Oil filter wrench

{
  "publication_number": "US9789594B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Oil filter wrench",
  "abstract": "An oil filter wrench. The oil filter wrench includes a housing and an engagement lever. The head portion of the engagement lever has an aperture sized to receive an oil filter therethrough and may have protrusions adapted to engage the oil filter. The engagement lever is rotatable around the center of the aperture and in relation to the housing such that the handle portion of the engagement lever is movable from a first position distal to the handle of the housing to a second position proximate to the housing. The handles of the engagement lever and the housing may be gripped by one hand, allowing for ease of operation of the oil filter wrench.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An oil filter wrench, comprising: a housing; and an engagement lever in pivotal relation with the housing and having a head portion and a handle portion, the head portion having an aperture defined therein, the aperture being sized to receive a portion of an oil filter therethrough, the handle portion being selectively receivable within the housing, wherein the housing further comprises a housing head portion and a housing handle portion, the head portion having a second aperture defined therein, the second aperture being substantially concentric with the aperture of the engagement lever; wherein the housing head portion and the head portion of the engagement lever are rotatable with respect to one another, wherein the housing head portion and the housing handle portion are fixedly coupled to one another, and wherein the handle portion of the engagement lever and the head portion of the engagement lever are fixedly coupled to one another, such that the handle portion of the engagement lever is configured to rotate about a concentric point of the aperture and the second aperture.",
    "2. The oil filter wrench of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protrusions extending into the aperture.",
    "3. The oil filter wrench of claim 2, wherein the protrusions are sized and shaped to engage the surface of an oil filter.",
    "4. The oil filter wrench of claim 2, further comprising 15 protrusions.",
    "5. The oil filter wrench of claim 1, further comprising at least one diametric size adaptor couplable by a plurality of protrusions to the head portion of the engagement lever.",
    "6. The oil wrench of claim 1, wherein: the handle is movable from a first position external to the housing to a second position at least partially within the housing; and wherein movement between the first position and the second position is adapted to be accomplished utilizing one hand of a user.",
    "7. The oil filter wrench of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member disposed within the housing head portion, the retaining member sized to rotatably maintain a part of the head portion of the engagement lever therein.",
    "8. The oil filter wrench of claim 1, wherein the housing and the engagement lever are coupled by a resilient member, the resilient member configured to apply a restoring force to the engagement lever in the direction of a first position from a second position, the first position being a position wherein the handle portion abuts an end of a head spacer, the second position being a position wherein the handle portion is received within the housing.",
    "9. An oil filter wrench, comprising: a housing having a first head portion and a first handle portion, the first head portion having a first aperture defined therein; and an engagement lever in pivotal relation with the housing and having a second head portion and a second handle portion, the second head portion including a second aperture defined therein, and being rotatably disposed within the first head portion; wherein the second aperture is sized to receive a portion of an oil filter therethrough; and wherein the first head portion and the second head portion are rotatable with respect to one another, wherein the first head portion and the first handle portion are fixedly coupled to one another, and wherein the second handle portion and the second head portion are fixedly coupled to one another, such that the second handle portion is configured to rotate about a concentric point of the aperture and the second aperture.",
    "10. The oil filter wrench of claim 9, wherein the second handle portion is movable from a first position distal to the first handle portion to a second position proximate to the first handle portion.",
    "11. The oil filter wrench of claim 10, wherein the second handle portion is receivable within the first handle portion.",
    "12. The oil filter wrench of claim 10, wherein movement between the first position and the second position is adapted to be accomplished utilizing one hand of a user.",
    "13. The oil filter wrench of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of protrusions extending into the second aperture.",
    "14. The oil filter wrench of claim 13, wherein the protrusions are sized and shaped to engage the surface of an oil filter.",
    "15. The oil filter wrench of claim 13, further comprising 15 protrusions.",
    "16. The oil filter wrench of claim 9, further comprising at least one diametric size adaptor couplable by a plurality of protrusions to the second head portion.",
    "17. The oil filter wrench of claim 9, wherein the housing and the engagement lever are coupled by a resilient member, the resilient member configured to apply a restoring force to the engagement lever in the direction of a first position from a second position, the first position being a position wherein the second handle portion abuts an end of a head spacer, the second position being a position wherein the second handle portion is received within the housing."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Spin-on type oil filters are widely used in automotive, marine, aviation, and other applications. A spin-on type filter includes both the filtering element and the housing therefor, and is typically coupled to an engine block by threads. While spin-on oil filters are simple to install, removal of the filter is frequently more difficult due to the adhesion and warping of materials after hours of engine operation. Significant torque is typically required to remove a spin-on oil filter\n\nTypical oil filter wrenches include a strap or other member to engage the oil filter housing and a handle coupled to the engagement member. A user utilizes the handle as well as the user's arm to provide the necessary torque for filter removal. This frequently requires that the user move his arm through a range of motion to impart sufficient torque to dislodge the filter.\n\nMany engine compartments do not afford the user sufficient space for the necessary range of motion of the user's arm. In such engine compartments oil filter removal is a difficult task, and the user risks injury due to impact with surrounding engine components. A solution for oil filter removal that does not require the user to move their arm is therefore desired.\n\nAccording to at least one exemplary embodiment, an oil filter wrench is disclosed. The oil filter wrench can include a housing and an engagement lever. The head portion of the engagement lever can include an aperture sized to receive an oil filter therethrough and may have protrusions adapted to engage the oil filter.",
  "cpc": [
    "B25B 27/0042"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 27/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Michael R. Gutierrez"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-11-19",
  "publication_date": "2017-10-17",
  "grant_date": "2017-10-17",
  "priority_date": "2014-11-19",
  "application_number": "US-201414547852-A",
  "family_id": "55960890",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US3885479A",
    "KR200153824Y1",
    "US6516689B1",
    "US20040031358A1",
    "US20040118253A1",
    "US20120079919A1"
  ]
}