Lubrication – Automobile crank and gear case service
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-09-11
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Lubrication
Automobile crank and gear case service
C141S098000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286626
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to changing the motor in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to automated systems for changing motor oil in an engine.
2. Discussion of Background
Even though society has become increasingly efficient, individuals must still waste time for routine maintenance on their vehicles. Many are stranded at service centers while waiting for the maintenance to be finished. Others are inconvenienced by resorting to a courtesy van or finding another source of transportation to work while the vehicle is being serviced. These individuals not only waste time driving to the service center, but are also confined to the dealer's service schedule. For those managing the maintenance of a rental or service fleet, this inconvenience can also be a logistical problem.
Although many “quick lubes” business have been established to perform quick oil changes, these businesses do not make house calls; in other words, individuals employing these services must still travel to the “quick lube” location. Several patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,219 to Peralta and U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,660 to Bedi, attempt to provide a method to speed up the oil change process. However, the adoption of these devices has been dismal due to their complexity. Therefore, there is a need for an automated oil changing device that is easy to use and provide convenient access to fluid storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is an automated system for changing the motor oil in an engine. The system comprises a drain plug having a plurality of channels coupled with tubing that extends to a reversible pump. Tubing extends from the pump to both a used oil container and a new oil container. Check valves positioned at the entrance of each container restrict flow so the oil can flow only to the used oil container and only flows from the new oil container. Preferably, both containers are located in the trunk of the vehicle for easy access. In use, the pump is engaged to draw the used motor oil from the engine into the used oil container. Next, the pump is reversed to draw fresh oil from the new oil container into the engine.
A major advantage of the present invention is the reduction in time to change the motor oil in a vehicle. The system not only quickly changes the oil, but also eliminates the need to travel to a service station. The feature of having the containers located in the trunk further aids in saving time. As a result of the savings in time, the overall vehicle maintenance cost is reduced. Particularly for service vehicles, such as rental cars, overall maintenance costs will be drastically reduced.
Another important advantage of the present invention is the elimination of contamination into the environment. Oil will not spill onto the ground or dirty clothing during the process. Even if the user missed the opening on the new oil container, the excess oil will not fall onto the engine; as a result, the engine will not smoke from the burnt oil. Moreover, the containers can be reused for multiple oil changes. Also, since the fresh oil is held within new oil container before entering engine, no contaminants could enter the engine.
Another important advantage of the present invention is the increased safety. The car will not need to be lifted up with a jack or placed upon a lift to perform the oil change. Consequently, the likelihood that a car will fall from the jack or lift is eliminated.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment presented below and accompanied by the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3447636 (1969-06-01), Bonfilio
patent: 4674456 (1987-06-01), Merritt
patent: 4884660 (1989-12-01), Bedi
patent: 4909205 (1990-03-01), Bewley, III
patent: 4951784 (1990-08-01), Bedi
patent: 4976233 (1990-12-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5044334 (1991-09-01), Bedi
patent: 5056621 (1991-10-01), Trevino
patent: 5062398 (1991-11-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5074380 (1991-12-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5154775 (1992-10-01), Bedi
patent: 5203429 (1993-04-01), Zager
patent: 5209198 (1993-05-01), Bedi
patent: 5263445 (1993-11-01), Bedi et al.
patent: 5273085 (1993-12-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5327862 (1994-07-01), Bedi
patent: 5372219 (1994-12-01), Peralta
patent: 5487447 (1996-01-01), Martinez Velazquez
patent: 5588502 (1996-12-01), Bedi
patent: 5635625 (1997-06-01), Tsunoda
patent: 5669464 (1997-09-01), Earleson
patent: 6035903 (2000-03-01), Few et al.
Bolton Donna
Fenstermacher David
Mann Michael A
Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard LLC
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