Patent ID: 9458965
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: B62D,F16N

Claim Text:
1. Apparatus, comprising: a lubricating oil reservoir includes an open end closed by a cap removably coupled to the open end; the cap includes a lubricating oil engaging side that faces the reservoir, a sensor positioned in the lubricating oil reservoir, and a conductor; a signal apparatus electrically connected to the conductor; a conductor structure electrically connects the conductor to the sensor to electrically connect the sensor to the signal apparatus in signal communication; the lubricating oil reservoir for holding a volume of lubricating oil for providing machine lubrication, which said volume of lubricating oil is to extend vertically upward into the lubricating oil reservoir in a direction toward the sensor and in direct contact with the lubricating oil engaging side of the cap so as to touch the sensor when the volume of lubricating oil is sufficient to fill the lubricating oil reservoir to a recommended oil level, and so as to not touch the sensor when the volume of lubricating oil is insufficient to fill the lubricating oil reservoir to the recommended oil level; the sensor for sensing the presence of lubricating oil in response to the sensor touching the volume of lubricating oil in the lubricating oil reservoir when the volume of lubricating oil is sufficient to fill the lubricating oil reservoir to the recommended oil level, and for sensing the non-presence of lubricating oil in response to the sensor not touching the volume of lubricating oil in the lubricating oil reservoir when the volume of lubricating oil is insufficient to fill the lubricating oil reservoir to the recommended oil level; the signal apparatus for issuing a first stimulus in response to the sensor sensing the presence of lubricating oil, and for issuing a second stimulus in response to the sensor sensing the non-presence of lubricating oil; the first stimulus is for identifying a normal lubricating oil level condition; the second stimulus is different from the first stimulus and is for identifying a low oil level condition; and further comprising a bolt hole, lined with a conductive liner, in the open end of the reservoir; the conductive liner is electrically connected to the signal apparatus; a bolt is threaded into the bolt hole removably coupling the cap to the open end of the lubricating oil reservoir; and the bolt is concurrently electrically connected to the conductor and the conductive liner to electrically connect the conductor to the conductive liner.