Patent ID: 7779555

Claim:
A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle engine having an oil reservoir having an interior and exterior and an opening providing for fluid and mechanical communication between the exterior and interior of the oil reservoir, said flexible locking dipstick module comprising: an elongated dipstick having an inboard end and an outboard end; an elongated dipstick housing having an inboard end and an outboard end, said housing inboard end being adapted to be mounted proximate the oil reservoir; said housing being adapted to receive therein said dipstick for limited insertion of said inboard end of said dipstick into the oil reservoir; and a coupling adapted to provide locking and quick disconnection and reconnection between said outboard end of said housing and said outboard end of said dipstick, said coupling including first and second major components, one of said first and second major components being secured to said outboard end of said dipstick and the other of said first and second major components being secured to said outboard end of said dipstick housing, said first major component defining a projection, said second major component having a generally hollow tubular geometry, said second major component including an open end adapted to releasably receive and engage said projection therein, said coupling further including a collar slidably mounted along one of said first and second major components between a first position and a second position, said collar preventing disengagement of said first and second major components when said collar is in said first position.