Abstract:
The invention relates to an auxiliary oil gauge assembly having a body connected to a mechanical oil gauge and to the stock sending unit. The body is configured to allow oil to flow to the mechanical gauge as well as the stock sending unit to facilitate providing both mechanical and electrical oil pressure feedback to the observer. Further, the auxiliary oil gauge assembly is configured to safely mount to the engine block without penetrating the user&#39;s leg space. The fastener assembly for mounting the body to the engine is independently rotatable with respect to the body, thus allowing the user to orient the gauge independently of securing the body to the engine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/736,062, filed Dec. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to an auxiliary oil gauge for a motorcycle. More particularly, this invention relates to an auxiliary oil gauge which is configured to mount to the engine block. Specifically, this invention relates to an assembly having a body connected to a mechanical oil gauge, whereby the body allows engine oil to flow to the mechanical gauge as well as to the stock oil sending unit to facilitate providing both mechanical and electrical oil pressure feedback to the observer. 
     2. Background Information 
     Heretofore, there have existed motorcycles which include a standard off the shelf oil pressure monitoring system. These may include an electrical oil gauge which electronically connects to an oil pressure monitor proximate the engine. In the event of a failure within the standard oil pressure monitoring system, the gauge may cease operation unbeknownst to the user. This may occur by way of a light bulb burning out or a wire disconnecting from the various components of the oil pressure monitoring system. Typically, these standard factory oil pressure monitoring systems incorporate a light bulb, which discussed previously, may burn out. In the event of a light bulb burn out, the user has no way of knowing that the oil monitoring system is not providing accurate results. The user simply sees the oil gauge and the absence of a lighted warning and believes the oil pressure system and the oil pressure in general within the engine is at the proper range. In the event of such an indicator failure, improper oil pressure within the engine may cause catastrophic damage to the overall engine itself. This results in a very high cost to the motorcycle owner to replace or repair the engine. 
     Several manufacturers have attempted to design an auxiliary oil gauge for a motorcycle but these devices have been met with very limited commercial success. All of these prior designs suffer from design issues making them commercially undesirable. Some of these devices use an integrated monolithic adapter unit that includes a threaded recess for receiving the gauge as well as a threaded male portion for screwing into the engine. One will readily realize that when the adapter is turned to properly secure it to the engine, the gauge will necessarily rotate as well. This prevents the operator from obtaining both a proper fit between the engine and the adapter and a proper orientation of the gauge. One of the two requirements cannot be met in prior art devices. However, both requirements are of great importance. A proper fit and seal with the engine must be made to ensure proper oil readings and adequate pressure throughout the system. Similarly, the gauge must be positioned to present the information to the user while simultaneously be positioned to not disrupting the user&#39;s foot or leg and to maintain safety. Inasmuch as the prior art devices cannot be tightened without also turning the gauge, these devices are generally not commercially viable. 
     Other prior art devices provide an adapter unit to connect with the engine and provide an aperture for connecting a hose or remote line for receiving oil pressure therein. The hose extends to a bracket or other mounting hardware that is intended to be mounted to the rocker box of the motorcycle and receive the gauge thereon. However, this hose is exposed proximate the user&#39;s feet and legs and may be blown about while riding on the motorcycle, which represents a safety issue for the rider. 
     Thus, a need exists in the art to provide an auxiliary oil gauge assembly which may provide a secondary source of oil pressure readings to the user. This auxiliary oil gauge assembly must be free from additional hoses and mount in such a way that the operator&#39;s leg will not abut the auxiliary oil gauge. Additionally, the gauge itself must pivot or rotate independently from the fastening assembly for securing the gauge or body to the engine. This will allow the user to secure the device to the engine while independently rotating and positioning the gauge at the proper orientation. Further, this auxiliary oil gauge assembly may incorporate the factory oil pressure monitoring system so as to be an add-on aftermarket component and may easily and conveniently install without the need to remove the standard factory oil pressure monitoring system from the motorcycle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an auxiliary oil gauge assembly to a motorcycle, whereby the user may observe the auxiliary oil gauge to determine oil pressure in the motorcycle engine. This is in addition to the standard off-the-shelf oil pressure monitor system provided on common motorcycles. In the event of a system failure regarding the standard oil pressure monitor system, the auxiliary oil gauge assembly will maintain an oil pressure reading for the user. 
     The present invention also allows the gauge itself to pivot or rotate independently from the fastening assembly used for securing the gauge or body to the engine. This allows the user to secure the device to the engine while independently rotating and positioning the gauge at the proper orientation. 
     The present invention relates to an assembly generally comprising a pipe body adapted to connect to a motorcycle engine and to receive engine oil therethrough; an oil gauge connected to the pipe body and adapted to display the oil pressure of the motorcycle engine; and an exit aperture defined by the pipe body, whereby engine oil flows into the pipe body from the motorcycle engine and out of the exit aperture. 
     The present invention also relates to an assembly generally comprising a pipe body defining a fastener channel; an oil gauge connected to the pipe body; a pipe plug defining a longitudinal channel therethrough; a banjo bolt extending into the fastener channel and longitudinal channel; whereby the pipe plug is adapted to rotatably secure the pipe body to a motorcycle engine to receive engine oil into the longitudinal channel; and whereby the pipe plug rotates independently of the pipe body. 
     The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring oil pressure generally comprising the steps of disconnecting an oil pressure sending unit from a motorcycle engine; securing a pipe body to the motorcycle engine via a fastener assembly; connecting the oil pressure sending unit to the pipe body; securing an oil gauge to the pipe body; adjusting the orientation of the oil gauge position by rotating the pipe body independently of the fastener assembly; and rotating the fastener assembly independently of the pipe body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembled auxiliary oil gauge assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the oil gauge assembly, including the pipe body, the banjo bolt, and the oil gauge; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the oil gauge assembly mounted on a motorcycle engine block; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the oil gauge assembly mounted on a motorcycle; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the pipe body of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the pipe body of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The auxiliary oil gauge of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and indicated generally at  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  includes a generally cylindrical elongated aluminum shaped pipe body  3  which includes a first end  5  and a spaced apart second end  7 . In its fully assembled state, auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  further includes an oil gauge  9  disposed generally proximate first end  5  and a fastener assembly  11  disposed proximate second end  7 . Fastener assembly  11  of the present invention may be comprised of a pipe plug  13  connected to a banjo bolt  15  through a fastener channel  14  ( FIG. 2 ) defined by pipe body  3 . Fastener assembly  11  may optionally include at least a washer  17  for mating with one or both of pipe plug  14  and banjo bolt  15  to more securely hold fastener assembly  11  to pipe body  3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , fastener assembly  11  is configured to connect pipe body with an engine  4  of a motorcycle  2 . Fastener assembly  11  aligns banjo bolt  15  through fastener channel  14  ( FIG. 2 ), with or without washers  17 , and connects to pipe plug  13  to secure banjo bolt  15 , optional washers  17 , and pipe plug  13  together about pipe body  3 . One will readily recognize that fastener assembly  11  allows a user to secure pipe body  3  to engine  4  independently of the orientation of gauge  9 . This allows a user to ensure a tight fit between auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  and engine  4 , while simultaneously allowing the user to rotate gauge  9  independently from fastener assembly  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , banjo bolt  15  includes a nut end  19  with an integrated washer  21  and a shaft  23  extending therefrom. Disposed on at least a portion of shaft  23  is a threaded portion  25  for threadably engaging with pipe plug  13 . Banjo bolt  15  further includes a longitudinal channel  27  defined by shaft  23  and extending along the longitudinal plane of banjo bolt  15  to approximately washer  21 . Further, banjo bolt  15  includes a latitudinal channel  29  disposed intermediate threaded portion  25  and washer  21  and aligned generally latitudinally or perpendicularly with the longitudinal plane of banjo bolt  15 . Longitudinal channel  27  and latitudinal channel  29  form a union proximate washer  21  whereby latitudinal channel  29  is oriented generally perpendicularly to longitudinal channel  27 . Longitudinal channel  27  includes an aperture  31  spaced proximate threaded portion  25  while latitudinal channel  29  includes an aperture  33  and an aperture  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , pipe plug  13  includes a washer  37  and a threaded portion  39  and further includes a longitudinal channel  41  extending the entire length of pipe plug  13 . A threaded surface  43  is disposed within a portion of longitudinal channel  41  and configured to threadably mate with threaded portion  25  of shaft  23  of banjo bolt  15  therein. Washer  37  of pipe plug  13  is sized to be received within a first recess  45  along the length of pipe body  3 . Similarly, washer  21  of banjo bolt  15  is sized to be received in a second recess  47  disposed on pipe body  3 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, washers  17  are similarly sized to be received between pipe body and the respective washer  37  and washer  21  to form a secure and tight abutment between banjo bolt  15 , pipe plug  13 , and pipe body  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , banjo bolt  15 , and in particular shaft  23 , is sized to extend through fastener channel  14  whereby threaded portion  25  of shaft  23  extends outwardly away from pipe body  3  and fastener channel  14 . Thereafter, pipe plug  13  is threadably engaged with threaded portion  25  of shaft  23  by way of rotating pipe plug  13  to threadably engage threaded portion  25  with threaded surface  43 . 
     Pipe body  3  includes an interior channel  49  extending entirely along the length of pipe body  3 . First threaded portion  51  is disposed proximate first end and includes a generally greater cross-sectional width with respect to interior channel  49 . Similarly, an enlarged second threaded portion  53  is disposed proximate second end  7  and also represents a greater cross-sectional width with respect to interior channel  49 . An exit aperture  54  is defined by second end  7  and threaded portion  53 . 
     When banjo bolt  15  is secured within fastener channel  14 , longitudinal channel  27  is generally coplanar with interior channel  49 , though longitudinal channel  27  and interior channel  49  are not necessarily coaxial. One with knowledge of banjo bolts in general would readily recognize that when banjo bolt  15  is disposed in fastener channel  14 , longitudinal channel  27 , latitudinal channel  29 , and interior channel  49  are in fluid communication with one another. This represents the general method for splitting fluid flow which is received within latitudinal channel  29  from the exterior of auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , oil flow may enter pipe plug  13  and banjo bolt  15  by way of longitudinal channel  27  in the direction of Arrow F. As such, oil is directed through interior channel  49  and in two separate directions, namely, toward first end  5  in the direction of Arrow F′ and also toward second end  7  in the direction of Arrow F″. 
     Pipe plug  13  in general, and threaded portion  39  in particular, is configured to mount directly to engine  4  of motorcycle  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , second end  7  of pipe body  3  abuts engine  4  by way of pipe plug  13  and threaded portion  39  thereof. Threaded portion  39  is received within a threaded interior chamber (not shown) which is configured to receive one end of a stock oil sending unit for a factory oil gauge having an electric bulb indicator on the distal end. After second end  7  is mounted to engine  4 , auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  is in fluid communication with the overall oil within engine  4 . Thereafter, oil enters pipe plug  13  and aperture  31  of banjo bolt  15  and is dispersed through pipe body  3  by way of interior channel  49 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when pipe body  3  is oriented in such a way to have second end  7  mounted to engine  4 , oil gauge  9  extends outwardly away from engine  4  to orient oil gauge  9  upwardly toward a rider of motorcycle  2 . Oil gauge  9  provides a visual indicator of the oil pressure within engine  4  and may be of any type of indicator. However, oil gauge  9  is preferably a mechanical style gauge, which operates without the need for an electrical component such as a light bulb. Inasmuch as a threaded end  57  of a stock sending unit  59  must be removed from engine  4  before auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  can be mounted thereto, threaded end  57  is thereafter threadably engaged with second end  7  of pipe body  3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , second threaded portion  53  of pipe body  3  receives threaded end  57  of stock sending unit  59  therein. As such, oil flowing through pipe body  3  enters stock sending unit  59  through threaded end  57 . This allows stock sending unit  59  to remain functional by supplying oil therethrough. Thus, stock sending unit  59  and the indicator on motorcycle  2  remain fully functional after installing auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  on motorcycle  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , one skilled in the art would readily recognize that when an auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  is installed on motorcycle  2 , motorcycle  2  enjoys two separate oil pressure indicators, auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  and an original gauge  63  connected to stock sending unit  59  via a wire  61 . Thus, if a bulb or an electric wire or some other electrical component within stock sending unit  59  breaks or burns out, the user will still be able to monitor oil pressure within engine  4  by way of oil gauge  9 . Further, auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1 , and in particular pipe body  3 , is configured to mount directly on engine block  2  in a position where the operator&#39;s leg cannot disturb auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1 . Thus, auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  is configured to maintain overall safety of motorcycle  2  by displaying oil gauge  9  in a safe manner and out of the way of the operator&#39;s legs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an imaginary longitudinal central axis  26  is provided for reference extending through the longitudinal center of banjo bolt  15 . Similarly, an imaginary longitudinal central axis  24  is provided for reference extending through the longitudinal center of pipe body  3 . One will readily recognize the benefits of having axis  24  not coplaner with axis  26 . It follows that pipe body  3  is independently manually rotatable about axis  26  of banjo bolt  15 . Further, banjo bolt  15  is independently manually rotatable about axis  26  as well. Thus, banjo bolt  15  and pipe plug  13  may be rotated independently from pipe body  3  to secure auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  to engine  4 , leaving pipe body  3  in the proper orientation to display oil pressure readings to the user. Enabling both pipe body  3  and banjo bolt  15  to independently rotate about the same axis  26  represents an improvement over the prior art, where rotating the fastener mechanism of the integrated prior art devices also rotates the gauge away from proper orientation. Auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  allows the user to secure pipe body  3  to engine  4  while maintaining the orientation of pipe body  3  with respect to engine  4 . Conversely, the user can manually adjust and rotate gauge  9  about axis  26  to a different orientation without disrupting the secure connection of banjo bolt  15  and pipe plug  13  with engine  4 . Thus, it is a primary feature of the present invention that banjo bolt  15  and pipe plug  13  may be rotated independent from pipe body  3 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , one of the primary features of the invention, in addition to the above discussed features, includes the orientation of the recessed area of pipe body  3 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  is shown having a pipe body  103 . Pipe body  103  includes a recessed area  104  comprising a first recess  145  and a second recess  147 . While first recess  145  and second recess  147  is generally similar to first recess  45  and second recess  47  respectively, one will readily observe in  FIG. 5  that first recess  145  and second recess  147  is non-orthogonal with respect to interior channel  149 . An imaginary central axis  124  is shown extending along the longitudinal center of pipe body  103  and an imaginary central axis  126  is shown extending along the longitudinal center of internal channel  178  where banjo bolt  15  is disposed in the assembled state. Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  shown in  FIG. 5  includes axis  126  whereby both pipe body  103  and banjo bolt  15  are independently rotatable about therewith. As discussed previously, this allows a user to independently tighten pipe body  103  to engine  4  while also independently adjusting gauge  9  for proper orientation. 
     The offset nature of first recess  145  and second recess  147  with respect to interior channel  149  allows auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  to fit tightly against engine  4  and remain out of the way of the user&#39;s leg. As shown in  FIG. 5 , first recess  145  includes a wall  171  having a length A and a wall  173  having a length B. In the embodiment of auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  shown in  FIG. 2 , the overall lengths of first recess area  45  and second recess area  47  are generally identical, while the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  portrays length A and length B as being not identical. Similarly, with respect to second recess  147 , a wall  175  is disposed having length B and opposed to a wall  177  having length A. The overall orthogonal nature of first recess  45  and second recess  47  of  FIG. 2 , has been angled into a non-orthogonal manner for firm abutment with engine  4 . An internal channel  178  of pipe body  103  is similarly angled to properly mate banjo bolt  15  with engine  4 . The offset angles of first recess area  145  and second recess area  147  orient the overall auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  shown in  FIG. 5  upwardly towards the user of motorcycle  2  and for easy access and observation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a recessed area  204  of a pipe body  203  is shown and includes a first recess  245  and second recess  247 . First recess  245  includes a wall  271  extending to meet a wall  273 . Similar to recess  145 , recess  245  includes an overall length, shown as length C. However, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  includes wall  271  extending directly to wall  273  to form recess  245 , whereas an intermediate surface is disposed between wall  171  and wall  173  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, first recess  245  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is tailored to orient pipe body  203  to abut firmly against an engine having a different configuration with respect to the engine envisioned for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Similar to first recess  245 , second recess  247  includes a wall  275  extending to a wall  277 . First recess  245  and second recess  247  are aligned to form a linear fastener channel  278 , similar to fastener channel  14  shown in  FIG. 2 . Fastener channel  278  is configured to receive banjo bolt  15  in a similar manner as described with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     An imaginary central axis  224  is shown extending along the longitudinal center of pipe body  203  and an imaginary central axis  226  is shown extending along the longitudinal center of internal channel  278  where banjo bolt  15  is disposed in the assembled state. Similar to the first embodiment, the third embodiment of auxiliary oil gauge assembly  1  shown in  FIG. 6  includes axis  226  whereby both pipe body  203  and banjo bolt  15  are independently rotatable about therewith. As discussed previously, this allows a user to independently tighten pipe body  203  to engine  4  while also independently adjusting gauge  9  for proper orientation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a surface  279  is shown which is generally tapered along the length of pipe body  203 . This is in contrast with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , where the overall outer surface and length of pipe body  3  is generally flat and non-tapered. Thus, it is a primary feature of the present invention that the overall outer body shape and profile may be configured for maximum benefit with respect to the overall fit against engine  4  and placement about motorcycle  2 . 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.