Oil Change Method And Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides several embodiments of an oil change apparatus that basically have a valve/fitting connected to the conventionally available oil sump, a drain bracket installed on a low portion of equipment or vehicle periphery, and a flow line that fluidly connects the valve/fitting and the drain bracket. The oil change apparatus enables vehicle users to quickly and easily drain oil at a safe and convenient location. The present invention also provides several reusable and disposable means to properly collect waste oil.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An oil change apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having a conventionally available sump outlet, comprising:
 (a) a valve with its inlet attached to the sump outlet, said valve having a valve outlet,   (b) a drain bracket mounted to a peripheral portion of the vehicle,   (c) a flow line that fluidly connects said valve outlet and said drain bracket,
 whereby the apparatus enables easy access and safe task of oil change. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein an adapter, sandwiched between the sump outlet and the valve, enables various vehicles to use the same universal valve, and wherein different angle of said adapter horizontally orients the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the valve is a spring-loaded mechanic valve having a valve plug able to slide to close/open the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a metal cable mechanically connect said valve plug and a cable tip lock which is installed on the drain bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further including a manual cable actuator intended to pull and hold out the cable tip lock to open the mechanic valve only for draining. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the valve is an electronic valve having a main valve member to close/open said electronic valve. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a valve stem, a motor, and a ring switch; these three elements are interconnected. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further including an electronic control board powered by a conventionally available vehicle battery. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic control board of  claim 8  wherein said electronic control board provides two independent circuits:
 (a) a control circuit, wherein a push button triggers said control circuit to rotate the main valve member to closed/open position; 
 (b) a self-triggered alert circuit, wherein a blinking light emitting diode and an intermittent beeper are turned on only when the valve stem is on open position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein an electromagnetic actuator is contiguously coupled with the mechanic valve. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein an on/off switch supplies power from the vehicle battery to the electromagnetic actuator and the alert circuit, and wherein said on/off switch simultaneously activates the alert circuit and the electromagnetic actuator which magnetizes an actuating lever to open the mechanic valve only when draining. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a fitting is mechanically installed in place of the valve, whereby the apparatus gets simpler and more suitable to be used on engines with internal combustion other than motor vehicles. 
     
     
         13 . A method of properly collecting waste oil for vehicles equipped with the oil change apparatus: providing a threaded coupler and a flexible tube that enable oil to flow from the drain bracket into a reusable/disposable container. 
     
     
         14 . A method of collecting waste oil for engine with internal combustion not equipped with the oil change apparatus: providing a cardboard box and a liner to contain waste oil; said cardboard box has a plurality of strings for conveniently portable means. 
     
     
         15 . The invention as substantially disclosed and described.