Claims:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS

We claim:
1. A modular dipstick assembly (100) for measuring fluid level, said modular dipstick assembly (100) comprising:
a handle (102);
at least one fluid level indicating member (106); and
at least one locking element (104) adapted to secure said at least one fluid level indicating member (106) to said handle (102).

2. The modular dipstick assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking element (104) is adapted to be removably connected to said handle (102); and
said at least one fluid level indicating member (106) is adapted to be removably connected to said locking element (104).

3. The modular dipstick assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle (102) defines a plurality of locking arm receiving portions (102L); and wherein said locking element (104) defines a plurality of locking arms (104L), where each of said locking arm (104L) is adapted to be received by corresponding each of said locking arm receiving portion (102L) of said handle (102) therein to secure said at least one fluid level indicating member (106) to said handle (102).
4. The modular dipstick assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said handle (102) defines a plurality of locating portions (102G); and
said locking element (104) defines a plurality of locating portions (104G), each of said locating portion (104G) is adapted to be received by corresponding each of said locating portion (102G) of said handle (102) to insert said locking element (14) into said handle (102) to facilitate engagement of each of said locking arm (104L) into corresponding each of said locking arm receiving portion (102L) of said handle (102).

5. The modular dipstick assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking element (104) is adapted to secure said at least one fluid level indicating member (106) selected from a plurality of fluid level indicating members (106) with respect to said handle (102), where a length of each of said fluid level indicating member (106) is not same; and
said fluid level indicating member (106) is selected from the plurality of fluid level indicating members (106) based on the level of fluid in at least one of an engine, a gearbox and a fluid compartment.

6. The modular dipstick assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking element (104) is removably connected to said handle (102) by at least a temporary joint, where the temporary joint is at least one of a snap fit and a thread fit; and
said at least one fluid level indicating member (106) is adapted to be removably connected to said locking element (104) by at least a temporary joint, where the temporary joint is at least one of a snap fit and a thread fit.

7. A modular dipstick assembly (100A) for measuring fluid level, said modular dipstick assembly (100A) comprising:
a handle (102); and
at least one fluid level indicating member (103) adapted to be directly and removably connected to said handle (102).

8. The modular dipstick assembly (100A) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said handle (102) is adapted to directly and removably attach said at least one fluid level indicating member (103) selected from a plurality of fluid level indicating members (103), where a length of each of said fluid level indicating member (103) is not same; and
said fluid level indicating member (103) is selected from the plurality of fluid level indicating members (103) based on the level of fluid in at least one of an engine, a gearbox and a fluid compartment.

9. The modular dipstick assembly (100A) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one fluid level indicating member (103) is directly and removably connected to said handle (102) by at least a temporary joint, where the temporary joint is at least one a thread fit and a snap fit.
10. A modular dipstick assembly (200) for measuring fluid level, said modular dipstick assembly (200) comprising:
a handle (202);
a first member (204) adapted to be coupled to said handle (202); and
a second member (206) adapted to be movably connected to said first member (204),
wherein
said second member (206) is moved with respect to said first member (204) to change a length of said modular dipstick assembly (200) in accordance to the fluid level.

11. The modular dipstick assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first member (204) is directly and removably connected to said handle (202) by at least one of a temporary joint and a permanent joint.

12. The modular dipstick assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first member (204) defines a plurality of threads (204T); and
said second member (206) defines a plurality of threads (206T) corresponding to the plurality of threads (204T) provided in the first member (204).

13. The modular dipstick assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said modular dipstick assembly (200) comprises a locking member adapted to secure said second member (206) to said first member (204), where said second member (206) is slidably connected to said first member (204).

14. A modular dipstick assembly (300) for measuring fluid level, said modular dipstick assembly (300) comprising:
a handle assembly (302);
a rotatable member (306);
a first movable member (304) adapted to be movably connected to said handle assembly (302) and said rotatable member (306); and
a second movable member (308) adapted to be movably connected to said rotatable member (306),
wherein
said rotatable member (306) is adapted to move said first movable member (304) and said second movable member (308) with respect to said rotatable member (306) on rotation of said rotatable member (306) to change a length of said modular dipstick assembly (300) in accordance to the fluid level.

15. The modular dipstick assembly (300) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said handle assembly (302) comprises,
a handle (302H) having a head (302HA) and a body (302HB); and
a support member (302S) adapted to be connected to said body (302HB), where said support member (302) is adapted to support and receive a portion of said first movable member (304).
16. The modular dipstick assembly (300) as claimed in claim 15, wherein said modular dipstick assembly (300) comprises a locking member adapted to secure said second movable member (308) to said rotatable member (306),
wherein
said second movable member (308) includes a plurality of threads (308T) corresponding to a plurality of threads (306T) provided in said rotatable member (306); and
said first movable member (304) includes a plurality of threads (304T) corresponding to a plurality of threads (302ST) provided in said support member (302S) and said plurality of threads (306T) provided in said rotatable member (306).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a modular dipstick assembly for measuring fluid (oil) level in various sizes and configurations of at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a dipstick is a device which is used to measure the level of fluid in systems such as vehicles, machineries, engines and the like. For example, dipsticks are used to measure the level of oil in the engine or gearbox. In another example, other dipsticks are used to measure the level of fluid in a fluid tank or a fluid compartment. These dipsticks are manually withdrawn, wiped, reinserted and withdrawn again and the wet line of the fluid in the dipstick is observed to determine the level of fluid in the engine or gear box or the fluid compartment. Usually, the dipstick is manufactured as a single piece component and the length of the dipstick is fixed which would not allow the dipstick to measure the fluid level in various sizes of engines or gearbox or fluid compartment. Hence, the dipsticks are made of different sizes according to level of fluid in the fluid compartment. For example, different sizes and configurations of engines require different lengths of dipsticks. Manufacturing separate dipsticks for various sizes and configurations of engines or gear box or fluid compartments incurs high cost. Further, manufacturing a single dipstick for various sizes and configurations of engines or gearboxes or fluid compartments is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s). Sometimes, the dipstick is subjected to breakage and gets struck inside the engine or the fluid compartment since an entirety of the dipstick is made of plastic material. Further, it is difficult to remove the damaged dipstick from the engine or fluid compartment.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a modular dip stick assembly for measuring fluid level in various sizes and configurations of at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a modular dipstick assembly for measuring the level of fluid in various sizes and configurations of at least one of an engine, a gearbox and a fluid compartment.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a modular dipstick assembly, which provides interchangeability of a plurality of fluid level measuring members onto a common handle thereby achieving customized dipstick assembly for various sizes and configurations of at least one of an engine, a gearbox and a fluid compartment.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a modular dipstick assembly, which is durable.
[007] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a modular dipstick assembly, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a handle, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a side view of a locking element with a fluid level indicating member in assembled condition, according to first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of a modular dipstick assembly, according to another first embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of a modular dipstick assembly, according to second embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] Fig. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of a modular dipstick assembly, according to third embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a modular dipstick assembly for measuring the level of fluid in various sizes and configurations of at least one of an engine, a gearbox and a fluid compartment. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a modular dipstick assembly (100), according to first embodiments as disclosed herein. In the first embodiment, the modular dipstick assembly (100) includes a handle (102), at least one locking element (104) and at least one fluid level indicating member (106). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the modular dipstick assembly (100) is explained herein below with reference to measuring the level of fluid (oil) in various sizes and configurations of engines. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/ implement the modular dipstick assembly (100) for measuring the level of fluid in various sizes of gearboxes or fluid compartments present in vehicles or machineries or any other applications, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the modular dipstick assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0018] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a handle (102), according to first embodiments as disclosed herein. The handle (102) is adapted for holding the at least one fluid level indicating member (106) through the locking element (104). The handle (102) is adapted for removing and inserting the fluid level indicating member (106) with respect to the engine to measure the level of oil present in the engine. The handle (102) is adapted to secure the modular dipstick assembly (100) onto the engine. In the first embodiment, the handle (102) defines a plurality of locking arm receiving portions (102L). Each locking arm receiving portion (102L) of the handle (102) is adapted to receive corresponding each locking arm (104L), as shown in fig. 3) of the locking element (104) therein to secure the fluid level indicating member (106) with the handle (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each locking arm receiving portion (102L) of the handle (102) is considered to be at least one of a through opening, a blind opening, a slot and a groove. The handle (102) is made of non-metallic material. For example, the handle (102) is made of plastic. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the handle (102) to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the handle (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In the first embodiment, the handle (102) defines a plurality of locating portions (102G). Each locating portion (102G) of the handle (102) is adapted to receive corresponding each locating portion (104G), as shown in fig. 1) of the locking element (104) to insert the locking element (104) into the handle (102) to facilitate engagement of each locking arm (104L) into corresponding each locking arm receiving portion (102L) of the handle (102) thereby connecting the locking element (104) to the handle (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each locating portion (102G) of the handle (102) is considered to be an elongated groove or slot, and correspondingly each locating portion (104G) of the locking element (104) is considered to be a protrusion.
[0019] Fig. 3 depicts a side view of a locking element (104) with a fluid level indicating member (106) in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The locking element (104) is removably connected to the handle (102). In the first embodiment, the locking element (104) is adapted to secure the at least one fluid level indicating member (106) with the handle (102). For example, the locking element (104) is adapted to secure the at least one fluid level indicating member (106) selected from a plurality of fluid level indicating members (106), where a length of each fluid level indicating member (106) is not same. The fluid level indicating member (106) is selected from the plurality of fluid level indicating members (106) based on the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of the engine, the gearbox and the fluid compartment. The handle (102) is made common and the locking element (104) is adapted to secure corresponding fluid level indicating member (106) of required length to the handle (102) based on the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of the engine, the gearbox and the fluid compartment. In the first embodiment, the locking element (104) defines the plurality of locking arms (104L), where each locking arm (104L) is adapted to be received by corresponding each locking arm receiving portion (102L) of the handle (102) therein to secure the fluid level indicating member (106) with the handle (102). The locking member (104) is made of non-metallic material. For example, the locking member (104) is made of plastic. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the locking member (104) to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking member (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The locking element (104) defines the plurality of locating portions (104G), where each locating portion (104G) is adapted to be received by corresponding each locating portion (102G) of the handle (102) to insert the locking element (14) into the handle (102) to facilitate assembly of the locking element (104) to the handle (102). In the first embodiment, the locking element (104) is adapted to removably connect the at least one fluid level indicating member (106) to the handle (102). In the first embodiment, the locking element (104) is a separate part. In another first embodiment, the locking element (104) can be integrated with the fluid level indicating member (102). In the first embodiment, the locking element (104) is connected to the handle (102) by at least a temporary joint such as but not limited to snap fit and thread fit. For example, the locking element (104) is snap fitted to the handle (102). In another example, the locking element (104) is thread fitted to the handle (102). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the locking element (104) to the handle (102) by using any of fasteners, interlocking joints, other types of temporary joints, and permanent joints such as welding.
[0020] The fluid level indicating member (106) is adapted to measure the level of fluid (oil) in the engine. The fluid level indicating member (106) is secured to the handle (102) through the locking element (104). The fluid level indicating member (106) defines a fluid level measuring portions (106K), as shown in fig. 1) adapted to indicate the level of fluid (oil) in the engine. The fluid level measuring portions (106K) is provided at a bottom portion of the fluid level indicating member (106) by knurling. In the first embodiment, the fluid level indicating member (106) is made of metallic material. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the fluid level indicating member (106) to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the fluid level indicating member (106) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The fluid level indicating member (106) is removably connected to the locking element (104) by at least a temporary joint such as but not limited to an interference fit, a thread fit and a snap fit. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to removably connect the fluid level indicating member (106) with the locking element (104) by using any of fasteners and any other types of temporary joints without otherwise deterring the intended function of the fluid level indicating member (106) and the locking element (104) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0021] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of a modular dipstick assembly (100A), according to another first embodiments as disclosed herein. In another first embodiment, the modular dipstick assembly (100A) includes a handle (102) and at least one fluid level indicating member (103). The fluid level indicating member (103) is directly and removably connected to the handle (102) by at least a temporary joint such as but not limited to a thread fit and a snap fit. It is also within the scope of the invention to directly and removably connect the fluid level indicating member (103) to handle (102) by using fasteners or any other types of temporary joints. The handle (102) is adapted to directly and removably attach the at least one fluid level indicating member (103) selected from a plurality of fluid level indicating members (103), where a length of each fluid level indicating member (103) is not same. The fluid level indicating member (103) is selected from the plurality of fluid level indicating members (103) based on the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of the engines, the gearboxes and the fluid compartments.
[0022] Fig. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of a modular dipstick assembly (200), according to second embodiments as disclosed herein. In the second embodiment, the modular dipstick assembly (200) includes a handle (202), a first member (204) and a second member (206). The handle (202) is adapted to hold the first member (204) and the second member (206). In the second embodiment, the first member (204) is directly and removably connected to the handle (202) by at least a temporary joint such as but not limited to a snap fit and a thread fit. It is also within the scope of the invention to directly and removably connect the first member (204) to the handle (202) by using fasteners or interlocking joints or any other types of temporary joints. In another second embodiment, the modular dipstick assembly (200) includes a locking element (not shown) adapted to removably connect the first member (204) to the handle (202), where the locking element (not shown) is a separate part or an integral part of the first member (204). The second member (206) is removably and movably connected to the first member (204). At least one of the first member (204) and the second member (206) is adapted to indicate the level of fluid. The second member (206) is thread fitted to the first member (204). In the second embodiment, the second member (206) includes a plurality of threads (206T) corresponding to a plurality of threads (204T) provided in the first member (204). The plurality of threads (204T) of the first member (204) and the plurality of threads (206T) of the second member (206) are adapted to facilitate movement and locking of the second member (206) with respect to the first member (204). In the second embodiment, the plurality of threads (206T) of the second member (206) is considered to be external threads and correspondingly the plurality of threads (204T) of the first member (204) is considered to be internal threads. In another second embodiment, the plurality of threads (not shown) of the second member (206) is considered to be internal threads and correspondingly the plurality of threads (not shown) of the first member (204) is considered to be external threads. The second member (206) is moved with respect to the first member (204) to change a length of the modular dipstick assembly (200) in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments. For example, the second member (206) is rotated with respect to the first member (204) to extend or retract the second member (206) with respect to the first member (204) thereby changing the length of the modular dipstick assembly (200) in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments. In another second embodiment, the second member (206) is slidably connected to the first member (204). The second member (206) is slidably moved with respect to the first member (204) to change the length of the modular dipstick assembly (200) in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments. The first and the second members (204, 206) form a telescopic arrangement. The modular dipstick assembly (200) includes a locking member (not shown) adapted to secure the second member (206) to the first member (204) after changing the length of the modular dipstick assembly (200). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the locking member (not shown) is considered to be a lock nut. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a pin or a bolt and a nut, any other threaded means and a combination of the above or any other type of locking means for securing the second member (206) to the first member (204) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking member (not shown) as can be deduced from the description.
[0023] Fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a modular dipstick assembly (300), according to third embodiments as disclosed herein. In the third embodiment, the modular dipstick assembly (300) includes a handle assembly (302), a first movable member (304), a rotatable member (306) and a second movable member (308). The handle assembly (302) includes a handle (302H) and a support member (302S). The handle (302H) includes a head (302HA) and a body (302HB). The body (302HB) of the handle (302) extends from the head (302HA) in a direction towards the first movable member (304). The support member (302S) is connected to the body (302HB) of handle (302) by at least one of a temporary joint and a permanent joint. The example of temporary joint is a snap fit and a thread fit. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the support member (302S) to the body (302HB) of the handle (302) by any other type of temporary joint. The example of the permanent joint is at least welding. The support member (302S) is adapted to support the first movable member (304). The support member (302S) is adapted to receive a portion of the first movable member (304). The support member (302S) is adapted to facilitate a movement of the first movable member (304) to allow a portion of the first movable member (304) to be received inside the body (302HB) of the handle (302). The first movable member (304) is movably connected to the support member (302S) of the handle assembly (302). The first movable member (304) is movably connected to the rotatable member (306). The first movable member (304) includes a plurality of threads (304T) corresponding to a plurality of threads (302ST) provided in the support member (302S). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding the plurality of threads (304T) of the first movable member (304) is considered to be external threads and correspondingly the plurality of threads (302ST) of the support member (302S) is considered to be internal threads. The second movable member (308) is movably connected to the rotatable member (306). The second movable member (308) includes a plurality of threads (308T) corresponding to a plurality of threads (306T) provided in the rotatable member (306). The plurality of threads (302ST) of the support member (204) and the plurality of threads (304T) of the first movable member (304) and the plurality of threads (306T) of the rotatable member (306) are adapted to facilitate movement of the first movable member (304) with respect to the support member (302S) and the rotatable member (306). Similarly, the plurality of threads (306T) of the rotatable member (306) and the plurality of threads (308T) of the second movable member (308) are adapted to facilitate movement and locking of the second movable member (308) with respect to the rotatable member (306). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the plurality of threads (308T) of the second movable member (308) is considered to be external threads and correspondingly the plurality of threads (306T) of the rotatable member (306) is considered to be internal threads. The first movable member (304) and the second movable member (308) is moved with respect to the rotatable member (306) to change a length of the modular dipstick assembly (300) in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments. For example, the rotatable member (306) is rotated to move the first movable member (304) and the second movable member (308) with respect to the rotatable member (306) to extend or retract the first movable member (304) and the second movable member (308) with respect to the rotatable member (306) to change the length of the modular dipstick assembly (300) in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments
[0024] The modular dipstick assembly (300) includes a locking member (not shown) adapted to secure the second movable member (308) to the rotatable member (306) after changing the length of the modular dipstick assembly (300). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the locking member (not shown) is considered to be a lock nut. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a pin or a bolt and nut, a threaded means and a combination of the above or any other type of locking means for securing the second movable member (308) to the rotatable member (306) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking member (not shown) as can be deduced from the description.
[0025] It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any of a slidable mechanism, an adjustable screw mechanism and a linear adjustable mechanism for changing a length of the modular dipstick assembly in accordance to the level of fluid (oil) in at least one engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments.
[0026] Therefore, modular dipstick assemblies (100, 100A, 200, 300) for measuring the level of fluid in various sizes and configurations of at least one of engines, gearboxes and fluid compartments are provided.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.