AU2012223414A1 - Improved water-softener wrench system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle portion connected to a circular or semi-circular head portion of a wrench, said wrench being made by metal, such as a zinc-plated steel, in particular for use in a water softener filter, said wrench including a handle portion connected to a circular or semi-circular head portion, said circular or semi-circular head portion including a circular or semi-circular outside portion and a filter gripping feature on an inside portion of a circular or semi-circular head portion, said handle portion having a first width at a gripping end, and said handle portion expanding from said first width to a second width at said connection to said circular or semi-circular head portion; wherein, the circular head portion of a wrench is formed in various sizes and said semicircular head portion is 180 degrees.

Description

WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 1 IMPROVED WATER-SOFTENER WRENCH SYSTEM By Herbert Stricker, South Lyon, Ml Reference to Priority Documents This PCT patent application claims priority to US Application 29/386,412, filed in the USPTO on February 28, 2011, and US Application 13/398,119, filed in the USPTO on December 19, 2011, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Background Existing water-softener wrenches are typically made of weak breakable plastic and sold to customers. REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 A illusti-ates a first embodiment of the water softener wrench; Fig. 1 B illustrates details of the head of the first embodiment; Fig. 1C illustrates the first embodiment of the wrench by the side; Fig. 1 D illustrates the details of the neck of the first embodiment; Fig; 1 E illustrates the details of the grip of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment; FIG. 3 illustrates a second alternate embodiment; and FIGS. 4- illustrates a variety of wrenches in various embodiments and standards as shown in FIGS 5-15; FIG. 5 illustrates a 4 -inch wrench head with four male square protrusions; FIG. 6 illustrates a 6 inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions; FIG. 7 illustrates a 4 1 /4-inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrustions; WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 2 FIG. 8 illustrates a 3 inch wrench head with six female rectangular indentations; FIG. 9 illustrates a 5 inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions; FIG 10 illustrates a 3 inch wrench head with four narrow female indentations; FIG. 11 illustrates a .935 x .935 square head; FIG.12 illustrates a 6 inch wrench head with six narrow male rectangular protrusions; FIG. 13 illustrates a 3 inch wrench head with 4 female rectangular indentations; FIG. 14 illustrates a 3.8 inch wrench with four narrow female rectangular indentations; FIG. 15 illustrates a 3.69 inch wrench head with six narrow female indentations; FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate embodiment narrow footprint wrench with a 21/2 inch diameter; FIG.17 illustrates a second type of alternate embodiment with a 1.94 inch diameter. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. In general the invention is a wrench made of a heavy and rust-resistant (laser cut in a preferred embodiment) steel, which is 7-gauge in a preferred embodiment, as well as zinc coated in a primary embodiment, formed to one of the water filter sizes, including but not limited to: SW1, SW2, SW3, SW5-a, 144880 BW-BC, C-shaped (open end) Universal style, S3072, HT-HTF, OW1, OW2, OW6. The standards, regarding the dimensions and other features of these wrenches are known in the art, and are incorporated by reference herein. A fuller description of the specific WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 3 types and manufactures, not meant to be exhaustive, is included here in Appendix 1. Additionally, the inventive wrench is also compatible with different brands such as Culligan, Ametek, US Filter, Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner and many other brands. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a particular size or configuration or brand. FIGS. 1A-E shows a primary embodiment, a style of wrench, made of rust resistant steel. The weight and sturdiness of the material allow for ease of use and durability for long-term storage, which makes the wrench appropriate for both intermittent at-home use and for the professional. FIG. 1A illustrates a Superb Wrench TM which is a primary embodiment of the invention. As stated above, the invention is made to replace inferior, breakable plastic wrenches, but without a substantial cost to the end consumer, because it is easily manufactured and lasts for a long time. The wrench has a long handle H which is typically between 1.5 and 2 times the diameter of the head HE of the wrench.. The handle H include an easily applied and comfortable Grip G, which in the present embodiment is shown as made of a hollow PVC tube which slides over the handle. The handle H also has some indicators formed or cut into it to help the user. These include a designator D, shown by the broken circle, and a label L to help the novice or occasional user to operate the wrench. Alternate embodiments may not keep the feature where the handle is 1.5 -2 times the diameter of the head HE. Particularly, where the wrench head is particularly large. The.head HE can be of various specifications, as stated above. The embodiment shown has six openings 01, and is shown to be of the SW-1 A type water softener wrench. FIG. 1 B illustrates the details of the head of the water softener wrench in a primary embodiment. The manufacturing process of the material of which the wrench is made allows for different features to be implemented on the WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 4 inside surface IS and the opening surface OS. However, in a primary embodiment the head HE shown is suitable for the use of removing a difficult to dislodge water softener filter. FIG. 1C illustrates the water softener filter wrench in a first embodiment from a side view. Features of the material used are shown in the illustration, however, such features are dependent on the manufacturing process of the wrench and may be different in an alternate embodiment. FIG. 1 D illustrates the features of the "neck" of the water softener filter wrench, or the junction of the handle and head. The label L is shown imprinted into the neck area for easy visibility and understanding as turning the water softener filter the wrong way could cause damage. FIG. 1 E shows that the wrench includes a PVC grip G on the handle, allowing for ease of use and for comfort on the hands. There is a small portion OE of the grip G that allows for easy addition and/or replacement and is generally easy to grip and also allows for thermal protect of the hands away from a very cold (or very hot) steel wrench. Although shown in black, there may be variations of the PVC grip G as may be aesthetically pleasing or even a coding system. Like PVC there also may be useful printing on the grip sleeve G. FIG. 2 illustrates the water softener filter wrench in an alternate embodiment. The alternate embodiment (shown as Superb Wrench TM No. 3) is a different water softener filter standard SW2 in the wrench head HE'. Most of the features of the alternate embodiment are similar to those described above for FIGS. 1 A 1 E, with the exception of the wrench head. FIG. 3 illustrates a second alternate embodiment (shown as Superb Wrench T M No. 7), and, once again, has similar features to the wrenches shown in FIGS. 1A 2. The second alternate embodiment has a small square aperture in the wrench head HE" and is used on the appropriate water softener filter. The wrench head WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 5 HE" of the second alternate embodiment is much small proportionally than the wrenches shown above. FIG 4 illustrates a variety of embodiments and dimensions of the wrench for various standards and manufactures of water filters. The various wrench fitting are described herein, but limited to those listed. The filter fitting means are described further in Table 1 below. FIGS. 16-17 show an alternate embodiment of the wrench in which the head only includes approximate degrees of arc. These embodiments are particularly useful for water filters that must be removed and replaces in "narrow footprints" where a full wrench head may not completely fit. FIG. 16 (filter No. 12) illustrates a wrench that can used for a 3-filter system. FIG. 17 (filter No. 13) can be used with a reverse osmosis system, particularly for that manufactured by Culligan. Table 1: Filters 1-11 Type Brands/Housings/Standards Diam Head Type No. 1 Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest, 4-3/4" 4 male (FIG. 5) Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, rectangle Bruner & more. 10 x 2.5, Culligan HF-1 50, prongs HF-160, HF-360, HF-365 No. 2 Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest, 6-1/4" 4 male (FIG. 6) Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, rectangle Bruner & more. AP800, Big Blue prongs No. 3 Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest, 4-1/4" 4 male (FIG 7) Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, rectangle Bruner & more. prongs No. 4 Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest, 3-3/4" 6 female (FIG. 8) Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, rectangle Bruner & more. indentations No. 5 Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest, 5-3/4" 6 male (FIG. 9) Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, rectangle Bruner & more. Big Blue, Culligan Pentek prongs. HD-950, Ace Hardware 49561, Ametek Kleen-Plus HD-10-R50 BBS, American Plumber W1 5-PR/1 52016, Pentek 150237, 150239, 159469 No. 6 AP101, AP102, AP12 3-3/4" 4 narrow WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 6 (FIG. 10) female indentations No. 7 Metal filter wrench for AP 200 under the .935 x Square head (FIG. 11) sink system .935 No. 8 Big Blue 10 x 4.5, 20 x 4.5 can be used 6" 4 narrow (FIG. 12) with #20 big blue, Culligan Pentek HD-950, rectangular Ace Hardware 49561, Ametek Kleen-Plus male HD-1 0-R50 BBS, American Plumber W1 5- protrusions. PR/152016, Pentek 150237, 150239, 159469 No. 9 AP161OSS, AP2610SS, SSTI, SSTIHA, 3 1/2" 4 deep (FIG 13) SST2HB rectangular female intrusions. No. 10 3.8" 4 narrow (FIG. 14) rectangular female intrusions. No. 11 3.69" 6 narrow (FIG. 15) female intrusions.

WO 2012/118869 7 PCT/US2012/027042 Housings Inside Diameter Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. 10x2.5, Culligan HF-150, HF-160, HF #1 Wrench 360, HF-365 4 3/4" Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest,Plymouth, 1#2 Wrench Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. AP800, Big Blue 6 1/4" Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, #3 Wrench Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. 4 1/4" Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, #4 Wrench Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. 3 3/4" Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, lKeen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. Big Blue 10x4.5, 20x4.5 can be used with #20 Big Blue, Culligan Pentek HD-9SO, Ace Hardware 49561, Ametek Kleen-Plus HO-10-RSO BBS, American Plumber #5 Wrench W1S-PR / 152016, Pentek 150237, 150239, 150469 1 5 3/4" lFits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, #6 Wrench iKeen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. AP101, AP102, AP12 3 3/4" .935 x #7 Wrench jMetal filter wrench for AP200 under the sink system .935 Fits most Ametek,.Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal QuestPlymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. Big Blue 10x4.5, 20x4.5 can be used with #20 Big Blue, Culligan Pentek HD-950, Ace Hardware 49561, Ametek Kleen-Plus HD-10-R50 BBS, American Plumber #8 Wrench W15-PR / 152016, Pentek 150237, 150239, 150469 6" Fits most Ametek, Ametek, US Filter, Culligan, Crystal Quest,Plymouth, Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner & many more. AP16OSS, AP261OSS, 1#9 Wrench ISSTI, SSTIHA, SST2HB 3 1/2"

Claims (20)

1. A wrench for a water softener filter, made of metal, said wrench including a handle portion connected to a circular head portion, said circular head portion including a circular outside portion and a filter gripping feature on an inside portion of said circular head portion; said handle portion a first width at a gripping end, and said handle portion expanding from said first width to a second width at said connection to said circular head portion a rubberized grip covering said handle a portion of way from the end of said handle towards said head portion.

2. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal is zinc-plated steel.

3. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 2 wherein said metal is laser-cut 7-gauge steel.

4. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said grip includes a direction arrow, said direction arrow assisting in operation of said wrench.

5. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a direction arrow stamped or cut into said handle in said connection end of said handle. WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 9

6. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 1, wherein the filter gripping features protrude from said inside portion of said circular head portion.

7. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 1, wherein the filter gripping features protrude into said inside portion of said circular head portion.

8. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 6 wherein the inside diameter of said head portion is approximately 4 % inches.

9. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited 6 in claim wherein the inside diameter of said head portion is approximately 6 1/4 inches.

10. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim wherein the inside diameter of said head portion is approximately .935cm x .935 in a square configuration.

11. A wrench for a water softener filter, made of metal, said wrench including a handle portion connected to a circular head portion, said circular head portion including a circular outside portion and a filter gripping means on an inside portion of said circular head portion; said handle portion a first width at a gripping end, and said handle portion expanding from said first width to a second width at said connection to said circular head portion.

12. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 11, further including a rubber grip located on a portion said handle portion. WO 2012/118869 PCT/US2012/027042 10

13. The wrench as recited in claim 11 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is approximate 4-3/4 inches

14. The wrench as recited in claim 11 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 6-1/4 inches and.

15. The wrench as recited in claim 11 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 4-1/4 inches and.

16. The wrench as recited in claim 11 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 3-3/4 inches and

17. The wrench as recited in claim 11 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 5-3/4 inches.

18. A wrench for a water softener filter, made of metal, said wrench including a handle portion connected to a semi-circular head portion, said semi circular head portion including a semi-circular outside portion and a filter gripping feature on an inside portion of said semi-circular head portion; said handle portion a first width at a gripping end, and said handle portion expanding from said first width to a second width at said connection to said semi-circular head portion a rubberized grip covering said handle a portion of way from the end of said handle towards said head portion; wherein said semi-circular portion is approximately 180 degrees.

19. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 18, wherein said metal is zinc-plated steel.

20. The wrench for a water softener filter as recited in claim 19, wherein said semi-circular head includes two protrusions at each end of said semi circular head portion