WO2012118869A2 - Improved water-softener wrench system - Google Patents

Improved water-softener wrench system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012118869A2
WO2012118869A2 PCT/US2012/027042 US2012027042W WO2012118869A2 WO 2012118869 A2 WO2012118869 A2 WO 2012118869A2 US 2012027042 W US2012027042 W US 2012027042W WO 2012118869 A2 WO2012118869 A2 WO 2012118869A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wrench
head portion
circular
recited
handle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/027042
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012118869A3 (en
Inventor
Herbert Stricker
Original Assignee
Superb Fabricating LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US29/386,413 external-priority patent/USD644897S1/en
Priority claimed from US13/330,655 external-priority patent/US9272396B2/en
Application filed by Superb Fabricating LLC filed Critical Superb Fabricating LLC
Priority to AU2012223414A priority Critical patent/AU2012223414A1/en
Priority to CA2865895A priority patent/CA2865895A1/en
Publication of WO2012118869A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012118869A2/en
Publication of WO2012118869A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012118869A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
    • B25B13/02—Spanners; Wrenches with rigid jaws
    • B25B13/04—Spanners; Wrenches with rigid jaws of ring jaw type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
    • B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
    • B25B13/50—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes
    • B25B13/5008—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects
    • B25B13/5016—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects by externally gripping the pipe
    • B25B13/5025—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects by externally gripping the pipe using a pipe wrench type tool
    • B25B13/5033—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes for operating on pipes or cylindrical objects by externally gripping the pipe using a pipe wrench type tool with fixed jaws

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 A illustrates a first embodiment of the water softener wrench
  • Fig. 1 B illustrates details of the head of the first embodiment
  • Fig. 1 C 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
  • FIGS. 4- illustrates a variety of wrenches in various embodiments and standards as shown in FIGS 5-15;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a 4 3 ⁇ 4-inch wrench head with four male square protrusions
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a 6 1 ⁇ 4 inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a 4 1 ⁇ 4-inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrustions
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a 3 3 ⁇ 4 inch wrench head with six female rectangular
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a 5 3 ⁇ 4 inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions
  • FIG 10 illustrates a 3 3 ⁇ 4 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 Vfe inch wrench head with 4 female rectangular
  • 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 2 Vz inch diameter
  • FIG.17 illustrates a second type of alternate embodiment with a 1 .94 inch diameter.
  • the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.
  • 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 types and manufactures, not meant to be exhaustive, is included here in
  • inventive wrench is also compatible with different brands such as Culligan, Ametek, US Filter, Madison, Keen Plus, American Plumber, Bruner and many other brands. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a particular size or configuration or brand.
  • FIGS. 1 A-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. 1 A illustrates a Superb WrenchTM which is a primary embodiment of the invention.
  • 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 inside surface IS and the opening surface OS. However, in a primary
  • the head HE shown is suitable for the use of removing a difficult to dislodge water softener filter.
  • FIG. 1 C 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.
  • a PVC grip G on the handle, allowing for ease of use and for comfort on the hands.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • OE of the grip G that allows for easy addition and/or replacement and is generally easy to grip and also allows
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the water softener filter wrench in an alternate embodiment.
  • the alternate embodiment (shown as Superb WrenchTM 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 WrenchTM No. 7), and, once again, has similar features to the wrenches shown in FIGS. 1 A- 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 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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)

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

IMPROVED WATER-SOFTENER WRENCH SYSTEM
By Herbert Strieker, 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, 201 1 , and US Application 13/398,1 19, filed in the USPTO on December 19, 201 1 , 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 illustrates a first embodiment of the water softener wrench; Fig. 1 B illustrates details of the head of the first embodiment; Fig. 1 C 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 ¾-inch wrench head with four male square protrusions; FIG. 6 illustrates a 6 ¼ inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions; FIG. 7 illustrates a 4 ¼-inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrustions; FIG. 8 illustrates a 3 ¾ inch wrench head with six female rectangular
indentations;
FIG. 9 illustrates a 5 ¾ inch wrench head with four male rectangular protrusions; FIG 10 illustrates a 3 ¾ 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 Vfe 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 2 Vz 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 types and manufactures, not meant to be exhaustive, is included here in
Appendix I.
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. 1 A-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. 1 A illustrates a Superb Wrench™ 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 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. 1 C 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™ 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™ No. 7), and, once again, has similar features to the wrenches shown in FIGS. 1 A- 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 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.
Figure imgf000006_0001
Figure imgf000007_0001
Figure imgf000008_0001

Claims

Claims I claim:
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.
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 ¾ 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.
1 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 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 1 1 , further
including a rubber grip located on a portion said handle portion.
13. The wrench as recited in claim 1 1 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is approximate 4-3/4 inches
14. The wrench as recited in claim 1 1 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 6-1/4 inches and.
15. The wrench as recited in claim 1 1 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 4-1/4 inches and.
16. The wrench as recited in claim 1 1 wherein said inside portion of said circular head portion is 3-3/4 inches and
17. The wrench as recited in claim 1 1 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 semicircular 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 semicircular head portion
PCT/US2012/027042 2011-02-28 2012-02-28 Improved water-softener wrench system WO2012118869A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2012223414A AU2012223414A1 (en) 2011-02-28 2012-02-28 Improved water-softener wrench system
CA2865895A CA2865895A1 (en) 2011-02-28 2012-02-28 Improved water-softener wrench system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29/386,413 USD644897S1 (en) 2011-02-28 2011-02-28 Water-softener filter wrench
US29/386,413 2011-02-28
US13/330,655 2011-12-19
US13/330,655 US9272396B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2011-12-19 Water softener filter wrench system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012118869A2 true WO2012118869A2 (en) 2012-09-07
WO2012118869A3 WO2012118869A3 (en) 2013-01-03

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Family Applications (1)

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Country Status (1)

Country Link
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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030121371A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2003-07-03 Chun-Jung Chiu Ratchet wrench structure
US20040055427A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 Specialty Welding & Fabricating Of New York, Inc. Lock-nut wrench
US6899002B2 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-05-31 Charles E. Willis, Sr. Apparatus for installing and removing sink strainer nuts

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030121371A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2003-07-03 Chun-Jung Chiu Ratchet wrench structure
US6899002B2 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-05-31 Charles E. Willis, Sr. Apparatus for installing and removing sink strainer nuts
US20040055427A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 Specialty Welding & Fabricating Of New York, Inc. Lock-nut wrench

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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