초록 ▼

An unattended gas station is disclosed having lockable pumps usable by a control group of purchasers who are provided with unlocking keys or cards, said pumps having flame and heat detectors and fire suppressants associated therewith and being monitored from a remote location by a security company t

An unattended gas station is disclosed having lockable pumps usable by a control group of purchasers who are provided with unlocking keys or cards, said pumps having flame and heat detectors and fire suppressants associated therewith and being monitored from a remote location by a security company through cameras and the detectors who can activate said fire suppressants and contact necessary fire, medical, and law enforcement personnel if needed.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A method for dispensing motor vehicle fuel at an unattended location comprising the steps of: a) providing a location for a fuel dispensing station, said location being without any provision for an attendant to be present on the premises; b) providing a remote monitoring station with a

I claim: 1. A method for dispensing motor vehicle fuel at an unattended location comprising the steps of: a) providing a location for a fuel dispensing station, said location being without any provision for an attendant to be present on the premises; b) providing a remote monitoring station with a trained attendant; c) establishing a purchasing membership group whose members will use the dispensing station for fueling their vehicles; d) installing and maintaining at least one fuel dispensing pump and storage and supply tank at said location; e) providing a surveillance camera that can survey the immediate vicinity around said location and transmit images to said remote station; f) providing flame detector means positioned to detect flame in the vicinity of said pump; g) providing means for dispensing fire suppressant chemicals to and around said pumps, the dispensing of said suppressant chemicals being activated by signal from said flame detector; and, providing smoke, fuel vapor, heat impact, and carbon monoxide detectors; h) providing said pumps with locking means and providing each member with unlocking means for said pump, said pumps being activated by employing a combination of said unlocking means and a payment means; i) continuously monitoring the flame detector and camera at the unattended location by the trained attendant at the remote location who can immediately survey the station should a detector signal an alarm or should the attendant observe questionable activity, said trained attendant having an immediate, prearranged access to local fire, police, and emergency medical services; and, j) dispensing fuel into the vehicle of a member who has unlocked the pump and provided payment means. 2. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a security canopy for said at least one pump, said canopy covering at least one vehicle that is being re-fueled, and wherein said detectors and cameras are located in said canopy. 3. The method of claim 1 including providing in said canopy fire suppressant chemicals for suppressing a gasoline fire. 4. A method for dispensing motor vehicle fuel at an unattended location comprising the steps of: a) providing a readily accessible location for a fuel dispensing station, said location being without any provision for an attendant to be at the location; b) establishing a purchasing group whose members are authorized to use the dispensing station for fueling their vehicles; c) providing fuel dispensing pumps with a security canopy positioned thereover, said canopy having smoke, heat, fuel vapor, carbon monoxide, smoke, and impact detectors, security surveillance wide angle cameras that can survey the immediate vicinity around said location installed thereupon; d) providing speakers for audibly contacting anyone within the area of the station; e) providing direct dispensing means for water or gasoline fire suppressant chemicals and materials; f) providing said pumps with locking means and providing each member with a key means or coded card means to unlock said pump; g) providing said pumps with payment means, said pumps being operable when unlocked and said payment means activated; h) providing a monitoring location remote (rum said fuel pump station; i) providing a trained attendant at said remote location who can immediately survey the station should one of the detectors signal an alarm or should the attendant observe questionable activity, said trained attendant having an immediate, prearranged access to local fire, police, and emergency medical services. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein step b) is performing by providing at the fuel pump programmed LCD screen with prompts for membership enrollment whereby a prospective member follows prompts to provide information and accept liability to become a member. 6. The station of claim 5 wherein said pump has associated therewith a programmed LCD screen for enrolling members. 7. A method of operating motor vehicle refueling stations at unattended locations comprising the steps of: a) contracting with a security agency having continuous surveillance of multiple locations and established contacts with police, fire, and emergency medical services, said security agency having personnel at the monitoring station at all times; b) installing a motor vehicle refueling station at an unattended location, said motor vehicle refueling station having a lockable dispensing pump actuated by payment means, and unlocking means; c) enrolling members to use said unattended station; d) positioning a canopy over said pumps having a flame detector, a surveillance camera and audio means for receiving and sending audible information to said station, said canopy being positioned to cover a vehicle being re-fueled; and e) providing fire extinguishing liquids and water dispenser in said canopy; f) monitoring conditions at said unattended location at the security agency; g) when signals received or questionable activity observed at the refueling station by the surveillance person at the monitoring station, determining the appropriate response needed for such signal or activity; h) contacting and dispatching the appropriate police, fire, or emergency medical service agency; or giving voice instructions to said station; i) taking corrective activity as required by voice commands, alarms, or by directing fire extinguishing liquids or water. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein step a) includes the step of establishing a security agency and not contracting with a security agency. 9. The method of claim 7 including heat detecting means associated with said canopy. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of enrolling members includes providing means at the unattended station for providing identification and credit information for prospective membership.