Abstract:
A filter for use with different size attaching structures includes multiple attachment members individually and independently cooperable with different ones of the different size attaching structures, whereby a single filter configuration may be manufactured and stocked for desired use with any one of the different size attaching structures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention represents an improvement over the structure disclosed in my prior Patent No. 3,529,722, and relates generally to spin-on, throw-away type filter cartridges. 
     More particularly, filters of the type with which the present invention is concerned are intended for use as oil filters on internal combustion engines, as, for example, on automotive engines. 
     However, the different automotive manufacturers, and including both foreign and domestic manufacturers, provide different size or configured filter attaching structures on many of the different makes of vehicles, thus requiring manufacture and storage of the corresponding number of filters having different filter attaching structures thereon for cooperation with the attaching structures on the engines. 
     In a typical construction of the type utilizing an attaching structure for attachment of the spin-on type filter, a threaded stud is mounted in the block of the engine and has an externally threaded projecting portion for cooperation with complemental female threads in an attaching means on the filter to removably attach the filter to the engine. Most of the studs used on automotive engines in the United States come in one of two sizes, either 3/4- 16 inches or 13/16-16 inches. Accordingly, filters must be manufactured having corresponding thread sizes of 3/4 16 inches and 13/16-16 inches in order to be operatively attached to the different size studs. Additionally, very popular thread sizes imported into the United States are 18 × 1.5mm and 20 × 1.5mm. Filters utilizing these thread sizes are usually of different overall diameter and length than those using the 3/4- 16 inches and 13/16-16 inches threads. Thus, though a 3/4- 16 inches internal thread will give marginally satisfactory engagement with a short length of 18 × 1.5mm external thread, and a 13/16-16 inches internal thread will likewise engage a short length of 20 × 1.5mm external thread, interchangeability of existing filters on the different thread sizes is not contemplated or easily accomplished. This, of course, requires manufacture and storage of a number of filters for each of the different size attaching structures and selection of the proper filter by the ultimate purchaser. 
     When the present invention, these four thread sizes could be serviced with a single filter configuration. At present, however, two filters would be the preferred solution to fit the majority of all passenger cars now produced, i.e., one filter to fit both 13/16-16 inches and 3/4 16 inches threads, and the other to fit both 20 × 1.5mm and 18 × 1.5mm threads. 
     In accordance with the present invention, unique multiple attaching means is thus provided on the filter, whereby a single filter configuration may be manufactured with the multiple attaching means thereon for attachment of the filter to either of the commonly used sizes of filter attaching means on automotive engines. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a filter mounting means whereby the filter may be mounted to any one of a plurality of different filter mounting structures on internal combustion engines. 
     A more specific object of the invention is to provide a filter with multiple attaching means thereon comprising a pair of threaded openings, each of different diameter for cooperation with a respective different diameter threaded stud carried on an internal combustion engine, whereby the filter may be readily threadably attached to the stud simply by engagement with the proper size threaded nut carried by the filter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view showing a filter separated from the mounting structure on an internal combustion block. 
     FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view in section of a filter incorporating the unique multiple attaching means according to the invention, and with the filter removed from the filter attaching means on the engine. 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the filter attached to a first size attaching stud carried by the engine, and wherein one of the attaching nuts carried by the filter is rendered inoperative. 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the filter according to the invention shown attached to a different size filter attaching stud carried by the engine. 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the filter removed from the filter attaching means carried by the engine. 
     FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in section of a modified means for retaining one of the two filter attaching nuts in position in the filter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a filter F in accordance with the invention comprises a cylindrical side wall 10 having a shaped closed end 11 thereon for cooperation with a filter wrench or the like and an opposite end wall 12 having apertures 13 therethrough for flow of oil into the filter. A pair of annular seal rings 14 and 15 are carried by the filter F on the end wall 12 for cooperation with sealing surfaces on all engines with which the filter F can be used. Centrally of the end wall 12 is located the attaching means 16 according to the invention, and which comprises multiple female members, including an outer member or a first threaded opening 17 of a predetermined size, as, for example, 20 millimeters, in the end wall 12 and an inner member or a second threaded opening 18 formed in a nut 19 carried by the filter. 
     In use, the filter F is threaded onto a cooperating male attaching means or structure such as stud S1 carried by the engine block E, whereby oil flows from the engine block E through openings 20 and thence through openings 13 and past the combined antidrain back and bypass valve 21, through the filter media 22 and thence back through the filter attaching means 16 and through the hollow interior 23 of the stud and back to the engine block. 
     The attaching means 16 and antidrain back and bypass valve 21 comprise a substantially inverted, cup-shaped member 24 fitted within the central opening defined by filter media 22 and having an internal cylindrical sleeve 25 supported therewithin in radially inwardly spaced relation relative thereto, with the valve member 21 biased toward closed position by means of a coil spring 26 engaged in the space between cup-shaped member 24 and sleeve 25. A nut retaining sleeve 27 is supported and disposed inwardly of the sleeve 25 and has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the nut 19, whereby the nut will move axially within the retaining sleeve 27, but will not rotate relative thereto. In this connection, see FIG. 6. The nut retaining sleeve 27 is slotted or otherwise suitably formed with flow passage means at 28 to permit oil to flow through the sleeve or return directly to the engine when the filter media is bypassed upon opening of valve 21. Further, the upper end of the retaining sleeve 27 has a radially inwardly directed flange 29 thereon against which one end of a coil spring 30 is engaged. The spring 30 is engaged at its other end against the nut 19 maintaining it in the position shown in FIG. 2. 
     Thus, the filter F is usable either with a stud S1 having a relatively large diameter or with a stud S2 having a smaller diameter. For example, in FIG. 3 the filter F is shown engaged with a stud S1, whereby the stud S1 is threadably engaged in the threads 17 formed in the bottom cover 12 of the filter F. In this use of the invention, the end of the stud S1 engages the nut 19 and moves it against the bias of spring 30 such that the nut 19 does not interfere with proper operation or engagement of the stud S1 with threads 17. 
     Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the filter F is shown used with a stud S2 having a smaller diameter, and in this use of the invention, the stud S2 passes upwardly through the threads 17 in spaced relation thereto and engages the threads 18 in nut 19, which is held against rotation by the complemental cross-sectional configuration of the retaining sleeve 27, and which is held in engagement against the end of the stud S2 as the threaded connection is being made by means of the spring 30. 
     A modified attaching means 16&#39; is illustrated in FIG. 7, and in this form of the invention, the structure is identical to that previously described, except that rather than the spring 30, an adhesive or other material 31 is used to temporarily retain the nut 19 in position at the lower end of sleeve 27, whereby if a large stud S1 is engaged with the filter, the nut 19 will be displaced from the position shown in FIG. 7 to a position similar to that shown in FIG. 3, whereas if a smaller stud S2 is engaged with the filter, the nut 19 will be held in position for threaded engagement therewith. 
     While a particular antidrain back and bypass valve construction 21 has been illustrated and described in relation to the invention disclosed herein, it is to be understood that this valve does not comprise a part of the present invention, and other types of valve construction could be provided, or, in fact, one or both of the valves could be eliminated. Additionally, a pair of spaced seal rings 14 and 15 have been described in connection with the invention disclosed herein for sealing engagement with the engine block, but other types of suitable seals could be provided in association with the filter. 
     As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is, therefore, illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are, therefore, intended to be embraced by those claims.