Patent ID: 6029509
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A dipstick device with an integral wiping system for use in measuring a fluid level in a reservoir, comprising:an exterior housing assembly;a wipe assembly disposed within the exterior housing assembly;an elastomeric wiping assembly disposed within the exterior housing assembly comprising an elastomeric wiping element and an elastomeric wiping element spring, the elastomeric wiping element having a first end, a second end, and a middle section therebetween, the elastomeric wiping spring element disposed about the middle section of the elastomeric wiping element inwardly biasing the middle section, the elastomeric wiping element adapted to receive a dipstick in a first direction such that when the dipstick is moved in an opposite direction outwardly relative to the elastomeric wiping element, the dipstick is in intimate contact with the elastomeric wiping element, wherein the wipe assembly comprises a wipe button assembly, a cam latch assembly, and a tube guide assembly having a movable tube guide, the wipe button assembly having a wipe button and a wipe button return spring in intimate contact with the wipe button, the cam latch assembly having a cam latch and a cam latch return spring, the cam latch and cam latch spring disposed within the exterior housing, the cam latch adapted to move in an inward and an outward direction, the cam latch being in intimate contact with the cam latch spring and capable of compressing the spring, the wipe button assembly actuating the cam latch assembly by moving the cam latch in the outward direction thereby compressing the cam latch spring and thereby releasing the movable tube guide so that the elastomeric wiping element spring inwardly biases the middle section of the elastomeric wiping element and thereby the dipstick is in intimate contact with the elastomeric wiping element wherein fluid is removed therefrom by contact with the elastomeric wiping element when the dipstick is moved in the opposite direction.