of them. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of the refueling dock. [0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a manifold located on top of the fuel [0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the manifold. [0012] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the refueling dock. [0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the refueling dock positioned in a staging area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a refueling dock 5 that uses the present invention. In general, the refueling dock includes a fuel tank 10, wheeled base 12, a fuel tank outlet line 14, and a manifold 16. These components will be described in more detail below. The base may also have an enclosed housing for the tank. [0015] The illustrated fuel tank 10 is supported by the wheeled base 12, and is connected to the manifold 16 through the fuel tank outlet line 14. The fuel tank may be fitted with bung holes that can be used to attach pipes. As explained below, the fuel tank outlet line can be used to convey fuel from the tank to the manifold. [0016] The illustrated manifold 16 is located above and outside the fuel tank 10. It is constructed of metal pipe and contains a plurality of outlet openings 18. Each outlet opening may include a valve, which, in this illustration, is a ball valve 20. A plurality of refueling hoses 22 extend from the outlet openings to refueling nozzles 24. The illustrated nozzles are fast-fill nozzles that can greatly increase the efficiency and minimize the cost of the refueling process. Nozzles such as those sold by Shaw Development or Adel Wiggins, for example, may be used. [0017] For distribution to vehicles, fuel may be provided to the manifold 16 from either a tanker truck or from the tank 10. To obtain fuel from the tanker truck, a fuel line from the tanker truck is connected to an inlet 34 on the manifold, which accepts a fuel nozzle from a tanker truck. The tanker truck contains its own pumping mechanism that can be used to pump fuel into the manifold. [0018] As noted above, fuel tank outlet line 14 can also be used to supply the manifold 16 with fuel from the fuel tank 10 in the refueling dock. The dock has a pump 26 that enables a user to selectively draw fuel from the tank, enabling the dock to function independently of the tanker truck. The illustrated pump is in the fuel tank outlet line 14, and thus is in flow connection with the tank 10. Here, it is connected through a pipe 28 that is connected to a bung hole in the fuel tank, as shown in FIG. 3. The pump 26 may be driven by an engine 32, which is preferably powered by a battery. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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