Abstract:
A funnel having a receiving chamber, a neck portion, a valve and a couple connected to the neck portion, the coupler having a housing having an axial bore formed therethrough and a cam body received therein, the cam body having an axial bore formed there through, where the cam body cams the walls of the housing radially outward between a first diameter and a second diameter.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to accessories for engines that are used in the addition or replenishment of fluids into the engine, and in particular to a funnel.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is well known to provide a removable cap on an inlet in the valve cover or other part of the engine in which fluids flow by gravity into the engine. Fluids are typically poured into the filler opening from a container using a funnel either placed into the filler opening or affixed to the can to direct the fluid from the container into the filler opening. Often however the filler opening is difficult to reach at close range, being obstructed by other engine components, and use of a separate funnel can result in fluid dripping from the funnel after use and during storage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art construction and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved e-mail system.  
         [0004]     This and other objects are achieved by a funnel comprising a receiving chamber having a first open end and an opposite second end and a neck portion coupled to said second end, said neck portion having an axial bore formed therethrough that is in fluid communication with said receiving chamber. A connector is coupled to said neck portion and has a housing having a first end proximate said neck portion and an opposite second end distal from said neck portion. An axial bore is formed through the housing and is defined by a housing wall, said axial bore having a first diameter. The housing wall has a plurality of axial slots formed therethrough extending from said housing second end along the axial length of said housing toward said first end. A cam body has an axial bore formed therethrough that is defined by a cam body wall, and is in fluid communication with said neck portion axial bore. The cam body is received in said housing axial bore and is in operative engagement with said plurality of housing fingers so that when said cam body is moved with respect to said housing, said plurality of housing fingers are moved radially outward from a first position to a second position. A valve is operatively disposed between said neck portion axial bore and said cam body axial bore and is positional between an open position and a closed position.  
         [0005]     In one embodiment, the valve comprises an elongated rod having a first end and an opposite second end; and a valve portion located on said elongated rod second end, which defines an opening therethrough. The elongated rod first end is coupled to said receiving chamber and said valve portion is received through said neck portion axial bore so that said valve portion operates to allow or block fluid flow through said funnel. The cam body further comprises a valve wall radially extending inward into said cam body axial bore from said cam body wall that defines an opening therethrough. The valve portion is received in said cam body axial bore proximate said valve wall so that said valve portion opening aligns with said valve wall opening when the valve is in an opened position.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, the housing wall defines a plurality of ramped recesses formed therein and the cam body defines a plurality of ramped lobes on an outer circumference thereof that are received in said plurality of ramped housing recesses so that when said housing is rotated with respect to said cam body, said ramped lobes cam said housing wall fingers radially outward thereby changing said housing axial bore diameter from a first diameter to a second diameter.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the housing wall has a first plurality of teeth formed axially on each cam body lobe and a second plurality of teeth are formed axially in said housing wall ramped recesses. The first plurality of teeth interact with said second plurality of teeth thereby allowing said housing body to be rotated with respect to said cam body in a first direction but rotationally fixes said housing and said cam body in an opposite second direction.  
         [0008]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view funnel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2A  is an end view of a part of the funnel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2B  is an end view of a part of the funnel of  FIG. 1   
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective sectional view of the funnel of  FIG. 1  taken along lines  3 - 3 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the funnel of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial plan view of the neck of the funnel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the funnel of  FIG. 1  attached to the oil inlet of an engine; and  
         [0018]      FIGS. 6A-6C  are perspective views of the funnel in use. 
     
    
       [0019]     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a funnel  10  is shown having a receiving chamber  12  defined by a generally frustoconical first portion  14  and a generally square second portion  16  in fluid communication with each other. Receiving chamber  12  is coupled to a mounting section  40  and contains a valve mechanism  30 . The shape described and shown in the figures facilitates the receipt of a rectangular oil container having a neck and opening formed on one end of the top. Thus, the body of the container can be received in square portion  16  while the neck and opening can be received in frustoconical first portion  14 . It should be understood that the overall shape of receiving chamber  12  may take other forms such as conical, square triangular, etc.  
         [0022]     Generally frustoconical first portion  14  is defined by a side wall  18  that intersects with generally square second portion  16 . Generally square second portion  16  is defined by a first and second side wall  20  and  22 , respectively, a front wall  24  and a bottom wall  26  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). A top end of generally frustoconical first portion  14  and generally square second portion  16  terminates at, and is integrally formed with, an inward extending flange  28  that helps to prevent fluid from splashing out or dripping from the top of the funnel. Inward extending flange  28  is coupled to one end of valve mechanism  30 , as explained in further detail herein.  
         [0023]     A bottom portion of generally frustoconical first portion  14  terminates into, and is integrally formed with, a generally cylindrical tube portion  32  that defines a radially extending flange  34  extending therefrom. Generally cylindrical tube portion  32  terminates at a bottom edge  36  ( FIG. 2 ), and the tube portion defines an axial bore  38  ( FIG. 3 ) therethrough that is in fluid communication with receiving chamber  12 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , mounting section  40  is formed from three main parts: a generally cylindrical housing  42 , an internal cylindrical cam  44  and a boot  46 . Generally cylindrical housing  42  has a first end  48  that defines a first outward radially extending flange  50  and an opposite second end  52  that defines a second outward radially extending flange  54 . Axial slots  56  are formed through generally cylindrical housing  42  and extend axially from first outward radially extending flange  50  through second outward radially extending flange  54  to second end  52 . The axial slots extend along about two-thirds of the length of housing  42  thereby forming multiple flexible housing fingers each defined by a portion of the housing wall located between adjacent slots. Axial slots  56  allow the portion of generally cylindrical housing  42  below first outward radially extending flange  50  to expand radially outward between a first position and a larger second position so that the diameter of the axial bore proximate housing end  52  increases from a first diameter to a larger second diameter, as explained in further detail below. Generally cylindrical housing  42  also defines an axial bore  58  therethrough that extends from first end  50  to second end  52 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 2A , axial bore  58  has three general recessed areas  60  each formed in a housing finger and defined by a radius R that starts at a fixed length and increases as the radius is rotated about one-hundred and twenty degrees, at which point the radius starts back at the fixed length to form the next recess. Teeth  62 , formed on an inner circumference of housing  42  about recesses  60 , extend the length of axial bore  58 . The teeth are ramped counter clockwise to allow opposing teeth formed on internal cylindrical cam  44  to ratchet over teeth  58  in one direction but not in the opposite direction.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2 B, internal cylindrical cam  44  defines a first end  64  having an outward extending flange  66  and two radially extending fingers  67  thereon, and an opposite second end  68  defining three lobes  70  ( FIG. 2B ) having teeth  72  formed thereon. Lobes  70  act as cam surfaces for engaging the housing fingers as described herein. Referring to  FIG. 4 , internal cylindrical cam  44  has an axial bore  74  formed therethrough, and a frustoconical wall  76  extends from a surface  75 , defining axial bore  74 , radially inward and terminates in a cylindrical opening  78 . A trapezoidal shaped opening  80  is formed through a surface of frustoconical wall  76  so that the portion of axial bore  74  above frustoconical wall  76  and the portion of axial bore  74  below frustoconical wall  76  are in fluid communication with each other. Frustoconical wall  76  cooperates with valve mechanism  30  to prevent fluid from flowing through funnel  10 , as further described herein.  
         [0027]     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , boot  46  has a generally cylindrical main portion  82  having a first end  84  and an opposite second end  86 . An outwardly extending flange portion  88  is located intermediate first and second ends  84  and  86 . Boot  46  may be formed from any pliable material such as polymers and elastomers, and in one preferred embodiment boot  46  is formed from an elastomer material. The walls of boot  46  are thin and generally conform to the outer surface  89  of generally cylindrical housing  42 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , valve mechanism  30  is formed from an elongated shaft  90  having a disk  92  coupled at a first end  94  and a frustoconical valve portion  96  formed at a second end  98 . Frustoconical valve portion  96  contains a trapezoidal opening  100 . A stem  102  is formed at second end  98  and includes a recessed groove  104 . It should be understood that the valve opening can take on any shape so long as it corresponds to the shape of the opening formed in the internal cylindrical cam.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 3 A, funnel  10  is assembled as follows. Boot  46  may be formed separate from generally cylindrical housing  42  or molded around the housing. If formed separate, housing  42  is inserted into boot  46  by stretching the boot over the housing body. Internal cylindrical cam first end  64  is placed into housing bore  58  through housing second end  52  so that lobes  70  are received in recesses  60 , and end  52  of generally cylindrical housing  42  abuts intermittent radially outward extending flanges  110  ( FIG. 2 ). Flanges  110  prevent housing  42  from axially sliding off internal cylindrical cam  44 . In this configuration, internal cylindrical cam teeth  72  interengage with housing teeth  62 . Because of the shape of the teeth, housing  42  may only be rotated in the clockwise direction with respect to the view shown in  FIG. 3  looking into receiving chamber  12 . It should be understood that while housing  42  is prevented from sliding off internal cylindrical cam end  68  in one direction, and may only rotated with respect to the internal cam in the clockwise direction, it may slide axially in the opposite direction over a limited distance, as discussed further below.  
         [0030]     Once housing  42  and boot  46  are installed on internal cylindrical cam  44 , internal cylindrical cam first end  64  is placed into cylindrical tube portion bore  38  so that internal cylindrical cam fingers  67  are received in corresponding recesses  69  ( FIG. 2 ) and flange  66  is received in a corresponding annular groove  65  ( FIG. 2 ). The engagement of flange  69  and annular groove  65  axially locks internal cylindrical cam  44  with respect to generally cylindrical tube portion  32 , and fingers  67  and recesses  69  rotationally lock the two parts together. A spring  47  is inserted intermediate cylindrical tube portion flange  34  and housing flange  50 . When cam  44  and housing  42  are installed in cylindrical tube portion  32 , an axial space  71  ( FIG. 1 ) is provided between housing first end  48  and cylindrical tube portion end  36  to allow the housing to move axially with respect to internal cylindrical cam  44  over a limited distance defined by axial space  71 . Spring  47  biases the housing axially away from cylindrical tube portion flange  34 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 3 A, valve mechanism  30  is next inserted into receiving chamber  12  such that shaft first end  94  is received in a groove  106  ( FIG. 2 ) formed by two adjacent flanges  108 . Opposite shaft end  98  is received in internal cylindrical cam bore  74  ( FIG. 3A ) so that valve mechanism frustoconical valve portion  96  is adjacent to internal cylindrical cam frustoconical wall  76 . Valve mechanism  30  is secured in place by pushing shaft stem  102  through internal cylindrical cam opening  78  ( FIG. 4 ) so that recessed groove  104  receives the walls defining opening  78 . Once valve mechanism  30  is in place, disk  92  may rotate relative to funnel receiving chamber  12  so that Valve opening  100  may align with internal cylindrical cam opening  80  ( FIG. 4 ). Thus, by rotating disk  92  by at least forty-five degrees, opening  80  will move out of alignment with opening  100  thereby preventing fluid flow through the funnel. Thus, Valve mechanism  30  provides the user with the ability to allow or stop fluid from flowing through funnel  10  depending on the position of valve member  30 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a portion of an internal combustion engine  112  is shown having a distributor cap  114 , a belt pulley  116  and valve covers  118  and  120  into which funnel  10  is received. Valve cover  120  has an oil inlet  122  that defines a circular opening  123  (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) for the addition of oil into the engine.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 6A , in use funnel  10  is positioned so that mounting section  40  is within inlet opening  123  with housing flange  88  abutting the top of inlet  122 . Inlet opening  123  and the inside of valve cover  120  are shown in phantom. Looking into housing end  86 , lobes  70  align with recess  60  so that the diameter of housing  42  is generally constant along the axial length of housing  42 . Once the funnel is properly positioned, the user rotates generally cylindrical tube portion  32  and receiving chamber  12  counterclockwise with respect to generally cylindrical housing  42  so that internal cylindrical cam teeth  72  ride over housing teeth  62 . The relative rotation causes the lobes to bias the recess walls radially outward and into engagement with the wall of opening  123 .  
         [0034]     It should be understood that the user can rotate housing  42  relative to internal cylindrical cam  44  in one of two ways. First, the user can hold housing  42  stationary by gripping flange  50  and rotate internal cylindrical cam  44  with respect to the housing by turning receiving chamber  12 . Alternatively, the user may hold internal cylindrical cam  44  stationary through receiving chamber  12  and rotate housing  42  relative to the cam. In either case, the housing teeth ride over the cam teeth so that the radially larger parts of the lobes engage the radially smaller parts of the recess causing the diameter of housing end  52  to increase ( FIG. 6B ). As a result, the outer surface of boot end  86  engages the inner circumference of oil inlet circular opening  123  causing a tight seal to form. The radius of housing end  52  may increase by 0.45 inches and can fit into openings ranging from 1.15 inches (31 mm) to 1.60 inches (43 mm) in diameter.  
         [0035]     Once the oil funnel is engaged with the opening, disk  92  may be rotated so that valve mechanism opening  100  aligns with internal cam opening  80 . In this configuration, the user can pour fluid into funnel  10  ( FIG. 5 ) to fill the fluid reservoir. Once the user finished filling the reservoir, disk  92  is rotated by at least forty-five degrees so that opening  100  moves out of alignment with opening  80 . This prevents fluid from passing though the funnel and spilling from mounting end  40  onto the automobile engine or exterior finish.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 6C , the funnel may be released from inlet opening  123  by axially moving internal cylindrical cam  44  relative to housing  42 . In particular, the user may press down on receiving chamber  12  causing internal cylindrical cam end  68  to push through housing end  52 . In particular, as the housing moves relative to the internal cylindrical cam, housing flange  50  moves toward flange portion  34  against the bias of spring  47 . Thus, as the cam is pushed through the housing, cam teeth  72  disengage from housing teeth  62  ( FIG. 6C ) allowing housing end  86  to decrease in radial diameter thereby releasing the funnel from the inlet.  
         [0037]     After the funnel is released and removed from the inlet, the user can realign lobes  70  with recesses  60  by move rotating housing  42  with respect to internal cylindrical cam  44  until the lobes align with the recesses. Once aligned, housing  42  may be moved axially along internal cylindrical cam  44  until intermittent flanges  110  abut with housing end  86 .