# What is the name of the gas pump handle ridges? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828 "2013-06-12T17:51:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/1 "2013-06-12T17:51:15Z")
You know, the things you can drop the latch in the handle into to leave the nozzle in the “open” position. I’m sure there’s some official industry name (even if it’s just “ridges”). [Earlier thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=232769), which references an ever earlier one. Interesting to see that places have been taking them out for quite a while. I just noticed it recently. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/2 "2013-06-12T18:09:47Z")
Do you mean the ratchet that locks the pump handle in the on position for hands free pumping? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/3 "2013-06-12T18:20:11Z")
I’ve always heard them called “hold-open latches.” ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/4 "2013-06-12T18:26:53Z")
I’d say it’s a form of [escapement](https://www.google.com/search?q=Escapement&num=20&newwindow=1&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Jb24UaXBK9OC0QH60YEI&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=605), but I’m certainly no expert in gears. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/5 "2013-06-12T18:27:52Z")
This is the first question I asked when I joined this board 13 years ago and I still remember the answer. They are called ‘latch-open devices’ and they are illegal in some jurisdictions. The ridges are only one part of that mechanism of course. Here is an example of a law that deals with their use but you can look up others for your state for more information: [http://www.ct.gov/dcs/cwp/view.asp?a=4219&q=494826](http://www.ct.gov/dcs/cwp/view.asp?a=4219&q=494826) ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/6 "2013-06-13T12:03:04Z")
Stops? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/7 "2013-06-13T13:10:04Z")
> [@MacCat](#): > > Stops? Sounds good to me. I don’t know if that’s what the industry uses, but it certainly fits the bill. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/8 "2013-06-13T13:26:00Z")
“Latch-open device” is the name for the entire mechanism. It’s a linear ratchet. In a circular ratchet, the ridges are called “teeth” because the circle is a gear. On linear ratchets they are also called teeth, although they are more pronounced and tooth-like than the low-profile ridges on the gas pump device. But I would still call them teeth. A ratchet is to allow movement in one direction but prevent it in the other. An escapement is a similar but more complex device that is used in timepieces. It has a mechanism that causes the gear to rotate at a precise stepped rate. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/9 "2013-06-13T13:45:39Z")
It’s a detent. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/10 "2013-06-13T22:41:09Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It’s a detent. I like that one best 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-of-the-gas-pump-handle-ridges/660828/11 "2013-06-14T01:42:13Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > This is the first question I asked when I joined this board 13 years ago and I still remember the answer. > ] [Hey, here is your 13 year old thread if anyone is curious to walk down memory lane.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=24356)