Apparatus and method for changing fluid in a motor vehicle
AssigneeTransNav, Inc.
InventorPercy P. Vreeken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid channeling device to facilitate the draining of fluid from a fluid reservoir in a motor vehicle. The device may be attached to the vehicle so that it remains generally fixed, or the device may be temporarily attached to the vehicle for use while changing the fluid in the vehicle. The device is generally positioned below or in proximity to where the drained fluid will originate so that the device collects and channels fluid flowing from the point of origin. The device also includes an elongated throat section so that a hose may be attached to the device to further facilitate channeling the drained fluid.
Claims18
A fluid channeling device for receiving fluid draining from a fluid bearing system on a vehicle, comprising:
- a mouth formed in a shape of a generally closed surface having an open, wide end and an open, narrow end, the open wide end being positioned in proximity to at least one of an inlet and an outlet of the fluid system, wherein the at least one of the inlet and outlet enable fluid flow through a fluid filter, and the mouth includes a side wall adapted to curve about a portion of the filter to enable connection of the filter to the vehicle and said wide end is adapted to extend outwardly from the vehicle along the length of the filter;
- a throat having first and second open ends, one of the first and second open ends connecting to the open, narrow end of the mouth so that fluid passes from the mouth and through the throat;
- and
- attachment means for securing the fluid channeling device to the vehicle in proximity to the at least one of the inlet and outlet.
A fluid channeling device for facilitating changing motor oil in a motor vehicle having a lubrication system including an oil filter, where oil is supplied to the oil filter by an inlet passage and oil exits the oil filter from an outlet passage, comprising:
- a mouth formed in a shape of a generally closed surface having open upper and lower ends and disposed in proximity to the inlet and outlet passages of the oil filter to collect fluid flowing from the inlet and outlet passages, and the mouth includes a side wall adapted to curve about a portion of the filter to enable connection of the filter to the vehicle and said upper end is adapted to extend outwardly from the vehicle along the length of the filter;
- a throat connected beneath the open, lower end of the mouth, the throat having open ends providing fluid passage from the mouth through the throat;
- and
- attachment means for securing the fluid channeling device to the vehicle in proximity to the at least one of the inlet and outlet passages.
A method for changing fluid of a fluid system in a vehicle, where the fluid system includes a fluid reservoir having a drain plug and a fluid filter which receives fluid from an inlet passage and returns fluid to an outlet passage, comprising the steps of:
- positioning the vehicle to enable access to the drain plug and fluid filter;
- removing the drain plug from the fluid reservoir to drain the fluid reservoir;
- attaching a fluid channeling device to the vehicle in proximity to the inlet and outlet passages so that upon removal of the filter, the fluid channeling device collects substantially all fluid flowing from the passages;
- replacing the filter;
- and
- removing the fluid channeling device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.