US3738176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transparent liquid level indicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a transparent liquid level indicator in which a transparent casing is disposed within a tank or reservoir and is provided with a movable plunger. The transparent casing is of a tubular configuration and is made separate from a housing to which it is secured so that the tubular member can be made of various dimensions and massproduced in an economical manner. Biasing means normally maintain a movable plunger disposed in the housing in an uppermost position, and when the handle is depressed, the plunger is provided with a piston on its lower end which moves downwardly in the tubular member below a liquid inlet port. The liquid in the tank then enters the casing, and the handle is released so the biasing means cause the handle to move back to its uppermost position to trap liquid in the transparent tubulr member. The liquid trapped in the tubular member indicates the level of the liquid in the reservoir when the tubular member and housing is removed from the reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 W Kerfoot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An indicator and sampling device comprising a plastic cylindrical housing, a threaded portion on its upper end, a cap with a central opening threaded on said end, an annular rim in said housing adjacent its lower portion, cylindrical recess means in the bottom of said housing, a separate transparent extruded plastic tube inserted into said recess, adhesive means securing said tube to said recess means, said tube having vertically spaced oil inlet and outlet parts in its lower end and a bottom therein, a slidable plunger member disposed in said housing, a rod extending downwardly into said tube and secured to said plunger member, a piston on the lower end of said rod to seal against the inner surface of said tube, said plunger member having an enlarged diameter portion, a biasing spring mounted on said plunger member between said enlarged diameter portion and said annular rim to normally urge said plunger member, handle means on said plunger member for pushing it downwardly, said piston being disposed above said uppermost oil inlet portions when said biasing spring maintains said diameter portion against said cap, and being disposed below said lower ports when said biasing spring is depressed, said tube being made of two separate parts fastened together by internal splicer means and including an upper extruded plastic tube portion and a lower glass portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An indicator and sampling device comprising a plastic cylindrical housing, a threaded portion on its upper end, a cap with a central opening threaded on said end, an annular rim in said housing adjacent its lower portion, cylindrical recess means in the bottom of said housing, a separate transparent extruded plastic tube inserted into said recess, adhesive means securing said tube to said recess means, said tube having vertically spaced oil inlet and outlet parts in its lower end and a bottom therein, a slidable plunger member disposed in said housing, a rod extending downwardly into said tube and secured to said plunger member, a piston on the lower end of said rod to seal against the inner surface of said tube, said plunger member having an enlarged diameter portion, a biasing spring mounted on said plunger member between said enlarged diameter portion and said annular rim to normally urge said plunger member, handle means on said plunger member for pushing it downwardly, said piston being disposed above said uppermost oil inlet portions when said biasing spring maintains said diameter portion against said cap, and being disposed below said lower ports when said biasing spring is depressed, said tube being made of two separate parts fastened together by internal splicer means and including an upper extruded plastic tube portion and a lower glass portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
234 words
An indicator and sampling device comprising a plastic cylindrical housing, a threaded portion on its upper end, a cap with a central opening threaded on said end, an annular rim in said housing adjacent its lower portion, cylindrical recess means in the bottom of said housing, a separate extruded plastic tube inserted into said recess made of two separate portions, an upper plastic portion and a lower tube portion being of glass material, adhesive means securing said plastic tube to said recess means, an annular elongated splicer member extending into both tube portions with adhesive means securing said tube portions together, said glass tube having vertically space oil inlet and outlet ports in its lower end and a bottom therein, a slidable plunger member disposed in said housing, a rod extending downwardly into said tube and secured to said plunger member, a piSton on the lower end of said rod to seal against the inner surface of said tube, said plunger member having an enlarged diameter portion, a biasing spring mounted on said plunger member between said enlarged diameter portion and said annular rim to normally urge said plunger member, handle means on said plunger member for pushing it downwardly, said piston being disposed above said uppermost oil inlet portions when said biasing spring maintains said diameter portion against said cap, and being disposed below said lower ports when said biasing spring is depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
234 words
An indicator and sampling device comprising a plastic cylindrical housing, a threaded portion on its upper end, a cap with a central opening threaded on said end, an annular rim in said housing adjacent its lower portion, cylindrical recess means in the bottom of said housing, a separate extruded plastic tube inserted into said recess made of two separate portions, an upper plastic portion and a lower tube portion being of glass material, adhesive means securing said plastic tube to said recess means, an annular elongated splicer member extending into both tube portions with adhesive means securing said tube portions together, said glass tube having vertically space oil inlet and outlet ports in its lower end and a bottom therein, a slidable plunger member disposed in said housing, a rod extending downwardly into said tube and secured to said plunger member, a piSton on the lower end of said rod to seal against the inner surface of said tube, said plunger member having an enlarged diameter portion, a biasing spring mounted on said plunger member between said enlarged diameter portion and said annular rim to normally urge said plunger member, handle means on said plunger member for pushing it downwardly, said piston being disposed above said uppermost oil inlet portions when said biasing spring maintains said diameter portion against said cap, and being disposed below said lower ports when said biasing spring is depressed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |