US2331917A - Liquid level gauge - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 19, 1943. E. H. KOCHER 2,331,917

LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE Filed July 1s, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 25 16 k 50 y P I: 63 I q 15 A 3 6553 24 10 1 4 18 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 19,, 1943. H. KOCHER LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r i h l 7 \k =====E=|E====== ga Q: I

Filed July 16, 1940 hHa al ;Ew 7

INVENTORY Edwardlilfoc/zh ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 19, 1943 LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE Edward H. Kocher, Boonton, N. 1., assignor to Auto Research Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 16, 1940, Serial No. 345,709

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to oil window constructions and it particularly relates to window constructions which may conveniently be positioned in the side walls of reservoirs utilized in and about machinery to supply lubrication to a centralized lubricating system.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide and include an improved oil window assembly which may be readily fitted into a wall or socket in the side wall of an independent or integral reservoir construction, and which will require minimum of handling and work by the workman or customer who makes the assemblage.

Still further objects and advantages will appear from the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most satisfactory to provide a ring-like holder member designed to be press-fitted into a socket or recess inside of a reservoir. This ring member may receive or frame a transparent panel, preferably of a synthetic plastic material resistant to oil, as for example, a synthetic transparent phenol formaldehyde resin or a urea formaldehyde resin.

The same ring may also hold or frame a backing member, for example, of a contrasting color so as to clearly show the oil level, and most desirably of aluminum.

In the drawings, which illustrate one of the various embodiments of the present invention but to which the invention is by no means specifically limited,

Fig. 1 is a side section view of a reservoir including a small pump, together with one of the oil windows in position upon the line I I, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded or separated side perspective view upon an enlarged scale as compared to Figs. 1 and 2, showing the elements of the oil window before assembly;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side sectional view similar to Fig. 1, of an alternative oil window assembly inserted in the side of the reservoir;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are respectively side sectional views of alternative oil window assemblies in the side of a reservoir construction;

Fig. 8 is a side perspective View of the tool which may be utilized for inserting the oil window assemblies in position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the reservoir It) may be made of cast aluminum or iron and may constitute a separate unit for part of a machine to be provided with a centralized lubricating system.

The reservoir lil may be mounted by the tapped sockets H, and it is provided with a cover l2 having the dome I3 with the removable cover plate I4.

The pump P has a body or cylinder member IS, a reciprocating piston 16, an inlet filter l7 and an outlet connection "3. The pump body I5 is suspended by the bracket [9, which is held in position by the nut 29 screwed upon the upper threaded portion 2| of th pump body.

The outlet connection l8 continues in the tube 24 which leads to the outlet nipple 25 on the cover l2 (see Fig. 2), and is provided with an outlet coupling connection 26 to the tubing 21.

The side of the dome [3, which is of square or rectangular shape, is provided with a bearing for the shaft 28. The shaft 28 receives the eye 29 of arm 3| pinned in position at 30. The forward end 32 of the arm 3| takes the form of a clevis which fits around the sleeve 33 on the reduced diameter portion 34 of the piston [6 which projects above the cylinder or body member I5.

The outer end of the shaft 28 carries the lever 35 with the finger press portion 36.

The stroke of the piston l6 and reciprocation of the lever 35 is determined by the adjustable screw member 38 which has a threaded shank 39 held in adjusted position by the nut 40. The threaded shank 39 extends through a tapped opening (not shown) in the cover I2.

The cover of the reservoir is also provided with an opening 4| which receives the open cup member 42 having the snap cover 43 to enable filling of the reservoir 10.

The lever 35 is normally biased in the direction 44 by the spring 45 (see Fig. 1).

This pump and reservoir construction which is more fully covered in application Serial No. 267,372, filed April 12, 1939, does not form the primary part of the present invention.

The present invention, is particularly directed to the window assemblage A, and may be used with other reservoir constructions, as for example, those described and illustrated in copending applications of Edward H. Kocher, Serial Nos. 745,187, filed August 24:, 1934:, issued as Patent No. 2,229,095, granted January 21, 1941; 30,462, filed July 9, 1935, issued as Patent No.

2,229,096, granted January 21, 1941; and Patent No. 2,145,245, issued January 31, 1939.

The oil window assemblage to which the present invention is most particularly directed, con sists of a shell 5 a window 5|, preferably of a transparent synthetic oil resistant plastic, such as Lucite, a gasket ring 52 and a backing plate or cup 53 of a contrasting color material. The cup 53 has a. flange 5!, a rearward extending cylindrical portion 62 and a base 63; The base 53 is perforated desirably by being provided with openings 84 so that the lubricant may enter the space 65 between the base 83 and the glass 5|. Cup 53 will show up the oil level and may be made of aluminum or chromium plated steel, or

even of a white plastic material which is not transparent.

As shown best in Fig. 1, the side-5.4 of the-reservoir i is provided with an opening 55 into which the face 55 of the ring 59 is designed to bepress The recessing 57 of the ring enables more ready insertion. of. the assemblage and the extension of the ring may be turned inwardly at lip or rim 5' of reduced thicknesstoforce the window iii the gasket52 and, the cup53 against the shoulder fifl.

The ring 52. may be made of any compressible material, such as Vellumoid, resinol, or neoprene which will be oilproof, and it will be tightly come pressedbetween the flangefii of the cup.5,3 and the window 5!. If desired, an additional gasket (not shown) like gasket 52, mayv be utilized between thewindowv 5! and. the shoulder 59.

The assemblage as shownupon 1 at A, i

may be made prior to, insertion in the opening 5.5,withor without the cup 5;, and. suchoil window assembliesmay be sold ready for, insertion in position The assemblage A is inexpensive, may be readily. forced in position and by utilization of the contrasting color base portion 63.. of the cup 53 gives immediate indication of" the oil level.

In the embodiment of. Figs. 1, 2 and13 (and in the embodiments of Figs. 4, 5, 6'and 7 hereinafter, described") it will be seen that the perforatedbacking member in combination with the mounting ring constitutes a perforated cup and that the, contained-elements including the window member and oneor more gaskets are clamped in position between the baseof the cup and an inturned flange.

Inthe alternative construction shown in Fig. 4 (similarly functioningparts being-indicated by the same numerals primed), the ring 50 is threadedat its-face-5'6-"and is screwed into the tapped opening 55"byapplication of a tool to the openings-.75; The: threads 55. and 56' may desirably be pipe threads: soas toassure arelatively lubricant-tight. connection.

In the embodiment of: Fig. 5. (similarly functionins parts: being; indicated. by. the. samenumerals provided withasuperior 3.)..the cup 53 is formed integral. withthe;- rin 50?" n h gasket SE? is pressed between; the; edge ofthe window Si -and the offset; perimeter; portion 14 of the base 63 of. the cupelement 53% Theinturned rim 8.0 of thecup clamps the gasket 8| against the -rim of the outer face ofwindow 51 In the embodiment of Fig; 6 (similarly functioning parts being: indicated by the same numerais provided with the superior 4), the preassembled unit A may carry the exterior gasket l5.which encircles the reduced diameter portion 7.6. of the ring 56.. The gasket 15. is. pressed against a shoulder H in the side wall of the reservoir by the flange 18 which flange fits in the enlarged diameter portion 19 of the socket in the side of the reservoir.

The press fit takes place in the construction of Fig. 6, along the face '15 and there is no press fit along the face 19.

The face of the ring 56 which may be polished, is flush with the side ofthe reservoir. It will be noted in the construction of Fig. 6; that the gasket 15, the ring 50 the gasket 52 and the cup 53 may all be assembled in one piece and handled as a single unit for assembly purposes.

' To this end the rim of cup 53 abuts against a shoulder 65 in ring 50 and the inner rim of said ring is turned overat 66 to clamp the cup 53 in place.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7 (similarly functioning parts being indicated by the same numerals provided with the superior 5), the press fit here takes along the. outer socket face 19 with the gasket I5 being pressed, against the shoulder-H The ring 58 may be made of brass with; a polished face which will be flush with the wall of the. reservoir.

It will be noted. in both embodiments of Figs. 6 and '7, the entire assembly is madeliquid. tight in, respectof the reservoir. by a pressfit and a gasket and 55 while the windows 51 and 5.4 are'made lubricant tight by theintericr gaskets 52 and 52 respectively.

These window, assemblies may vary in size from 1, tozinches andpreferably are of either 1 or. 1 'inches.in size with a windowopeningofabout 1. toli s. inches. The metal, rings may be made of. aluminumbrass or. iron, the latter if used being preferably chromium plated.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, it is, possible to ream the hole 16 for the pressfit right through the wall of. the reservoir. whilethe outer flange T6 and gasketl5' are in a clearance pocket 19.

Intheembodimentof Fig. 7', the press fit is located at. 79 on the outside of the gasket 1.5 which isv a little harder, to hold to size than if thereamedhole goes straight to the inner wall ofithereseryoir as in Fig. 6.

The tool, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig 6'and'in perspective in Fig. 8, has a hexagonal' or octagonal handle member I30 with the conical end portion llil, to which a hammer may bega pplied. It also has the hood 32 which has a face I63; to be pressed against the outer face of the'side wall 54. The projecting portion N14 is designed to fit inside of the ring-50. The face I03 will press the ring 50 into position so that it will'be flushwith the exterior face of the wall 54.

It will be understood that many changes could be made in the particular features of oil window construction as shown, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could-be made without departing from the scope of the claims and it is intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted asillustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. As a preassembled oil window construction, a cup structure having a perforated base, a cylindrical side wall and presenting an inturned rim atits forward face and formed on. its exterior periphery, so asto be fitted in oil tight fashion in anopening in the, side wall, of a reservoir, the entire thickness of said window assembly being substantially accommodatedwithin the thickness of saidside -walland; a plurality of elements accommodated within said cup structure and including a window member and a gasket ring of diameter equal to the maximum inner diameter of said cup structure and peripherally engaging the side wall thereof and collectively engaging and clamped in place between the perforated base and the inturned rim of the cup structure.

2. As a preassembled oil window construction, a mounting ring formed on its exterior periphery so as to be fitted in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, the entire thickness of said window assembly being substantially accommodated within the thickness of said side wall, said ring being interiorly shouldered and recessed, a plurality of elements each with an outer rim engaged by and accommodated Within said recessed and shouldered portion of the mounting ring and including a Window member and a perforated backing member defining an oil chamber therebetween, and within said mounting ring, said ring having an integral extension lip clamped against that element accommodated within said ring which is contiguous to said lip.

3. A preassembled oil window construction for insertion in the side walls of lubricant-containing reservoirs, comprising a cylindrical ring member, a window member of diameter equal to the maximum inner diameter of said ring member and which is encompassed and engaged by said ring member, said window member being constructed of a transparent, oil resistant synthetic plastic material, and a perforated rear cup member of diameter equal to that of said window member and extending across said window member for purposes of enhanced visibility of the oil level, said ring member, window member and cup member being formed as a unitary assemblage and being clamped together by an inturned, integral, reduced thickness rim from one side of said ring member.

4. A preassembled disk-shaped oil window construction comprising, a mounting ring formed on its exterior periphery to be fitted in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, the entire thickness of said window construction being substantially accommodated within the thickness of said side wall, said ring having an inturned flange at its forward portion, a window member within said ring and against said flange, a gasket member against said window member, a perforated backing plate against said gasket member, said ring having an integral rim turned inward over said backing plate.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 in which the backing plate is dished, the main inner area thereof being spaced from said window by at least the distance between said window and said inwardly turned rim.

6. A preassembled disk-shaped oil window construction comprising a mounting ring formed to be fitted at its periphery in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, the entire thickness of said window construction being substantially accommodated within the thickness of said side wall, saidring having an inturned flange near its forward portion, a window member against said flange, a gasket against said window member, a perforated backing plate against said gasket, said ring having a shoulder accommodating the rim of said plate, the rear edge of said ring being turned inward over said plate to maintain the parts assembled.

7. A preassembled disk shaped oil window construction comprising a mounting ring formed to be fitted at its periphery in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil tight reservoir, the entire thickness of said window construction being substantially accommodated within the thickness of said side wall, said ring having an out-turned flange at its forward face, a gasket encircling said ring and adapted to be compressed against a corresponding shoulder in said opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, said ring having an inturned flange near its forward face, a window member within said ring against said flange, a gasket within said ring against said window member, a perforated backing plate within said ring against said gasket, the rear edge of said ring being turned inward over said backing plate.

8. A preassembled disk-shaped oil window construction comprising a unitary perforated mounting cup formed for its entire exterior periphery to be fitted in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, a window member within said cup, gasket means within said cup associated with said window, the base of said cup being at the inner face of said oil reservoir, the rim of said cup at the outer face of said reservoir being turned over to assemble the contained parts therewith.

9. In an oil window construction to be inserted in oil tight fashion in an opening in the side wall of an oil reservoir, a ring formed on its exterior periphery so as to be fitted in oil tight fashion in said opening, said ring having an integral extension lip of reduced thickness from one side thereof and being interiorly shouldered and recessed, and a window member, a gasket ring and a perforated backing cup fitted into and clamped into said recessed and shouldered portion of the ring by inturning of said lip.

EDWARD H. KOCHER.

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