GB2202478A

GB2202478A - Improvements in automobile oil filter removal tools

Info

Publication number: GB2202478A
Application number: GB08805031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen John King; Nigel Gerald Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-03-17
Filing date: 1988-03-02
Publication date: 1988-09-28
Also published as: GB8706328D0; GB8805031D0

Abstract

A plastic handle A and a barbed clip C are slid over a standard electrical cable tie B to produce an oil filter removal tool which can be fitted and adjusted with one hand. The cable tie is slipped over the oil filter and tightened, and rotation of handle A causes the cable tie to be tensioned and the oil filter to be thereby unscrewed. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMOBILE OIL FILTER REMOVAL TOOLS This invention relates to an automobile oil filter removal tool.

Automobile oil filters are cylindrical units of various lengths and diameters. They are screwed onto a central stud projecting from the engine crankcase and a circular rubber joint forms the seal between the crancase and the filter. Normally the filter is attached by hand and screwed on until tight. The filter needs to be changed at frequent intervals to prevent damage to the engine bearing surfaces due to dirty oil Removal of the filter can be difficult. The location and service of the filter subject the rubber seal to extremes of temperature and inherently dirty conditions. Consequently the filter becomes locked to the crankcase and can be very difficult to remove. Removal can be made more difficult because of the location of the filter in the engine compartment where the proximity of other equipment makes access awkward.

The existing methods of removal are a) providing sufficient torque to unscrew the filter by hand, b) puncturing the filter with a sharp tool like a screwdriver to gain a purchase and leverage, c) use of a conventional strap wrench. The first method is often useless as obtaining a tight grip is not possible. The second causes oil to leak onto the engine, floor and hands. The third entails the use of an expensive tool inappropriate to the application, this is because a strap wrench is difficult to fit and adjust and can easily slip off the filter.

The invention is a simple and effective tool which can be produced at a much lower cost than any existing tool.

The invention is described with reference to the attached drawings.

In its normal embodiment the invention comprises a handle "A", fig 1, a cable tie "B", fig 2, and desireably a barbed clip "C", fig 3.

The handle comprises a portion 1 to be gripped by hand and a lower portion containing a rectangular slot 2 through which the cable tie is passed. The lower surface is radiused 3.

The cable tie is a standard item used in the electrical industry for holding bundles of cables together. It is made of flexible plastic with teeth 4 moulded along its length. At one end is a boss 5 containing a pawl. In conventional use the free end is passed through the boss and tightened, the teeth and pawl engaging to prevent loosening.

The barbed clip is made, most likely of steel, to fit snugly around the cable tie. On its lower surface are formed sharp teeth 6.

Refer to fig 4. The tool, subject of this invention is assembled by sliding the barbed clip "C" along the cable tie until it hits the boss 5. The cable tie "B" is then passed through the hole 2 in the handle "A" and the free end of the tie engaged in the boss 5.

To use, the assembled tool is placed around the automobile oil filter and the cable tie pulled tight. This action may be performed with one hand and holds the tool on the filter even after the hand is removed.

As force is applied to the handle in a direction tangential to the filter, the handle pivots and traps the cable tie between the handle and the filter body fig 6. Simultaneously the cable tie is tightened and the barbed clip bites into the oil filter. Increasing force on the handle unscrews the filter.

After use the tool may be slid off the oil filter for re-use without further adjustment.

Claims

1. A tool for unscrewing automobile oil filters comprising a handle used in conjunction with a standard electrical cable tie said handle containing a slot in its lower portion through which the cable tie is passed and a profile on its lower surface so that in use the cable tie is clamped under the handle against the oil filter to be removed.

2. An invention as claimed in claim 1 with an embodiment comprising a barbed clip passed over the cable tie which grips said cable tie and in use bites into the oil filter increasing the torque which can be transmitted to the oil filter.