Dipstick oil wiper

A dipstick oil wiper adapted for mounting on a dipstick tube, and having a swing arm that can be swung into place over a dipstick as it is withdrawn from the dipstick tube. A frame and an easily replaceable wiping sponge are provided on the upper end of the swing arm, such that the sponge is engaged with the dipstick when the swing arm is moved into position against the dipstick. The dipstick is drawn past the sponge, cleaning the dipstick. Once the cleaning operation is completed, the swing arm is moved such that the wiper is clear of the dipstick.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a novel apparatus to be installed on the 
oil dipstick tube of an engine or other device that uses an oil reservoir, 
which apparatus is used to clean the oil from the dipstick when a user 
checks the reservoir oil level. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Most engines in trucks and passenger automobiles, as well as other 
reciprocating engines and devices as are found on generators, large air 
conditioning systems and other equipment, use oil as a lubricant. 
Typically, these engines have a reservoir wherein the oil is collected and 
stored. Most often, a dipstick is provided on these engines, guided into 
the oil reservoir by a tube, to allow users periodically to check the oil 
level. Because proper oil levels are critical to insure proper operation 
of most engines, it is desirable that the oil levels be checked 
frequently. 
To check the oil level in a reservoir as described above, it is typically 
necessary for the user to remove the dipstick from the reservoir, to wipe 
the existing oil off the dipstick, to return the dipstick to its fully 
inserted position, and then to retract the dipstick for the oil reading. 
If the wiping operation does not take place, oil that has splashed on the 
dipstick in the reservoir from engine vibration or movement may result in 
an erroneous oil level reading. 
Wiping off the dipstick typically requires that the user locate a rag or 
other suitable implement to use to clean the dipstick. The unavailability 
of a handy cleaning implement may lead some engine operators not to check 
the reservoir oil levels at the appropriate frequency. 
The present invention is adapted to provide a ready means, mounted directly 
onto the engine dipstick tube, to clean the oil dipstick. The ready 
accessibility of the present invention is designed to encourage engine 
operators to check reservoir oil levels frequently. 
There are other, more complex, devices designed to clean dipsticks and 
designed to be mounted on the dipstick tube. Examples of these devices may 
be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,506,402 and 4,658,462. Other devices to be 
mounted on the dipstick tube are simpler, but provide a limited wiping 
surface. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,935. 
There are dipstick wipers available that mount on the dipstick itself. See 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,110,909 and 3,703,038 for examples of these devices. A 
device that requires mounting on the dipstick may preclude proper 
insertion of the dipstick that was provided by the original equipment 
manufacturer into the oil reservoir. 
Still other devices provide wipers that may be mounted almost anywhere 
within an engine compartment, but that are not necessarily readily 
available at the dipstick tube to wipe the oil off the dipstick as it is 
withdrawn from the reservoir. Examples of dipstick wipers that may be 
mounted anywhere within an engine compartment may be seen in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 4,419,781, 4,233,704, 4,164,054, and 3,686,702. 
It is accordingly a feature of the present invention that a dipstick oil 
wiper is provided that is mounted on the dipstick tube on an engine, for 
easy use in the cleaning operation. It is a further feature of the 
invention that the wiper is of simple construction, being inexpensive to 
construct, and requiring no modifications to the dipstick or the dipstick 
tube. It is a further feature of the invention that a wiper is provided 
having an easily replaceable wiping surface. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a wiper for use in cleaning an oil reservoir 
dipstick, that mounts on the oil dipstick tube on an engine. The wiper 
comprises mounting means for use in attaching the wiper to the dipstick 
tube, a swing arm pivotally attached to the mounting means, a frame 
rigidly attached to the swing arm, and a sponge or other wiping medium 
removably attached to the frame. In operation, a user pulls the dipstick 
partially from the tube, and swings the swing arm toward the dipstick such 
that the wiper frame surrounds the dipstick. The user grasps the frame 
with one hand and presses the frame toward the dipstick, thereby pushing 
the sponge or other wiping medium against the dipstick, and the user then 
pulls the dipstick the rest of the way out of the dipstick tube. In so 
doing, the dipstick is pulled over the sponge or other wiping medium, 
cleaning any oil off of the dipstick. The user then swings the swing arm 
away from the dipstick tube, permitting the user to reinsert the dipstick 
for the oil level measurement. 
The sponge or other wiping medium is removably attached to the frame of the 
wiper, such that when the sponge or other wiping medium has become 
saturated with oil, it may be easily replaced. The replaceable sponges or 
other wiping media are removably attached to the wiper frame by means of a 
Velcro attachment commonly known as a hook and loop fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, a view of a wiper 1 in accordance with the present 
invention is shown. In FIG. 1, a clamp 2 is provided as the means for 
mounting the wiper 1 on a dipstick tube. A fastener 3 is provided on clamp 
2 to secure clamp 2 to the dipstick tube. In this embodiment, on the 
opposite side of clamp 2 from fastener 3 is located tab 4. Swing arm 6 is 
pivotally mounted to tab 4 at the lower end 7 of swing arm 6 by means of 
fastener 5. At the upper end 8 of swing arm 6 is rigidly mounted frame 9. 
A Velcro surface 14 is permanently attached to frame 9 in this embodiment 
by means of rivets 15. A mating Velcro surface 16 is attached both to 
sponge 10 and Velcro surface 14, allowing sponge 10 and Velcro surface 16 
to be removed from the wiper and replaced periodically. Although the 
embodiment shown uses a sponge for a wiping medium, other suitable 
materials may be used in lieu of sponge, such as felt. A Velcro tab 11 is 
provided on Velcro surface 16 to facilitate removal of sponge 10 and 
Velcro surface 16 from frame 9. The embodiment shown includes a handle 12 
located at the upper end 8 of swing arm 6 to facilitate movement of the 
swing arm 6 into proper position on the dipstick. In this embodiment, 
handle 12 is provided with an insulating coating 13 such as rubber. Tang 
19 is provided on tab 4 to limit the pivoting motion of swing arm 6 so 
that swing arm 6 does not fall to a position parallel with the dipstick 
tube when the wiper is not in use. 
Turning now to FIG. 2, the Velcro surface 14 can be seen permanently 
attached to the inside of frame 9 using rivets 15. Other embodiments may 
provide Velcro surface 14 attached to frame 9 with glue or other adhesive. 
In FIG. 3, a top view of sponge 10 can be seen removed from frame 9. Velcro 
surface 16, that attaches to Velcro surface 14, is permanently affixed to 
the back side of sponge 10. Velcro tab 11 can be seen projecting from one 
end of Velcro surface 16. The user pulls Velcro tab 11 to remove Velcro 
surface 16 and sponge 10 from frame 9 when the user desires to change 
sponge 10. 
In FIG. 4, the wiper 1 can be seen installed on dipstick tube 17. In FIG. 
4, swing arm 6 is positioned away from dipstick 18 as is the case when the 
wiper is not in use, or when the user is taking the oil level reading. 
In FIG. 5, swing arm 6 is pivoted toward dipstick tube 17, putting frame 9 
and sponge 10 over dipstick 18. In this position, the user squeezes both 
sides of frame 9 as dipstick 18 is pulled upward, thereby cleaning excess 
oil from the dipstick 18. From the foregoing detailed description of a 
specific embodiment of the invention, it should be apparent that a simple 
and easily operable dipstick oil wiper has been disclosed. While a 
specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is 
to be understood that various alterations, substitutions, and 
modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.