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US 8,578,975 B2Granted
Oil filter change method and apparatus
OwnerGregory R. Ernstinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An oil filter change method and apparatus for use with Harley Davidson motorcycles employs a filter funnel adapted to fit beneath the oil filter prior to removal. A drain hose may be attached to a spout portion of the funnel, the filter is punctured, and oil allowed to drain therefrom. Once drained, the filter is fully removed, and is held in the funnel for removal, with minimal or no oil spillage onto the engine of the motorcycle.
Claims26
A funnel for use in oil filter change operations, comprising:
- a filter receiving portion having a shape for placement adjacent a filter for capturing oil draining from the filter, said filter receiving portion having left and right upper edges along a region where said filter is received;
- and
- at least one contact surface area reduction member defined on an interior face of the filter receiving portion at a position away from the left or right upper edges, for reducing surface area of contact between an oil filter face and a surface of the funnel, to assist in allowing the filter to slide longitudinally in the funnel, by minimizing the surface area of contact between the surface of the funnel and the oil filter face.
A method of changing an oil filter in a motorcycle, comprising the steps of:
- positioning, at a location of the oil filter, a funnel member having at least one at least one contact surface area reduction member, for reducing surface area of contact between an oil filter face and a surface of the funnel member, to assist in allowing the filter to slide longitudinally in the funnel member, by minimizing the surface area of contact between the surface of the funnel member and the oil filter face, said funnel member having an oil filter receiving portion having a shape for placement adjacent a filter for capturing oil draining from the filter, said funnel member having a drain channel formed as a depression along a longitudinal portion of an interior face of the funnel for directing draining oil away;
- and
- forming an opening in the oil filter near a peripheral edge of a face of the filter to allow oil to drain therefrom into the funnel.
A motorcycle oil filter change funnel for use with motorcycles, comprising:
- a filter receiving portion having a hemispherical shape for placement adjacent a filter for capturing oil draining from the filter;
- a sealing edge adapted for engagement with a filter seal surface of the motorcycle for providing a temporary seal against oil leakage along the sealing edge;
- plural rib members on an inner face of said funnel for minimizing surface area of contact between the inner face and the filter, to assist in allowing the filter to slide longitudinally in the filter receiving portion, by minimizing the surface area of contact between the surface of the filter receiving portion and the oil filter face;
- and
- a drain channel formed as a depression along a longitudinal portion of an interior face of the filter receiving portion for conveying away oil draining from the filter.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.