EP0618045A1 - Strap wrench, especially for vehicle oil filters - Google Patents

Abstract

This wrench comprises a strap (2), particularly a metal one, the two ends of which are fixed to a threaded rod (3), a supporting body (1), and a tapped handle (4) into which is screwed the threaded rod which is mounted so that it can rotate on the supporting body. The supporting body (1) is constituted by a single-piece component equipped with a central passage (11) through which the threaded rod passes and the bearing face (5) of which is cylindrical and of axis perpendicular to the axis of the handle. Application to wrenches for taking oil or petrol filters off motor vehicles. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a strap key of the type comprising a strap, in particular a metal strap, the two ends of which are fixed to a threaded rod, a support body, and a threaded handle into which the threaded rod is screwed and which is rotatably mounted on the support body. It applies in particular to tools for unscrewing oil or diesel filters from motor vehicles.

In a strap wrench of this type (GB-A-2 098 903), the support body is a simple cylindrical tube. This is perhaps acceptable in the applications envisaged in this document, and with a strap made of a material such as leather, but would not allow smooth and precise operation in applications requiring a relatively rigid strap, in particular metallic, such as dismantling. oil filters.

The object of the invention is to provide a strap key which can be used reliably and conveniently in such applications.

To this end, the invention relates to a strap key of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the support body is constituted by a single piece provided with a central passage through which the threaded rod passes and the face of which support is cylindrical with an axis perpendicular to the axis of the handle.

• le passage central guide la tige filetée et est bordé de deux évidements profilés, diamétralement opposés, de guidage de la sangle, ces deux évidements débouchant dans le passage central;
• le corps et la poignée comportent des moyens d'emboîtement mutuel sur une faible fraction de la longueur de la poignée, et des moyens de retenue axiale mutuelle de ces deux pièces en position emboîtée;
• les moyens de retenue axiale comprennent au moins une bille chargée par un ressort, disposée dans un perçage radial d'une des deux pièces, et une gorge circulaire prévue dans l'autre de ces deux pièces;
• le corps comporte une butée transversale venue de matière, parallèle à l'axe de la face d'appui;
• la face avant de la butée est de niveau avec la face d'appui du corps ;
• le corps comporte de part et d'autre du passage, parallèlement à l'axe de la face d'appui, des perçages transversaux alignés destinés à recevoir un organe de butée rapporté, notamment une vis ou une goupille fendue;
• la tige filetée comporte un prolongement distal d'épaisseur réduite de part et d'autre duquel sont fixées les deux extrémités de la sangle;
• la poignée présente une contour galbé, avec une partie principale convexe prolongée de chaque côté par une partie d'extrémité concave;
• la poignée et la partie proximale du corps sont essentiellement cylindriques et de même diamètre, disposés bout à bout sans pénétration, coaxiaux et centrés par la tige filetée;
• la poignée et le corps sont en contact plan rotatif et sont pourvues de rainures à leur extrémité permettant le montage d'une bague circulaire de section en U maintenant le contact plan.

The strap wrench according to the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:

• the central passage guides the threaded rod and is bordered by two profiled, diametrically opposite recesses, for guiding the strap, these two recesses opening into the central passage;
• the body and the handle have means for mutual interlocking over a small fraction of the length of the handle, and means for mutual axial retention of these two parts in the fitted position;
• the axial retaining means comprise at least one ball loaded by a spring, disposed in a radial bore in one of the two parts, and a circular groove provided in the other of these two parts;
• the body has a transverse stop made of material, parallel to the axis of the bearing face;
• the front face of the stop is level with the bearing face of the body;
• the body comprises on either side of the passage, parallel to the axis of the bearing face, aligned transverse holes intended to receive an added stop member, in particular a screw or a split pin;
• the threaded rod has a distal extension of reduced thickness on either side of which the two ends of the strap are fixed;
• the handle has a curved outline, with a convex main part extended on each side by a concave end part;
• the handle and the proximal part of the body are essentially cylindrical and of the same diameter, arranged end to end without penetration, coaxial and centered by the threaded rod;
• the handle and the body are in rotary planar contact and are provided with grooves at their end allowing the mounting of a circular ring of U-section maintaining the planar contact.

• la Figure 1 représente en perspective une clé à sangle suivant l'invention;
• la Figure 2 représente en coupe longitudinale le corps d'appui de cette clé;
• les Figures 3 et 4 sont des vues prises respectivement suivant les flèches III et IV de la Figure 2;
• la Figure 5 est une vue en perspective correspondant à la Figure 2;
• les Figures 6 et 7 représentent respectivement deux modes de fixation des extrémités de la sangle sur la tige filetée;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la poignée de la clé de la Figure 1;
• la Figure 9 est une vue prise suivant la flèche IX de la figure 8;
• les Figures 10 et 11 sont deux vues en coupe longitudinale de l'outil assemblé, prises respectivement suivant deux plans de coupe perpendiculaires l'un à l'autre ;
• la Figure 12 est une vue éclatée, en coupe longitudinale, d'une variante;
• la Figure 13 est une vue éclatée, suivant la flèche XIII de la Figure 12, du corps d'appui de cette variante;
• la Figure 14 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un autre mode de réalisation de la clé à sangle suivant l'invention;
• la Figure 15 est une vue en perspective de la bague 105 de la Figure 14;
• la Figure 16 est une vue partielle agrandie du détail XVI de la Figure 14;
• la Figure 17 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une variante de la clé à sangle de la Figure 14, avec insert;
• la Figure 18 est une vue extérieure, avec demi-coupe longitudinale, de l'outil de la Figure 14, à échelle réduite;
• la Figure 19 est une vue en perspective du même outil, montrant son aspect esthétique;
• la Figure 20 est une vue extérieure, avec demi-coupe longitudinale, d'une autre clé à sangle suivant l'invention;
• la Figure 21 est une vue en perspective du même outil, montrant son aspect esthétique;
• la Figure 22 est une coupe longitudinale partielle de l'outil de la Figure 20; et
• la Figure 23 est une coupe transversale d'une variante.

Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, according to which:

• Figure 1 shows in perspective a strap wrench according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows in longitudinal section the support body of this key;
• Figures 3 and 4 are views taken respectively along arrows III and IV of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 2;
• Figures 6 and 7 show respectively two methods of fixing the ends of the strap on the threaded rod;
• Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle of the key of Figure 1;
• Figure 9 is a view taken along arrow IX of Figure 8;
• Figures 10 and 11 are two views in longitudinal section of the assembled tool, taken respectively along two cutting planes perpendicular to each other;
• Figure 12 is an exploded view, in longitudinal section, of a variant;
• Figure 13 is an exploded view, along arrow XIII of Figure 12, of the support body of this variant;
• Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the strap wrench according to the invention;
• Figure 15 is a perspective view of the ring 105 of Figure 14;
• Figure 16 is an enlarged partial view of detail XVI of Figure 14;
• Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the strap wrench of Figure 14, with insert;
• Figure 18 is an external view, with longitudinal half-section, of the tool of Figure 14, reduced scale;
• Figure 19 is a perspective view of the same tool, showing its aesthetic appearance;
• Figure 20 is an external view, with longitudinal half-section, of another strap wrench according to the invention;
• Figure 21 is a perspective view of the same tool, showing its aesthetic appearance;
• Figure 22 is a partial longitudinal section of the tool of Figure 20; and
• Figure 23 is a cross section of a variant.

The strap wrench for oil filter shown in Figures 1 to 11 essentially comprises a support body 1, a strap 2, a threaded rod 3 and a handle 4.

The body 1 is a molded metal piece externally comprising a cylindrical upper support face 5, with a longitudinal section (Figure 2) substantially circular, two end faces 6 flat and parallel, of generally triangular shape, connected respectively to the axial ends of the face 5, and two oblique lateral faces 7 connecting the faces 6. At its base, the body comprises a tubular end piece 8 which ends internally by an annular radial shoulder 9 and which internally comprises, approximately at mid-height, a circular groove 10.

In its main part, above the shoulder 9, the body has a circular vertical bore 11 with the same vertical axis XX as the bore of the endpiece 8, but of a diameter much smaller, and opening into the latter. On the side of each face 7, the bore 11 is bordered by a groove 12 of rectangular section of constant width, the bottom 13 of which gradually moves away from the axis XX, along a roughly circular convex curve (FIG. 2), starting from the shoulder 9. The side walls 14 of these grooves are coplanar in pairs and parallel to the faces 6.

A cross member 15 made of material, forming a stopper, perpendicular to the axis XX, connects the faces 14 in the region of this axis, at a location adjacent to the bearing face 5. The upper face of this cross member also extends exactly this side 5.

The strap 2 is a metal strip having substantially the same width as the grooves 12 and the two ends of which are perforated. In the case of FIG. 6, which is also that of FIGS. 10 and 11, the threaded rod 3 comprises an upper part of reduced thickness, defining two plane and parallel faces 16, pierced with an orifice 17. By applying the two ends of the strap on these two faces 16, the strap is fixed to the threaded rod by means of a suitable fixing member, for example, as shown, of a bolt 18 with nut 19.

In the variant of FIG. 7, the upper part of the threaded rod is split diametrically at 20 to receive the two adjoining ends of the strap, and the fixing is ensured by a suitable member, for example a split pin 21 which forcibly crosses a transverse passage 22 of the slotted part of the threaded rod as well as the holes of the strap.

The handle 4 comprises over almost its entire length a tapped blind bore 23 opening onto a flat, horizontal upper face 24 of the handle. Externally, the handle has, from top to bottom: a smooth cylindrical part 25 combined with the bore of the end piece 8 and ending in a radial shoulder 26; a flange 27 adjacent to this shoulder; a short concave portion 28; a convex part 29 extending over most of the length of the handle; and a short concave part 30 shorter than the part 28. Three radial housings for balls 31 loaded by springs are provided in the cylindrical part 25, and the lower end of the handle has a projection 32 in the form of a hexagon to allow actuation of the handle with a clamping tool.

To mount the tool, the two ends of the strap are introduced from top to bottom into the body 1, on either side of the cross-member 15, until they emerge under the body. They are then fixed to the threaded rod 3, according to one or other of the variants of FIGS. 6 and 7.

The handle is then screwed onto the threaded rod, then the part 25 of the handle is fitted into the end piece 8. When this part 25 abuts against the shoulder 9, the balls 31 engage in the groove 10.

In this situation, the handle is axially secured to the body 1 but can rotate relative to the latter, and the two parts of the strap located in the body 1 are well guided laterally by the faces 14 of the grooves 12, and are applied of themselves, due to their elasticity, on the curved faces 13.

To unscrew an oil filter, unscrew the handle 4, anti-clockwise, holding the body 1, until the free part of the strap has a sufficient diameter. The strap is then put on the oil filter, then the handle is screwed in, holding the body 1, which causes the displacement of the threaded rod 3 towards the bottom of the bore 23. This movement is continued until that the bearing face 5 is applied to the filter and that the latter is firmly tightened by the strap, then the latter is unscrewed by acting on the handle perpendicular to the axis of the filter, that is to say according to arrow f in Figure 8.

The design of the tool described above makes it possible to obtain, for a given size of the tool, a long stroke of the threaded rod 3, which does not need to be of great length, and therefore a great range of useful diameters for the strap. In addition, the tool does not have any rough edges which could catch on the neighboring parts of the oil filter or injure the operator, and the curve of the handle offers great convenience of use: the front and concave rear 28 and 30 allow a wedging of the fingers for tightening / loosening of the handle, while the main convex part 29 is housed in the palm of the hand to facilitate the unscrewing of the oil filter.

When unscrewing the handle relative to the body, the threaded rod 3 can come out almost entirely from the handle and is guided by the bore 11. However, the strap is not likely to be lost, thanks to the presence of the crosspiece 15, against which abuts the rod 3 or the strap 2.

It should be noted that the arrangement of Figure 6 currently seems more advantageous than that of Figure 7, because the spacing of the ends of the strap promotes the proper application of the latter on the bottom 13 of the grooves 12, in particular for work on small diameter filters.

The variant of Figures 12 and 13 differs from the previous one only in the following points.

On the one hand, the cross member 15 is replaced by two aligned holes 15A in which a removable attached stopper is fixed such as a screw 15B with a countersunk head or a cotter pin 15C (Figure 13). This allows the strap to be changed without removing the handle from the support body.

On the other hand, the tip 8 is shaped as male part and fits into a counter-bore of the handle provided at the entrance to the bore 23. For the axial joining of the two parts, a split rod 31A is partially received in an external groove 10A of the end piece 8 and partially in an inner groove 10B of the counterbore of the handle, when the end piece 8 abuts against the bottom of this counterbore.

The device of Figures 14, 17, 18 and 19 mainly comprises a hose or strap 101 connected by its two ends to a threaded rod 104 which slides with a very small play in the molded body 102, drilled right through a hole smooth cylindrical 103, flared or grooved in the cutting plane of a rectangular shape on the filter side, to guide and facilitate the sliding of the hose 101.

The molded part 102, for example made of light alloy or plastic, mainly comprises a cylinder pierced right through with a smooth hole of diameter very slightly greater than the diameter of the threaded rod and two wings 108 and 109 allowing the creation of a partial cylindrical shape 110 having for axis and approximate diameter those of the filter, in order to follow the shape thereof to facilitate tightening. The smooth hole 103 with a diameter very slightly greater than the diameter of the threaded rod 104 may consist of a particularly metallic insert 114, see Figure 17, which would have the advantage of reducing wear in the part 102 and reinforcing its rigidity .

The cylindrical handle 106, pierced right through with a tapped hole, is screwed onto the threaded rod 104 ensuring its traction and that of the hose 101 which can strongly tighten the encircled filter. In the case of a handle 106 made of aluminum alloy or plastic, the threaded part can be attached (metal insert 113 for example), see Figure 17, which would have the advantage of reducing wear in the handle 106 and strengthening the rigidity. The handle 106 can be knurled to increase the grip of the hand.

The handle 106 and the body 102, mainly of cylindrical shape and of the same diameter, are end to end, without penetration, coaxial and centered by the threaded rod 104.

A circular groove 111, of a narrow width and a depth of 2 to 4 mm, is formed at the end of the part 106, on the part side 102, at a distance of approximately 3 to 5 mm. A circular groove 112 of a small width and a depth of 2 to 4 mm is made at the end of the part 102, on the part side 106, at a distance of approximately 3 to 5 mm. A circular ring 105, see FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 (enlargement of the grooves and of the part 105), of mainly U-shaped section, is positioned and fixed in these two grooves, preventing the parts 102 and 106 from separating (contact plan), while allowing the rotation of 106 relative to 102 along the main axis of the device defined by the threaded rod 104. The ring 105 may be made of a sufficiently elastic material to be mounted by deformation or, if it is rigid, by strapping and welding.

The rod 104 is slotted at its end, flexible side, in a diametral plane, with a groove of approximately 1 to 2 mm in width, over a length of 8 to 15 mm, in order to allow the engagement of the two ends of the flexible 101 and their fixing, either by a rivet 103, or by welding or by any other economical and robust means.

A plug 107, screwed, forced, or glued into the tapped hole of the part 106, obstructs the end opposite to the part 102 to prevent any penetration into the device and also for the aesthetics and the safety of the operator.

The flexible 101 can be made up of a cable or a strip, thin, with a width of 5 to 12 mm, very resistant to traction and bending, and of good adhesion. To increase the adhesion, one can use either a coating, or the creation of asperities by striking or cutting.

The hose 101 is of variable length according to a range of filter diameters. The filter diameters generally vary from 60 to 120 mm. Several beaches will be expected.

The equal diameters of the parts 102 and 106 must be chosen so as to allow a good grip, for example between 20 and 50 mm. The length of the parts 102 and 106 end to end must also ensure good grip of the hand (total length greater than the width of one hand to form an acceptable handle) and will be a function of the engine space in the filter area and of its diameter.

The threaded rod 104 remains, in all positions, inside the device. The length of the latter is equal to twice its diameter plus the length of the handle 106, and is much less than the length of the parts 102 and 106 placed end to end. The threaded rod 104 can penetrate the device until it comes into contact with the plug 107. The tapping right through the handle 106 promotes the stroke of the threaded rod 104. Several calibers of this device can be offered depending on the diameters filter and free engine space in the filter area.

The device of Figures 20 to 23 mainly comprises a hose or strap 201 connected by its two ends to a threaded rod 204 which slides (translation) with a radial clearance of the order of 2 mm in a cylindrical hole 213. This radial clearance facilitates the sliding of the flexible 201 for its penetration and its release.

The cylindrical hole 213 drilled right through in the molded body 202 is flared or grooved in the plane of the section of a rectangular shape on the filter side, to guide and facilitate the sliding of the hose 201. The cylindrical hole 213 has a recess 212 , more or less long, handle side 206. The diameter of this recess 212 is smaller than the outside diameter of the handle 206 (knurled part). The body 202 comprises two wings 208, 209 allowing the creation of a partial cylindrical shape 210 having for axis and for approximate diameter that of the filter, in order to follow the shape to facilitate tightening.

The cylindrical handle 206 pierced right through a tapped hole, is screwed onto the threaded rod 204 ensuring its traction and that of the hose 201, which can tighten the encircled filter strongly. The cylindrical handle 206 can be knurled. The cylindrical handle 206 has a more or less long shoulder 211, which fits into the recess 212, of the H7 / g6 type. A clearance 217 allows the plane contact between the handle 206 and the body 202 at the end of the latter. The handle 206 is centered on the body 202.

The handle 206 and the body 202, mainly of cylindrical shape and of the same diameter, are end to end, coaxial and centered by the penetration of the shouldered diameter 211 in the recess 212. The handle 206 can rotate relative to the body 202 while remaining centered relative to it. The handle 206 has only one degree of freedom relative to the body 202. namely a rotation of an axis collinear with the axis of the hole 213.

A semi-toric groove 215 is formed on the shoulder 211. A cylindrical pin 205 with an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle 206 prevents the part 206 from separating from the body 202 (Figure 23).

Another solution can be envisaged (FIG. 22), by practicing a circular groove of triangular section on the shouldered diameter 211 and using a pointless headless screw 214 as a stop in translation of the handle 206 relative to the body 202.

Other technological solutions can be envisaged to ensure this stop.

The threaded rod 204 is slotted at its end, flexible side, in a diametral plane, with a groove of approximately 1 to 2 mm in width, over a length of 8 to 15 mm, in order to allow the engagement of the two ends. of the hose 201 and their fixing, either by a rivet 203, or by a weld or by any other economical and robust means.

A plug 207, screwed, forced or glued into the tapped hole of the part 206, obstructs the end opposite to the part 202 to prevent any penetration into the device and also for the aesthetics and the safety of the operator.

The threaded rod 204 remains, in all positions, inside the device. The length of the latter is equal to once its diameter plus the length of the handle 206, for example, and much less than the length of the parts 202 and 206 placed end to end. The threaded rod 204 can penetrate the device until it comes into contact with the plug 207. The tapping right through the handle 206 favors the stroke of the threaded rod 204. Several sizes of this device can be offered depending on the diameters filter and free engine space in the filter area.

The lengths of the handle 206, of the shoulder 211, of the recess 212, of the molded body 202, of the threaded rod 204, can vary with the advantage of ensuring a greater or lesser stroke therefore a better adaptability to the different diameters of filters commonly sold.

To summarize the use: by turning the handle 206 (rotation along its axis), the hose 201 linked to the threaded rod 204 tightens and tightens the filter strongly. The operator only has to push horizontally on the handle 206.

• * Direction : orthogonale à l'axe du filtre
• * Point d'application : environ le milieu de la poignée 206.

Characteristics of the horizontal thrust:

• * Direction: orthogonal to the filter axis
• * Application point: around the middle of handle 206.

The device according to the invention is compact and aesthetic, does not have any roughness and sharp angle that could injure the user, and can be adapted to all oil and diesel filters, cylindrical, oval or shaped any elliptical.

Claims (11)

1 - Strap wrench, of the type comprising a strap (2; 101; 201), in particular metallic, the two ends of which are fixed to a threaded rod (3; 104; 204), a support body (1; 102; 202), and a threaded handle (4; 106; 206) into which the threaded rod is screwed and which is rotatably mounted on the support body, characterized in that the support body (1; 102; 202) is consisting of a single piece with a central passage (11; 103; 213) through which the threaded rod passes and the bearing face (5; 110; 210) of which is cylindrical with an axis perpendicular to the axis (XX) of the handle. 2 - Strap wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that the central passage (11) guides the threaded rod (3) and is bordered by two profile recesses (12), diametrically opposite, for guiding the strap, these two recesses opening into the central passage. 3 - Strap wrench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the body (1; 202) and the handle (4; 206) comprise means of mutual interlocking over a small fraction of the length of the handle, and means (31; 31A; 205; 214) for mutual axial retention of these two parts in the nested position. 4 - Strap wrench according to claim 3, characterized in that the axial retaining means comprise at least one ball (31) loaded by a spring, disposed in a radial bore of one of the two parts (1, 4), and a circular groove (10) provided in the other of these two parts. 5 - Strap wrench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (106) and the proximal part of the body (102) are essentially cylindrical and of the same diameter, arranged end to end without penetration, coaxial and centered by the threaded rod (104). 6 - Strap wrench according to claim 5, characterized in that the handle (106) and the body (102) are in rotary planar contact and are provided with grooves (111, 112) at their end allowing the mounting of a ring circular (105) U-section maintaining the planar contact. 7 - strap key according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (1) comprises a transverse stop (15) made of material, parallel to the axis of the bearing face (5) . 8 - Strap wrench according to claim 7, characterized in that the front face of the stop (15) is level with the bearing face (5) of the body (1). 9 - Strap wrench according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (1) comprises on either side of the passage (11), parallel to the axis of the bearing face ( 5), aligned transverse holes (15A) intended to receive an added stop member, in particular a screw (15B) or a split pin (15C). 10 - Strap wrench according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the threaded rod (3) has a distal extension of reduced thickness on either side of which the two ends of the strap are fixed ( 2). 11 - Strap wrench according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the handle (4) has a curved outline, with a convex main part (29) extended on each side by a concave end part ( 28, 30).

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