Patent Publication Number: US-7707912-B1

Title: Disposable oil filter wrench

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/758,444, filed on Jan. 12, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to oil filter wrenches. Oil filter wrenches are used to remove an oil filter from an engine, typically in instances where the oil filter is too tight to be removed by hand. The wrench is secured to the oil filter in some manner, and the wrench is then used to unscrew the oil filter from the engine. There are currently many different kinds of oil filter wrenches available. However, many of these wrenches require significant clearance around the oil filter for the wrench to be installed. In addition, many wrenches require a screwdriver or other tool to install the wrench onto the filter. Further still, since oil filters come in a wide range of sizes, many wrenches are only useable with a particular filter or a limited range of filter diameters. Thus, a typical do-it-yourselfer may have to keep a different wrench for each vehicle for which he is changing the oil. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention relates to a disposable wrench that adheres to the surface of an oil filter. The wrench is secured to the surface of the oil filter through an adhesive, and it provides a means for grasping and rotating the oil filter—either by hand or with an additional tool, such as a standard ratchet wrench. The wrench can be used with spin-on type oil filters of many sizes and shapes, and it is easy to install. 
   Typically, a person buys the disposable wrench at the same time that he buys an oil filter and installs the wrench on the oil filter prior to installation of the filter on the engine. When it is time to change the oil and replace the oil filter, the wrench is already in place and ready for use. After the filter is removed, the wrench remains on the filter and is thrown away or otherwise disposed of. Alternatively, the person may install the wrench on a filter after the filter is installed on an engine. 
   In one embodiment, the disposable wrench defines a ⅜ inch central square recess for receiving a standard ⅜ inch ratchet wrench. In another embodiment, the wrench has projections to provide a gripping surface for rotation by hand. And in still another embodiment, the wrench has holes for receiving a screwdriver, where the screwdriver may be used to rotate the wrench (and the secured filter). 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a first embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of a reinforcing plate that may be used with the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 1  prior to installation on an oil filter; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 1  after installation on an oil filter; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a second embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a third embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 10  after installation on a typical oil filter; 
       FIG. 13  is a view of a fifth embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention prior to installation on a typical oil filter; 
       FIG. 14  is a view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 13  after installation on a typical oil filter; 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of a sixth embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  a view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of a seventh embodiment of an oil filter wrench made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the oil filter wrench of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of an eighth embodiment of an oil filter wrench and adapter made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded sectional view taken along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; and 
       FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the oil filter wrench and adapter of  FIG. 20 , with their protective liners removed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of an oil filter wrench  10  made in accordance with the present invention. The basic components of the wrench  10  include a base  20 , an adhesive layer  30  secured to the bottom surface of the base  20 , and a projection  45  extending from the top surface of the base  20 . The adhesive layer  30  provides a means for securing the wrench  10  to an oil filter  40  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and the projection  45  provides a means for gripping and rotating the wrench  10 . In this embodiment, the projection  45  defines a central, square opening  50 , which is aligned with the axis of rotation of the wrench and is sized to receive a standard ⅜ inch ratchet driver. Thus, a ratchet may be used to rotate the wrench  10 , which rotates the oil filter  40  on which the wrench is adhered. 
   On the bottom surface of the adhesive layer  30  is a thin, removable protective liner  36 . The protective liner  36  is removed from the adhesive layer  30  by hand, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and then the adhesive layer  30  is pressed against the oil filter  40  to secure the wrench  10  to the oil filter  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   In this embodiment, the base  20  is generally disc-shaped, having a circumference and defining a central axis of rotation, which is aligned with the axis of rotation of the oil filter when the wrench is installed on the filter. A circular, or disc-shaped, base  20  is useful because it can generally be easily aligned with and centered on the convex end of the oil filter, which is also circular. Centering the wrench  10  on the end of the oil filter  40  in alignment with the axis of rotation of the filter means the oil filter will rotate properly when the wrench  10  is used, as the wrench and the oil filter then share the same central axis. Of course, the base  20  could be a variety of other shapes as well. In addition, the base  20  may be made from a variety of materials, such as aluminum, steel, other metals, or ceramic. In this embodiment, the base  20  is made of plastic. The base  20  and projection  45  were formed in a plastic mold, and the adhesive layer  30  was then secured to the bottom of the base  20 . 
   Once installed on an oil filter, the adhesive layer  30  of the wrench  10  bonds the bottom surface of the base  20  and the outer surface of the oil filter  40  together, and the bond is strong enough to withstand the typical torque involved in removing the oil filter  40 . In addition, the adhesive layer  30  maintains the bond even at the high temperatures that occur during the operation of the engine on which it is placed. Typically, the temperature of the ermine oil during operation is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Some materials that may be used for the adhesive layer  30  include but are not limited to 3M™ VHB™ Numbers 4991, 4955, 4959, 4655, 5962 double sided conformable acrylic foam tape. One side of the tape is peeled and adhered to the wrench, and then the other side is peeled to adhere the wrench to the filter. The 3M™ VHB™ tapes are suitable for use at the high temperatures that occur near an engine, having long term temperature tolerances ranging from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, where the temperature tolerance is defined as the maximum temperature where the tape supports at least 250 g load per 0.5 in 2  in static shear for 10,000 minutes (and static shear is determined under ASTM standard D3654). Of course, a variety of materials may be used for the adhesive layer. 
   In addition, double sided conformable acrylic foam tapes are well suited for the adhesive layer  30  because they include cushioning that can conform to the shape of the surface on which it is adhered, which, in this case, is the surface of the oil filter. The double sided foam tapes include a foam layer which serves as a cushion layer, a first adhesive laminate on one side of the foam layer, and a second adhesive laminate on the other side of the foam layer. The first adhesive laminate secures the cushion layer to the base, and the second adhesive laminate secures the cushion layer to the surface of the oil filter. The foam cushion layer is more easily compressible than the base  20 , which enables the adhesive layer  30  to conform easily to the shape of the outer surface of the oil filter. 
   The projection  45  extending from the top surface of the base  20  provides the means for gripping and rotating the wrench  10 . In this particular embodiment, the wrench  10  is designed to be rotated by a standard ⅜ inch ratchet driver. As such, a central square opening  50  in the projection  45  receives the ratchet driver, and once the ratchet driver is inserted into the opening  50 , it may be used to rotate the wrench  10  and the oil filter  40  in typical fashion. This wrench  10  is made from a plastic material that is relatively flexible, so it can conform to the shape of the oil filter  40 . A reinforcing plate  60 , shown in  FIG. 2A , optionally may be used with the wrench  10  for increased strength. The reinforcing plate  60  fits within a central, circular recess  55  in the projection  45 . The reinforcing plate  60  is made of a material that is more rigid than the rest of the wrench  10 . In this case, the reinforcing plate  60  is a barbed piece of steel, but it could be made of other rigid materials, as well. It has an opening  62  that matches the square opening  52  of the projection  45 , and it may be embedded into the base  20  during molding, or it may be secured to the surface of the projection  45 . 
   The opening  50  in this embodiment is square, but the opening could be in the form of other shapes as well. For instance, the opening could be hexagonal to facilitate the use of a hex-key (a.k.a. Allen) wrench. While the opening  50  shown here extends all the way through the projection  45  and the base unit  20 , it could alternatively be in the form of a recess. 
   The base unit  20  includes a plurality of outwardly extending fingers  22  separated by slots  24 . The individual fingers  22  help the wrench  10  flex in order to conform to the ends of a variety of oil filters. The typical oil filter has a convex end, and the curvature of the end may vary with the size and style of the filter. The fingers  22  help the wrench  10  fit to a variety of shapes and provide a large surface area of contact between the wrench  10  and the filter  40 . Since the adhesive layer  30  adheres along that entire surface area of contact, the wrench  10  is well-secured to the filter  40 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show the wrench  10  being installed on an oil filter  40 . In  FIG. 3 , the protective liner  36  is being peeled away by hand to expose the adhesive layer  30 .  FIG. 4  shows the wrench after it has been pressed onto the end of the oil filter  40 . In this case, the diameter of the wrench  10  is about the same as the diameter of the oil filter  40 . However, since the wrench  10  is secured to the end of the oil filter  40 , the same wrench  10  could easily be used with a larger diameter or smaller diameter oil filter. 
   It is expected that the oil filter wrench  10  would be sold in an auto parts store as a separate package next to or in the same vicinity as oil filters. A person would buy the wrench  10  at the same time that he buys the particular oil filter  40  for his engine, and he installs the wrench  10  on the oil filter  40  prior to installation of the filter  40  on the engine. In this way, the wrench  10  is installed on a relatively clean surface, which ensures a good bond between the wrench  10  and the filter  40 . It also gives the adhesive layer  30  time to fully bond with the oil filter  40  before being subjected to extreme forces (such as the forces that occur during filter removal). The wrench may be sold as a kit, including items such as a small packet containing an alcohol wipe, or other similar damp cleaning wipe. The wipe would be used to clean the surface of the oil filter  40  prior to placing the wrench  10  on the oil filter  40 . 
   Then, once it is time to change the oil and replace the oil filter  40 , the wrench  10  is already in place and ready for use. A person simply inserts a ratchet driver into the square opening  50  and turns the wrench  10  to loosen the filter  40 . Once the filter  40  is removed, the wrench  10  remains adhered to the filter  40  and is thrown away or otherwise disposed of along with the filter  40 . Although this technique is preferred, a person could alternatively install the wrench on an oil filter that is ready for removal. For instance, a person could install the wrench on a filter that is already on a car that is in need of an oil change. In such a case, the surface of the oil filter should be carefully cleaned prior to adhering the wrench, and the wrench should be given sufficient time to bond with the filter. 
     FIGS. 5-7  show another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  110  made in accordance with the present invention. This wrench  110  is generally similar to the first embodiment, but with some slight variations. For instance, the bottom of the base  120  is flatter than the previous embodiment, and the base  120  does not have fingers or slots. As such, this wrench  110  may not flex as much as the previous embodiment. This wrench  110  also includes a collar  170  extending downwardly from the circumference of the base  120 . The wrench  110  typically has a larger diameter than the previous embodiment so that the collar  170  can fit around the outside of an oil filter. The wrench  110  again includes an adhesive layer  130  on its bottom surface for securing to an oil filter, and it has an upwardly extending, round projection  145  on its top surface that defines a square opening  150  for receiving a ratchet driver. The base  120  defines a central axis of rotation, and the square opening  150  is aligned with the central axis of rotation. 
   The collar  170  provides an outer surface that may be grasped by hand to rotate the oil filter  140 . So for instance, a person can use the collar  170  to install the oil filter onto the car by hand and also possibly remove the filter by hand. If the filter is too tight to be removed by hand, then the square opening  150  may be used with a ratchet driver for removal. Although not shown, the collar  170  also could be supplied with indentations, projections or other means to make it easier to grip by hand. 
   This wrench  110  is used with oil filters that have a diameter smaller than that of the collar  170 . Since the collar  170  has a larger diameter than the oil filter on which it is installed, there is a space between the oil filter and the collar  170 . This space may serve as a reservoir to catch oil that spills from the oil filter during removal. Since most oil filters are installed with the convex end facing nearly straight down, it is not uncommon for oil to spill from the open end down along the side of the filter during removal. With the collar  170 , any oil that may spill down the side of the oil filter as the filter is being removed can collect in the space formed between the collar and the surface of the oil filter. At the same time, the collar  170  is grasped instead of the surface of the oil filter, so any oil spilling down the side of the filter will not reach the person&#39;s hand. As the oil can sometimes still be hot or warm, the collar provides for safer (as well as cleaner) oil changes. Of course, the height of the collar  170  may be more or less than that shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  show another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  210  made in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , except that the projection  245  extending from the top surface of the base  220  has a hexagonal shaped cross-section. The hex-shaped projection  245  is aligned with the central axis of rotation of the wrench  210  and allows for the use of a standard open-end or box-end wrench or socket to rotate the wrench  210  along the central axis. The projection  245  also defines a square opening  250  which alternatively could be used with a ratchet driver to rotate the wrench  210 , similar to previous embodiments. This wrench  210  includes fingers  222  with slots  224  between them, and there is a peel-away protective liner  236  (shown slightly peeled away in  FIG. 9 ) on the adhesive layer  230 . The top surface of the base unit  220  defines indentations  223  extending across the fingers  222  in between the slots  224 . The indentations  223  function as a live hinge, which helps the wrench  210  conform to a variety of oil filters with varying shapes. 
     FIGS. 10-12  show still another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  310  made in accordance with the present invention. In this case, the wrench  310  is designed to be secured to the side of an oil filter  340  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) instead of the end. The wrench  310  again has a base  320  and an adhesive layer  330  secured to the bottom surface of the base  330 . The adhesive layer  330  is generally the same as previous embodiments (e.g. VHB™ tape from 3M), but the wrench  310  is quite different in appearance. The base  320  is in the shape of a rectangular strip with a plurality of narrow projections  345  extending upwardly from the top of the base  320  (i.e. the projections  345  extend away from the adhesive layer  330 ). Once installed on the oil filter, the projections  345  may be used to rotate the oil filter by hand, with the fingers of the hand fitting in between the projections  345 . The adhesive layer  330  has a peel-away protective liner  336  (shown slightly peeled away in  FIG. 10 ) which is removed prior to placement of the wrench  310  on the side of the oil filter  340 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  show still another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  410  made in accordance with the present invention. In this case, the base  420  is relatively thin, and the projection  445  extending upwardly from the base  420  is in the shape of a cross, or X. The center of the cross is aligned with the central axis of rotation of the wrench  410 , and the projection  445  provides a means for gripping the wrench  410  either by hand or with an additional tool, such as a pair of pliers. A peel away protective liner  436  is removed to expose the adhesive layer  430 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , and the wrench  410  is placed on the end of an oil filter  440 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     FIGS. 15 and 16  show still another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  510  made in accordance with the present invention. This wrench includes a base  520  with a round projection  545  extending upwardly from the base  520 . The projection  545  defines a central square opening  550  aligned with the central axis of rotation of the wrench  510  (like several of the previous embodiments), but the base  520  of this wrench  510  also defines a pair of perpendicular circular cross-section, elongated tunnels  597 , each tunnel  597  extending from one side of the projection  545  to the other side and crossing at the central square opening  550 . The tunnels  597  are designed to receive a screwdriver or other shaft (not shown). The screwdriver may be placed through one of the tunnels  597  and the handle of the screwdriver can be grasped to rotate the wrench  510  (after the wrench is attached to an oil filter through the adhesive layer  530 ). Like the previous embodiments, this wrench  510  includes a thin, protective liner  536  on the adhesive layer  530 . The liner  536  is removed prior to installation. 
     FIGS. 17-19  show yet another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  610  made in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown and described in  FIGS. 5-7  in that the wrench  610  has a disc-shaped base  620  defining a central axis of rotation, a round projection  645  (with opening  650  aligned with the central axis), adhesive layer  630 , and a collar  670 . However, in this case, the collar  670  extends a longer distance than the previous embodiment, and there is a pair of slots  672  extending along the height of the collar  670 . The slots  672  allow the collar  670  to bend inwardly against the sides of an oil filter. Of course, in other embodiments there may be more than two slots, and the slots  672  could have a different width than that shown. In addition, there is an adhesive layer  674  on at least a portion of the inside surface of the collar  670 . In this case, the adhesive layer  674  goes around the entire inner circumference of the collar  670  (except where the slots  672  are). 
   In use, the collar  670  of the wrench  610  is placed around an oil filter that has a diameter slightly less than that of the collar  670  and the wrench  610  is moved toward the filter until the adhesive layer  630  secured to the base  620  contacts the end of the oil filter. Then, the collar  670  may be bent or crimped (either by hand or with a tool) against the side of the oil filter. As a result, the wrench is secured to both the end and the side of the oil filter for extra grip. The oil filter may then be later removed (by hand or with a socket). 
     FIGS. 20-22  show still another embodiment of an oil filter wrench  710  made in accordance with the present invention. In this case, the oil filter wrench  710  is combined with an optional ring adapter  711 . The wrench  710  is similar to the wrench shown and described in  FIGS. 1-4  including the fact that it has a base  720 , a round projection  745  extending upwardly from the base  720  (and defining a square opening  750  aligned with the central axis of rotation of the wrench  710 ), and an adhesive layer  730  on the bottom surface of the base  720 . However, the base unit  720  of this embodiment does not have fingers and slots. As such, it has a much simpler design, and it can be quickly and easily mass produced. However, the end product is not as flexible as the wrench shown and described in  FIGS. 1-4 , so it is harder to conform to a variety of oil filters. The adapter  711  provides the ability to use the wrench  710  with a variety of filters. 
   Usually, the wrench  710  is used in the same manner as the wrench of  FIGS. 1-4 . That is, the protective layer  736  is peeled away to expose the adhesive layer  730  and the wrench  710  is pressed onto an oil filter. However, in instances where the wrench  710  does not adequately match the shape of the oil filter (e.g. the convex end of the oil filter is steeper), then the ring adapter  711  is used. The ring adapter  711  has a base  712  with a top surface that matches the shape of the wrench  710  and a bottom surface that conforms better to the shape of the oil filter. As such, the adapter  711  adapts the bottom surface of the base  720  of the wrench  710  to the surface of the oil filter. The adapter  711  has an adhesive layer  714  fixed to the bottom surface of the base  712 , and a removable protective liner  715  covering the adhesive layer  714 . 
   In use, a person would first determine whether or not to use the ring adapter  711 . If the wrench  710  already matches the shape of the filter, the ring adapter  711  is not necessary and it may be saved for later use or discarded. If the person determines that the adapter  711  would be helpful, then the person peels away the protective liner  736  on the wrench  710  and presses the adapter  711  against the wrench  710  with the top surface of the base  712  of the adapter  711  placed against the exposed adhesive layer  730  of the wrench  710 , which secures the adapter  711  to the wrench  710 . Next, the person would peel away the protective liner  715  covering the adhesive layer  714  of the adapter  711  and press the combination of the wrench  710  and adapter  711  onto the end of an oil filter. The adhesive layer  714  of the adapter  711  and the inner portion  730 A (the portion not covered by the adapter  711  and shown in  FIG. 22 ) of the adhesive layer  730  of the wrench  710  contact the surface of the oil filter to provide a large surface area of contact between the base  720  of the wrench  710  and the filter. The wrench  710  is then ready for use. 
   The ring adapter shown in this embodiment has a triangular cross section. However, other shapes and sizes of adapters could be used as well. For instance, the adapter could have a rounded or curved bottom surface instead of being flat. Further still, a disc-shaped adapter (i.e. no hole in the middle) alternatively could be used instead of a ring adapter. For example, a small diameter disc could be secured near the center of the wrench so that, for instance, the wrench can be fit to a filter with a flatter surface. In each case, the various adapters are used with the same shaped wrench. Like the wrench, the adapter could be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, aluminum, steel, other metals, or ceramic. However, the adapter could also be made of a less rigid material or a more compressible material, such as foam. 
   It is expected that the adapter  711  will be sold in auto parts stores as an accessory to the wrench  710 . It may be sold in the same package as the wrench, or it may be sold in a separate package displayed near the wrench  710 . For instance, a shopper may separately purchase an oil filter, the wrench  710 , and the adapter  711  that is designed to fit the particular oil filter purchased. A variety of adapters may be displayed, where each adapter is customized to fit a designated oil filter or group of oil filters. 
   It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.