Abstract:
An apparatus for capturing oil dripping from the bottom of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a pan that is preferably made of a rigid material such as aluminum or hard plastic. Positioned within the pan is a pad that includes an absorbent layer, which readily absorbs oil, and a barrier layer, through which oil is unlikely to pass. The absorbent layer of the pad faces engine components that could potentially leak oil. The barrier layer faces the pan. The pad is also configured to be positioned within the pan so as to be easily replaceable once the pad becomes saturated with oil.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/316,657, filed on Aug. 30, 2001 entitled “Oil Drip Collector”. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to accessories for automobiles and, in particular, concerns an accessory that is attached to the underside of an automobile to capture oil and other drippings from the engine, the transmission or other ancillary parts of the automobile power train. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   One difficulty with automobiles is that the engines have a tendency, after long usage, to leak oil. The leaked oil can result in driveways and garages being stained. Further, the leakage of oil from the underside of cars results in a significant amount of oil accumulating on the roadways. During rains, this can present a driving hazard to motorists as the oil makes the roadway slick. Additionally, during rains the oil on the roadways eventually ends up in streams and other waterways thereby creating a significant environmental problem. 
   To address this particular problem, several oil drip collection devices have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,418 discloses an oil drip collector that is essentially comprised of an oval-figured flexible sheet-like member that has springs to attach it to the underside of a vehicle. This pad is positioned underneath the vehicle and preferably has an absorbent sponge that is adhered to the flexible piece of material. The absorbent sponge collects the oil dripping from the engine and thereby prevents it from falling to the roadway. 
   One problem with the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,418 is that the absorbent sponge is small in cross-section and is not easily replaced. Specifically, as the sponge is saturated with oil, the entire device must be replaced. Further, this device is designed to be positioned underneath the automobile in the proximity of fast moving flying debris. Consequently, over long term usage, the flexible sheet can become torn or ripped which reduces the effectiveness of the device in preventing oil from dripping to the roadway during operation of the vehicle. 
   Several other oil catching devices have also been developed, however, they generally suffer from problems similar to the problems suffered by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,418. Specifically, many of the oil drip collection devices previously developed consist of a single piece of absorbent material that is configured to be positioned underneath the engine of an automobile. Once this absorbent material is saturated with oil, the entire device has to be replaced. With some prior devices, the absorbent material is exposed to the roadway such that when the absorbent material becomes saturated, oil will drip from the absorbent material onto the roadway. Further, these types of oil collection devices use sponges and fibrous materials to absorb oil which often are very expensive and not specifically adapted to collecting and retaining oil. 
   Even further, many of these devices disclosed in the prior art are comprised of a single piece of fabric material. It will be appreciated that the device is to be located underneath the car, adjacent the roadway, in a position where the fabric is likely to be struck by rocks and debris. These rocks and debris can tear or otherwise damage the device thereby reducing its effectiveness in collecting dripped oil. 
   Although there are some prior art devices that position a plate underneath an absorbent material (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,848 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,231) these prior art devices are difficult to use, manufacture, and they utilize expensive absorbent materials. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 2,783,848 discloses a device that uses a single sheet of absorbent material, such as porous paperboard, which is not very effective in absorbing large quantities of dripping oil. Further, while U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,231 discloses using a package of material such as sand and the like, the package that appears to have been contemplated in this patent is a single package of material. The absorbent material contained within the package can therefore be non-uniformly dispersed within the package as the vehicle moves to the point where oil is not absorbed by the absorbent materials in particular location. 
   Hence, from the foregoing, it can be appreciated that there is a need for an oil drip collection device that has absorbent material spread out over a large area and is easily replaceable. Further, the needed device should also be configured so that the absorbent component is adequately protected from damage by rocks and other roadway debris and the absorbent material remains uniformly dispersed under the engine so that oil dripping from different locations can be absorbed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To address these needs, the oil drip collector is comprised of a pan configured to be attached to the vehicle in a location wherein oil dripping from the vehicle will fall within a space defined by the pan. The oil drip collector also comprises a pad, wherein the pad comprises an absorbent layer and a barrier layer. The pad is positioned within the space defined by the pan so that the oil dripping from the vehicle lands on and is substantially retained by the absorbent layer of the pad. Also, the barrier layer substantially prevents any oil not immediately absorbed by the absorbent layer from contacting the pan. 
   The pan includes a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions and the pad includes a plurality of openings formed in an outer surface of the pad. The protrusions can be inserted into the plurality of the openings in the pad so as to retain the pad in a position whereby the pad covers substantially the entire area of the space defined by the pad. 
   The pan is preferably made of a metal material, such as aluminum, or a plastic material, and is configured so that when the pad is positioned within the pan, the pan provides protection to the pad from flying roadway debris. Further, the pan has springs, which extend outward from the outer perimeter of the pan and attach to locations underneath the car to thereby position the pan under the area where the dripping oil is likely to originate. It will be appreciated that, once the pan is appropriately positioned, the pan will not have to be completely removed even when the pad becomes saturated; the pan substantially remains in place and the pad can simply be replaced in the pan. This saves time for a person replacing a saturated pad as the person does not have to reposition all of the springs and hooks necessary to retain the pan in the desired position. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an automobile illustrating where the oil drip collection apparatus of the preferred embodiment is to be installed; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the automobile shown in  FIG. 1  further illustrating the positioning of the oil drip collection apparatus on the automobile; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the oil collection apparatus of the preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the oil drip collection apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  FIG. 1  is a top view of an automobile  100  with a preferred embodiment of the oil drip collection apparatus  102  shown schematically as being installed underneath the engine compartment of the automobile  100 .  FIG. 2  is a side view of the automobile  100  further illustrating that the oil drip collection apparatus  102  is to be installed under the engine compartment  104  of the automobile  100 . It will be appreciated that the exact dimensions of the oil drip collection apparatus  102  of the preferred embodiment will vary depending upon the configuration of the automobile  100 . However, it is preferred that the oil drip collection apparatus  102  be dimensioned so as to be positioned substantially underneath the engine of the automobile  100 . 
   As will be understood, the oil collection apparatus  102  should be positioned in the optimum position so that oil dripping from the engine or related parts of the automobile  100  should drip onto an upper surface of the oil collection apparatus  102 . It will also be appreciated that the oil collection apparatus  102  should be positioned substantially adjacent the surfaces that the oil drips from as the dripping oil may otherwise be blown horizontally away from the oil collection apparatus  102  when the automobile  100  is moving. 
   Further, it may be desirable to extend the oil collection apparatus  102  so that it is also positioned underneath the transmission of the automobile as the transmissions in automobiles also have a tendency to leak transmission fluid or oil after long usage. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the oil collection apparatus is comprised of a pan  106  and a pad  108  positioned within the pan  106 . The pan  106  has holes  106   a  along the outer perimeter that are configured to receive a plurality of springs  110 . The springs  110  can then be hooked to components on the underside of the engine of the automobile  100  to securely retain the pan  106  in the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Preferably, the springs  110  are hooked to components on the underside of the engine so that the pan  106  is substantially horizontally oriented underneath the engine compartment  104  of the automobile  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a total of ten springs  110  are provided, however, it will be appreciated that more or less springs  110  may actually be used to securely position the device  102  underneath the automobile in the desired orientation. Once the springs  110  are hooked to the various components in the engine compartment  104 , the pan  106  should be securely positioned underneath the engine compartment  104  substantially adjacent the under surface of the engine. It can be appreciated that the springs  110  could be substituted for latches or other attachment hardware without taking away from the spirit of the present invention. 
   As is also shown in  FIG. 3 , the pan  106  has a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions  109  that extend inward into an inner space  111  defined by the pan  106 . These protrusions  109  are configured to mate with a plurality of openings  113  (See  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) on the pad  108  to securely retain the pad  108  within the pan  106  so that the pad  108  is equally distributed within the pan  106  in the manner shown in  FIG. 3 . The protrusions  109  preferably have a recess  121  that is configured to receive a seamed surface  123  of the pad  108  to securely retain the pad  108  in the pan  106 . 
   The protrusions  109  and the openings  113  are preferably configured so that the pad  108  can be removed and replaced from the pan  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the protrusion  109  extends through an opening, however, it will be appreciated that a separate mating protrusion may be attached to the pad  108  to achieve the same interconnection between the pad  108  and the pan  106 . 
   In other embodiments not shown, attaching the pad  108  to the pan  106  is achieved by other means. For example, clamps (not shown) are attached to the pan  106  and the clamps can be pivoted downward in a closed position to substantially retain the pad  108 . It can be appreciated that using alternative means for attaching the pad  108  to the pan  106  does not take away from the spirit of the invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the pad  108  is divided into an absorbent layer  150  and a barrier layer  152 . In one embodiment, the absorbent layer  150  comprises multiple layers of flame retardant, absorbent cloth. The absorbent layer  150  lies adjacent a top surface  154  of the pad  108 , and positioned as such, the absorbent layer  150  is able to catch and absorb oil dripping down from the engine compartment  104 . Advantageously, the dripping oil is more likely to be retained by the oil drip collector  102 . 
   In one embodiment, the absorbent layer  150  comprises twelve layers of flame retardant, absorbent cloth. In a variation of this embodiment, the first four layers of cloth lying closest to the barrier layer  152  are cut in lengths and widths that are substantially equal to the final length of the pad  108 . However, the remaining eight layers of cloth are cut to thinner widths, then laid out in strips to cover the first four layers. Forming the absorbent layer  150  in this manner creates visible seams  169 . This type of fabrication advantageously allows for better absorption of oil because more surface area of the material making up the absorbent layer is exposed. All layers are joined together in a manner to be described below. 
   As stated, the pad  108  also comprises a barrier layer  152 . In one embodiment, the barrier layer  152  comprises a flame retardant, non-porous, synthetic material, and due to the nature of the material, oil is not likely to pass through the barrier layer  152 . As shown, the barrier layer  152  lies adjacent to the pan  106 , and the barrier layer  152  retains any oil that is not immediately absorbed by the absorbent layer  150 . Advantageously, dripping oil is more likely to be retained inside the pad  108  instead of dripping down into the pan  106  where it might escape the oil drip collector  102  entirely. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer  150  and the barrier layer  152  are joined together. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , the absorbent layer  150  and the barrier layer  152  are joined at a plurality of melt spots  167 . To join the layers at a typical melt spot  167 , a specific area (the area of the melt spot  167 ) is heated until the absorbent layer  150  and the barrier layer  152  melt together. This process is repeated at all other melt spot  167  locations. 
   At areas on the pad  108  other than the melt spots  167 , the absorbent layer  150  preferably has adequate room to expand as it absorbs fluids. However, by joining the absorbent layer  150  and the barrier layer  152 , loads induced into the pad  108  can be distributed over the area of the pad  108 . As such, the pad  108  is less likely to tear due to excess loading. Advantageously, the pad  108  is more likely to stay intact and act as a uniform absorbent surface evenly dispersed under the vehicle. 
   In another embodiment, the pad  108  is formed in rolls having a width that is smaller than the width of the pan  106 . As such, several pieces of the pad  108  must be joined together stitched together in a cross-hatched fashion at intermediate intervals. This creates a plurality of scams. In other embodiments, the absorbent layer  150  and barrier layer  152  are bonded with adhesives at intermittent locations. 
   Also, since manufacturing of the pad  108  only involves joining the absorbent layer  150  to the barrier layer  152  and adding the plurality of openings  113 , the pad  108  of the preferred embodiment is relatively inexpensive. Advantageously, this reduces the cost of the entire oil drip collector  102 . (One example of a preferred embodiment of the pad  108  is manufactured by New Pig Corporation of Tipton, Pa.) 
   Hence, when the oil drips off of the engine and related parts it lands on the absorbent layer  150 , and if not immediately absorbed by the absorbent layer  150 , then the oil is substantially retained by the barrier layer  152 . Advantageously, the oil is less likely to drip onto unwanted surfaces like driveways, roadways, and the like. 
   Once the absorbent layer  150  in the pad  108  becomes saturated, the pad  108  can then be replaced, preferably by simply removing the pad  108  from the pan  106 . It will be appreciated that the pan  106  may not have to be completely dismounted to remove the pad  108 . 
   It will also be appreciated that the pan  106  serves two additional purposes. First, the pan  106  protects the pad  108  from damage resulting from rocks and other projectiles hitting the pad and ripping holes in the mesh material. Further, the pan  106  will capture any oil that would escape the barrier layer  152 . Hence, the pan  106  provides additional protection from oil dripping onto the roadways or any other unwanted surface. Further, it will be appreciated that drain holes can be added to the pan to facilitate the draining of accumulated water from the pan. 
   From the foregoing it can be appreciated that the oil drip collection apparatus  102  of the preferred embodiment provides an effective apparatus for collecting excess oil that is dripping off the engine. Further, since the pad  108  is replaceable within the pan  106 , the apparatus  102  can be used repeatedly and the pad can be interchanged with new pads when needed in a time effective manner. 
   Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the preferred invention has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Hence, the scope of the present invention should not be defined by the preceding description, but should be defined by the following claims.