Abstract:
A fluid metering and measuring device is provided and which is particularly adapted to regulate ratios of oil and gasoline in a mixture of oil and gasoline used, for example, in a two-stroke engine. The device has a filling chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. One-way check valves are disposed in both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to prevent backflow. A plunger stem comprising a piston disposed within the chamber. When the stem and attached piston are pulled upwardly, a vacuum is created in the chamber to cause a fluid, e.g. oil to flow into chamber and when depressed causes outflow. Gradations or indicia indicate the amount of oil drawn into the chamber to ensure proper fluid ratios. The metering device may be incorporated into any suitable container including a two compartment container wherein the compartments are in fluid communication.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a completion application of provisional application Ser. No. 60/016,953, for “OIL AND GAS METERING AND MEASURING DEVICE,” filed May 6, 1996, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns metering and measuring devices. More particularly, the present invention concerns metering and measuring devices for ensuring proper ratios of mixtures of separate liquids. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns metering and measuring devices for ensuring proper oil to gasoline ratios for two-cycle engine fuel mixtures. 
     2. Prior Art 
     As is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, one of the more troublesome aspects of operating machinery employing two-cycle engines is the need to maintain the proper ratio of oil to gasoline in the fuel mixture according to manufacturer specifications. Unless this ratio is properly maintained, the engine may burn up or otherwise become damaged. Yet, absent laborious monitoring of the fuel mixture ratio, remembering at all times to add oil to the gasoline, this can be easily overlooked. The present invention, as will be subsequently detailed, overcomes this problem by providing a device that readily assures that proper ratios are maintained. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In its broadest aspect, the present invention comprises a fluid metering and measuring device comprising: 
     (a) a filling chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; 
     (b) a one-way valve disposed in the fluid inlet for controlling fluid flow into the chamber; 
     (c) a one-way valve disposed in the fluid outlet for controlling flow out of the outlet; 
     (d) means for drawing fluid into the chamber; and 
     (e) indicia disposed on the means for drawing for indicating the quantity of fluid in the chamber in relation to another fluid. 
     The present invention may be embodied in a combined gasoline and oil container. Alternatively, the present invention may be embodied in a metering device emplaceable in fluid communication with a quantity of gasoline, the metering device metering a requisite amount of oil into admixture therewith. 
     Thus, the device hereof may be a “stand alone” device or may be incorporated into a container for directly mixing the two separate fluids. 
     The fluid metering and measuring device of the present invention is particularly adapted to regulate the mixture of oil and gasoline for use in a two-stroke engine. The device has a filling chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. One-way check valves are disposed in both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to prevent backflow. A gradient plunger includes a stem with grasping means external to the filing chamber which is attached to a piston within the chamber. When the stem and attached piston are pulled upwardly, oil from a first compartment flows into the chamber. Gradations or indicia on the stem indicate the amount of oil drawn into the chamber. Preferably, the gradations also indicate the proper amount of oil to be drawn in relation to various amounts of gasoline. When the stem and piston are pushed downwardly, oil flows out of the chamber. 
     When embodied in a unitary container oil flows into a gasoline-containing compartment. Alternatively, the device is adapted to screw into a normal one-quart oil can from which the requisite amount of oil is extracted and, then, issued into any suitable container. 
     The gradient stem of the device is configured to enable accurate mixing. In one embodiment the stem has circumferential grooves. In another embodiment the stem has longitudinal grooves for enabling precise metering. 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts through the several views, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a metering and measuring device in accordance with the present invention incorporated into a first container; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of the metering device hereof, wherein the plunger is depicted in a first position and a second position, and which is incorporated into a second container; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a plunger in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a filling container for use with the plunger of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational, exploded view of a third embodiment of the metering device hereof, and 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the handle of the plunger shown in FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     At the outset, and as noted hereinabove, the present invention comprises a fluid and measuring device which, generally, comprises: 
     (a) a filling chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; 
     (b) a one-way valve disposed in the fluid inlet for controlling fluid flow into the chamber; 
     (c) a one-way valve disposed in the fluid outlet for controlling flow out of the outlet; 
     (d) means for drawing fluid into the chamber; and 
     (e) indicia associated with the means for drawing for indicating the quantity of fluid in the chamber in relation to another fluid. 
     Referring now to the drawing, and in particular FIG. 1, there is depicted therein a fluid metering and measuring device  8  in accordance herewith and which is embodied in a container, generally, denoted at  10 , for metering a requisite amount of oil for admixture with a quantity of gasoline. 
     As shown in the drawing and according to this aspect hereof, the present invention includes the container  10  which has a hollow interior in which a first fluid, preferably gasoline, is removably stored. The container further includes a pour spout  12  through which either gasoline or a gasoline and oil mixture may be issued. The container further includes a transport carrying handle  14 . 
     The container  10  has an outer wall  16 . Internally, the container  10  is defined by a first compartment or chamber  18  and a second compartment or chamber  20 . The compartments are created by, and internally separated from each other via, a partition  22 , which is integrally formed with the container  10 . 
     A port  24  into the first compartment  18  provides fluid communication between the two compartments in a manner to be described hereinbelow. 
     The second compartment  20  is defined by a portion  26  of the outer wall  16 . The portion  26  of the outer wall  16  has an opening or top  28  through which access into the interior of the second compartment  20  is provided. The opening or top  28  may be threaded, such as at  30 . 
     As shown in the drawing, the metering and dispensing device  8  hereof includes an elongated tubular housing or element or  34  having an internal fluid filling chamber  36 . The tubular housing  34  is removably insertable into the second compartment  20 , and may be secured thereto at the opening or top  28  via a knurled knob or nut  32  that is secured thereonto at the threading  30  in a well known manner. 
     The element  34  includes a fluid inlet  38  through which the contents of the second compartment  20  may be issued into the fluid chamber  36 . Unidirectional flow means, such as a one-way check valve  40 , is housed within the fluid inlet  38  to ensure that the fluid from the second compartment  20  only enters the fluid chamber  36  through the inlet  38  and does not issue back therethrough. 
     The means for drawing fluid into the chamber  36  includes a slidable plunger  42  which is telescopically axially slidably disposed within the fluid chamber  36 . The plunger  42  includes a toroidal piston  44  having an annular seal  46 , such as an O-ring seal, circumferentially disposed therearound to prevent fluid flow therepast. The plunger  42  includes an elongated stem or rod  48  that is slidably movable in the fluid chamber  36 . The piston  44  is integrally formed with the elongated rod  48 . 
     The stem  48  projects through a suitable opening  50  formed in the nut  32 . The stem  48  has an exterior handle  52  secured thereto by any suitable means, such as by being integral therewith or the like. 
     As shown in the drawing, the stem  48  has a plurality of gradations or other indicia  54  provided along the extent thereof and axially spaced therealong. The gradations or indicia  54  indicate the metered quantity of fluid drawn from the second compartment  20  into the fluid chamber  36 , and therefrom into mixture with fluid in the first compartment  18 , as described hereinbelow. These gradations, thus, ensure that the proper mixture of fluids can be obtained. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the element  36  also includes a fluid outlet  56  disposed proximate the fluid inlet  38 . Unidirectional flow means, such as a one-way check valve  58  or the like, prevents back flow from the outlet  56  into the fluid chamber  36 . A conduit, such as a tube  60  or the like, connects the fluid outlet  56  with the port  24  in the first compartment  18 , providing fluid communication therebetween. Thus, the requisite amount of liquid from the second compartment  20  can be directed into the fluid chamber  36  and therefrom metered into the first compartment  18 . 
     In use, once the amount of gasoline in the first compartment  18  is determined, and the requirements for the proper oil to gasoline mixture are determined, as designated by the manufacturer of the engine, the plunger  42  can be drawn upwardly in the direction of the first arrow  62  to meter oil from the second compartment  20  past the check valve  40  into the fluid chamber  36 . The amount of oil drawn into the fluid chamber  36  is shown by the gradations  54  on the stem  48  in both quantity, and, preferably, in relation to the amount of gasoline contained in the first compartment  18 . Once the proper amount of oil has been metered into the fluid chamber  36 , the plunger  42  can then be moved downwardly in the direction of the second arrow  64 , thereby causing the oil within the fluid chamber  36  to flow through the outlet  56 , past the check valve  58 , through the conduit  60 , through the port  24 , and into the first compartment  18  by forces exerted by the piston  44 . 
     In practicing this embodiment, it is preferred that the first and second compartments be formed as an integral unit. However, it is to be appreciated that the second compartment  20  can be retrofitted onto a conventional gasoline container by providing an opening in the gasoline container wall, providing a suitable port fitting for the opening in the gasoline container wall, and fitting the conduit  60  to the port for fluid communication therebetween. 
     In either event, this embodiment provides a quick and efficient way of directly metering the requisite amount of oil into the gasoline containing compartment. 
     In FIG. 2, there is depicted the deployment of the device hereof in connection with another container. According to this embodiment, the metering and dispensing device, generally, denoted at  110 , is particularly adapted for measuring out the requisite quantity of oil from a conventional one-quart oil container  112 . 
     The container  112  has a threaded spout  114  about an opening  116 , to which is removably mounted the metering and dispensing device  110  hereof in the same manner heretofore described. 
     The metering and dispensing device  110  hereof is substantially similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment of FIG.  1 . The device  110  comprises an elongated outer tubular member or element  118  that is adapted to be removably disposed within the interior of the container  112 . A threaded connector, such as a knurled nut  120 , is carried exteriorly of the tubular member  118 , and is used to threadably mount the dispenser  110  to the container  112 . 
     The elongated tubular member  118  has a closed first end  120  having an opening formed therein that defines a fluid inlet  122 , and a second end  124 . 
     A second tubular member  128 , having a diameter less than that of the first tubular member  118 , is concentrically disposed within the first or outer tubular member  118  and extends between the first and second ends thereof. The space or gap between the first and second tubular members  118  and  128  defines an annular passage  130  between the interior wall of the first tubular member  118  and the exterior wall of the second tubular member  128 . The interior of the second tubular member  128  defines a chamber  129 . 
     A stop or seal  131  closes off the annular passage  130  at the second end  124  of the first tubular member  118  and holds the second tubular member  128  in spaced relation to the first tubular member  118 . 
     A central opening  132  is provided in the stop  131 , through which projects a plunger or plunger assembly  126 . The plunger  126  includes a rod or stem  134  having a handle  136  at one or its first end and a piston  138  at its other or second end. The piston  138  is affixed to the second end of the rod and is axially slidably movable within the chamber  129  of the second tubular member  128 . 
     As shown in the drawing, the stem  134  has a plurality of gradations or other indicia  135  provided along the extent thereof and axially spaced therealong. The gradations or indicia  135  indicate the metered quantity of fluid drawn from the container  112  into the fluid chamber  129 , and therefrom discharged for mixture with gasoline from another container (not shown), as described hereinbelow. These gradations, thus, ensure that the proper mixture of fluids can be obtained. 
     An annular seal, such as an O-ring seal  140 , prevents fluid flow past the piston  138  in the well known manner. 
     Unidirectional flow means, such as a one-way check valve  142 , is housed within the inlet  122  to prevent any fluid drawn into the fluid chamber  129  from flowing out of the inlet  122  and past the valve  142 , and also assists in maintaining the spaced relationship between the first and second tubular members  118  and  128 . 
     An outlet port  144  is formed in the second tubular member  128  and is in fluid communication with the annular passage  130 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a fluid outlet assembly  146  is proximate the second end  124  of the second tubular member  128  and is disposed exteriorly of the container  112 . The outlet assembly  146  includes an outlet channel  147  in fluid communication with an outlet port  148 . 
     Unidirectional flow means  150 , such as a one-way check valve  152 , is disposed in the outlet channel  147  to prevent back flow from the outlet  146  into the fluid chamber  129 . A conduit  154  is in fluid communication with the outlet channel  147  to permit fluid to flow therethrough. 
     In use, once the amount of gasoline in another container (not shown) is determined, and the requirements for the proper oil to gasoline mixture are determined, as designated by the manufacturer of the engine, the plunger  126  can be drawn upwardly in the direction of the first arrow  156  to meter oil from the chamber  112  past the check valve  142  into the fluid chamber  129 . The amount of oil drawn into the fluid chamber  129  is shown by the gradations  135  on the stem  134  in both quantity, and, preferably, in relation to the amount of gasoline contained in another container (not shown). Once the proper amount of oil has been metered into the fluid chamber  129 , the plunger  126  can then be moved downwardly in the direction of the second arrow  158 , thereby causing the oil within the fluid chamber  129  to flow through the outlet  144 , through the annular passage  130 , through the port  148 , past the check valve  152 , through the outlet channel  147 , and therefrom into any other suitable container (not shown) by forces exerted by the piston  138 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the dispenser  110  can be removed from this one container and mounted to another one. 
     Of course, other container configurations can be used herein with the device hereof adapted for mounting thereto. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is depicted therein a further embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the device includes a tubular housing or element  212  the interior of which defines a filling chamber  213 . A fluid inlet  214  and a fluid outlet  216  are in fluid communication with the chamber  213 , as shown. 
     Disposed within each fluid inlet and fluid outlet is a one-way flow means or unidirectional flow means such as a one-way check valve or the like (not shown) for controlling fluid flow as hereinabove described. The housing  212  has a top end which includes an integral toroidal shoulder or flange  224 . 
     A cap  218  seats atop the tubular element or housing  212  and closes same. The cap  218  includes a circumferential side wall  220  having an inwardly directed bead  222  which abuts against the shoulder  224 . The bead  222  engages the shoulder or flange  224  as shown in phantom in FIG. 4 to provide closure of the element  212 . 
     The cap  218  further includes a reduced diameter duct  226  integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom. The duct  226  has a predetermined internal diameter for accommodating axial, slideable movement of a plunger  230  as described hereinbelow. 
     An inwardly directed lip  228  is circumferentially inwardly projectingly disposed at the terminus of the duct  226 , as shown. 
     As hereinabove noted, a plunger, generally, denoted at  230  is axially slideably disposed within the cylinder  212 . The plunger  230  includes a handle  232  which seats atop the cap  218  and projects outwardly through the duct  226 . The plunger, also, includes a shaft or stem  233 . The stem  233  is provided with a plurality axially spaced apart annular grooves  234 . The space or distance between the grooves defines a gradient for assuring proper mixture of fluid ratios. 
     The end of the plunger opposite that of the handle includes a piston  236  secured thereto. A sealing member such as an O-ring  237  or the like is circumferentially disposed about the piston to provide sealing engagement between the plunger and the side wall of the cylinder  212 . 
     As the plunger is pulled upwardly in the direction of the arrow  238 , the lip  228  will engage a groove  234 . Thus, depending on the desired ratio of mixture of the fluid, i.e. oil to gas, will determine the degree to which the plunger is extracted through the duct. 
     It is to be appreciated that the cap is formed from a resilient material to enable the plunger to move past the lip  228 . Thus, the cap is flexibly resilient so that the lip can be removed from any one groove and lock in any other groove  234 . 
     The requisite ratio indicia, designated in FIG. 3 as P- 2 , can be provided along the extent of the stem or otherwise provided at any convenient location. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is depicted therein a further embodiment of the metering device hereof. Again, the device  310  hereof includes a plunger  312  having a piston  313  at the lower end thereof, is adapted to be axially slideably movably disposed within a hollow tubular housing  316  defining a fluid filling chamber  317  which has a unidirectional fluid inlet  318  and a unidirectional fluid outlet  320 . As shown, the piston  313  is a tapered member and adapted to as shown, the prevent cavitation at the junction between the seal and the walls when the plunger is moved. 
     The plunger  312  is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially disposed longitudinally grooves  314 ,  314 ′, etc. Each groove  314 ,  314 ′, etc. has a predetermined length which corresponds to a metered quantity of fluid entering into the chamber  317  through the inlet  318  in the manner heretofore described. Thus, the grooves dictate the amount of fluid entering into the chamber  317  to assure proper ratios. 
     A cap  322  is removably secured to the cylinder  316  by any convenient mode such as by threaded interconnection via threading or thread  315  or the like. The cap  322  further includes a duct or passageway  324  through which the plunger  312  is extended or projected. A stop or stop member  326  is disposed within the duct of the cap and which, upon engagement with a limited or terminus  311 ,  311 ′ etc. of any groove,  314 ,  314 ′, etc., thus, limits the degree to which the plunger can be pulled through the top of the cap. Thus, the stop is alignable with the requisite groove for assuring proper metering. 
     To achieve this, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plunger  312  includes a stem  319  at the upper end thereof and connects to a handle  328  which enables rotation thereof. The top of the handle bears indicia  330  to denote requisite ratios. The handle enables the plunger to be rotated to align a groove or slot  314 ,  314 ′, etc. with the stop  326 , the handle  328  seating atop the cap  322 , and projecting through the duct  324  and interconnected to the plunger  312  through a snap lock as described below. 
     In FIG. 5, there is depicted a universal check valve or check valve device for assuring unidirectional flow into the inlet and outlet and which can be used in connection with either the fluid inlet or fluid outlet and which is, generally, denoted at  350 . Herein the check valve  350  includes a ball  352  which is caged within a housing  354 . A biasing member such as a spring  356  urges against the ball. The housing includes a side wall  358 , a top wall  360  and a bottom wall  362 . The bottom wall and the top wall each have an opening  364 ,  364 ′ respectively, provided therein to enable fluid flow past the ball  352 . The side wall may be internally threaded or snap fitted to an associated inlet or outlet. 
     By reversing the placement of the ball and biasing member in relation to the top wall and bottom wall, as shown, the check valve can be used to assure unidirectional fluid flow on the outlet side of a cylinder, as shown. 
     It is further contemplated that in order to assure that the correct ratio is always attained for any specific engine, once the proper ratio therefor is determined, that a device for locking the plunger in its appropriate position be provided. Thus, and as shown in FIG. 5, a snap locking ring  400  assembly which properly orients a pre-selected groove of the plunger  312  with the stop  326 . The ring  400  includes a snap clip  402  which is fixedly mounted to the plunger  312  such as by friction or the like. As shown, the stem portion which projects outwardly from the housing has a pair of spaced apart circumferential grooves,  370  and  370 ′. The clip  402  is slideably emplaceable over the stem and engages the grooves. The clip telescopes into the handle to achieve A interconnection therebetween. The clip includes a plurality of depending fingers  410  which project into a pre-determined groove or slot or channel  314 ,  314  etc. 
     In use, the clip is first interconnected to the handle, and the clip is positioned in the upper groove,  370 ′ to render the handle freely rotatable. The handle is, then, rotated to align the proper groove  314  with the stop member  326 . Then, by a downward force, the clip is urged into the lower groove  370  which forces the fingers into the non-selected grooves to preclude any alignment thereof with the stop. This renders the dispenser fixed for a pre-selected ratio metering. In this manner all but the pre-selected groove are precluded from having the stop member being axially slidable therewith. Thus, the stop member provided in the cap can only engage one longitudinal groove  314 ,  314 ′, etc. In this manner inadvertent rotation of the plunger about the vertical axis to potentially provide an improper ratio is precluded.