Interlocked remote oil filter and drain

An improved interlocked remote oil filter and drain provides a system for draining oil from the oil sump of an engine. The system comprises an improved interlock that includes an interlock tab movable between a drain position to permit draining of the engine oil when the oil filter is not in place and a safe position to prohibit draining of the engine oil when the oil filter is in place. The interlock tab allows the convenient use of different sizes and shapes of oil filters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,206 to Torey W. DeGrazia, Jr., 
which describes a system including an interlocked remote oil filter and 
remote drain control system on which the present invention is an 
improvement. 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to devices for servicing internal combustion engines 
and to maintenance related to changing the engine oil and oil filter 
cannister. More particularly, it relates to an improved apparatus for 
routine automobile maintenance which allows quick and efficient oil 
changing at a remote point from the drain plug of the oil pan. One aspect 
of the device is an improved interlocking mechanism which prevents 
draining of the engine oil while the oil filter cannister is in place and 
adjusts to accommodate oil filters of different configurations. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Typical engine lubrication system maintenance involves first removing the 
oil filter cannister from the oil filter attachment on the engine. The 
diminished size of a modern engine compartment often prevents easy access 
to the oil filter cannister when installed on the engine. The next step 
requires removing or manual manipulation of a drain plug from the oil 
drain outlet of the oil pan. This method usually requires the person 
draining the oil to either jack up the vehicle or to crawl underneath the 
vehicle to physically remove the drain plug. This procedure is quite time 
consuming and messy, and, moreover, is potentially dangerous. 
A variety of devices to facilitate removal of the engine oil from a 
crankcase have been developed in which a special drain fitting replaces 
the sump drain plug. Such devices may be remotely operated with a handle 
or knob to move the drain fitting to an open position to allow passage of 
the oil to a receptacle under the vehicle. However, inadvertent operation 
of such devices can easily occur when the handle is bumped or exposed to 
vibration from travel. Such inadvertent operation of remote oil changing 
devices either causes spilling oil on the ground without a receptacle in 
place and, possibly, damage to, or destruction of the engine. 
It has been found highly desirable to provide a safety interlock for the 
remotely operated drain valve. In particular, the presence of the oil 
filter can be used as an interlock which is simple to use, allows quick 
changing of the oil but virtually precludes inadvertent dumping of the 
engine oil. The interlock of the invention will function so that the oil 
sump drain can only be operated when the oil filter is removed to assure 
that the engine is disabled. This is advantageous since modern practice 
generally includes changing both the oil and the filter at the same time. 
The interlock pursuant to this invention is relatively simple in 
construction and provides a reliable device that will operate effectively 
with constant use. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved system 
providing an interlocked remotely operated oil drain and oil filter which 
meets the stated objectives. 
It is a specific object of this invention to provide a system for 
interlocking a remotely operated oil drain and oil filter which allows 
convenient use of differently configured oil filters. 
A further object of the invention is to provide an interlocked remotely 
operated oil drain and oil filter system which may be quickly and easily 
mounted and that requires few parts and no modification to the engine. 
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become 
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended 
claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an improved system 
including an interlocked oil filter and drain device for draining oil from 
an internal combustion engine is provided. The system achieves the 
foregoing objects and includes adapter means coupled to oil filter 
attachment means on the engine. The adapter means enables the installation 
and operation of an oil filter at a remote point from the engine. A drain 
means to drain the engine oil includes cable means to move the drain means 
from a closed position to an open position to remotely control draining of 
the oil from the engine. 
Interlock means precludes the actuation of the oil drain when the oil 
filter is installed in the adapter means. The interlock means includes a 
support frame located at a remote point from the engine such as on the 
fire wall and provides support for the adapter means and the engine oil 
filter. A control is provided on the support frame which includes an 
interlocking tab that engages a portion of the oil filter to preclude 
actuation of the control when a filter is in place. The control is coupled 
by a cable or the like to the drain means. 
Preferably, the lever arm further includes a lever arm stop to limit travel 
of the lever arm when the lever arm is rotated by the actuating means. 
This feature prevents the drain means from moving beyond the open position 
when operated by the cable means. 
A particular advantage of the system provides the capability of 
interlocking different sizes of oil filters. The support frame preferably 
includes a plurality of locations for receiving the lever arm axis of 
rotation to orient the locking tab in close relation to different sizes of 
oil filters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates generally the improved 
interlocked remote oil filter and drain of the present invention 
designated by the numeral 10. FIG. 1 generally shows a simplified side 
view of the present invention installed in the engine compartment of an 
internal combustion engine 12. The engine may include a radiator 14, a fan 
16, a distributor 18, an air cleaner 20, and an oil pan 22. 
The device of the present invention includes an adapter plate 24 secured to 
an existing oil filter attachment means on the engine (not shown). A pair 
of by-pass hoses 36 and 38 extend from adapter plate 24 to a remote oil 
filter mounting plate 48 mounted on fire wall 49. A remote filter 51 is 
threaded to mounting plate 48 and a pull lever 106 is keyed to the 
mounting plate 48 in a manner which prevents actuation of the pull lever 
106 when a filter cannister of any one of a plurality of configurations is 
in place. Lever 106 actuates remote drain 70 through a sheath 94 enclosing 
a control cable. 
As shown in FIG. 2 an O-ring sealing gasket 25 is provided with adapter 
plate 24 to form a seal between adapter plate 24 and the existing oil 
filter attachment means. Engine adapter plate 24 includes a central 
aperture 26 which is designed to fit over the threaded oil filter mounting 
screw (not shown) that conventionally secures an oil filter to the engine. 
A hollow shoulder nut 32 has an internally threaded surface adapted to 
mate with the threaded filter mounting screw. A suitable O-ring gasket 34 
may be provided to form a seal between engine adapter plate 24 and 
shoulder nut 32. A threaded return oil hole 28 is also provided in engine 
adapter plate 24 for reception of a threaded hose fitting 30. 
The bypass hoses 36 and 38 mate with the shoulder nut 32 and hose fitting 
30 and are sealed thereto with a pair of hose clamps 40 and 42. Bypass 
hose 36 forms the inlet of the remote oil filtering device. Bypass hose 38 
forms the return of the remote filtering device. 
The oil filter adapter means of the present invention is likewise 
illustrated in FIG. 2. The adapter means is supported by a frame member 44 
that is secured to an appropriate remote point from the engine convenient 
for manual operation. Frame member 44 is preferably L-shaped and includes 
a longitudinal leg 44a and a transverse leg 44b. Frame member 44 also 
includes a flange 45 located opposite transverse leg 44b and having holes, 
including holes 46 for receiving threaded screws 48 that may be secured to 
the fire wall nor other structural member of the engine compartment. Oil 
filter mounting plate 48 is secured to frame member 44 with the use of a 
center fitting 50 threaded for a filter canister having a distal end 
threaded to receive a securing nut 58. It will be understood by those 
skilled in the art that oil filter mounting plate 48 and frame member 44 
may be implemented as a single unit. Center screw 50 fits within openings 
54 and 56 of oil filter mounting plate 48 and the longitudinal leg 44a of 
frame member 44, respectively. Securing nut 58 and washer 60 are used to 
fasten center screw 50, thereby securing frame member 44 and mounting 
plate 48 together. A hose fitting 52 similarly fits within opening 62 in 
frame member 44 and mates with a threaded opening 64 in oil filter 
mounting plate 48. 
Center fitting 50 is adapted to receive oil filter cannister 51 (FIG. 3) 
and hose fitting 52 is adapted to provide the oil filter return of the 
adapter means for filter 51. Center fitting 50 is coupled to the engine 
oil filter mounting with the use of bypass hose 36. Bypass hose 36 is 
interconnected with center fitting 50 with the use of a hose clamp 66. 
Hose fitting 52 is similarly coupled to the engine oil filter return with 
bypass hose 38 that is connected to hose fitting 52 with hose clamp 68. 
Oil filter cannister 51 thereby performs the same filtering function as if 
it were attached to the oil filter attachment means on the engine. 
The drain means of the present invention is most clearly illustrated in 
FIG. 7. A remotely operated drain valve 70 includes a valve body defining 
a longitudinal fluid passageway 72 and a transverse section 74 defining a 
transverse fluid passageway. The transverse section 74 communicates with 
the engine oil in the oil pan 22 and includes a threaded portion 76 to fit 
within the drain outlet of the oil pan 22 after the removal of a 
conventional oil plug. A gasket washer 78 surrounds transverse section 74 
and abuts against the edge of a bushing 71 in the oil pan 22 and the 
longitudinal section 72 of the drain valve 70. 
The longitudinal section 72 of drain valve 70 includes two substantially 
identical connecting means at the opposite ends of longitudinal section 
72, shown as threaded ends 80 and 82. An outlet sleeve 84 fits within one 
of the threaded ends 80 to provide the outlet of the drain valve. The 
inward edge 86 of outlet sleeve 84 forms a sealing surface in longitudinal 
section 72. A closure member or cable end fitting 88 mates with the other 
threaded end 82 of longitudinal section 72. Cable end fitting 88 includes 
an aperture 90 for receiving an actuating cable 92. Cable 92 is enclosed 
with a sheath 94 and is fastened to the cable end fitting 88 with the use 
of a cable end farrell 95 and cable end nut 96. Identical threaded ends 80 
and 82 allow the cable end fitting 88 to mate at either end of 
longitudinal section 72. This feature is particularly advantageous when 
drain valve 70 is mounted to the side of oil pan 22 since one of the ends 
of longitudinal section 72 may be directed upwardly when the transverse 
section 74 of drain valve 70 is securely threaded within the oil pan 22. 
A valve plunger 98 is placed within longitudinal section 72 and includes a 
generally cylindrical sealing head 100 and elongated portion 102 that are 
attached to the actuating cable 92. A valve spring 104 as well as oil 
pressure within longitudinal section 72 and cable end fitting 88 bias the 
sealing head 100 toward a normally closed position against the sealing 
surface 86 of the outlet sleeve 84. The valve plunger 98 is loosely fit 
within longitudinal section 72 to increase the oil pressure within the 
longitudinal section 72. This arrangement increases the life of drain 
valve 70 since valve plunger 98 is less subject to sticking or wear 
against the inside surface of longitudinal section 72. In the open 
position, valve plunger 98 is withdrawn from the sealing surface 86 of 
outlet sleeve 84 by cable 92. A flow path between the inlet passage of 
transverse section 74 and outlet sleeve 84 is thereby provided for the oil 
being drained from oil sump 22. 
The novel interlocking means of the present invention is shown most clearly 
in FIGS. 3 through 6. The interlocking means comprises a drain locking 
lever arm 106 that fits within a slot 107 in the transverse leg 44b of 
frame number 44. Lever arm 106 is pivotally mounted on frame member 44 
about an axis of rotation 108 defined by a pin 107 passing through a pair 
of tabs 44c on frame 44. The lever arm is disposed in close relation to 
the oil filter mounting plate 48. Axis of rotation 108 is spaced radially 
from the axis of the oil filter cannister 51 when the oil filter cannister 
51 is secured to mounting plate 48. 
The drain actuating cable 92 is attached to one end of lever arm 106 spaced 
from lever arm axis 108 with the use of a cable attaching block 109. Cable 
attaching block 109 is pivotally mounted to lever arm 106 about a pivot 
pin 110. Drain actuating cable 92 is secured to cable attaching block 109 
with the use of securing screw 111. When the actuating cable 92 is secured 
to lever arm 106, the rotation of lever arm 106 about axis 108 displaces 
cable 92. 
The actuating means of the present invention, shown as pull knob 112, is 
located at the distal end of lever arm 106 opposite lever axis of rotation 
108 and the cable attaching block 109. Locking lever arm 106 is thereby 
manually operated. The manual rotation of drain locking lever 106 about 
axis 108 allows the actuation of the drain means of the present invention. 
As locking lever arm 106 is rotated about axis 108, drain actuating cable 
92 withdraws valve member 98 from the outlet sleeve sealing surface 86, 
thereby permitting exhaustion of the oil. As shown in FIG. 4, locking 
lever 106 includes a locking lever stop 114 that limits travel of lever 
arm 106 when the lever arm is rotated. Locking lever stop 114 abuts 
against the surface of the transverse leg 44b of frame member 44 to limit 
travel of locking lever 106. This feature prevents cable 92 from 
withdrawing the valve member beyond the open position in drain valve 70. 
Rotation of locking lever arm 106 in the opposite direction urges the valve 
member 98 of drain valve 70 toward a closed position. There is slight 
overtravel of arm 106 to toggle the valve head to the closed position. In 
this position, actuating cable 92 urges the sealing head 100 of valve 
member 98 against the sealing surface 86 of outlet sleeve 84. 
FIG. 5 shows the interlocking feature of the present invention. When an oil 
filter cannister 51 is secured to oil filter mounting plate 48, an 
interlocking tab 112 is adjacent to or abuts the surface of the oil filter 
cannister 51. Interlocking tab 112 is attached to the end of lever arm 106 
opposite pull knob 112 and lever arm axis of rotation 108. Interlocking 
tab 112 is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the base of oil filter 
cannister 51 to insure that locking tab 112 is disposed in close relation 
to oil filter canisters of differing heights. Since the interlocking tab 
112 is adjacent to the oil filter cannister, the locking lever arm 106 may 
not be inadvertently pulled to rotate about axis 108. This feature 
prevents actuation of the drain means of the present invention unless the 
engine is disabled and the oil filter cannister 51 is removed. Moreover, 
the locking lever tab 112 prevents opening the drain means by vibration or 
accidental bumping. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a feature that provides additional adaptability of the 
present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a mounting tab 44c may have 
multiple spaced apertures so that the locking lever arm 106 and locking 
lever arm pivot 108 may be adjusted to provide suitable locking positions 
for different sizes of oil filter canisters. Mounting holes 120 and 122 
permit locking arm pivot 108 and interlocking tab 112 to be radially 
positioned relative to the axis of the oil filter 51. In this way, the 
interlocking mechanism may conveniently adapt to oil filters of various 
diameters. 
Thus an improved device for allowing quick and efficient oil changing has 
been provided which meets the aforestated objects. The device provides an 
interlocked oil drain and filter that allows convenient use of different 
sized oil filters. Further the improved device is simple to manufacture 
and to use.