Locking Engine Reservoir Dipstick Module
AssigneeLokar, Inc.
InventorJohn Impellizeri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle including an oil reservoir. A dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the oil reservoir and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The end of the module disposed within the engine compartment includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation and removal of the dipstick. The coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the oil reservoir. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the oil reservoir during removal and/or storage of the engine.
Claims13
A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle engine including an oil reservoir having an interior and exterior, said flexible locking dipstick module comprising:
- an elongated dipstick having an inboard end and an outboard end;
- an elongated dipstick housing having an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end being proximate the oil reservoir;
- said housing being adapted to receive therein said dipstick for limited insertion of said inboard end of said dipstick into the oil reservoir;
- an opening providing for fluid and mechanical communication between the exterior and interior of the oil reservoir, said inboard end of said dipstick housing being sealed in fluid-tight communication with said oil reservoir by way of said opening;
- and
- a coupling mounted on said outboard end of said dipstick housing and adapted to provide locking liquid-sealing, quick disconnection and reconnection of said outboard end of said housing, said coupling including first and second major components, said first major component having an outboard end of a geometry which is readily grasped by the hand of a user and an inboard projection, said outboard end of said dipstick housing being releasably anchored to said first major element, said second major element having a generally hollow tubular geometry, said second major element including an open outboard end adapted to releasably receive said inboard projection therein in fluid-tight sealing relationship therebetween.
A dipstick module for an oil reservoir of a motor vehicle engine comprising:
- a plurality of hollow tubular elements assembled in continuous linear interconnection therebetween and defining a fluid flow passageway between an oil reservoir of the engine of a motor vehicle and ambient atmosphere outside said oil reservoir;
- and
- means interposed along the length of said passageway for selectively opening and closing said passageway;
- said means including a coupling including first and second major elements adapted to be quickly and easily connected to preclude fluid flow along said passageway and likewise quickly and easily disconnected to open said passageway for fluid flow along said passageway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.