Patent Publication Number: US-2004055826-A1

Title: Pre-filled syringe kit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to automotive tools. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to pre-filled syringes utilized for applying lubricants to transfer cases, rear ends, crank cases and the like.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Modern automotive elements such as manual transmissions, transfer cases, etc. are encased in sealed structure fabricated from rubber or similar material. The sealed elements are not designed to be regularly lubricated. However, the strain and stress of driving sometimes requires additional lubrication of these elements to avoid costly repairs. A syringe-type device is currently used to apply lubricant to the sealed elements. The prior art requires that a user fill the syringe from a container with a desired lubricant for each application. The syringe may need to be cleaned if a different lubricant is to be used. Examples of these prior art syringes are disclosed in U.S. patents numbered U.S. Pat. No. 1,953,990 (Roseland), U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,147 (Johnson et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,816 (Kinack et al.).  
       [0005] U.S. patent numbered U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,449 (Larson) is drawn to a apparatus for perforating and applying grease through a resilient seal. Although the patentee suggests that parts of the syringe are disposable, there is no indication that multiple disposable syringes each containing a different type lubricant should be housed in a kit.  
       [0006] The patent to Workman (U.S. patent numbered U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,764 shows an applicator for cleaning or lubricating sheathed cables.  
       [0007] U.S. patents numbered U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,444 (Reick), U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,286 (Reick) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,993 (Nagahiro) disclose different types of lubricants. No specific apparatus is set forth to apply the lubricants.  
       [0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a collection of disposable syringes as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The present invention is drawn to pre-filled syringes adapted for use in automotive repair and maintenance. As indicated above, current practice requires a user to fill a syringe with a desired lubricant to be applied in an automotive element. The syringe tip is inserted into the element and the lubricant injected therein. If a another lubricant is needed for another automotive element, the user must repeat the process and sometimes must clean the syringe before repeating the process. The present invention includes a kit which allows a user to simply choose a syringe that is pre-filled with a desired lubricant and to dispose of the entire syringe after use. The kit will contain several syringes filled with different lubricants such as PTFE, SAE oils, PTFE oil mixtures, etc. As contemplated, a single kit may house an array of disposable syringes which would permit a user to perform a complete lubricating maintenance job without the mess and inconvenience of having to refill and/or clean a syringe after each use. Further, the expense of buying and storing unneeded quantities of individual lubricants is avoided.  
       [0010] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a pre-filled lubricant injector for automotive elements.  
       [0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a pre-filled lubricant injector for automotive elements, which injector is adapted to be completely disposable.  
       [0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide an array of pre-filled lubricant injectors, which array is housed in a kit.  
       [0013] Still another object of the invention is to provide an array of pre-filled lubricant injectors wherein each injector is pre-filled with a different lubricant.  
       [0014] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.  
       [0015] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a pre-filled syringe according to the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a pre-filled syringe according to the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pre-filled syringe kit according to the present invention. 
    
    
     [0019] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0020] Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which shows a pre-filled syringe  10  utilized to inject a lubricant into an element  12  of an an automotive vehicle. The syringe structure, per se, is not part of the inventive concept except that the structure will be fabricated from inexpensive, easily-disposable material. As shown in FIG. 2 the pre-filled syringe  10  is provided with a cap  16 , which cap functions to protect the end of syringe and to prevent lubricant from leaking from the device. It should be noted that all syringes, liquid and powder, will be provided with a cap.  
     [0021] As contemplated, an array of disposable, pre-filled syringes  10  is housed in a container  18  so as to form a kit. A lid or cover (not shown) is provide to insure that the array will remain intact. Each syringe in the array is filled with a different lubricant. Each syringe is inscribed with a code  20  to indicate what lubricant is contained therein. Although the code is illustrated as an alphabetical sequence, it is obvious that the coding may be of any type (numerical, color, etc.). In fact, the exact name of the lubricant may be inscribed on each syringe if desired. As noted above, the present invention will allow a user to select a desired lubricant, inject it in the preferred automotive element, then dispose of the used syringe thereby eliminating excess fuss and bother. Alternatively, the syringes may be packaged for individual use and sale.  
     [0022] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.