US2654109A - Dip stick wiper - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 6, 1953 s. o. BARNES 2,654,109

DIP STICK WIPER Filed Ilarch 21, 1951 \f1- Gwynn D. Barnes By a... ma...

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIP STICK WIPER Gwynn D. Barnes, San Antonio, Tex. Application March 21, 1951, Serial No. 216,687

1 Claim. 1

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a dip stick wiper and more specifically pertains to a device for cleaning a dip stick or oil gauge commonly used to measure the quantity of oil in an automobile engine.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a dip stick cleaner which permits the insertion of an oil-covered dip stick therein and which, upon removal of ,said dip stick, effectively and completely removes the oil from said dip stick.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for cleaning a dip stick which eliminates the use of greasy rags and like devices used in the prior art for cleaning dip sticks.

An important feature of this invention is to provide a means for dissolving the oil on a dip stick and a further means operable subsequent to said first means for compressibly receiving andwiping the remaining oil from the dip stick.

Other objects of this invention are found in the provision of a means for cleaning a dip stick which performs its function in a simple and expedient manner; which insures a cleanliness to the user; which is simple and economical to construct; and which is convenient and adaptable for use in service stations and the like.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical perspective view of the entire dip stick cleaner seen from the outside;

, cup-shaped bearing element 38.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional longitudinal view showing the interior of the dip stick cleaner; and taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional transverse view taken substantially along the plane of the movable cover l2 on the top thereof. Further more, positioned on one side of the container I0 is a small box 14, for a purpose subsequently to be described.

As seen in Figure 2 the receptacle or container I0 is filled to a specified height with an oil dissolving liquid IB, such as naphtha or the like. Although the oil solvent I6 is considered an essential element of the present invention, a further means is believed necessary and is therefore provided for wiping clean any oil on the dip stick, indicated by the numeral l8.

In this latter regard, a pair of rollers and 22 are provided for receiving the dip stick l8 therebetween. Each of these rollers, as 20, is journalled in suitable bearing surfaces on opposite sides of the receptacle l0. As seen in the right hand portion of Figure 4 the roller 20 has a medially and terminally located recess 24 wherein is received in any suitable manner a bearing cup 26. Stub axles 28 having headed portions 30 and an enlarged portion 32 are secured to the receptacle l0, having the portion 28 received in the cup 26 whereby the roller 20 may pivot or turn therearound. As a further bearing surface between the end of the roller 20 and the adjacent inner surface of the receptacle Hi, there is provided a washer 34 on the enlarged portion 32 of the stub axle.

On the left hand portion of the roller 20, there will be noted a slightly different arrangement of journalling elements. A similar terminal recess 36 is provided in the roller 20 for reception of a However, the bearing element 38 is provided at its outer end with an integrally or otherwise suitably connected ratchet wheel 40 which is secured, as at 42, to the outer surfaceof the roller 20. A stub axle 44, similar in all manner to the previously described stub axle 28, has an enlarged portion 46 received and secured in the side of the receptacle I0 and is further provided with a head portion 48 abuttingly engaging the outer surface of the receptacle H1. The elements provided and thus far described enable the rollers 20 and 22 to freely pivot relative to the receptacle l0 since it is to be understood that the previous description concerning bearing elements applies equally to the roller 22 as to the roller 20.

Each of the rollers, as 20, is provided with an outer covering of absorbent material 50 secured to the roller 20 for movement therewith and for a purpose subsequently to be described.

Having considered the specific construction of the roller elements 20 and 22 it would be well to now examine the. entire construction of the device and in general its operation. Accordingly, as noted in Figure 2, each of the rollers 20 and 22 is journaled for pivotal movement near the upper portion of the receptacle l0. These rollers are disposed in a transverse relation to the receptacle l and rotate in opposite directions being contiguously and preferably compressibly located relative to each other. Therefore, were the dip stick [8 to be removed from the position as illustrated in Figure 2, the respective absorbent coverings 50 of each of the rollers and 22 would appear compressed or flattened at their substantially tangential line of contact. The level, as at 52, of thoil' solvent lt is' high enou'gh rela-' tive to the rollers20 and 22 to'permit the covering 50 to extend or to be immersed on the lower portion thereof in the solution.

For the sake of explanation, it will initially be assumed that the dip stick I 8 has not as yet been placed in the position as shown in Figure 2 'but rather has just been removed from the engine of an automobile and accordinglyis'covered' with oil. Upon placing it through the aperture -i4 in the removable cover I2 of the receptacle l0 it is thereby guided to allow its insertion between the rollers 20 and, as at; As the-dip stick I8 is moved downwardly the-rollers 20and 22 move in clockwise and counter clockwise directions, respectively, whereby contact with the dip stick I8 is merely of a rolling nature, thereby not permitting a substantial cleaning or wiping-oi the stick. However, when the dip' stick! S-rea'ches the position as illustrated in Figure 2a'nd' allowed to remain therefor a short period of'time', the oil solvent takes effect on the' oil which has gathered on the Stick' 18 tending 'tor'emoveand loosen the oil'film therefrom. If therollers 20 and 22 were allowedto move'relative to each other as the dip stick was drawn out; al'clean oi'the' dip stick I8 resultsinsoiling andotheb.

wise depositing dirt ongthe respective fabric coveringstn' of thero1lers"20 and 22. However, as previously'described' ther'elative location of the rollers and the oil solvent I6'is 'such"that the lower portions of saidroll'ers' are immersed in the'liquid and it \vlllbenoted, by'an inspection of Figure 2, tha't' the sectors of th'eperlpheries of the roller fabrics that are soiled as at 60, are the first areas to 'be] immersed and therefore cleansed by the oil' solvent whenthe dip stick it is downwardly inserted in the portion 56.

Obviously, over a period of time the fabrics 50 of the rollers20 and'22andjthe solution I6 will become contaminated to such an "extent that further cleaning cannot' be effected. Accordingly, the removable cover [2 of the receptacle it enables access tothe rollers which can be re moved froin'their' journals-by aremoval of the stub axles, 9.5 28 and 44', whereby the covering 50 may berenewed; in like manner, the old' and saturated oilsolvent It may be emptied and replaced with a'clean solution.

To further enhance-the qualities 0.! the device,

especially in relation to its adaptability for use in quickly servicing cars in gas stations, a simple but convenient means for analyzing the quality of the oil in an engine is provided. The box I4 positioned on the side of the receptacle H! has a longitudinally disposed slot 62 located therein. The box l4 contains a quantity of small paper filters, generally indicated by the numeral 6|, having the top or outermost sheet 66 received in theslotii2, the entire package 'of .paper 64 being interconnected in the manner of the conventional paper towel disposing unit.

--The manner in which this unit is utilized is as 4 follows. When the user removes the dip stick ll from the engine of an automobile, a paper filter I 62 is =also removed from the box 14 and a small portion of the oil on the dip stick [8 is allowed to dropon the paper 62. The clean oil will filter through the paper 62 leaving the carbon and various other particles of contamination visible on the surface of the filter 62. To the experienced eye, a rough but approximate idea of the quality of the oil in theengine can be determined and Han accurate analysis is desired, the filter may be'removed to'th'e laboratories for test.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of this device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not necessary to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the claimed as new is:

A' dip-stick'cleaner comprising a vertically elongated receptacle, an inverted substantially frusto-pyramidal cover removably positioned at the top of said receptacle and provided at. the center'thereot with a dip stick'receiving opening, a quantity of 'an oil-solvent provided in said receptacle and having its level spaced downwardly from said cover, a pair of horizontal rollers rotatably mounted in said receptacle above the level of solvent therein, tubular sleeves of absorbent material carried by said rollers and having lower portions thereof immersed in said solvent, said sleeves being in contact in a vertical plane aligned with said opening whereby a dip stick may be insertedthrough said opening between the sleeves and the rollers rotated thereby, and ratchet means for preventing rotation of said'roilers when the dip stick is withdrawn.

GWYNN D. BARNES.

invention, what is References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 788,703 Casterline May 2, 1905 885,497 Maibaum Apr. 21, 1908 1,868,170 Jasgur July 19, 1932 1,978,716 'Morehouse Oct. 30, 1934 2,089,114 Dietterle Aug. 3, 1937 2,453,452 Nielsen Nov. 9, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date a 290,641 Great Britain Aug. 30, 1928

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