Liquid level indicator

Claim 2

Liquid level indicator apparatus, comprising: a. means defining a frame mountable within a liquid container; b. a helical element rotatably attached to said frame and extendable generally vertically within the liquid container; c. float means engaging said helical element for causing rotation thereof on vertical movement of said float in response to changes in the liquid level within the container; d. a plurality of spatially separated electrical contacts connectable to a remotely located liquid level indicator gauge; e. sealing means positioned between the electrical contacts and the liquid containing compartment of the liquid container; f. a rotatable sweep arm for sequentially engaging said electrical contacts to energize the liquid level indicator gauge, said sweep arm simultaneously engaging adjacent ones of said electrical contacts in passing therebetween; g. coupling means including a drive magnet positioned within the liquid container rotatable with said helical element and a rotatably mounted follower magnet isolated from the liquid containing compartment by said sealing means and rotatable by magnetic coupling with said drive magnet in a plane generally parallel thereto; and h. said sweep arm is affixed to said follower magnet for rotation therewith.

Claim 3

The liquid level indicator apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid level indicator gauge includes a plurality of indicator lights each connected to a different one of said plurality of electrical contacts.

Claim 4

Fuel level indicator apparatus, comprising: a. means defining a frame having an elongated portion for extending generally vertically within a fuel container through an opening therein and having a transverse portion for fitting snugly within the opening; b. a helical element attached to said frame and mounted for rotation within the elongated portion along generally the longitudinal axis thereof; c. float means engaging said helical element for causing rotation thereof on vertical movement of said float in response to changes in the fuel level within the container; d. a drive magnet assembly attached to said helical element adjacent a lower surface of said transverse portion and rotatable with said helical element; e. a sealed follower magnet assembly rotatably attached to said frame adjacent an upper surface of said transverse portion for rotational movement on rotation of said drive magnet; and f. electrical circuitry means including a remotely located fuel indicator gauge, a plurality of circularly spaced electrical contacts connected to said fuel gauge and a sweep arm attached to said follower magnet and rotatable therewith to sequentially engage said electrical contacts for providing a closed electrical circuit between said contacts and indicator gauge, said sweep arm simultaneously engaging adjacent ones of said electrical contacts in passing therebetween.

Claim 5

Fuel level indicator apparatus, comprising: a. means defining a frame having an elongated portion for extending generally vertically within a fuel container through an opening therein and having a transverse portion for fitting snugly within the opening; b. a helical element attached to said frame and mounted for rotation within the elongated portion along generally the longitudinal axis thereof; c. float means engaging said helical element for causing rotation thereof on vertical movement of said float in response to changes in the fuel level within the container; d. a drive magnet assembly attached to said helical element adjacent a lower surface of said transverse portion and rotatable with said helical element; e. a sealed follower magnet assembly rotatably attached to said frame adjacent an upper surface of said transverse portion for rotational movement on rotation of said drive magnet; and f. electrical circuitry means including a remotely located fuel indicator gauge, a plurality of circularly spaced electrical contacts connected to said fuel gauge and a sweep arm attached to said follower magnet and rotatable therewith to sequentially engage said electrical contacts for providing a closed electrical circuit between said contacts and indicator gauge, said sweep arm simultaneously engaging adjacent ones of said electrical contacts in passing therebetween.

Claim 6

The fuel level indicator apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said follower and drive magnet assemblies include donut-shaped magnets each positioned in a generally horizontal plane on opposite sides of said frame transverse portion.

Claim 7

The fuel level indicator apparatus of Claim 3 wherein: a. said float means includes upper and lower generally horizontal surfaces and a slot extending veRtically between said surfaces; and b. said helical element extends vertically through said slot, the edges of said slot engaging said helical element to cause rotational movement of said element on vertical movement of said float.

Claim 8

The fuel level indicator apparatus of claim 3 in combination with a snowmobile wherein: a. the fuel containable within the fuel container is gasoline; b. said frame transverse portion entirely closes the opening in the container preventing gasoline vapors from escaping therefrom; and c. said liquid level indicator gauge includes a plurality of indicator lights mounted on the snowmobile instrument panel, each light being connected to a different one of said plurality of electrical contacts.