US 6,439,492 B1Granted

Vehicular fluid absorbent pad

OwnerDavid Leiggiinventor

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Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses an absorption means of liquid spills and fluids that may leak or fall from underneath the chassis of a motor vehicle 12. The present invention 10 discloses a main enclosure 16 being a cylindrical-shaped structure having a thin, rectangular aperture 22 therein through which an absorbing element 14 passes. On each end of the main enclosure are retaining cap ends 28 which have retaining grooves 53 therein which provide coupling means for the present invention 10. The counterweight element 36 is provided in the base of the main enclosure 16 for providing anchorage and stability to the present invention. Rubber feet having threaded members 48 are provided which pass through threaded apertures 50 of the counterweight 36 and provide means for connecting the end caps 28, counterweights 36 and rubber feet 30 together The absorbing member 14 is a rectangular-shaped structure comprising a porous material layer 58, an absorbing material layer 60 and an impermeable material layer 62. A barrel element or take-up barrel 44 is provided upon which the absorbing element 14 is wound. The barrel element is provided with a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism 46 which provides means for retracting and extending the take-up barrel. A stop 24 having a ring-shaped handle 26 thereon is provided on the distal end of the absorbing element 14 which is used to prevent the absorbing element from being inadvertently retracted into the interior of the main enclosure 16.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for placement underneath a vehicle for absorbing fluid leaks and spills therefrom, comprising:

a) an absorbing element, said absorbing element being rectangular shaped, having a first end, a second end, a top side, and a bottom side;
b) a housing for storing said absorbing element therein, said housing being an elongated cylindrical structure, said housing have a thin, rectangular elongated aperture disposed horizontally therein, said absorbing element passing through said aperture, said housing having a bottom side;
c) a take-up barrel disposed internal said housing upon which barrel said absorbing element is wound, said first end of said absorbing element connected to said barrel;
d) a guide baffle disposed internal said housing, said baffle being complimentarily shaped as said housing for guiding said absorbing element onto said take-up barrel, said guide baffle having an entrance therein through which said absorbing member passes;
e) a stop is provided on said second end of said absorbing element to prevent retraction into said housing;
f) means for a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism disposed on said take-up barrel whereby said take-up barrel selectively rotates to retract or extend said absorbing element;
g) a counterweight disposed in said bottom of said housing to provide stability to the housing;
h) means for a pair of retaining end caps, whereby said housing, said take-up barrel, said guide baffle, said means for a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism and said counterweight are retained in a cooperating relationship, said means for end caps being complimentarily shaped as said housing, said end caps having a bottom.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.