Abstract:
A tool for removal of a portable fuel container cap includes a scalloped interior opening in a circular head attached to at least one handle. The application of torque by this tool to the cap of a portable fuel container for easy removal and tightening of said cap from the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to portable fuel containers, particularly to a jerry style can. 
         [0002]    It has been found that portable fuel containers, when exposed to temperature fluctuations, left to sit for extended periods, or overtightened can become very difficult or impossible to remove the caps from with a reasonable amount of force. Utilizing a strap wrench for the removal of a tight fitting cap is difficult in itself and can lead to damaged caps which can result in fuel or vapor leaks. It is therefore desirable to provide a suitable tool for safely releasing, removing, and replacing the cap of the portable fuel container. 
         [0003]    The present invention accomplishes its desired objective by providing a tool for the easy removal of the cap from a portable fuel container. 
         [0004]    No U.S. patents have been found that teach or suggest the particular fuel cap removal tool of this invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The invention, now referred to as a cap wrench, includes a handle adapted to be manually gripped by the user for turning the fastener element The handle has at least one end having an opening that is the size and shape that are complimentary to the size and shape of the fastener to be turned, and adapted to be readily engageable and disengageable therewith. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, the cap wrench has a handle and a head connected to one end of the handle. The head is sized appropriately to receive and accept the cap of the portable fuel container and withstand the forces exerted during the opening of the can. When the fuel can cap is inserted into the recess of the head end of the cap wrench, the arcuate recesses engage the protrusions on the cap. When the cap wrench is turned while seated properly on the cap, the arcuate recesses provide even pressure to the protrusions on the cap. The even pressure applied to all of the protrusions simultaneously ensures that the integrity of the cap is not compromised in any way. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0007]    Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide a tool that can easily remove tight fitting caps from portable fuel containers, that will not damage the cap when used as intended, that is lightweight, and that is durable. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS  
       Figures 
         [0008]      FIG. 1 . 1st Embodiment, flat, bottom view 
           [0009]      FIG. 2 . 1st Embodiment, flat, top view 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 . 1st Embodiment, perspective, bottom view, relation to hand 
           [0011]      FIG. 4 . 1st Embodiment, perspective, bottom view 
           [0012]      FIG. 5 . 1st Embodiment, perspective, side view, seated on cap, showing notch to strap relation 
           [0013]      FIG. 6 . 1st Embodiment, flat, bottom view, showing invention to cap relation 
           [0014]      FIG. 7 . 1st Embodiment, perspective, side view, cut away 
           [0015]      FIG. 8 . 1st Embodiment, perspective, top view, seated on pour spout 
           [0016]      FIG. 9 . Portable fuel container&#39;s cap, flat, top view 
           [0017]      FIG. 10 . Portable fuel container&#39;s pour spout, perspective, side view 
           [0018]      FIG. 11 . 2nd Embodiment, flat, bottom view 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0019]      10  1st embodiment 
         [0020]      11  Handle 
         [0021]      12  Head 
         [0022]      13  Perimeter 
         [0023]      14  Arcuate recesses in perimeter 
         [0024]      15  Notch in perimeter 
         [0025]      16  Recessed area in head 
         [0026]      17  Pour spout hole 
         [0027]      19  Bore(s) 
         [0028]      20  2nd embodiment 
         [0029]      30  Portable fuel container 
         [0030]      40  Portable fuel container&#39;s cap 
         [0031]      41  Lugs on the cap 
         [0032]      42  Protrusions on the cap 
         [0033]      43  Cap retention strap 
         [0034]      50  Portable fuel container&#39;s pour spout 
         [0035]      51  Cylindrical Protrusion on the pour spout 
         [0036]      52  Fueling hose on the pour spout 
         [0037]      60  Hand 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. Thus, is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0039]    Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , a cap wrench  10  has a body with at least one handle  11 , and a head generally denoted  12 . The body may be formed from any suitable material, for example steel, alloy, polymers, etc. Head  12  is integrally formed with handle  11 . Handle  11  has at least one bore  19  formed there-through, shown here as seven in number, that reduce overall weight of the invention, add functionality by providing multiple areas to be secured, stored or hung by, and allows for a more firm grasp. Instead of bores  19 , other means of storing the invention may be provided. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , head  12  has an outer perimeter  13 , with a notch  15 , and a recessed area  16  extending inwardly from the perimeter  13  to a pour spout hole  17 . The head  12  is of circular design. The perimeter wall  13  forms a recessed area  16  of sufficient size and shape to accept the cap of a portable fuel container  40 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the perimeter  13  has a plurality of arcuate recesses  14 , shown here as nineteen in number. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the arcuate recesses  14  cooperate with the lugs  41  and protrusions  42  of the fuel can cap  40  and pour spout  50 . The arcuate recesses  14  supply the surface area needed in order to apply torque thereto, so as to facilitate rotation of the fuel can cap  40  or pour spout  50  for the purpose of loosening or tightening. The arcuate recesses  14  also allow clearance for the protrusions  42  when using this embodiment as described herein. 
         [0042]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a notch  15  is located in the perimeter  13  of the head  12  of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a cap retention strap  43 , attaches to the fuel can cap  40 , and can freely rotate 360* in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the notch  15  is of sufficient size to easily accept the strap  43  when employing this invention as designed herein. Now referring to  FIGS. 1 and 11 , the notch  15  can be located in any portion of the perimeter  13  of head  12 . In one embodiment,  FIG. 1 , the notch  15  is located directly across from and in line with the handle  11 , and in another embodiment,  FIG. 11 , the notch  15  is placed perpendicular with respect to the handles  11 .  FIG. 5  shows the invention  10  fully seated on a fuel can cap  40  as it would be when employing this invention as described herein, with the strap  43  protruding out from the fuel can cap  40  through the notch  15 . 
         [0043]    The pour spout hole  17 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is located in the center of the head  12  of the invention  10 . The pour spout hole  17  is circular in shape. Now referring to  FIG. 8 , the pour spout hole  17  is of sufficient size to accept the upward protrusion  51  of the pour spout  50 , while this embodiment is fully seated as it would be while using this invention as described herein. When the invention  10  is placed on the pour spout  50 , the invention can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to tighten or loosen the pour spout  50  on the fuel can  30 . 
         [0044]    Now referring to the portion of the invention  10  intended to be gripped by a hand  60 , generally referred to as a handle  11 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 . At least one handle  11  of sufficient size and shape to be gripped by hand  60 , shown here as one in number, tapers outwardly, and is integrally attached to the circular head  12  of the invention  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , another embodiment, at least one handle  11  of sufficient size and shape to be gripped by hand  60 , shown here as two in number, taper outwardly to the circular head  12  of the invention  20 . In this embodiment, the head  12  is located between the two handles  11  forming a straight line. In both embodiments, the crenation of the edges of the handle  11  make a more preferable feeling when gripped by hand, but not necessary to it&#39;s function. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 9 and 10  and descriptions thereof are included for the purpose of better explanation of the design and employment of all embodiments of this invention  10 . 
         [0046]    On a portable fuel container&#39;s cap, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , there are a plurality of lugs  41 , shown here as ten in number, and a plurality of protrusions  42 , shown here as three in number, on a fuel can cap  40 . The lugs  40  extend outwardly in a circular pattern, with arcuate recesses between each peak. The cap  40  also includes a cap retention strap  43 . The cap retention strap  43  connects to the center of the cap  40 , extending outwardly across the top of the cap  40 , extending past the edge of the cap  40 . The cap retention strap  43  is designed to rotate freely about the fuel can cap  40 . 
         [0047]    A portable fuel container&#39;s pour spout, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , has the same plurality of lugs and protrusions as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The center of the pour spout  50  protrudes upwardly  51 . 
         [0048]    An alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The head  12  connects at least one handle  11 , shown here as two in number. The head  12  comprises of the perimeter  13 , recessed area  16  and notch  15  as described in previous paragraphs.