Low oil level indicator
OwnerVictor Gomeryinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self powered low oil level indicator. The device includes a dipstick extending downward from a cap, and it replaces stock oil reservoir caps on mechanical devices which have oil reservoirs and in some cases have oil fill tubes. The indicator dipstick has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. An electrical circuit is provided including electrical conductors, a battery, an indicating light, and a switch having an electrically conductive on-off element. A float configured for carriage of the electrically conductive on-off element is provided at or near the lower end of the dipstick. When the float displacement is lowered by low oil level, the electrical circuit is completed, allowing the battery to energize a warning light.
Claims24
An oil level indicator, comprising:
- an elongated dipstick member having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;
- a cap, said cap secured to said second end of said dipstick;
- an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit comprising electrical conductors, a cap mounted battery, an indicating light, and a switch having an electrically conductive on-off element;
- a float, said float configured for carriage of said electrically conductive on-off element, said float operatively secured at or near said first end of said elongated dipstick for displaceable movement between a first position wherein said electrical circuit is switched off, and a second position wherein said electrical circuit is switched on.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- a lawn mower, said lawn mower comprising an engine having an oil fill tube having an upper end and a low oil level indicator sized and shaped for secure mating engagement with said oil fill tube, said low oil level indicator comprising
- a cap, said cap secured to said upper end of said oil fill tube, said cap having a central interior portion;
- an elongated dipstick having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said second end of said elongated dipstick affixed to said central interior portion of said cap and extending downwardly therefrom;
- an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit comprising electrical conductors, a cap mounted battery, an indicating light, and a switch having an electrically conductive on-off element;
- a float, said float configured for carriage of said electrically conductive on-off element, said float operatively secured at or near said first end of said elongated dipstick for displaceable movement between a first position wherein said electrical circuit is switched off, and a second position wherein said electrical circuit is switched on.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- a mechanical device having an oil reservoir and an oil fill tube, said oil fill tube having an upper end and a low oil level indicator sized and shaped for secure mating engagement with said oil fill tube, said low oil level indicator comprising
- a cap, said cap secured to said upper end of said oil fill tube, said cap having a central interior portion;
- an elongated dipstick having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, said second end of said elongated dipstick affixed to said central interior portion of said cap and extending downwardly therefrom;
- an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit comprising electrical conductors, a cap mounted battery, an indicating light, and a switch having an electrically conductive on-off element;
- a float, said float configured for carriage of said electrically conductive on-off element, said float operatively secured at or near said first end of said elongated dipstick for displaceable movement between a first position wherein said electrical circuit is switched off, and a second position wherein said electrical circuit is switched on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.