Oil pan bolt with retaining means

#The present invention relates generally to automotive equipment, and more particularly is an oil pan bolt (or plug) with retaining means.

#Internal combustion engines use motor oil to lubricate their moving parts. The oil is collected in an oil pan when the engine is not in operation. In order to replace the oil in the engine after it has been used for some time, and has become contaminated with dirt and particulate matter, a means to drain the oil pan must be available. This means of draining is universally provided by means of a threaded drain hole on the underside of the oil pan. The drain hole is sealed with an oil pan bolt during operation of the engine.

#In order to change the oil in an engine, the used oil must be drained from the engine. This is accomplished by removing the oil pan bolt from the drain hole, and allowing the oil to drain out into a receptacle. Traditionally, this has involved the oil changer getting his hand covered with hot oil.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oil pan bolt of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the bolt.

#FIGS. 3-6 depict alternate extension pieces and retaining means.

#The present invention is an oil pan bolt with retaining means 10. Referring first to FIGS. 1-2b, the bolt 10 comprises a standard bolt head with a sealing flange 12. The bolt 10 further includes a threaded portion 14. At a distal end of the threaded portion 14 an extension piece 18 is secured. At a distal end of the threaded portion is a retaining means 16.

#In a first preferred embodiment, the retaining means 16 is a disk shaped member with a diameter equal to that of the threaded portion 14. The retaining means includes threads on its outer perimeter. The user inserts the retaining means 16 into a drain hole in an oil pan, and screws the bolt 10 in so that the retaining means 16 passes the wall of the oil pan. The bolt 10 may then be freely moved along a travel path impeded at a first end by the retaining means 16 and at a second end by the threaded portion 14. In this position, oil may be drained from the oil pan without completely removing the pan bolt. To seal the drain hole, the user simply screws the threaded portion 14 into the drain hole.

#While the preferred embodiment utilizes a threaded disk member as the retaining means, various constructions will readily achieve the desired results. FIGS. 3-6 show some alternate embodiments of the retaining means and the extension piece.