U.S. patent application number 14/317058 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for oil filter conversion kit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Desmond Bell. Invention is credited to Desmond Bell.
Application Number | 20150001143 14/317058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52114564 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bell; Desmond |
January 1, 2015 |
Oil Filter Conversion Kit
Abstract
An engine oil filter conversion assembly is provided for
allowing a user to replace a standard canister oil filter with an
assembly that facilitates removal and replacement of the internal
paper filter element therein. The assembly comprises a housing
similar to a canister oil filter, wherein the canister includes
removably attached components such that the internal filter element
is accessible, whereby the filter element can be replaced during an
oil change instead of the complete canister. The purpose of the
present invention is to reduce waste and allow the filter element
only to be discarded, while facilitating quick access to the filter
element and providing an assembly that can replace canister oil
filters on modern internal combustion engines. The assembly
comprises a baseplate, a louvered center tube, a removable filter
element, a filter housing, a lower end seal and a joining
fastener.
Inventors: |
Bell; Desmond; (Killeen,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bell; Desmond |
Killeen |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52114564 |
Appl. No.: |
14/317058 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61840263 |
Jun 27, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01M 1/10 20130101; B01D
27/08 20130101; B01D 29/21 20130101; F01M 2011/031 20130101; Y10S
210/17 20130101; B01D 35/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/232 |
International
Class: |
F01M 11/03 20060101
F01M011/03 |
Claims
1. An oil change assembly, comprising: a housing having an open
first end, an open second end, and a hollow interior; said housing
sized to receive an oil filter element therein; a lower end seal
sized to secure over said open first end and having an aperture
therethrough to receive a joining fastener; a baseplate comprising
a central aperture and a plurality of oil inlet apertures extending
therethrough, an inner side, an outer side; said inner side
comprising a threaded ring for threadably securing to said open
second end of said housing; said inner side further comprising a
first upstanding member having an open interior aligned with said
central aperture and a threaded interior surface; said outer side
further comprising a second upstanding member having an open
interior aligned with said central aperture and a threaded interior
surface; a center tube having an elongated length, a tubular
sidewall with an open interior, a female threaded end, a male
threaded end; said tubular sidewall having a plurality of apertures
disposed therethrough; said female threaded end adapted to
threadably receive said joining fastener; said male threaded end
adapted to threadably engage said first upstanding member; a filter
element having an open interior sized to receive said center
tube.
2. The oil change assembly of claim 1, further comprising a coil
spring disposed between said lower end seal and said filter
element.
3. The oil change assembly of claim 1, wherein: said joining
fastener comprises a thread direction opposite of said threaded
interior surface of said second upstanding member
4. The oil change assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower end seal
further comprises a ledge supporting a seal thereon.
5. The oil change assembly of claim 1, wherein said first
upstanding member further comprises a faceted exterior surface
adapted to receive a wrench tool.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/840,263 filed on Jun. 27, 2013, entitled "Oil
Filter Conversion Kit." The above identified patent application is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide
continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to combustion engine oil
filters. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
conversion kit that allows a user to replace canister style engine
oil filters with a housing that supports a removable paper filter
element, allowing the user to replace only the filter element
during an oil change to reduce waste products during engine
servicing.
[0004] Internal combustion engines require lubrication to reduce
friction, prevent wear, and to maintain optimal performance of the
mechanical assembly. Many surfaces are in contact with one another,
therefore sufficient surface lubrication is necessary to ensure
smooth operation. All vehicle owners and mechanics are accustomed
to changing the oil of their vehicle's engine periodically during
its useful life, which involves draining and replacing the engine
oil, and also replacing the engine oil filter that filters
particulates and solid material from within the oil as it is
circulated through the engine. Oil filters prolong the life of the
engine oil and are used to trap metal shavings, contaminants, and
other debris from the oil as it circulates, in an attempt to
maintain the cleanliness of the oil and therefore a stable
lubricity and fluid viscosity.
[0005] Engine oil filters are known in the art and come in
different forms. The first major type is the oil filter element
type, in which a filter element or cartridge is removed from the
engine and replaced during oil change maintenance intervals. Older
vehicles deployed this technique, and even some newer generation
vehicles have returned to this method as a means of reducing
material waste during the oil change process. However, most modern
vehicles employ the canister style oil filter assembly, which
comprises an enclosed housing having a filter element therein,
where the entire canister is threaded into position on the vehicle
engine and the entire canister is discarded and replaced during an
oil change. This type of oil filter is convenient and less messy to
replace, however it is accompanied with a much larger environmental
footprint. Replacing the entire canister means the canister and the
element are discarded and replaced, wherein the older method of
replacing just the filter element creates a waste product in the
paper filter only.
[0006] Most vehicles have either one type of oil filter or another,
without a means to switch between the filter element style and the
canister style oil filter. The present invention provides a new and
novel assembly that allows a vehicle equipped to support a canister
style oil filter the option of retrofitting the present invention
to allow replacement of the filter element alone. Specifically, the
present invention is an oil canister assembly that includes a
structure that separates such that access and removal of the filter
element is facilitated such that replacement of the entire canister
is not necessary.
[0007] The present invention comprises an oil canister housing
having a removably attached baseplate, a removably attached lower
end seal, an louvered center tube, a removably paper filter
element, and a joining fastener that secures the lower end seal to
the housing and encloses the filter element therein. The baseplate
includes a seal member, an apertured surface to accept oil
therethrough, and a central post that threadably attaches to the
vehicle engine on one side and to the louvered center tube at the
opposite side. The center tube allows oil to flow into the filter
element, which is positioned thereover and pressed against the
baseplate. The lower end seal is secured to the housing via the
joining fastener, whereby the assembly can be broken down to first
drain the oil and the retrieve and replace the filter element
therein. Overall, the present invention provides consumers and
mechanics with a convenient means of retrofitting a standard
canister oil filter with one that produces less waste products
during an oil change procedure.
[0008] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0009] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
assemblable oil filters and those that support removable filter
elements. These include devices that have been patented and
published in patent application publications. The following is a
list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure,
which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and
differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and
further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0010] Such devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,381 and 6,499,605
to Koivula, which disclose a spin-on oil filter that comprises a
casing with an openable end. The casing is removable to access the
filter and remove the same, wherein the filter is attached to a
collar that connects to the vehicle engine and allows engine oil to
enter therethrough. This assembly permits the user to remove the
filter element by removing the outer casing; however it is
structured such that the entire casing must be removed first,
whereby oil within the casing cannot first be drained, and
furthermore the entire casing must be removed to facilitate removal
of the filter element. While fulfilling a similar purpose, the
structure and the configuration of the Koivula device diverges from
that of the present invention, which provides a housing having a
removable lower end seal and a threadably attached baseplate
attaching to the vehicle engine. The present invention adds greater
flexibility with regard to draining the oil and then accessing the
filter therein.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,355 to Habiger an oil filter having a
base plate that can be fastened to a threaded nipple, a cover that
is releasably fastened to the base plate, and a support tube
disposed on the cover or base plate. The filter element is placed
over the support tube. The filter cartridge is in contact with a
seal on the base plate and an additional seal on the cover. The
device of Habiger allows one to replace the filter element alone,
as provided herein. However, the present invention includes a
removable lower end seal as well as a removable baseplate, both of
which are secured to the oil canister housing to form an enclosed
volume secured by the securing fastener. The present invention
offers greater flexibility and allows the user to neatly drain the
filter housing before opening the same and retrieving the filter
element therefrom.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,987 to Mules discloses an oil filter
assembly that supports a removable filter element that is attached
by a screw-thread attachment at the opening of the oil filter body.
The oil filter body supports the oil filter element herein, wherein
the element is replaceable. A base supports an elongated tube
supporting the filter element, wherein the base is attached to the
body. Similar to the
[0013] Habiger and Koivula devices, the Mules device fails to offer
the ability to separate the housing of the oil filter canister as
provided herein, or with the ability to drain the housing prior to
separation of the housing from the baseplate or from the
engine.
[0014] Still other devices in the art include U.S. Pat. No.
6,224,758 to Jainek and U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,893 to Koelfgen. These
devices, as with the aforementioned devices, do not provide an oil
filter assembly having a housing support a removable baseplate, end
seal and a removable center post. Furthermore, these devices do not
allow the engine oil to be drained prior to removing the filter
housing, which can be an unnecessary mess. The present invention
supports a securing fastener that acts as a drain nut prior to
removing the housing from the baseplate to access the removable
filter element.
[0015] The present invention provides an oil filter assembly that
is completely disassemblable, whereby the housing of the assembly
connects to a removable baseplate and end seal, while the filter
element is secured therein and removable after the sealing fastener
is removed and the engine oil is drained from the assembly. In this
way, the present invention provides a novel means of replacing the
canister style oil filter of an internal combustion engine. It is
submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in
design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear
that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing oil
filter devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially
fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of oil filter assemblies now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new oil filter assembly that can be
utilized for providing convenience for the user when retrofitting a
removable filter element style filter for a canister style filter
element on a vehicle engine.
[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved oil filter assembly that has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
oil filter assembly that can be used as a replacement for a
canister oil filter for an internal combustion engine, wherein the
assembly allows the user to replace only the internal filter
element and not replace an entire canister every oil change
interval.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil
filter assembly that secures to an engine in the same fashion as a
canister oil filter but provides a means of separation such that
the internal filter element can be accessed, removed, and
replaced.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
oil filter assembly that comprises a construction that allows the
user to first drain the filter assembly of oil prior to disassembly
and prior to replacing the filter element therein.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil
filter assembly that may be readily fabricated from materials that
permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
[0022] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the oil filter assembly of
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of the baseplate of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a view of the louvered center post of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the oil filter assembly of the present
invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear
description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will
be discussed as used for replacing canister style oil filters and
allowing a user to replace only the internal filter element of the
oil filter during each oil change interval. The figures are
intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of
the oil filter assembly of the present invention, illustrating its
constituent elements. The oil filter assembly is one that supports
a removable filter element 31 within a housing 11 such that a user
or mechanic can remove and replace the filter element 31 only when
changing engine oil, as opposed to discarding an entire oil filter
canister. The assembly comprises a housing 11 having a hollow
interior 12 and a tubular design. The housing 11 comprises a first
end 13 and a second end 14, whereby the ends are adapted to connect
to the lower end seal 15 and the baseplate 50 to enclose the filter
element 31 therein.
[0029] The baseplate 50 is a member having an outer surface adapted
to mate against a vehicle engine and receive engine oil
therethrough, and an inner surface adapted to be positioned within
the interior of the housing 11. Through the baseplate is a
plurality of oil inlet apertures 53 for allowing oil to flow freely
into the housing 11 and through the filter element 31. Oil pressure
moves the oil through the filter element 31 and into a louvered
center tube 41, which receives the filtered oil and allows the oil
to escape the filter assembly through the central aperture 55 in
the baseplate 50. The central aperture 55 acts as a return for oil
to enter back into the engine for recirculation through the
lubrication system. This filtration cycle is well understood in the
art and the same means deployed by canister-style filters in the
art. The present invention adds deconstructability to the art by
providing an assembly that can be disconnected to first drain the
filter assembly of oil, and then remove and replace the filter
element 31.
[0030] The baseplate 50 comprises an upstanding ring 52 having a
threaded outer surface. The threaded ring 52 is disposed along the
inner surface of the baseplate and is adapted to threadably attach
to the second end 14 of the housing 11, which comprises interior
surface threading. This allows the baseplate 50 to threadably
engage the housing second end 14 and effectuate a removable
attachment therebetween. Further present along the inner surface of
the baseplate 50 is an upstanding member 51 that is adapted to
threadably engage the center tube 41. The upstanding member 51 is a
threaded member having interior threads and an open interior
forming the central aperture 55 of the baseplate.
[0031] The exterior of the member 51 comprises a hexagonal or
similarly faceted shape, whereby a user can obtain purchase of the
baseplate 50 by this member using a socket wrench or box end
wrench. This allows the user to release the baseplate 50 from an
engine if the baseplate 50 has fused or is adhered thereto over a
period of usage. Once the housing 11 and center tube 41 are
removed, this upstanding member 51 forms a nut upon which a tool
can be attached to remove the baseplate 50 from the engine if hand
loosening is not sufficient to break its seal.
[0032] Disposed along the outer surface of the baseplate and
surrounding the oil inlet apertures 53 is a gasket 59 or seal,
which is a flexible membrane that prevents leakage once the
baseplate is attached to the engine. To secure the baseplate 50,
the threaded central aperture 55 engages a male threaded spigot
disposed along the engine. The threaded spigot is the attachment of
the oil filter and is used to support the oil filter assembly and
facilitate oil flow from the filter during engine usage.
[0033] Securing to the baseplate threaded member 51 is a louvered
center tube 41, which is an elongated and tubular member having a
male threaded end 42, a female threaded end, a hollow interior 43,
and a rounded and apertured sidewall 45. The center tube 41 is
mounted centrally and longitudinally through the housing 11, and
supports the filter element 31 by engaging the same through its
central aperture 32. The apertures 44 disposed along the center
tube 41 allow oil that has passed through the filter element 31 to
enter the tube interior 43 and be forced through the baseplate
central aperture 55 and back into the engine. The oil is under
pressure and the central tube 41 receives the filtered oil and
prevents the same from contacting oil that has yet to be filtered
within the interior of the housing 11.
[0034] The female threaded end of the center tube 41 is adapted to
receive the threaded end 21 of a joining fastener 20 at one end of
the assembly. The joining fastener 20 is one that is positioned
through an aperture 18 in the lower end seal 15 of the assembly,
wherein the fastener 20 threadably engages the center tube and can
be torqued into position. This sandwiches the lower end seal 15
against the first end 13 of the housing 11 and encloses the filter
element 31 within the interior thereof.
[0035] The lower end seal 15 of the present invention is an end cap
member that seals the first end 13 of the housing 11 and supports
the fastener 20 and a filter spring 10. The lower end seal 15
comprises a rounded surface having a ledge 16, the ledge being
insertable into the interior of the housing 11 along its first end
13. Along the outer surface of the ledge is a gasket or seal
member, which prevents oil from escaping between the ledge 16 and
the housing 11 at the end of the assembly during use. The inner
surface 19 of the lower end seal 15 supports a coil spring 10,
which is used to bear against the upper end of the filter element
31 and retain its position within the housing 11 as oil is forced
into the assembly. Along the outer surface 17 of the lower end seal
15, the joining fastener 20 is inserted therethrough and bears
thereagainst when the assembly is joined and the filter element 31
is replaced.
[0036] The filter element 31 is a replaceable member comprising a
paper filter or similar material filter used to remove contaminates
and particulates from engine oil. Its construction is preferably
one of a corrugated 33 construction that increases its surface area
relative to its circumference and length. The construction of the
filter may take on many forms, wherein removable filters common in
the art may be deployed using the present assembly for filtering
the engine oil. The filter element comprises a central aperture 32
extending therethrough, forming a hollow interior to accept the
center tube 41 therein. Finally, the filter element 31 comprise a
first end 34 that bears against the baseplate 50 and a second end
that bears against the coil spring 10 pressing thereagainst.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross section view
of the baseplate 50 of the present invention. As illustrated, the
baseplate 50 comprises a surface 60 having a central aperture 55
and a plurality of oil inlet apertures 53 extending therethrough.
The central aperture 55 acts as a conduit for filtered oil to
return to the vehicle engine after being filtered. Oil inlet
apertures 53 are disposed along the flat surface 60 to allow oil
from the engine to enter the filter housing and be filtered by the
filter element.
[0038] The interior side of the baseplate 50 comprises an
upstanding ring 52 having a threaded outer surface, whereby the
ring 52 secures to the first end of the housing. Further disposed
along the interior side of the baseplate 50 is an upstanding member
51 having a threaded interior surface 58 and an open upper 57
forming the first end of the central aperture 55. Opposite of the
baseplate along its exterior side is a second upstanding member 54
that has a female threaded interior surface such that the baseplate
50 can be secured to a male threaded spigot of a vehicle engine.
The thread directions of the first upstanding member 51 and the
second upstanding member 54 are preferably opposite in direction,
whereby the center tube is secured by threadably attached in one
direction, while the baseplate is threadably attached to the male
threaded spigot in an opposite direction. Similarly, the housing
threadably attaches in an opposite direction with respect to the
second upstanding member 51 such that the user can remove the
housing without releasing the baseplate 50. Furthermore, the
joining fastener is threaded oppositely of the second upstanding
member 54 of the baseplate, whereby the user can loosen the sealing
fastener to drain the oil from the filter before releasing the
baseplate and the entire housing. The user can therefore release
the fastener, drain the oil and replace the filter element without
removing the baseplate or breaking the seal 53 between the engine
and the baseplate, if desired.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross section view
of the center tube 41 of the present invention. As illustrated, the
center tube 41 is an elongated member having a hollow interior 48,
a male threaded first end 42 and a female threaded second end 46.
The female threaded end 46 comprises internal threads 47 to receive
the fastener, while the male threaded end 44 is secured to the
baseplate. The hollowing interior 48 receives filtered oil through
apertures 44 along its sidewall 45, whereafter the oil flows
through the opening 43 along the male threaded end and into the
engine lubrication system.
[0040] Vehicles need the oil and oil filter changed regularly to
maintain optimal performance. An oil filter operates to remove
contaminants from the motor oil so that the oil flows smoothly and
cleaner throughout the vehicle. Clean oil maintains optimal
performance of the vehicle and ensures mechanical longevity as
well. A vehicle oil filter is comprised of a cylindrical shaped
paper like filter that is contained within a metal frame. Each time
an oil filter is changed, both the filter and the metal housing are
discarded. Since oil changes are required multiple times in a
calendar year this process can become expensive and wasteful. The
present invention provides a new and useful oil filter assembly
that has several components that are fastened together to form an
enclosed canister, while providing access to the internal filter
element therein such that the filter element along can be removed
and discarded during an oil change.
[0041] It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown
and described in what is considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures
may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With
respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0042] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *