Abstract:
An engine oil filter socket wrench with built-in spillage cup contains the oil that normally spills out when an oil filter is removed from an engine. The device consists of a smaller first cylinder for gripping an oil filter base and a larger second cylinder built concentrically around and above the smaller cylinder and forming a cup shaped reservoir capable of containing oil spillage. Protuberances projecting radially inward from the inside surface of the larger cylinder terminate in loose contact at the filter surface to provide alignment of the device about the filter and to provide a second means to grip the filter. The larger cylinder can be constricted of flexible material capable of being squeezed by hand to create a frictional grip on the oil filter body for the purpose of initially loosening the filter from its mount.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to automotive engine oil filters commonly known as replaceable “spin-on” oil filters and relates in particular to devices used to loosen and remove oil filters known as engine oil filter socket wrenches. The present invention is a type of engine oil filter socket wrench designed to contain oil spillage. 
     Technical field classification definition includes class 81 wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor, subclass 119 rigid jaws, subclass 121.1 enclosed (e.g. socket), and 124.6 having axial opening for removable handle. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The Quinn patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,897 provides a detailed description of a conventional oil filter socket wrench in combination with a packaging method. The Quinn device does not discuss or suggest oil spillage and such a structure could not inherently contain oil spillage given its through-hole design. The present invention does however rely on the Quinn patent to show a means of engaging an oil filter for purpose of loosening and removing the filter referred to as angled facets or segments. Quinn does not show an oil filter. 
     The design patent of Tannous Des. 309974 is relied on to show a detailed picture of a conventional oil filter and to show the angled facets or segments of the filter corresponding to the angled facets or segments of an oil filter socket wrench such as that shown in the Quinn device. The Tonnous patent does not suggest containing oil spillage and the device could not do so inherently. 
     The disclosure of this present invention illustrates a typical prior art oil filter socket wrench in prior art FIGS. 1,  2 , and  2 A. Prior art FIG. 1 details the oil spillage problem of the prior art. It is this oil spillage problem of the prior art that the present invention overcomes. 
     As shown in prior art FIG. 1, oil filter  5 , a typical spin-on oil filter in common use, has threaded attachment hole  4  corresponding to engine block oil gallery fitting  1  with matching threads  2 . Fitting  1  fastens oil filter  5  securely to an engine block without any oil spillage occurring. However, when oil filter  5  is loosened and removed from fitting  1 , by use of prior art oil filter socket wrench  10 , oil spillage  3  is initiated. Oil spillage  3  is in the form of residual oil droplets coming out of fitting  1  and also residual oil flowing out of filter  5  and onto and past prior art oil filter socket wrench  10 . It is likely oil spillage  3  will spill onto a garage floor or onto the hand of a mechanic using prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  and create a hazard. 
     It is important to note that prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  was never intended to contain oil spillage  3  and does not have a structure that would inherently contain oil spillage  3 . Evidence of the fact that prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  was never intended to contain oil spillage  3  is seen in prior art FIGS. 2 and 2A with square cutout through-hole  17 . Square cutout through-hole  17  provides a means to attach a drive device such as a ratchet drive to the prior art oil filter socket wrench  10 . Since the ratchet drive is intended to be placed into square cutout through-hole  17  readily by hand, square cutout through-hole must provide a loose fit and therefore could not inherently seal-in oil spillage  3 . Also, since prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  has the shape of essentially a single cylinder, shown as first cylindrical member  12  in prior art FIG. 1, and fits snugly onto oil filter  5  in order to grip it properly, prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  would lack the volumetric capacity to contain oil spillage  3 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention is to overcome the oil spillage problem of the prior art by providing an inventive cup-shaped structure built concentrically around and above an existing prior art oil filter socket wrench. The inventive cup-shaped structure forms a larger second cylindrical member mounted atop a smaller first cylindrical member of the prior art. When an oil filter is loosened and removed using the present invention, any oil spillage coming out of the mounting fitting of the oil filter or from within the oil filter itself is neatly collected and held within the inventive larger second cylindrical member until it can be safely poured into a proper receptacle. In at least one embodiment, protuberances project radially inward from the inside surface of the larger cylinder and terminate in loose contact at the oil filter surface to provide alignment of the device about the filter. Additionally, the larger cylinder can be constructed of flexible material capable of being squeezed by hand to create a frictional grip between the protuberances and the oil filter body for the purpose of turning and loosening the oil filter from its mount. 
     A second objective of the present invention is to provide a new and useful oil filter socket wrench that can be readily made by hand at minimal cost and with common hand tools and materials. The present invention teaches how a prior art oil filter socket wrench is modified to become part of the new and useful present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the prior art oil filter socket wrench. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the prior art oil filter socket wrench. 
     FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of the prior art oil filter socket wrench taken along line  2 A— 2 A of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the oil filter socket wrench of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of other preferred embodiments of the oil filter socket wrench of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of a second preferred embodiment of the oil filter socket wrench of the present invention taken along line  4 A— 4 A of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view of a third preferred embodiment of the oil filter socket wrench of the present invention taken along line  4 B— 4 B of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a component of the oil filter socket wrench of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The engine oil filter socket wrench  20  of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  4 A, and  4 B, where the same parts are indicated by the same numbers throughout the various figures. Common terms such as “top, bottom, upper, lower, and upright” refer to conventional positions as they are most often found in an automotive application. 
     It is important to note that the present invention is constructed by hand by modifying prior art socket wrench  10 , illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4B. Prior art socket wrench  10 , in its entirety, becomes a component of the present invention. Prior art oil filter socket wrenches of the type used to construct the present invention are readily available in automotive parts stores. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  3 . Oil filter socket wrench  20  is shown generally in FIG. 3 with important features seen from the outside. Inventive larger second cylindrical member  22 , with gap  28 , upper portion  23  and lower portion  24  is shown affixed concentrically around and above smaller first cylindrical member  12  of prior art socket wrench  10 . As seen in FIG. 4A, second cylindrical member  22  also includes inner surface  25  and outer surface  26 . Second cylindrical member  22  is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     Prior art socket wrench  10  is an integral component of the present invention and is seen in FIG. 3 with lower portion  14 , circular base  6 , and angled facets  11 . Angled facets  11  provide a first means to engage an oil filter. To loosen oil filter  5 , a drive tool such as a ratchet drive or conventional wrench is applied to either square cutout  18  of FIG. 2 or to hexagon  19  of FIGS. 2 and 2 a . Torque applied to cutout  18  or hexagon  19  by a drive tool is transmitted to circular base  6  and angled facets  11  where corresponding angled facets of the oil filter are engaged and the filter loosened. Angled facets  11  also provide a first means to align oil filter socket wrench  20  around oil filter  5 , of FIG.  3 . Other important features of prior art oil filter socket wrench  10 , shown in FIG. 2A, include upper surface  7  and lower surface  8  of circular base  6 , upper portion  13 , lower portion  14 , inside surface  15 , and outside surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12 , and lip  9 . First cylindrical member  12  is substantially cylindrical in shape. Prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  is also shown in FIGS. 3 through 4B, of the present invention. 
     Second cylindrical member  22  of FIG. 3, forms a side wall of inventive oil spillage cup  21  capable of containing oil spillage  3 . Second cylindrical member  22  has a diameter that is substantially larger than the diameter of first cylindrical member  12 . The diameter of second cylindrical member  22 , together with its length, define a volume of gap  28  sufficient to contain oil spillage  3  associated with the loosening and removal of oil filter  5  while oil filter  5  is aligned into position within oil filter socket wrench  20 . Oil spillage  3  typically has a volume of about 5 percent of the volume of oil filter  5 . 
     A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. The second preferred embodiment is distinguished from the embodiment shown in perspective view FIG. 3 in that the second cylindrical member  22 , shown in FIG. 4 and 4A is fitted with a lip  29  and protuberances  38 . Protuberances  38  are made of synthetic rubber and provide a second means to engage oil filter  5  for the purpose of loosening and removing oil filter  5 . Lip  29  is made from a bead of silicone sealant and reduces oil spillage if socket wrench  20  is tilted while oil spillage is contained within cup  21 . The embodiment of FIG. 4A also shows a construction detail present in second cylindrical member  22 . Second cylindrical member  22  is shown with bottom portion  27  extending below lower portion  24 . During construction, bottom portion  27  may be cut away at cut line  34  and leave lower portion  24  as the lowest portion of second cylindrical member  22 . The resulting appearance would be as shown in perspective view FIG.  3 . 
     The process of making and using the present invention will now be described. The first step is to construct second cylindrical member  22 , shown generally in FIG. 5, from aluminum flashing  51 . Aluminum flashing is used in roofing applications and is readily available in hardware stores. The aluminum flashing used for the present invention came with a thickness of 0.010 (ten thousandths) of an inch, a width of 8 inches, and a length of 10 feet curled into a roll with a diameter under 5 inches. Given its thinness and the fact that it comes curled into a roll, it lends itself to be easily curled into a cylinder by hand. From the original length of aluminum flashing, a pair of metal shears is used to cut a length equal to the desired circumference of second cylindrical member  22  plus approximately one additional inch to allow for an overlap joint. The desired circumference for second cylindrical member  22  should be approximately 20 percent larger than the circumference of first cylindrical member  12  of prior art socket wrench  10 . After the aluminum flashing has been cut to length, the aluminum flashing is then cut to a width equal to the height of oil filter  5 . With the length and width cut to size, aluminum flashing  51  is carefully curled into a roll by hand with an overlap of approximately one inch and temporarily fastened with duct tape  52  to keep it from unraveling. The curled roll of aluminum flashing  51  is then fasten permanently by applying silicone sealant bead  53 . Silicone sealant is well known for its excellent adhesion. It is quite viscous when applied and then cures to a firm rubber-like state that is resistant to oil and extremes in temperature. Silicone sealant is readily available in hardware stores and comes in chalking tubes. Silicone sealant bead  53  is applied with a chalk gun to the inside of the overlap shown in FIG.  5 . The overlap is then pressed together by hand. For added strength, pop-rivets  54  are added and their holes sealed with silicone sealant to prevent leaks. 
     It is important to note that the volume of inventive gap  28  of FIG. 3 is the result of the dimensions decided upon for the above mentioned length and width of aluminum flashing  51  used to form second cylindrical member  22 . Increasing the length of aluminum flashing  51  would increase the circumference of second cylindrical member  22  and increase the volume of gap  28 . The equation for the volume of a cylinder applies. A particular volume is a design choice determined by the amount of oil spillage of a particular application. A typical value for the volume of inventive gap  28  would be within, but not limited to, a range of approximately 5 to 30 percent of the volume of oil filter  5 . 
     Second cylindrical member  22 , formed by the construction of aluminum flashing  51 , is now ready to be fastened to first cylindrical member  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4A, silicone sealant is used to form intermediate member  30  from silicone bead  32  applied to inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22  and from silicone bead  31  applied to outer surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12 . The process is as follows. Before silicone beads  31  or  32  are applied, second cylindrical member  22  is set upright on a level surface. Socket wrench  10  is then set upright inside second cylindrical member  22  on the same level surface. The location of inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22  opposite upper portion  13  of outer surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12  is noted and marked with a felt tip pen as the place to apply bead  32 . Socket wrench  10  is then removed. Silicone sealant bead  32  is then applied in a circle around inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22  at the place noted above. It is important to note that bead  32  must be of sufficient size to extend more than halfway between inner surface  25  and outer surface  16  in order to meet and join bead  31  when applied. With bead  32  in place, second cylindrical member  22  is then set upright, as before, on a level surface. Next, bead  31  is applied in a circle around upper portion  13  of outer surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12 . Like bead  32 , bead  31  must be of sufficient size in order to meet and join bead  32 . 
     First cylindrical member  12 , with bead  31  in place, is then lowered upright and concentrically into second cylindrical member  22  and permitted to set on the same level surface supporting second cylindrical member  22 . When first cylindrical member  12  is fully into position, bead  31  will adhere to bead  32  and form intermediate member  30 . Intermediate member  30 , when cured, will seal and secure second cylindrical member  22  to first cylindrical member  12  and form a single unit that is impermeable to oil spillage. Intermediate member  30  forms a third substantially cylindrical member that is positioned concentrically with, and joined to, the other two mentioned cylindrical members. 
     The next part to make is aluminum disk  35 , shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. Aluminum disk  35  is cut from excess aluminum flashing and secured into place over through-hole  17  with silicone sealant bead  36 . Aluminum disk  35  seals through-hole  17  in circular member  6  to retain oil spillage, but does not block access to square cutout  18  by a drive tool. In effect, aluminum disk  35  becomes an integral part of circular base  6  and acts as a single unit with circular base  6 . 
     After the silicone sealant of intermediate member  30  has cured, bottom portion  27  of second cylindrical member  22 , shown in FIG. 4A, may be cut away at cut line  34  using metal shears and any sharp edges sanded. Second cylindrical member  22  now would then have lower portion  24  as a bottom. If desired for neatness, another bead of silicone sealant can be applied under intermediate member  30  and smoothed by finger to make a neat radius as shown in FIG. 3 above lower portion  14  of first cylindrical member  12 . As a precautionary measure, before the device is used for the first time, it should tested for leaks by filling with water. In the unlikely event a leak is found, dry the device and add an additional bead of silicone sealant to the place of the leak and let cure. 
     It is important to note that first cylindrical member  12 , second cylindrical member  22 , intermediate member  30 , and aluminum disk  35  within circular base  6 , have been combined as a single unit as discussed above to form a unified integral cup that is impermeable to oil spillage and is capable of containing oil spillage associated with the loosening and removal of an oil filter. 
     The construction of protuberances  38 , shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, involves a buildup of synthetic rubber squares cut from a bicycle tire inner tube. A first square of the synthetic rubber has a side length equal to approximately ⅛ of the circumference of second cylindrical member  22  and is glued to upper portion  23  of inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22  just below lip  29  using contact cement glue. A second square of the synthetic rubber of the same size is glued to the same inner surface  25  but at 180 degrees around second cylindrical member  22  diametrically opposed to the first square. Additional squares of the synthetic rubber are then glued to the first two squares to make layers extending radially inward from inner surface  25  to oil filter  5 . Final squares of the layers should just reach the surface of oil filter  5  in loose contact. The number of squares comprising the layers depends on the diameter of second cylindrical member  22 . Also, it is anticipated that 3 layers can be position 120 degrees apart or 4 layers positioned 90 degrees apart, etc. Also, the shape and size of the protuberances are design choices and can be varied. 
     Protuberances  38  were first intended as a second means to align oil filter socket wrench  20  about oil filter  5 . But, an unexpected result of the present invention arose. It was found that second cylindrical member  22 , although rigid enough to provide a cup-shaped member, was flexible enough to be deformed by squeezing by hand. When second cylindrical member  22  was deformed by squeezing by hand, a frictional grip was created between protuberances  38  and oil filter  5 . It become apparent that protuberances  38  could provide a second means to engage oil filter  5  for the purpose of loosening and removing oil filter  5 . 
     If it is intended to use second cylindrical member  22  as a flexible member, an additional initial volume of cup  21  should be considered since squeezing second cylindrical member  22  will reduce volume. 
     If it is desired to have a rigid second cylindrical member  22 , a heavier gauge aluminum sheet or stronger material, such as steel, can be used. 
     Socket wrench  10  is a device made from a stamping of steel and is substantially rigid and is capable of withstanding the stress of loosening and removing an oil filter without deformation. Prior art first cylindrical member  12  has a length of 1½ (one and one-half) inches, an inside diameter of 3 (three) inches, and a steel thickness of 0.047 (47 thousandths) of an inch. The dimension of a typical oil filter  5  is about 5 inches in length and about 3 inches in diameter to yield a volume of about 35 cubic inches. 
     Lip  29  is shown in FIG.  4 A. Lip  29  is constructed from a single bead of silicone sealant placed at upper portion  23  of inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22 . Lip  29  helps reduce spillage in the event that oil filter socket wrench  20  is tilted when removing oil filter  5 . The dimensions of lip  29  is not crucial and is a design choice. 
     A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in cross-sectional side view FIG.  4 B. The embodiment of FIG. 4B differs from the embodiment of FIG. 4A in that beads  31  and  32  are placed at lower portion  14  of first cylindrical member  12  and create void  33  shown in FIG.  4 B. Void  33  should not be confused with gap  28  of FIG.  3 . The significance of void  33  is to create additional volume to hold oil spillage in situations where the diameter of second cylindrical member  22  cannot be made as large as desired due to clearance restrictions. Void  33  has the shape of a hollow cylinder defined as the volume between outer surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12  and inner surface  25  of second cylindrical member  22  immediately adjacent to outer surface  16  of first cylindrical member  12 . Void  33 , in combination with gap  28 , is of sufficient volume to contain the oil spillage associated with the loosening and removal of oil filter  5 . The specific volume of void  33  is a design choice governed by how high or low intermediate member  30  is positioned with respect to first cylindrical member  12 . A typical value for the volume of inventive void  33 , in combination with inventive gap  28 , would be within, but not limited to, a range of approximately 5 to 30 percent of the volume of oil filter  5 . 
     It is important to note that the embodiment of FIG. 4B can be described as a cup within a cup. Prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  would inherently define an inner cup. Second cylindrical member  22  with intermediate member  30  and circular base  6  of prior art oil filter socket wrench  10  would inherently define an outer cup. Both cups would share circular base  6 . 
     The oil filter socket wrench  20  of the present invention is quite easy to use and can be used in a couple of ways. One way is to place the device over an oil filter without engaging angled facets  11  to the filter. Second cylindrical member  22  is then squeezed and turned. The frictional grip created between protuberances  38  and the filter will normally loosen the filter. For best results, second cylindrical member  22  should be gripped at points immediately exterior to the protuberances. In the event that the filter is stuck, the device can be used by the second method. Oil filter socket wrench  20  is placed over the oil filter with angled facets  11  of oil filter socket wrench  20  engaged with the corresponding angled facets of the oil filter. A ratchet drive or other drive tool is then used to apply torque to circular base  6  to loosen and remove the oil filter. Either way, when the oil filter is loosened and removed, oil spillage  3  will be contained within the inventive cup  21  of the present invention. 
     While keeping with the spirit of the present invention, it is anticipated the present invention may be constructed by contemporary manufacturing processes and with a variety of materials. For example, if an entirely rigid structure is desired, the present invention could be made from a steel stamping or could be molded from a high impact plastic. In the alternative, the present invention can be molded from a synthetic rubber to provide a flexible structure. Additionally, in view of conventional vulcanizing processes and composite methods of construction, a portion of the present invention could be made rigid and another portion made flexible. The structure described herein is not limited to particular methods of construction.