Patent Application
20180155175
The present invention relates generally to a radiator funnel assembly with unique identifiers. More so, the present invention relates to a radiator funnel assembly that facilitates the filling of coolants and antifreeze fluids in different types of radiators; whereby the assembly is assembled and disassembled through a color coded or labeling scheme to facilitate identification when assembling and when attaching to different types of radiator fill openings; whereby the assembly comprises a funnel that receives a radiator fluid; whereby multiple conduits detachably attach to the funnel in series; whereby a plurality of adapters, with each adapter having a unique identifier, couple to the conduits and to different types of radiator fill openings based on the unique identifier; whereby a plurality of caps, with each cap having a unique identifier, fastens an adapter with a matching identifier to the radiator fill opening.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, a radiator is a heat exchangers used for cooling internal combustion engines, mainly in automobiles but also in piston-engine aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, and stationary generating plants. Often, the radiator comprises a tank that receives radiator fluid through a radiator fill opening defined by a circular lip portion. The radiator fill opening generally has different sizes and dimensions that require different types of adapters and caps to attach a funnel thereto.
Typically, a funnels is used to facilitate the filling of fluids in all types of receptacles including putting oil in the engine blocks of vehicles and even putting coolants and antifreeze fluids in the radiators of vehicles. The conventional funnel has a generally conical-shaped body into which fluids as such are poured and a spout integrally extending therefrom, through which the fluids drain into containers. Often, a funnel can be used to fill radiator fluid into a radiator.
Other proposals have involved devices for refilling a radiator with radiator fluid. The problem with these funnel devices is that they do not provide a means for easy installation and matching with the appropriate radiator fill opening. Even though the above cited funneling devices meet some of the needs of the market, a radiator funnel assembly that facilitates the filling of coolants and antifreeze fluids in different types of radiators; whereby the assembly is assembled and disassembled through a color coded or labeling scheme to facilitate identification when assembling and when attaching to different types of radiator fill openings; whereby the assembly comprises a funnel that receives a radiator fluid; whereby multiple conduits detachably attach to the funnel in series; whereby a plurality of adapters, with each adapter having a unique identifier, couple to the conduits and to different types of radiator fill openings based on the unique identifier; whereby a plurality of caps, with each cap having a unique identifier, fastens an adapter with a matching identifier to the radiator fill opening, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a radiator funnel assembly with unique identifiers. The radiator funnel assembly with unique identifiers, hereafter “assembly” serves to facilitate the filling of coolants and antifreeze fluids in different types of radiators. The assembly provides various sizes and types of adapters and caps, with each adapter and cap having a unique identifier to facilitate assemblage and indicate a matching radiator fill opening. The assemblage order and appropriate radiator fill opening is facilitated through visual inspection of the unique identifier for each adapter and cap.
The assembly is assembled and disassembled through a color coded or labeling scheme in which the components assemble and match to a specific radiator fill opening based on matching unique identifiers. The unique identifier may include, without limitation, a color, an alphanumeric indicia, a symbol, a pattern, and a texture.
In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a funnel that is shaped and dimensioned to receive a radiator fluid and carries the radiator fluid through a spout. Multiple conduits detachably attach in series to detachably attach to the spout.
The assembly further comprises a plurality of adapters that receive the conduits and engage the radiator fill opening. Each adapter has a unique identifier that enables identification of the appropriate conduit for attachment, and also identifies the type of radiator fill opening that is operable with the specific adapter.
The assembly further comprises a plurality of caps that are configured to fasten the adapters to the radiator fill opening. Each cap has a unique identifier that enables identification and matching of the appropriate adapter. In this manner, the adapter and cap for a specific radiator fill opening is utilized. This may be useful for matching the adapter and cap to different types of radiators.
In one aspect, the radiator funnel assembly with unique identifiers, comprises:
In another aspect, the unique identifier includes at least one of the following: a color, an alphanumeric indicia, a symbol, a pattern, and a texture.
In another aspect, a first adapter has a unique identifier of a red color and a letter A.
In another aspect, a second adapter has a unique identifier of a green color and a letter B.
In another aspect, a third adapter has a unique identifier of a blue color and a letter C.
In another aspect, a fourth adapter has a unique identifier of a yellow color and a letter D.
In another aspect, the fourth adapter comprises two different types of tubes and two different types of annular sealing flanges.
In another aspect, the funnel, the first conduit, the second conduit, and the third conduit are orange.
In another aspect, the plurality of adapters are configured to be operable with different types of radiators.
In another aspect, the assembly is fabricated from at least one of the following: a polymer, a metal, aluminum, a metal alloy, and rubber.
In another aspect, the first conduit and the second conduit are configured to bend.
In another aspect, the second conduit is straight.
In another aspect, the ends of the conduits and the spout attach through a friction fit relationship.
In another aspect, the flexible seal comprises an O-ring.
In another aspect, the plurality of adapters are configured to enable insertion into the radiator fill opening to substantially prevent a fluid from leaking out of a radiator between the plurality of adapters and the radiator fill opening during the filling of the radiator with the fluid.
In another aspect, the fluid is a coolant or an anti-freeze composition.
One objective of the present invention is to prevent spillage of radiator fluid during the filling of the radiator with the radiator fluid.
Another objective is to provide color coded adapters to facilitate assembling the funnel, the conduits, the adapter, and the cap.
Another objective is to provide color coded adapters to facilitate matching with different types of radiator fill openings.
Another objective is to provide color coded adapters to enable quick assembling without having to sort through the components.
Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture radiator funnel assembly.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A radiator funnel assembly 100 with unique identifiers is referenced in
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a radiator is a heat exchangers used for cooling internal combustion engines, mainly in automobiles but also in piston-engine aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, and stationary generating plants. Often, the radiator comprises a tank that receives radiator fluid through a radiator fill opening defined by a circular lip portion. The radiator fill opening generally has different sizes and dimensions that require different types of adapters 600a-e and caps 700a-d to attach a funnel 200 thereto.
In the present embodiment, the assembly 100 provides various sizes and types of adapters 600a-e and caps 700a-d, with each adapter 600a and cap 700a having a unique identifier 800a, 800b. The assemblage order and appropriate radiator fill opening is facilitated through visual inspection of the unique identifier 800a, 800b for each adapter 600a and cap 700a.
In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may be assembled and disassembled through a color coded or labeling scheme in which the components assemble and match to a specific radiator fill opening based on matching unique identifiers 800a-e. The unique identifier 800a-e may include, without limitation, a color, an alphanumeric indicia, a symbol, a pattern, and a texture. Suitable materials for the assembly 100 may include, without limitation, a polymer, a metal, aluminum, a metal alloy, and rubber.
Looking at
As shown in
As referenced in
A second conduit 400 is defined by a second top end 402 and a second bottom end 404. The second top end 402 is configured to detachably attach to the first bottom end 304 of the first conduit 300. The second conduit 400 is defined by a unique identifier 800a-e that matches the first conduit 300 and the funnel 200. For example, the second conduit 400 and the first conduit 300 may have an orange color.
A third conduit 500 is defined by a third top end 502 and a third bottom end 504. The third top end 502 is configured to detachably attach to the second bottom end 404. In one embodiment, this attachment is a friction fit relationship. In this manner, the three conduits attach in series from the spout 208 of the funnel 200 to the adapter. However in other embodiments, more or less than three conduits may be used for this function.
The third conduit 500 is defined by at least one unique identifier 800a-e that matches the first conduit 300, the second conduit 400, and the funnel 200. For example, the third conduit 500, the first conduit 300, the second conduit 400, and the funnel 200 may have an orange color. Though other colors or alphanumeric indicia may be used. In some embodiments, the first and third conduit 500s have a bend. The second conduit 400 may be straight.
Turning now to
Turning to
In addition to the tube 602a-e, the adapters 600a-e may include at least one annular sealing flange 616a-e. The sealing flange 616a helps insure a secure fit for the third conduit 500, so as to minimize leakage. The annular sealing flange 616a is integral to the outer surface 610 of the tube wall 608 and configured to hold and restrain a flexible seal 618a-e. The flexible seal 618a configured to fit about the tube bottom end 606a and tightly abut against the at least one annular sealing flange 616a. In one embodiment, the flexible seal 618a is a rubber O-ring.
Looking back at
Similar to adapters 600a-e, each cap 700a-d has a unique identifier 800a-e. The identifier 800a-e, as used with the caps, identifies a particular tube 602a-e to receive through the hole 704a-d. The unique identifier 800a-e of each cap 700a-d is further configured to identify a particular radiator fill opening at which the adapter 600a-e is configured to detachably attach. This unique identification means enables identification and matching of the cap 700a with the matching adapter 600a and appropriate radiator fill opening. In this manner, the adapter 600a and cap 700a for a specific radiator is utilized. This may be useful for matching the adapters 600a-e and caps 700a-d to different types of radiators from different models and years of vehicles.
In one exemplary embodiment illustrated back in
Continuing with the exemplary embodiment, a fourth adapter 600d has a unique identifier 800d of a yellow color and a letter D. The yellow, letter D identifier 800d may indicate an operational match with a cap 700d and a Mercedes® radiator. In one alternative embodiment, a fifth adapter 700e may be used with the same cap 700 of the fourth adapter 600d, but with a different variations in the radiator fill opening for a specific model of Mercedes®. The fifth adapter 700 may have yet another unique identifier 800e. However, the adapters 600a-e and caps 700a-d may be used with any combination of identifier or type of radiator may be used in other embodiments.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
