Fluid recepticle and fill port adapter assembly

Abstract

A fluid receptacle and adapter assembly for use in fluid addition at different ones of alternatively configured fill ports of internal combustion engines is disclosed. In one embodiment, any one of a plurality of adapters may be releasably secured at one end of a receptacle having a selected volume utilizing a retainer ring. Each adapter has an adapter end that is differently configured from others for secured releasable engagement with differently designed engine fill ports, a central fluid passage therethrough remaining unobstructed after engagement of a selected one of the adapters with the receptacle. Seals are mounted for sealing between the receptacle and the selected adapter and at the engine fill port.

1 . A fluid receptacle and adapter assembly for use in fluid addition at different ones of alternatively configured fill ports of internal combustion engines, said assembly comprising:
 a receptacle characterized by a selected useful volume between first and second spaced open ends; and   at least first and second adapter portions each characterized by a central fluid passage therethrough between first and second adapter ends, said first adapter ends configured for secured releasable engagement with said second open end of said receptacle and said second adapter ends each differently configured from one another for secured releasable engagement with the different ones of the alternatively configured engine fill ports, said central fluid passage remaining unobstructed after engagement of a selected one of said adapter portions with said receptacle.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second seals, said first seal received between said receptacle and said selected one of said adapter portions and said second seal received adjacent to said second adapter ends for sealing engagement at the different ones of the alternatively configured engine fill ports when engaged thereat. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 1 , wherein said second open end of said receptacle includes an annular collar portion defining an inner ledge at said second open end, and wherein said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions each include a peripheral lip and an engageable outer surface thereat, said lip configured to abut said inner ledge of said annular collar portion of said receptacle, said assembly further comprising a retainer ring configured to encompass said annular collar portion of said receptacle and having an engageable inner surface for secured releasable engagement with said engageable outer surface of a selected one of said second adapter portions. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 3 , wherein said second open end of said receptacle has a bevel adjacent to said inner ledge and wherein said peripheral lip of said first and second adapter portions each include a cant matable at said bevel thereby to accommodate secured releasable engagement and disengagement of said engageable surfaces of said retainer ring and said selected one of said second adapter portions. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said adapter portions is configured for bayonet-type fill port connections and includes a peripheral securing lug assembly at said second adapter end configured to engage a selected bayonet-type fill port having a particular size and configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said adapter portions is configured for threaded-type fill port connections and includes a threaded peripheral surface at said second adapter end configured to engage a selected threaded-type fill port having a particular size and configuration. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 1 , wherein said first adapter portion includes a peripheral securing lug assembly at said second adapter end configured to engage a bayonet-type fill port, and wherein said second adapter portions includes a threaded peripheral surface at said second adapter end configured to engage a threaded-type fill port. 
   
   
       8 . A fluid receptacle and adapter assembly for use in fluid addition at different ones of alternatively configured fill ports of internal combustion engines, said assembly comprising:
 a receptacle characterized by a selected useful volume between first and second spaced receptacle ends;   at least first and second adapter portions each characterized by a central fluid passage therethrough between first and second adapter ends, said adapter portions configured for secured releasable engagement with said second receptacle end, said second adapter end of said first adapter portion including a peripheral securing lug assembly configured to engage a bayonet-type fill port, said second adapter end of said second adapter portion including a threaded peripheral surface configured to engage a threaded-type fill port, said central fluid passage remaining unobstructed after engagement of a selected one of said adapter portions with said receptacle;   a first seal located at a selected one of said first adapter ends of said adapter portions for sealing engagement at said receptacle; and   a second seal receivable at said second adapter ends for sealing engagement at an engine fill port when engaged thereat.   
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 8 , further comprising a retainer ring for releasably securing a selected one of said adapter portions on said receptacle. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 9 , wherein said second receptacle end and said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions include matable structure to accommodate secured releasable engagement and disengagement of said retainer ring. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 8 , wherein one of said second receptacle end and said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions includes a neck having peripheral lugs thereat, and wherein the other of said second receptacle end and said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions includes an annular flange having recesses therein accommodating receipt therethrough of said peripheral lugs. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 8 , wherein said second receptacle end includes a neck having a decreasing diameter, and wherein said fluid passages of said first and second adapter portions are configured to receive said neck and be retained thereon by friction. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 8 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 8 , wherein said second receptacle end includes a threaded periphery and wherein each of said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions includes a periphery threaded for receiving said threaded periphery of said second receptacle end. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 13 , wherein said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions have a diameter substantially greater than said second adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions, and wherein diameters of said receptacle ends are substantially the same. 
   
   
       15 . A fluid receptacle and adapter assembly for use in fluid addition at different ones of alternatively configured fill ports of internal combustion engines, said assembly comprising:
 a receptacle characterized by a selected useful volume between a first receptacle end and an annular collar portion defining an inner ledge at a second receptacle end;   at least first and second adapter portions each characterized by a central fluid passage therethrough between first and second adapter ends, said first adapter ends of said first and second adapter portions each including a peripheral lip and an engageable outer surface thereat, said lip configured to abut said inner ledge of said annular collar portion of said receptacle, said second adapter end of said first adapter portion including a peripheral securing lug assembly configured to engage a bayonet-type fill port, said second adapter end of said second adapter portion including a threaded peripheral surface configured to engage a threaded-type fill port, said central fluid passage remaining unobstructed after engagement of a selected one of said adapter portions with said receptacle;   a first seal mounted on said first adapter ends of said adapter portions for sealing engagement at said receptacle;   a second seal receivable at said second adapter ends for sealing engagement at an engine fill port when engaged thereat; and   a retainer ring configured to encompass said annular collar portion of said receptacle and having an engageable inner surface for secured releasable engagement with a selected one of said engageable outer surfaces of said first adapter ends of said adapter portions.   
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 15 , wherein said first receptacle end has a diameter greater than said second receptacle end. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 15 , wherein said first adapter portion includes a main body with a smaller diameter tubular protrusion opposite said main body from said first adapter end, said protrusion having a distal surface, said peripheral securing lug assembly of said second adapter end of said first adapter portion including a lug ring and a tubular insert having an annular flange at one end thereof, said insert securable in said tubular protrusion of said main body thereby holding said lug ring between said distal surface of said protrusion and said annular flange. 
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 15 , wherein said central fluid passage of said first and second adapter portions each include a funneling section adjacent to said first adapter end and a substantially constant diameter outlet section extending from said funneling section to said second adapter end. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 15 , wherein said receptacle includes a small opening adjacent to said first receptacle end for hanging said receptacle. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 15 , incorporating by this reference all the limitations of  claim 15 , further comprising a cover releasably securable over said first receptacle end of said receptacle.