Oil filter tool
AssigneeMichael H. Sapp
InventorMichael H. Sapp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An oil filter tool used to remove filters and mitigate spillage of oil during and after removal. Sidewalls with grooves between form a substantial cylinder. Curved walls form the grooves, extend outwardly from the sidewalls, and provide some flexibility in the tool's diameter, thereby permitting use with filters other than those for which the tool was designed. A floor is joined by the sidewalls and curved walls to define a chamber in which the filter is mounted. A finger limits insertion of the filter to define a gap into which oil can flow. A funneling guide is angled at the end of the sidewalls opposite the floor to guide oil into the chamber. At least one of the grooves is closed at the guide end and there is an aperture to permit air flow out of the chamber.
Claims9
An oil filter tool for removing substantially cylindrical oil filters, the tool comprising:
- (a) at least first and second sidewalls, the sidewalls defining a substantial cylinder, wherein the first and second sidewalls are spaced from one another to form first and second gaps;
- (b) at least first and second groovewalls mounted in the first and second gaps, respectively, to edges of the first and second sidewalls, at least the first groovewall having an aperture extending therethrough for passage of air out of the tool;
- (c) an angled guide joined to a first end of the sidewalls and groovewalls, for guiding liquid toward at least the groovewalls, the angled guide having an opening at a first end of at least the second groovewall and extending over the first end of the first groovewall;
- and
- (d) a floor joined to a second, opposite end of the sidewalls and the groovewalls.
An oil filter tool in combination with a substantially cylindrical oil filter, the combination comprising:
- (a) a plurality of sidewalls defining a substantial cylinder seated against a substantially cylindrical, radially outwardly-facing filter wall, wherein the sidewalls are spaced from one another to form a plurality of gaps;
- (b) a plurality of groovewalls, each groovewall mounted in a corresponding one of the gaps to edges of the sidewalls, at least a first of the groovewalls having an aperture extending therethrough for passage of air out of the tool, wherein the groovewalls extend along the filter wall and define elongated voids along the filter wall;
- (c) an angled guide joined to a first end of the sidewalls and groovewalls for guiding liquid toward at least the groovewalls, the angled guide extending over the first end of the first groovewall and having an opening at each first end of at least some of the groovewalls;
- and
- (d) a floor joined to a second, opposite end of the sidewalls and the groovewalls.
A method of using an oil filter tool with a substantially cylindrical oil filter that is mounted to an engine, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting a filter having a substantially cylindrical, radially outwardly-facing filter wall into a chamber in a tool, the tool comprising:
- (i) a plurality of sidewalls defining a substantially cylindrical chamber that are seated against the filter wall, wherein the sidewalls are spaced from one another to form a plurality of gaps;
- (ii) a plurality of groovewalls, each groovewall mounted in a corresponding one of the gaps to edges of the sidewalls, at least a first of the groovewalls having an aperture extending therethrough for passage of air out of the tool, wherein the groovewalls extend along the filter wall and define elongated voids along the filter wall;
- (iii) an angled guide joined to a first end of the sidewalls and groovewalls for guiding liquid toward at least the groovewalls, the angled guide extending over the first end of the first groovewall and having an opening at each first end of at least some of the groovewalls;
- and
- (iv) a floor joined to a second, opposite end of the sidewalls and the groovewalls;
- (b) squeezing at least some of the plurality of sidewalls and compressing said at least some of the plurality of sidewalls against the filter wall, thereby compressing a plurality of protrusions formed on the sidewalls and extending radially inwardly against the filter wall;
- (c) rotating the oil filter tool and oil filter, thereby removing the oil filter from the engine;
- and
- (d) permitting oil to flow to the angled guide and into the elongated voids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.