Device for removing the filter medium from the spool of an oil filter and method of use

• US 6,581,498 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2001
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald J. Beyer
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Beyer
• Inventors: Beyer, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSAI, HENRY
• Application Number:
  US10/008,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20030084760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 598 Days
• Field of Search: 82/11.1, 82/46, 82/47, 821/12, 821/13, 821/28, 821/54, 821/58, 821/73
• US Class Current: 82/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/16 Cutting rods or tubes transversely cutting tubes longitudinally B26D3/001
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/10 Process of turning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/16 Severing or cut-off

Abstract

A device for removing the filter medium from the spool of an oil filter, includes a spindle assembly having (1) a spindle which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the hole in the first end of the spool, (2) a plurality of bearings, and (3) a cutter. A holder/crank having a rotational rim is attached to the spool of the oil filter and locked in place. The holder/crank and spool are then installed in the spindle assembly so that the spindle engages the hole in the spool and rim engages the plurality of bearings. The holder/crank is then rotated as the cutter is brought to bear against the filter medium so that a circumferential cut is made through the filter medium.

Claims

1. A device for removing the filter medium from the spool of an oil filter, the spool having a first end having a hole and an opposite second end, said device comprising:

a spindle assembly including;

a spindle shaped and dimensioned to receive the hole in the first end of the spool;

a plurality of bearings; and

,

a cutter;

a holder/crank including;

said holder/crank shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the spool;

a retainer for holding the spool in said holder/crank, wherein the second end of the spool is connectable to said holder/crank and held in place therein by said retainer;

a circular rim;

a handle for rotating said holder/crank; and

,

wherein with the spool connected to said holder/crank, the spool and said holder/crank are insertable into said spindle assembly so that said spindle engages the hole in the first end of the spool and said rim engages said plurality of bearings, said cutter brought to bear against the filter medium, and said holder/crank rotated so that a circumferential cut is made in the filter medium.

2. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle longitudinally movable and lockable with respect to said plurality of bearings.

3. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle having a circular hole engaging portion;

said hole engaging portion having a plurality of diameters for receiving spool holes of different sizes.

4. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle having a stop for aligning the spool with the spindle and said rim with said plurality of bearings.

5. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said plurality of bearings including exactly three bearings.

6. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle assembly including a rod;

said cutter rotatably connected to said rod; and

,

said cutter longitudinally movable along said rod.

7. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said cutter having a blade;

a selectively retractable hood covering said blade; and

,

said hood biased so as to cover said blade.

8. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle assembly having a downwardly projecting flange to accommodate installation in a conventional vice.

9. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said retainer including a screw which is selectively turnable to abut the second end of the spool.

10. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said holder/crank including a pocket shaped and dimensioned to receive the second end of the spool.

11. A device according to claim 1, further including:

said spindle longitudinally movable and lockable with respect to said plurality of bearings;

said spindle having a circular hole engaging portion;

said hole engaging portion having a plurality of diameters for receiving spool holes of different sizes;

said spindle assembly including a rod;

said cutter rotatably connected to said rod;

said cutter longitudinally movable along said rod;

said cutter having a blade;

a selectively retractable hood covering said blade; and

,

said hood biased so as to cover said blade.

12. A method for removing the filter medium from the spool of an oil filter, comprising:

(1) providing said spool having;

a first end having a hole;

an opposite second end; and

,

said filter medium wherein said filter medium is saturated with oil;

(2) providing a device for removing said filter medium from said spool said device including;

a spindle assembly including;

a spindle shaped and dimensioned to receive said hole in said first end of said spool;

a plurality of bearings; and

,

a cutter;

a holder/crank including;

said holder/crank shaped and dimensioned to receive said second end of said spool;

a retainer for holding said spool in said holder/crank;

a circular rim; and

,

a handle for rotating said holder/crank;

(3) connecting said second end of said spool to said holder/crank;

(4) using said retainer to lock said spool in said holder/crank;

(5) inserting said spool and said holder/crank into said spindle assembly so that said spindle engages said hole in said first end of said spool and said rim engages said plurality of bearings;

(6) positioning said cutter on said filter medium near said first end of said spool;

(7) bringing said cutter to bear against said filter medium;

(8) while continuously pressing said cutter against said filter medium, rotating said holder/crank so that a circumferential cut is made through said filter medium;

(9) positioning said cutter on said filter medium near said second end of said spool;

(10) bringing said cutter to bear against said filter medium;

(11) while continuously pressing said cutter against said filter medium, rotating said holder/crank so that a second circumferential cut is made through said filter medium; and

,

(12) removing said filter medium from said spool.

13. The method according to claim 12, further including:

said spindle longitudinally movable and lockable with respect to said plurality of bearings; and

,

in step (5), longitudinally moving and locking said spindle so that said rim engages said plurality of bearings and said spindle engages said hole in said spool.

14. The method according to claim 12, further including:

said filter medium including a clip; and

,

prior to steps (7) and (10), bending said clip so as not to interfere with said cutter.

15. The method according to claim 12, further including:

said cutter further including a blade; and

,

said cutter further including a selectively retractable hood for covering said blade; and

,

steps (7) and (10) further including retracting said hood so as to expose said blade.

16. The method according to claim 12, further including:

providing a conventional vice;

said spindle assembly having a downwardly projecting flange; and

,

prior to steps (8) and (11), locking said flange in said conventional vice so that said device is stationary.