Abstract:
A fuel mixture dial for use with a fuel container. The fuel mixture dial having a first body member and a second body member adjacent to another. The dial having a third body member adjacent to the second body member. A fastener extending through all body members. The body members all rotate relative to one another.

Description:
[0001]     Continuation of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/507,821—Filed: Sep. 30, 2003 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to dials, gauges and similar indicators, and relates more particularly to an adjustable dial for indicating fuel octane or fuel mixture ratio, particularly for gasoline oil mixtures, and an ornamental design therefore.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Two-stroke engines for recreational motorized devices as well as landscaping and various home maintenance machines have been known and widely used for decades. Relatively smaller engines are used in applications such as string trimmers, chain saws and snow blowers. Relatively larger two-stroke engines are also known, including outboard motors for boats, snowmobile engines, personal watercraft, and similar recreational applications. Such two-stroke engines typically run on a mixture of gasoline and motor oil, the motor oil providing lubrication and cooling of the reciprocating engine pistons. Various factors bear on the proportion of gasoline to oil used, for example, the size of the engine and the intended engine operating speeds.  
         [0004]     In many residential homes, residents may store a variety of two-stroke devices and other gasoline engines. The variability in gasoline to oil proportions and different fuel types can necessitate a collection of fuel storage containers, one for each of several devices. This often large collection of fuel containers can lead to significant confusion as to what mixture is present in each container. It is important to provide the manufacturer&#39;s recommended fuel mixture for each individual engine. Where a mixture is inadvertently provided that is too rich (more oil in the mixture than is desirable), engine operation can be negatively affected, both in terms of starting ability as well as development of carbon deposits and other fouling of the engine components. Where a mixture is too lean (where the gasoline to oil proportion is too high) the engine may experience insufficient cooling and/or lubrication, creating a significant risk of piston seizure and/or catastrophic failure of the engine. An examination of a typical residential garage can often reveal a disordered collection of fuel containers, many of which may be marked by the owner with indelible ink or taped labels, in an attempt to organize and identify the various fuel mixtures for their respective applications. One drawback to marking the fuel container is that it may thereafter be difficult or impossible to accurately identify the fuel mixture therein, if a different fuel mixture is subsequently used than the one initially stored. Alternatively, users may decide to discard fuel containers when they are no longer needed for a particular fuel mixture, a wasteful and expensive course of action. Further still, users may discard fuel, often in an environmentally hazardous fashion, rather than risk inadvertently placing the wrong mix or fuel type into a machine.  
         [0005]     It is thus desirable to provide a simple, adjustable device for identifying a particular fuel mixture in a fuel container, and to provide, an ornamental design for such a device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a fuel mixture dial that preferably comprises a housing having a plurality of pieces, adapted to attach to a fuel container. Each of the plurality of housing pieces is preferably rotatable relative to the other housing pieces. A snap or similar fastener-type attachment is preferably provided and holds the plurality of housing pieces in substantially flush alignment in substantially parallel planes. Each of the housing pieces are preferably substantially circular, and at least one of the housing pieces preferably includes a plurality of mixture ratios written thereon in a radial pattern. At least a second of the plurality of housing pieces preferably includes a cut-out region, allowing a user to read the fuel octane or mixture printed on the first housing piece. In a first embodiment, the fuel mixture dial provides loop means preferably adapted to receive a chain, zip-tie or similar device, for attaching the dial to the fuel container. In a second embodiment, the dial preferably includes a central aperture through each of the flush aligned housing pieces, allowing the dial to be placed over a fuel pour spout. In yet another embodiment, the present invention preferably provides a fuel container cap having a plurality of pieces, rotatable relative to one another to indicate to a user the fuel mixture stored therein. In still another embodiment the dial is directly attached and/or secured to the fuel container by any known fastening technique. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of fuel mixture dial and fuel container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a fuel mixture dial and fuel container in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a fuel mixture dial similar to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates one piece of a fuel mixture dial according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, having mixture information marked thereon;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of a fuel mixture dial according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate side views of a fuel mixture dial according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a fuel mixture dial according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a fuel mixture dial and fuel container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fuel mixture dial  10  is preferably attached to the handle of a fuel container  12  via a chain, zip-tie, cord or similar device. Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a second embodiment  110  wherein the fuel mixture dial  110  is positioned about the spout of a fuel container  112 . It should also be noted that the fuel mixture dial  10  may also be secured to or integrated with the fuel container  12  by any known or future method. Turning to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a partial exploded view of a fuel mixture dial  10  similar to the dial of  FIG. 1 . Fuel mixture dial  10  preferably includes a plurality, for example three, molded plastic body portions  20 ,  30  and  40 . However, any other number of portions may also be used. A first of the body portions  20  is preferably a top portion and is a substantially circular member preferably including a loop  22  extending from a periphery thereof, adapted to engage with a chain, cord, zip-tie or similar device. First body portion  20  is preferably a substantially planar, substantially circular member having a cut-out region  24  and a center aperture  26 . In a preferred embodiment, cut-out portion  24  is substantially wedge shaped, however, this design might be departed from without departing from the scope of the present invention. A second or center body portion  30  is also illustrated, and is preferably substantially circular and substantially planar. Second body portion  30  is preferably imprinted or otherwise marked (for example by embossing) with fuel mixture ratios. Exemplary markings are shown schematically, and denoted “M” in  FIG. 3 . Second body portion  30  also preferably includes a cut-out region  34 , that has a preferably substantially arcuate inner edge  35  bounded by linear edges  36   a  and  36   b  at opposite termini thereof. In a preferred embodiment, linear edges  36   a  and  36   b  are oriented substantially perpendicular to a line tangent to arcuate edge  34  at an intersection there between, however, variations in this design, for example, wherein edges  36   a  and  36   b  define obtuse or acute angles relative to arcuate edge  35 , or are non-linear are contemplated. A third body portion  40  is also preferably provided, and is preferably substantially planar and substantially circular. Body portion  40  is preferably marked to convey fuel mixture ratio information, preferably written, embossed, etc. around a periphery thereof denoted M′ in  FIG. 3 . It should be noted that it is contemplated to have a protrusion on a knob extending from the periphery of any of the body portions. The knobs or protrusions may exist in the rotation of any of the body portions with relation to one another. It should also be noted that more than one protrusion or knob may extend from the periphery of any of the body portions. It should also be noted that loop  22  may also be of any other known form such as but not limited to a tab extending from a periphery of any of the body portions with that tab having an orifice therethrough or a plurality of orifices therethrough for connection of a fastening device. The tab may be of any known shape depending on the design requirements and manufacturing needs for the fuel mixture dial.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a body portion similar to third body portion  40  of  FIG. 3 , with fuel information printed thereon. Exemplary markings include the type of fuel, such as premium, plus, regular, racing, as well as fuel and oil mix. By rotating first body portion  20  relative to body portion  30 , the different sets of workings can alternately be exposed to view via cut-out  24 . Where a user selects “mix,” preferably printed in an area of body portion  30  proximate cut-out  34 , mixture ratio markings M′ on body portion  40  can be viewed via cut-out  34 . Thus, a user can select any of several different mix ratios printed on body portion  40  by rotating portion  30  relative thereto.  
         [0016]     Turning to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a bottom view of a fuel mixture dial  10  similar to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates third body portion  40  and a fastener  50  that extends axially through body portions  20 ,  30 , and  40 . In a preferred embodiment, fastener  50  is a molded plastic piece having a shape such that body portions  20 ,  30  and  40  can be fitted thereover, via apertures  26 ,  36  and  46 , but do not pass readily in a reverse direction, thus resisting disassembly of the three body portions when engaged via fastener  50 . It should be appreciated, however, that various other means might be employed for holding body portions  20 ,  30 , and  40  in flush, substantially coaxial fashion. For example, a rivet having a first diameter at opposite ends, and a second, smaller diameter between the first and second ends might be utilized to hold the three body portions together. Further still, a bolt and nut or similar fastening device might be employed. It is desirable to employ fastening means that are robust enough that the body portions of dial  10  can be rotated relative to one another, but resistive enough to rotation such that once the respective body portions are positioned to indicate a particular fuel type or fuel mixture, they will not be dislodged from such an orientation inadvertently. Yet another embodiment (not shown) utilizes on axially flexible fastener, allowing the respective body portions to be separated axially, rotated to a new orientation, then re-engaged. Teeth or a suitable high friction surface or coating is positioned about a periphery, and extends inwardly thereof, of each housing piece. Such a surface is preferably located on the sides of each housing member facing another housing member such that the flexible fastener will urge the teeth, high friction surfaces, etc. into facing engagement and thus minimize relative rotation among the housing portions.  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  there are shown side views of dial  10 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of dial  10  in its assembled state, taken approximately from a vantage point radially offset from both of cut-outs  24  and  34 . Stated another way,  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary design of dial  10  as it would appear viewed from a position at which cut-outs  24  and  34  are not visible.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary view of dial  10  as it would appear looking substantially directly at a center of cut-outs  24  and  34 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , first body portion  20  is positioned at a bottom position, second body portion  30  is at a center position, and third body portion  40  is at a top position, and the three respective body portions are held in substantially flush, substantially parallel positions via fastener  50 . Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a top view of dial  10 , illustrating a top surface of first body portion  20 , a top portion of second body portion  30  and a top portion of third body portion  40 .  
         [0018]     The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present invention in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawing figures.