GB2243762A

GB2243762A - Dipstick cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2243762A
Application number: GB9009784A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Joseph Mahon; Peter Slade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-01
Filing date: 1990-05-01
Publication date: 1991-11-13
Also published as: GB9009784D0

Abstract

A dipstick cleaner comprises a hollow casing, Fig 2, containing a foam insert, Fig 4. The casing has an access opening 3 for the introduction of a dipstick, and the insert is formed with two or more slits 8 intersecting in a line passing through the access opening, so that the dipstick is received within the slits. The casing may have a second opening to allow the free end of the dipstick to pass out of the casing during wiping. The casing may be mounted in the engine compartment by adhesive or clip. <IMAGE>

Description

DIPSTICK CLEANER This invention relates to devices for cleaning motor vehicle dipsticks.

Normally oil is removed from a motor vehicle dipstick prior to use by manually wiping the dipstick with a piece of absorbent sheet material such as cloth or paper. However, this method may result in soiled hands as well as an imperfectly cleaned dipstick.

Moreover, the absorbent sheet material may not be readily available.

The present invention seeks to provide a convenient and clean device for wiping a dipstick, the device being mounted to the vehicle for complete availability. According to the present invention, a dipstick cleaner comprises an elongate external casing, open at at least one end, an elongate foam insert positioned within the casing and having at least two intersecting longitudinal slits therethrough, the device further including means for attaching the external casing to a convenient substrate, preferably part of the engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the external casing; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the external casing, in the plane Il-Il of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a transverse cross-section of the external casing taken in the plane Ill-Ill of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first foam insert; Figure 5 is an end view of the foam insert of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is an end view of an alternative insert showing an alternative arrangement for the longitudinal slits.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the external casing 1 is an elongate cylindrical component having a planar rear wall 2, which may be thickened for added rigidity. One end 3 of the external casing is provided with an opening including an inwardly tapering conical portion 4 which terminates in a circular aperture 5. The conical portion 4 serves to guide a dipstick into the casing, as will be described later.

Figure 4 shows a foam insert 6 corresponding in shape and size to the interior of the external casing 1. The foam insert 6 has two intersecting longitudinal slits 8 extending therethrough.

Figure 5 is an end view of the foam insert 6 showing the perpendicular arrangement of the longitudinal slits 8 and 9.

Figure 6 shows and alterative insert 6a having three slits 8a intersecting at mutually equal angles.

In use, the insert 6 or 6a is positioned within the casing 1 so that the aperture 5 is aligned with the ends of the slits 8, 8a of the insert. To facilitate the positioning of the insert within the casing the said casing may be made from two components, preferably a channel shaped portion and a planar rear wall, said wall being welded to the channel shaped portion after the foam insert has been positioned. A bonding agent may be applied to one or more of the internal surfaces 10, 11 of the external casing to retain the insert in position.

Means for fixing the external casing to a suitable substrate such as the inside of a motor vehicle engine compartment is provided, such as an adhesive pad (not shown) positioned on the rear wall 2, or if the casing is of plastics material an integrally formed rivet or clip may be provided.

In use the soiled dipstick is guided to the intersection of the longitudinal slits 8 of the foam insert 6 by inserting the dipstick through the open end 3 of the casing. The dipstick is pushed through the foam insert 6 and pulled out again, removing the oil therefrom. It has been found that the intersecting arrangement of the slits 8, 8a effectively cleans the dipstick irrespective of its cross-sectional shape, and thus the device is suitable not only for planar dipsticks but also for circular section rod-like dipsticks.

When the foam insert has become thoroughly impregnated with oil, the device may be discarded and replaced.

The device may be mounted within an engine compartment of a vehicle, preferably in a vertical position with the open end 3 uppermost to allow drainage of oil from the foam inset 6 through the other end of the casing.

Claims

1. A dipstick cleaner comprising a hollow casing having an opening and foam insert positioned within the casing and being formed with at least two slits intersecting in a line which passes through the opening.

2. A dipstick cleaner according to Claim 1, wherein the casing is an elongate tubular structure open at one end, and the insert substantially fills the lumen of the casing, the insert being formed with two longitudinal slits which intersect along the axis of the casing.

3. A dipstick cleaner according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the casing includes a conical lead-in portion arranged at its open end coaxially with the line of intersection of the slits.

4. A dipstick cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the casing includes an internal shoulder facing away from the lead-in portion and defining an abutment against which the insert is positioned to prevent axial movement of the insert in the direction towards the lead-in portion.

5. A dipstick cleaner according to any preceding Claim, wherein the casing is open at both ends.

6. A dipstick cleaner according to Claims 4 and 5, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the casing is substantially semi-circular.

7. A dipstick cleaner according to any preceding Claim, and further including means for attaching the casing to a substrate.

8. A dipstick cleaner according to any preceding Claim, wherein the insert is formed with three slits intersecting in a line.

9. A dipstick cleaner according to any preceding Claim, wherein the slits are arranged in planes equiangularly disposed about the intersection line of the slits.

10. A dipstick cleaner according to Claim 9, wherein the slits are arranged in an 'X' or 'Y' formation.

11. A dipstick cleaner substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.