| 摘要 |
<p>A device for measuring the oil or fluid level in engine sumps or other containers is known to consist of a removable dipstick marked with a scale and equipped with an extraction handle, riding freely longitudinally in a tube leading to the outside, so that the oil or fluid level may be read on the scale when the dipstick is extracted. In this invention, the dipstick is self-retracting, being the outer end of a coil spring of suitable length and tension, its outer end straightened for a suitable length, marked with a scale, led outside through the tube, and equipped with a handle which may be detachable for disassembly, the inner end of the coil secured to an arbor, such arbor immobilized between guide plates or discs, the spring being free to tighten around the arbor when the straight portion is extracted, but exerting sufficient tension to expand and retract the straight portion when the extractive tension is removed. Alternatively, the measuring part may be a measuring blade of suitable dimensions linked for flexibility to the outer end of such coil spring, or the straight portion may be reinforced with a metal strip along its length. The straight portion or measuring blade passes freely through the tube between two wiping pads of felt or other suitable material, one fixed, the other movable by external pressure through an aperture in the tube, pressure being applied to the movable pad when required to compress the straight portion or blade against the fixed pad to clean it of oil or fluid while it is being extracted, a light spring returning the movable pad to its original position when the external pressure is removed, with sufficient clearance so that the straight part or blade will not again be wiped when retracted and re-extracted to show on the scale the oil or fluid level inside the sump or container.</p> |
