Patent ID: 9657898
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: B62D,F16N

Claim:
1. Apparatus, comprising: a signal apparatus; a lubricating oil reservoir includes an open end closed by a cap removably coupled to the open end; the cap includes an outer side and an opposed lubricating oil engaging side facing into the lubricating oil reservoir, a maintenance port that extends through the cap from the outer side to the lubricating oil engaging side, a sensor positioned in the lubricating oil reservoir, and a plug threaded to the maintenance port so as to close the maintenance port; the plug includes an inner end adjacent to the lubricating oil engaging side of the cap, an outer end adjacent to the outer side of the cap, a wireless transmitter carried by the outer end, and a conductor structure, the conductor structure operatively couples the sensor to the wireless transmitter; 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 along 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 when the sensor touches 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 when the sensor does not touch 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 wireless transmitter for transmitting a first wireless signal when the sensor senses the presence of lubricating oil, and for transmitting a second wireless signal when the sensor senses the non-presence of lubricating oil; the signal apparatus for issuing a first stimulus in response to first wireless signal, and for issuing a second stimulus in response to the second wireless signal; the first stimulus is for identifying a normal lubricating oil level condition; and the second stimulus is different from the first stimulus and is for identifying a low oil level condition.