US3931485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid level float switch with sealing diaphragm
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1975-01-13
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Granted: 1976-01-06
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Expires: 1995-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A brake fluid reservoir is provided having a flexible sealing diaphragm closing an open end of a chamber for brake fluid. A cover retains the diaphragm on the chamber carries stationary contacts, and a movable contact responsive to movement of a fluid level float, which movable contact, at a predetermined low level of fluid in the chamber, bridges the stationary contacts to complete a low-level warning circuit. Preferably two chambers are provided having a single diaphragm and cover, but a set of contacts for each chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Anatole Spielfiedel
- 👤 Jean Orven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/30; G01F23/56; G01F23/60; B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/26; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly comprising: a reservoir chamber having a base and a side wall upstanding from the base and terminating in a peripheral rim bounding an open end of said chamber; a flexible sealing diaphragm fitted over said peripheral rim and closing said open end; a reservoir cover fitted over said diaphragm and retaining said diaphragm on said peripheral rim; a casing depending from the underside of said reservoir cover towards said diaphragm; a pair of stationary electric contacts located in said casing; electric leads of a low-fluid-level warning circuit connected to said contacts; a guide sleeve projecting from said casing and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into said chamber; a rod slidably mounted in said guide sleeve, and having a lower end with a fluid float secured thereto, the rod having an upper end upon which is mounted a movable contact, the rod having a length such that at one level of fluid in said chamber said float supports said rod with said movable contact above and out of engagement with said stationary contacts, and at a predetermined lower level of fluid in said chamber said movable contact comes into engagement with said stationary contacts to complete said low-fluid-level circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly comprising: a reservoir chamber having a base and a side wall upstanding from the base and terminating in a peripheral rim bounding an open end of said chamber; a flexible sealing diaphragm fitted over said peripheral rim and closing said open end; a reservoir cover fitted over said diaphragm and retaining said diaphragm on said peripheral rim; a casing depending from the underside of said reservoir cover towards said diaphragm; a pair of stationary electric contacts located in said casing; electric leads of a low-fluid-level warning circuit connected to said contacts; a guide sleeve projecting from said casing and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into said chamber; a rod slidably mounted in said guide sleeve, and having a lower end with a fluid float secured thereto, the rod having an upper end upon which is mounted a movable contact, the rod having a length such that at one level of fluid in said chamber said float supports said rod with said movable contact above and out of engagement with said stationary contacts, and at a predetermined lower level of fluid in said chamber said movable contact comes into engagement with said stationary contacts to complete said low-fluid-level circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said electric leads connected to said stationary contacts are led out through said reservoir cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
286 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly comprising: two reservoir chambers, each having a base and a side wall upstanding from said base and terminating in a peripheral rim bounding an open end of a respective one of said chambers; a flexible sealing diaphragm fitted over said peripheral rims and closing said open ends; a reservoir cover fitted over said diaphragm and clampingly retaining said diaphragm on said peripheral rims; two casings depending from the underside of said reservoir cover towards said diaphragm, two pairs of stationary electric contacts, located one pair in each casing; electric leads of a low-fluid-level warning circuit connected to said stationary electric contacts; a pair of guide sleeves, one of the pair projecting from one of said casings and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into one of said reservoir chambers, the other of said pair projecting from the other of said casings and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into the other of said reservoir chambers; two rods, each slidably mounted in a respective one of the pair of guide sleeves, each rod having a lower end and an upper end; two floats, one in each reservoir chamber and secured respectively to said lower ends of said rods in said chambers; two movable electric contacts each mounted on a respective one of said upper ends of said rods; each rod having a length such that at one level of fluid in said respective reservoir chamber said float supports said rod with said movable electric contact above and out of engagement with said stationary electric contacts, and at a predetermined lower level of fluid in said reservoir chamber said movable electric contact comes into engagement with said stationary electric contacts to complete said low-fluid-level circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
286 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly comprising: two reservoir chambers, each having a base and a side wall upstanding from said base and terminating in a peripheral rim bounding an open end of a respective one of said chambers; a flexible sealing diaphragm fitted over said peripheral rims and closing said open ends; a reservoir cover fitted over said diaphragm and clampingly retaining said diaphragm on said peripheral rims; two casings depending from the underside of said reservoir cover towards said diaphragm, two pairs of stationary electric contacts, located one pair in each casing; electric leads of a low-fluid-level warning circuit connected to said stationary electric contacts; a pair of guide sleeves, one of the pair projecting from one of said casings and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into one of said reservoir chambers, the other of said pair projecting from the other of said casings and passing sealingly through said diaphragm into the other of said reservoir chambers; two rods, each slidably mounted in a respective one of the pair of guide sleeves, each rod having a lower end and an upper end; two floats, one in each reservoir chamber and secured respectively to said lower ends of said rods in said chambers; two movable electric contacts each mounted on a respective one of said upper ends of said rods; each rod having a length such that at one level of fluid in said respective reservoir chamber said float supports said rod with said movable electric contact above and out of engagement with said stationary electric contacts, and at a predetermined lower level of fluid in said reservoir chamber said movable electric contact comes into engagement with said stationary electric contacts to complete said low-fluid-level circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A brake fluid reservoir assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said electric leads connected to said stationary electric contacts are led out through said cover.
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) | 1979-01-05 | 1979-07-07 | 1980-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-05 | 1983-07-07 | 1984-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-05 | 1987-07-07 | 1988-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |