Patent Publication Number: US-2016236329-A1

Title: Spring-loaded universal transmitter enclosure assisted operation tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments are related to transmitter enclosures and housing devices. Embodiments further relate to transmitter housing caps and transmitters utilized in sensor applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of transmitter housing styles have been implemented which generally employ a screw style cap to protect internal components. These caps are intended to be hand-tightened; however, they can be over tightened to the point that they require some form of mechanical advantage to open. Typically, this involves using a tool with a long flat portion (e.g., screwdriver, wrench handle, etc.) to attempt to generate the necessary force to loosen the cap. Such tools are placed as best as possible into the pattern of the cap as the user attempts to turns them and generate the torque. 
     Because many of the caps have a low profile pattern, the tools will slip out of place with the force applied which can injure the user and damage the transmitter housing. There is currently not a procedure or tool available for removing a stuck transmitter housing cap in a safe manner. This can be especially true for transmitters in the field, which may have been subject to environmental exposure that introduced debris into the threading. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
     It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved transmitter housing cap removal apparatus. 
     The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A transmitter housing cap removal apparatus and method of configuring the apparatus are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter housing cap removal apparatus can be configured to include a spool portion having a ball bearing mount and spring, and a device housing having a wrench assisting hex nut component and a gripping surface, wherein the device housing engages with the spool portion. The transmitter housing cap removal apparatus further includes a spring mounting plate attached to an interior portion of the device housing, and a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly, wherein the spring mounting plate is located within the device housing to provide a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to be mounted thereto. Finally, the transmitter housing cap removal apparatus can incorporate a multiblock stopping plate that engages with and prevents movement of the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface to assist in permitting removal of the transmitter housing cap. 
     The spool portion further includes a spool piece comprising a cylinder having two flat pieces on each end of the cylinder. Additionally, a ball bearing ring having the cylinder inserted therethrough can be provided. The spool portion can further include a free rotating handle that allows for application of force while allowing the housing device to rotate. 
     The device housing can be further configured to include an integrated assembly having a hollow puck-shaped cylindrical tube with an end face, wherein the end face includes a hex nut shaped protrusion that allows for engagement with and use by a wrench. The hex nut shaped protrusion assists in mounting of the spool portion. In some embodiments, a gripping material can be located on and external to the device housing in association with a group of inlays configured on the device housing to allow for ergonomic holding and turning. 
     In another embodiment, the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly can further include blocks that provide a universal pattern matching surface, wherein such blocks can respectively include a group of springs that force the block to remain extended. In yet another embodiment, the multiblock stopping plate can be configured to prevent the blocks from extending beyond an optimal range while also protecting the spring and the ball bearing mount. The multiblock stopping plate serves to close the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly. 
     In still another embodiment, the springs can respectively force surface matching pegs (or pins) downward and the pegs/pins can compress to match a pattern on a transmitter housing cap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates different configurations, which may be implemented for a transmitter housing cap, in accordance with varying embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus, in accordance with an alternative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
     The embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates different configurations and designs, which may be implemented for a transmitter housing cap, in accordance with varying embodiments. The transmitter enclosure assisted opening tool, which is discussed in greater detail herein, can be utilized to open the various transmitter housing caps  2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  8  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The disclosed embodiments offer a solution to the problems identified previously. Such a solution must allow force to hold the device to the transmitter cap (e.g., such as the caps  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ) shown in  FIG. 1 , and must provide a method of transferring the torque from the user to the cap. Additionally, such a solution should offer a feature that allows it to adjust to a variety of transmitter housing cap styles such as those shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 . 
     As will be discussed in greater detail shortly, in order to transfer the force to hold the device into place, the device has a spool piece mounted via a ball bearing. This creates a flat surface for the force to be applied to while the ball bearing system allows for the free rotation of the device, minimizing the rotational stress placed back on the user. The torque generated by the user can be transferred through the device in two separates methods: the gripping surface of the housing or the wrench-assisting hex nut. A gripping surface of the housing creates a larger, more ergonomic surface for the user to hold on to in order to generate a larger, more stable force towards opening the cap. If needed, the user can utilize a wrench on the wrench-assisting hex nut in order to generate the necessary force to loosen the cap. 
     One of the novel and important features of the disclosed device addresses the accommodation of multiple cap designs. A spring-loaded multiblock mating surface system can be implemented to adjust to the cap design to ensure that forces are optimally applied to the cap surface. This surface includes a series of blocks that give way to the raised surface features of the cap, creating a near mirror image surface of the cap. This configuration allows the torque forces to be applied to the surface features of the cap in the optimal locations. Additionally, each block can be tipped with a gripping material to ensure that no force is wasted. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  20 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  20  can be configured to include a spool portion  21  having a ball bearing mount  43  and spring(s)  44 , and a device housing  22  having a wrench assisting hex nut  40  component and a gripping surface  45 , wherein the device housing  22  engages with the spool portion  21 . The transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  20  further includes a spring mounting plate  23  attached to an interior portion of the device housing  22  and a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly  24 . The spring mounting plate  23  is located within the device housing  22  to provide a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly  24  to be mounted thereto. The transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  20  can incorporate a multiblock stopping plate  25  that engages with and prevents movement of the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly  24  to assist in permitting removal of a transmitter housing cap such as, for example, the caps  2 ,  4 ,  6 , etc. depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The spool portion  21  is provided as a spool piece that includes a cylinder having two flat pieces on each end of the cylinder. Additionally, a ball bearing ring having the cylinder inserted therethrough can be provided. The spool portion  21  can further include a free rotating handle  42  that allows for application of force while allowing the housing device to rotate. 
     The device housing  22  can be further configured to include an integrated assembly having a hollow puck-shaped cylindrical tube with an end face, wherein the end face includes a hex nut shaped protrusion that allows for engagement with and use by a wrench, the hex nut shaped protrusion assists in mounting of the spool portion. In some embodiments, a gripping material can be located on and external to the device housing  22  in association with a group of inlays configured on the device housing to allow for ergonomic holding and turning. 
     In another embodiment, the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly  24  can further include blocks that provide a universal pattern matching surface, wherein such blocks can respectively include a group of springs  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  that force the block to remain extended. In yet another embodiment, the multiblock stopping plate  25  can be configured to prevent the blocks from extending beyond an optimal range while also protecting the spring and the ball bearing mount. The multiblock stopping plate  25  serves to close the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly  24 . The springs  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  can respectively force surface matching pegs or pins  45  downward and the pegs  45  can compress to match a pattern on the transmitter housing cap. Examples of such pegs/pins are shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  60 , in accordance with an alternative embodiment. Note that the configuration shown in  FIG. 3  is similar to the arrangement depicted in  FIG. 2  albeit with variations. The transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  60  includes pins  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  which are under constant pressure to remain out until a force is applied to the surface. That is, the surfaces of pins  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  are respectively coated with a grippable material  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  to ensure slip resistance. A pin holding plate  61  prevents the pins  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  from coming out of the device housing  63 . A group of springs  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  respectively contact pins  72 ,  70 ,  68 ,  66 ,  64 , and  62  within the device housing  63 . A surface mounted grippable surface  108  allows for operation without the assistance of additional tools. A hex head  100  can provide for the use of standard tools, if necessary. A surface  102  is coated with a grippable material to also ensure slip resistance. A spool portion  104  allows for an even force to be applied to the surface  102 . 
     The devices  20  and  60  respectively depicted in  FIGS. 2-3  are generally composed of five components: 1) a spool piece/portion with a ball bearing mount; 2) a device housing with a wrench assisting hex nut component and gripping surface; 3) a spring mounting plate; 4) a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly; and 5) a multiblock stopping plate. 
     The a spool piece/portion is composed of a spool piece and a cylinder with two flat pieces on each end, which has a ball bearing ring around the center. The ball bearing ring mounts to the device housing, allowing the spool piece to be fixed to the housing, but remains free spinning. The device housing is preferably configured as one solid piece. As indicated previously, the device housing can be provided as a hollow puck shaped cylinder that only has one end face. On the face, a hex nut shaped protrusion can be provided which allows for the use of a wrench. A hole can be drilled through the protrusion for the mounting of the spool piece/portion. Around the outside of the device housing is a gripping material and a series of inlays that allow for ergonomic holding and turning. The overall housing diameter is large enough to accommodate the largest of major manufactures&#39; standard transmitter housing caps. Attached to the inside of the device housing is a spring mounting plate, which provides a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to be mounted thereto. 
     The spring-loaded multiblock mating surface system or assembly includes a series of strategically arranged blocks to create a “universal” pattern matching surface. Each of these block has a spring that forces the block to remain extended. To prevent the blocks from extending too far and to protect the internal springs and ball bearing mounting is the multiblock stopping plate, which closes the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly. 
     To utilize the device, the user simply places the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface on to the transmitter housing cap and applies a force towards the transmitter using the flat surface of the spool piece. This pressure causes the mating surface to compress blocks that coordinate to raised surfaces on the cap. At this point, the user can use the ergonomic gripping surface on the housing to turn the device, loosening the transmitter cap, or if needed, can use a wrench on the proper device surface. Once the cap is loose enough, it can be removed by hand or the tool can be used until the cap is completely free of the transmitter housing. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus  120 , in accordance with an alternative embodiment. It can be appreciated that the configuration shown in  FIG. 4  represents merely one possible embodiment and that variations to the top view design shown in  FIG. 4  are likely. 
     Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number of embodiments, preferred and alternative, are disclosed herein. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus can be configured, which includes a spool portion having a ball bearing mount and spring; a device housing having a wrench assisting hex nut component and a gripping surface, wherein the device housing engages with the spool portion; a spring mounting plate attached to an interior portion of the device housing; a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly, wherein the spring mounting plate is located within the device housing to provide a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to be mounted thereto; and a multiblock stopping plate that engages with and prevents movement of the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface to assist in permitting removal of the transmitter housing cap. 
     In some embodiments, the spool portion can further include a spool piece comprising a cylinder having two flat pieces on each end of the cylinder. In yet other embodiments, the disclosed apparatus may include a ball bearing ring having the cylinder inserted therethrough. In still other embodiments, the spool portion can further include a free rotating handle that allows for the application of force while allowing the housing device to rotate. 
     In another embodiment, the device housing can further include an integrated assembly having a hollow puck-shaped cylindrical tube with an end face, wherein the end face includes a hex nut shaped protrusion that allows for engagement with and use by a wrench. The hex nut shaped protrusion assists in mounting of the spool portion. In yet another embodiment, a gripping material can be located on and external to the device housing in association with a group of inlays configured on the device housing to allow for ergonomic holding and turning. 
     In another embodiment, the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly can further include one or more blocks that provide a universal pattern matching surface, wherein the blocks include respectively springs that forces the block(s) to remain extended. In still another embodiment, the multiblock stopping plate can be configured to prevent the blocks from extending beyond an optimal range and protects the spring and the ball bearing mount, wherein the multiblock stopping plate closes the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly. In yet another embodiment, the springs respectively force surface matching pegs downward and wherein the pegs compress to match a pattern on a transmitter housing cap. 
     In another embodiment, a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus can be provided, which includes, for example: a spool portion having a ball bearing mount and spring, the spool portion comprising a spool piece comprising a cylinder having two flat pieces on each end of the cylinder, wherein a ball bearing ring includes the cylinder inserted therethrough; a device housing having a wrench assisting hex nut component and a gripping surface, wherein the device housing engages with the spool portion; a spring mounting plate attached to an interior portion of the device housing; a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly, wherein the spring mounting plate is located within the device housing to provide a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to be mounted thereto; and a multiblock stopping plate that engages with and prevents movement of the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface to assist in permitting removal of the transmitter housing cap, the spool portion further comprising a free rotating handle that allows for application of force while allowing the housing device to rotate. 
     In another embodiment, a method of configuring a transmitter housing cap removal apparatus can be implemented. Such a method can include the steps of, for example, providing a spool portion having a ball bearing mount and spring; configuring a device housing to include a wrench assisting hex nut component and a gripping surface, wherein the device housing engages with the spool portion; attaching a spring mounting plate to an interior portion of the device housing; locating a spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly within the device housing to provide a surface for the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to be mounted thereto; and providing a multiblock stopping plate that engages with and prevents movement of the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface to assist in permitting removal of the transmitter housing cap. 
     In another embodiment, a step can be implemented for modifying the spool portion to further include a spool piece comprising a cylinder having two flat pieces on each end of the cylinder. In still another embodiment, steps can be implemented for providing a ball bearing ring having the cylinder inserted therethrough; and configuring the spool portion to further comprises a free rotating handle that allows for application of force while allowing the housing device to rotate. 
     In another embodiment, a step can be implemented for configuring the device housing to further include an integrated assembly having a hollow puck-shaped cylindrical tube with an end face. The end face can include a hex nut shaped protrusion that allows for engagement with and use by a wrench, which assists in mounting of the spool portion. 
     In yet another embodiment, steps can be provided for configuring the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly to further include one or more blocks that provide a universal pattern matching surface, wherein the blocks include respectively a plurality of springs that forces the block to remain extended; modifying the multiblock stopping plate to prevent the blocks from extending beyond an optimal range and protects the spring and the ball bearing mount, wherein the multiblock stopping plate closes the spring-loaded multiblock mating surface assembly; and configuring the springs to respectively force surface matching pegs downward, wherein the pegs compress to match a pattern on a transmitter housing cap. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.