GB2219538A

GB2219538A - Oil filter remover

Info

Publication number: GB2219538A
Application number: GB8811676A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas James Burley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-17
Filing date: 1988-05-17
Publication date: 1989-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-17
Also published as: GB8811676D0; GB2219538B

Abstract

A device 10 for enabling easy removal of an oil filter 21 from a mounting 22 comprising a hose clip 11, the diameter of which can be varied by turning a screw 12, and a bridge member 15 extending diametrically of the hose clip 11 and opposite end portions 13, 14 of which are secured to the hose clip 11, the bridge member 15 having secured thereto a side face of a nut 18. In use, the hose clip 11 is mounted circumferentially of the filter 21 and secured thereto when the diameter of the hose clip 11 is reduced on turning of the screw 12. Removal of the filter 21 from the mounting 22 is effected by engaging the nut 18 with a spanner 20 and applying a turning moment. <IMAGE>

Description

Oil Filter Remover This invention relates to a device for assisting in turning of an article on an axis extending through the article and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for assisting in unscrewing an oil filter mounted on a threaded boss of an engine.

An oil filter for an internal combustion engine generally is cylindrical in configuration and is provided with an internal thread coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the filter whereby the filter may be screwed onto threaded boss of the engine. In carrying out regular maintenance of an engine, it is necessary from time to time to replace an oil filter mounted on the engine. Generally, it is not possible to unscrew by hand an oil filter which has been mounted for some time on an engine and it is necessary to apply a tool to generate sufficient angular force to turn the filter on a central longitudinal axis thereof.

One method is to insert the shank of a screwdriver in a radial direction through the casing of the filter and then to apply an angular force to a handle of the tool. A disadvantage of this method is that oil residue escapes from inside the filter through the pierced casing and precautions are necessary to ensure that the oil spillage is contained.

Another method is to use a tool comprising a band for encircling an oil filter and a lever connected to the band such that, when a force is applied to the lever, the band tightens around an outer circumferential portion of the filter and an angular force is applied to the filter relative to a central longitudinal axis thereof. A disadvantage of this method is that the location of an oil filter on most engines generally is such that there is very little room for arcuate movement of the handle of the tool.

In consequence, it is necessary repeatedly to loosen, rotate to an initial position and retighten the band, which process is time-consuming.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide a device for assisting in turning of an oil filter relative to a mounting thereof which does not suffer from the disadvantages referred to above and yet which is inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for assisting in turning of an article on an axis extending through the article comprising a member adapted to be engaged by a tool and means for locating the member relative to the article whereby the member is turnable on the axis when engaged and operated by the tool and the article is constrained to turn on the axis with the turning movement of the member.

The locating means may be adapted to be removably secured to the article.

The locating means may comprise a circular portion for engaging a corresponding circumferential portion of the article.

The locating means may comprise means for varying a diameter of the circular portion.

The locating means may comprise a bridge portion extending diametrically of the circular portion.

The bridge portion may be adapted to be variable in a dimension extending diametrically of the circular portion The member may be provided with a plurality of surfaces which may be selectively engageable by the tool.

Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is an elevation of a portion of another embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention, Figure 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow III of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a device 10 comprising a circular cliD 11. generally known as ( RTM 's a Jubilee, Terry or Rege tJ clip, having a screw 12 for adjusting a diameter of the clip 11. The clip 11 has welded thereto on opposite facing portions at opposite ends of a diameter thereof corresponding leg portions 13,14 of a bridge component 15, the bridge component 15 having a cross portion 16 connecting the leg portions 13,14. An outer surface 17 of the cross portion extends in a plane parallel to and spaced from a plane extending through a central longitudinal axis of the clip 11.The outer surface 17 has welded centrally thereto a member 18 having six surfaces 19 each extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the outer surface 17 of the cross portion 16. The arrangement is such that opposite pairs of surfaces 19 are engageable by opposite facing surfaces of a bifurcated end portion of a spanner 20.

The device 10 is intended for assisting in unscrewing a cylindrical oil filter 21 from a mounting 22 of an engine.

When the filter 21 is first screwed onto the mounting, the device 10 is attached to the filter 21 by locating the clip 11 circumferentially of an outer surface of the filter 21 remote from the mounting 22 such that a rear surface of the bridge component 15 is in abutment with an end wall of the filter 21. The screw 12 is then turned to reduce the diameter of the clip 11 so that the clip 11 applies a circumferential inwardly directed force to the filter 21 such that no relative movement occurs between the clip 11 and the filter 21 if the clip 11 is turned on a central longitudinal axis thereof.

When it is required to remove the filter 21 from the mounting 22, the spanner 20 is applied to the member 18 so that a pair of opposite facing surfaces 19 are engaged by the opposite facing surfaces of the bifurcated end portion of the spanner 20 and an angular force is applied to the spanner 20, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1, with a result that the clip 11 is turned on a central longitudinal axis thereof, thereby causing the filter 21 to be rotated on a central longitudinal axis thereof relative to the mounting 22 causing the filter 21 to be unscrewed from the mounting.

After removal of the oil filter 21 from the mounting 22, the screw 12 is turned to release the clip 11 from the filter 21 and the device 10 is removed from the filter 21. The device 10 is then re-mounted on a fresh substitute filter and the substitute filter is screwed onto the mounting 22. The spanner 20 again may be applied to the member 18, but in a direction reverse to the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1 so as to ensure that the substitute filter is firmly screwed onto the mounting 22. The device 10 thus remains mounted on the substitute filter and the process is repeated when the substitute filter is to be removed.

Since oil filters for different types of engine vary in diameter, it may be necessary to provide a range of devices 10 with clips 11 of different diameters.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a device 23 which is similar to the device 10 except that in the device 23 a bridge component 24 comprises two portions 25,26, the portion 25 being provided with guides 27,28 for receiving the portion 26 and the guides 27,28 having outer surfaces 29,30 respectively. The outer surfaces 29,30 have welded thereto a member 31 which corresponds to the member 18 of the device 10.

The arrangement is such that the portions 26 is slidable longitudinally thereof in the guides 27,28 relative to the portion 25 and the bridge component 24 thus is variable in length so as to accommodate oil filters 21 of different diameters.

In this manner, the device 23 is universal compared with the device 10 in that it would not be necessary to provide a plurality of devices 23 of differing dimensions.

Although in the embodiment5 described with reference to the accompanying drawings the member 18,31 engageable by the spanner 20 is provided with surfaces, or 'flats', for engagement by the opposite facing surfaces of the bifurcated end portion of the spanner 20, it will be appreciated that the member 18,31 may be of a different configuration. All that is required is that the member 18,31 be adapted to cooperate with a tool whereby an angular force can be applied to the member 18,31 thereby causing a filter 21 on which the device 10,23 is mounted to be rotated on a central longitudinal axis thereof relative to the mounting 22.

It will also be appreciated that a device in accordance with the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture because it comprises components which are staple commercial - KTM - products. Indeed, the Jubilee, Terry or Regentjclip of the device is an inexpensive article easily obtainable and the member of the device engageable by the spanner may be a nut of any convenient dimension and which also would be readily available. The bridge component of the device is easily formed from a strin of sheet metal and weldina of the spanner engageable member and the Jubilee, Terry or Regent\ RTM.s) clip thereto may be carried out by a simple and well known process.

Therefore, the device in accordance with the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture, is easy to apply and use and provides a clean and readily accessible method of removing an oil filter from an engine.

It will also be appreciated that the device in accordance with the present invention may be used to effect turning of an article other than an oil filter mounted on an engine and may, for example, be used to remove a cap from a container.

Claims

1. A device for assisting in turning of an article on an axis extending through the article comprising a member adapted to be engaged by a tool and means for locating the member relative to the article whereby the member is turnable on the axis when engaged and operated by the tool and the article is constrained to turn on the axis with the turning movement of the member.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the locating means is adapted to be removably secured to the article.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the locating means comprises a circular portion for engaging a corresponding circumferential portion of the article.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the locating means comprises means for varying a diameter of the circular portion.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprises a bridge portion extending diametrically of the circular portion.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the bridge portion is adapted to be variable in a dimension extending diametrically of the circular portion.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the member is provided with a plurality of surfaces which are selectively engageable by the tool.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the member is welded to the locating means.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the member is provided with a plurality of flats.

10. A device for assisting in turning of an article on an axis extending through the article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.