# US 2013/0239381 A1 · Water Heater Wrench Adapter and Method of Use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0239381 A1 - Document ID: US20130239381A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/423,425 - Filed: 2012-03-19 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-19 - Inventors: Hoa Mai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130239381A1 ## CPC - B23P 6/00: Restoring or reconditioning objects (straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10) - B25B 13/06: of socket type - B25B 13/48: for special purposes - B25B 13/58: Jaw attachments - Y10T 29/4973: Replacing of defective part - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A water heater wrench adapter that comprises a rotating adapter and receiver. The rotating adapter is disposed within a receiver in light interference fit, wherein the rotating adapter is frictionally engaged by the receiver to permit rotation of the rotating adapter within the receiver. The water heater wrench adapter is utilized by frictionally engaging the insulator profile with the rotating adapter, thereby securing the water heater element within the rotating adapter. The hex nut of the water heater element and the hex extension of the receiver are aligned and the hex end of a water heater wrench is disposed to engage the combined hex nut and hex extension. Thus, the water heater wrench can then be utilized to either hold the water heater element in position for installation in a water heater or remove and retain the water heater element from the water heater. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A water heater wrench adapter comprising: a rotating adapter comprising faces dimensioned to cooperatively engage a portion of a water heater element; and a receiver rotationally disposed about said rotating adapter and dimensioned to frictionally engage said rotating adapter in a light interference fit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 1, wherein said water heater wrench adapter is associated with a water heater wrench. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 2, wherein said receiver comprises a hexagonal extension having substantially the same hexagonal dimension as a hex nut of the water heater element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 3, wherein said water heater wrench comprises a front end dimensioned to cooperatively engage the water heater element and said receiver when the hex nut of the water heater element and said hex extension of said receiver are in alignment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 1, wherein said rotating adapter grippingly secures the water heater element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 1, wherein the portion of the water heater element comprises an insulator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 6, wherein said faces cooperatively engage the insulator in a light interference fit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a hexagonal extension. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 8, further comprising an associated wrench having a hex end, wherein said hexagonal extension is dimensioned slightly smaller than said hex end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 9, wherein said hexagonal extension has substantially the same hexagonal dimension as a hex nut of the water heater element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 10, wherein said water heater wrench comprises said hex end dimensioned to cooperatively engage the hex nut of the water heater element and said hex extension of said receiver when the hex nut of the water heater element and said hex extension of said receiver are in alignment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 2, wherein said wrench comprises a handle with throughholes therein, and wherein said throughholes are dimensioned to receive a leverage rod. ### Claim 13 A method of replacing a water heater element, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a water heater wrench adapter having a rotating adapter comprising faces dimensioned to cooperatively engage a portion of a water heater element, and a receiver having a hex extension, wherein said receiver is rotationally disposed about said rotating adapter and dimensioned to frictionally engage said rotating adapter in a light interference fit; rotating said receiver to a position wherein said hex extension is aligned with a hex nut of the water heater element; disposing a wrench having a hex end over said water heater wrench adapter, wherein said hex end cooperatively engages said aligned hex extension/hex nut; and turning said wrench. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said wrench comprises a handle having throughholes therein, said method further comprising the step of: inserting a screwdriver into said throughholes, wherein said screwdriver provides leverage for said step of turning said wrench. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: removing the water heater element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: installing a new water heater element. ### Claim 17 A water heater wrench adapter comprising: a rotating adapter dimensioned to grip a portion of a water heater element; and a receiver rotationally disposed about said rotating adapter and dimensioned to frictionally engage said rotating adapter in a light interference fit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 17, wherein said receiver comprises a hexagonal extension having substantially the same hexagonal dimension as a hex nut of the water heater element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 18, wherein when said hexagonal extension and the hex nut are aligned, said aligned hexagonal extension and hex nut are cooperatively engaged by a hex end of a wrench. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The water heater wrench adapter of claim 19, wherein said hex end is dimensioned approximately the same as, but slightly larger than, the hexagonal dimension of the hex nut and said hex extension.