Fluid handling – Processes – Involving pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-05-22
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Involving pressure control
C137S550000, C137S565230, C137S625410, C184S001500, C251S351000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234188
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a device which can be used to maintain fluid in a vessel when a drain or the like is opened and, more particularly, to an adapter which can be selectively attached to a fluid-containing vessel, such as an engine crankcase filled with motor oil, so as to enable a vacuum to be applied to the interior of the vessel in order to maintain the fluid in the vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Changing the oil in a motor vehicle and checking the drain cap or gasket on the engine crankcase frequently results in spilling of oil onto both the ground and the hands of the person removing the drain cap. As can be appreciated, cleaning up after such spills can be time-consuming and a nuisance. Additionally, in many instances, a stripped drain cap or a ruined or worn drain cap gasket is not discovered until after the engine crankcase is filled with new oil. In such circumstances, the new oil must be drained out of the crankcase in order to enable replacement of the drain cap. Similarly, other repairs to the crankcase can also require the removal of the engine oil. Draining the oil in these situations can lengthen the time necessary for performing the repairs and can result in the waste of some or all of the oil, if it cannot be recycled for later use.
Thus, a need exists for a device which helps to prevent spilling of oil when the crankcase drain cap is removed to change the oil and eliminates the need to drain the oil from the crankcase when performing repairs to the crankcase. Because of the wide variety of different types and sizes of motor vehicles, in order to enable such a device to be cost-effective, it preferably should be readily adaptable to any size engine (i.e. any crankcase capacity) and any size engine oil filler opening. Moreover, such a device should not require an investment in any costly machinery or equipment, but instead should be useable with equipment already commonly found in automotive repair shops.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, it is a general object of the invention to provide a device which can prevent fluid from flowing out of, or control the rate of flow of fluid out of, a vessel, such as for example an automotive engine crankcase, when a drain or the like is opened or removed from the vessel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for maintaining fluid in a vessel such as described above which can be used with vessels of varying capacity and configuration.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device for maintaining fluid in a vessel which can be used in a cost effective manner with standard equipment commonly found in automotive repair shops.
The present invention provides these and other advantages and overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an adapter for connection to an opening in a fluid containing vessel for applying a vacuum to the interior of the vessel. The adapter includes an outer sleeve having an opening in a side wall thereof. The adapter further includes an inner sleeve arranged at least partially within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve also has an opening in a side wall thereof. The inner and outer sleeves are rotatable relative to each other such that the extent to which the opening in the side wall of the inner sleeve and the opening in the side wall of the outer sleeve may be selectively aligned and adjusted.
When assembled together, the inner and outer sleeves define a passage through the adapter extending from a proximal opening at a proximal end to a distal opening at a distal end of the adapter. The proximal end of the adapter is configured for connection to a vacuum source while the distal end is configured for insertion into and sealing engagement with the edge of the opening in the vessel.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
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Chambers A. Michael
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Prism Enterprises, Inc.
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