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US3905702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oil condition indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-02-15
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An oil condition indicator defined by a base element having a recess extending from an upper edge thereof with an indicium at the rear of the recess. A transparent cover overlies the recess for viewing of the indicium therethrough. The depth of the recess decreases downwardly from the upper edge of the base element and a vent is provided in the base opening rearwardly from a lower portion of the recess whereby engine lubricating oil deposited into the upper end of the recess flows downwardly therethrough permitting the user to determine the condition of the engine lubricating oil as a function of the opacity thereof. The base element defines channels at the side edges of the recess for providing improved downward flow of the lubricating oil in making the condition determination.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/26; G01N33/28; G01N33/2888; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for quickly determining the need for replacement of engine lubricating oil comprising: a base element defining an upper edge, a front face, and a recess in said front face extending downwardly from said upper edge and having a downwardly decreasing depth, said recess being defined by said edges, at least one of said edges being undercut; a transparent cover overlying said recess; means defining a vent to said recess at a lower portion thereof whereby engine lubricating oil deposited into the upper end of the recess may flow readily downwardly through said recess and undercut edge, said vent comprising a capillary opening preventing leakage of the lubricating oil outwardly therethrough while permitting free venting of the recess for facilitated flow of the oil downwardly therethrough; and indicium means at the rear of said recess, the viewability of which is a function of the opacity of the oil in the recess for indicating the need of replacement of the engine oil as whenever such oil opacity prevents the viewing of the indicium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for quickly determining the need for replacement of engine lubricating oil comprising: a base element defining an upper edge, a front face, and a recess in said front face extending downwardly from said upper edge and having a downwardly decreasing depth, said recess being defined by said edges, at least one of said edges being undercut; a transparent cover overlying said recess; means defining a vent to said recess at a lower portion thereof whereby engine lubricating oil deposited into the upper end of the recess may flow readily downwardly through said recess and undercut edge, said vent comprising a capillary opening preventing leakage of the lubricating oil outwardly therethrough while permitting free venting of the recess for facilitated flow of the oil downwardly therethrough; and indicium means at the rear of said recess, the viewability of which is a function of the opacity of the oil in the recess for indicating the need of replacement of the engine oil as whenever such oil opacity prevents the viewing of the indicium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said base element is formed of synthetic resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said base element has a thickness of approximately 0.030 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 including weld means securing said cover to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 including ultrasonic weld means securing said cover to said base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said recess includes an upper, enlarged entrance portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The engine oil replacement indicating means of claim 1 wherein said recess includes a semicircular upper entrance portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The engine oil replacement indicating means of claim 1 wherein said recess includes a semicircular upper entrance portion and said cover defines an upper edge at the top of said entrance portion against which an oil dipstick may be wiped to transfer a sample of lubricating oil adhered to the dipstick into said recess for determination of the opacity thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The engine oil replacement indicating means of claim 1 wherein said recess includes a semicircular upper entrance portion and said cover defines a rectilinear upper edge at the top of said entrance portion against which an oil dipstick may be wiped to transfer a sample of lubricating oil adhered to the dipstick into said recess for determination of the opacity thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said recess comprises a machined slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said vent is disposed approximately halfway between said indicium means and the lower end of the recess.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 1 wherein said vent comprises an opening having a diameter of approximately 0.1 mm.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for quickly determining the need for replacement of engine lubricating oil comprising: a base element defining an upper edge, a front face, and a recess in said front face extending downwardly from said upper edge and having a downwardly decreasing depth, said recess being defined by side edges, at least one of said side edges being undercut to define a capillary channel; a transparent cover overlying said recess; means defining a vent to said recess at a lower portion thereof whereby engine lubricating oil deposited into the upper end of the recess may flow readily downwardly through said recess and undercut edge; and indicium means at the rear of said recess, the viewability of which is a function of the opacity of the oil in the recess for indicating the need of replacement of the engine oil as whenever such oil opacity prevents the viewing of the indicium.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for quickly determining the need for replacement of engine lubricating oil comprising: a base element defining an upper edge, a front face, and a recess in said front face extending downwardly from said upper edge and having a downwardly decreasing depth, said recess being defined by side edges, at least one of said side edges being undercut to define a capillary channel; a transparent cover overlying said recess; means defining a vent to said recess at a lower portion thereof whereby engine lubricating oil deposited into the upper end of the recess may flow readily downwardly through said recess and undercut edge; and indicium means at the rear of said recess, the viewability of which is a function of the opacity of the oil in the recess for indicating the need of replacement of the engine oil as whenever such oil opacity prevents the viewing of the indicium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The engIne oil replacement indicating device of claim 13 wherein each of side edges is similarly undercut.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 13 wherein each undercut edge defines a channel having a width of approximately 0.002 inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 13 wherein each undercut edge defines a channel having a depth of approximately 0.002 inch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The engine oil replacement indicating device of claim 13 wherein said recess includes an upper, enlarged entrance portion, each recess undercut edge opening into said entrance portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3744907A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |