Patent ID: 7060178

Claim:
A filter fixture capable of holding filters of varied configurations, the fixture comprising: a base section having a first flange, and having a peripheral wall defining an open-topped reservoir space; an inlet conduit passing through the reservoir space; a first end of the conduit disposed above the base section; a second end of the conduit extending outward from the peripheral wall; a filter-supporting adapter removably attached to the first end of the conduit; a housing section having a second flange removably and sealingly mated to the first flange of the base section using bolts, the housing section enclosing the first end of the conduit and the filter-supporting adapter; an outlet conduit communicated to the housing; a cap removably mated to the housing; a repositionable filter-holding adapter connected to the cap; and means for facilitating manual removal of the housing section from the base section, the facilitating means comprising: a base plate on the base section extending radially outward therefrom on which the fixture rests, wherein the base plate additionally has ground engagement pads and the base plate defines a handgrip hole that facilitates manual handling of the fixture; and a ring handle on the housing section disposed radially outward thereof, wherein the ring handle has about the same diameter as the base plate and the base plate cooperates with the ring handle to prevent damage to the fixture and prevent the fixture from accidentally opening if the fixture is tipped over on its side.