Automatic transmission fluid level indicator

Claim 1

In combination with a casing which contains a non-conductive fluid, a fluid level indicator which comprises a shaft removably extending from outside of the casing into said fluid, a tube extending upwardly from said casing receiving said shaft, a tube cover connected to said shaft cooperating with the top of said tube to retain said shaft in a predetermined position relative to said casing, float means carried by said shaft, said float means including conductive bridge means, said float means being buoyant relative to said fluid and movable within limits relative to said shaft, electrically operated indicia means, resilient means mounted on said shaft relative to said float means, electrical energy producing means, and a circuit for connecting said indicia means to said energy producing means, said circuit means being received in said shaft and including a pair of contacts, said resilient means resiliently urging said float means toward said contacts with a downwardly directed force which is insufficient to overcome the buoyancy of said float means in said fluid, said circuit means being in an opened condition across said contacts, said contacts being affixed to said shaft relative to said float means whereby when said float means lowers a predetermined amount relative to said shaft due to a lowering of said fluid in said casing or withdrawal of said shaft above said fluid, said conductive bridge means conductively connects said contacts to close said circuit to energize said indicia means.