Universal aerator removal and installation tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10730170-B2
Application number	US-201816105223-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2018
Priority date	Aug 22, 2017
Publication date	Aug 4, 2020
Grant date	Aug 4, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for a universal aerator removal and installation tool, which may include a tool for rotationally engaging and turning an aerator coupled to a faucet spout. The tool may include a tool body having a first end and a second end and various keys positioned at the first end of the tool body. Each of the keys may include projections configured to rotationally engage and turn a different type of aerator. One or more aerator wrenches may be positioned at the second end of the tool body, where the aerator wrenches may project from the tool body and be configured to rotationally engage and turn different types of aerators.

First claim

Therefore, the following is claimed:

1. A tool for rotationally engaging and turning an aerator coupled to a faucet spout, comprising:
a tool body having a first surface side, a second surface side, a first end, and a second end;
a plurality of keys positioned at the first end of the tool body, wherein at least one of the plurality of keys comprises a plurality of projections configured to rotationally engage and turn at least a first type of aerator; and
a first aerator wrench at the second end of the tool body and projecting outwardly from the first surface side of the tool body, the first aerator wrench being configured to rotationally engage and turn a second type of aerator; and
a second aerator wrench at the second end of the tool body and projecting outwardly from the second surface side of the tool body, the second aerator wrench being configured to rotationally engage and turn a third type of aerator; and
wherein the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench are detachably attached through an aperture positioned at the second end of the tool body using a plurality of tabs, wherein the tool body is positioned between the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein:
the first type of aerator is one of: M24x1 (Regular), M21.5x1 (Junior), M18.5x1 (Tiny Junior), and M16.5x1 (TOM THUMB); and
the second type of aerator is different than the first type of aerator and is one of M24x1 (Regular), M21.5x1 (Junior), M18.5x1 (Tiny Junior), and M16.5x1 (TOM THUMB).

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tool body comprises another aperture positioned on the first end of the tool body, the aperture operationally configured to receive and leverage a bottle cap off of a bottle.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the tool is magnetic.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second aerator wrench has a circular ridged recess comprising a plurality of ridges inside a diameter of the circular ridged recess configured to grip onto an outside of the third type of aerator.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a bottom of the first aerator wrench is configured to substantially conform to a top of the second aerator wrench, thereby forming a coupling between the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench through the aperture.

7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein:
the first aerator wrench comprises a partially circular recess having two flat edges position parallel and on opposing sides of the partially circular recess; and
the second aerator wrench comprises a circular ridged recess having a plurality of ridges projecting axially and outwardly.

8. The tool of claim 7 , wherein:
at least a portion of the first aerator wrench is formed of at least one of: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polypropylene (PP); and
at least a portion of the second aerator wrench is formed of at least one of: injection grade silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and rubber.

9. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keys comprise:
a first key curvedly projecting from a distal end of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn the first type of aerator;
a second key projecting from a first lateral side of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn a third type of aerator;
a third key projecting from a second lateral side of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn a fourth type of aerator; and
a fourth key curvedly projecting from a central portion of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn a fifth type of aerator.

10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the forth key is positioned at a rectangular-shaped aperture in a central region of the tool body.

11. A method for rotationally engaging and turning an aerator coupled to a faucet spout, comprising:
providing a tool, the tool comprising:
a tool body comprising a first surface side, a second surface side, a first end, and a second end;
a plurality of keys positioned at the first end of the tool body, wherein at least one of the plurality of keys comprises a plurality of projections configured to rotationally engage and turn at least a first type of aerator;
a first aerator wrench at the second end of the tool body and projecting outwardly from the first surface side of the tool body, the first aerator wrench being configured to rotationally engage and turn a second type of aerator; and
a second aerator wrench at the second end of the tool body and projecting outwardly from the second surface side of the tool body, the second aerator wrench being configured to rotationally engage and turn a third type of aerator; and
wherein the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench are detachably attached through an aperture positioned at the second end of the tool body using a plurality of tabs, wherein the tool body is positioned between the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench;
positioning one of the plurality of keys, the first aerator wrench, and the second aerator wrench to rotatably engage with the aerator coupled to the faucet spout; and
removing the aerator from the faucet spout by turning the tool.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the first type of aerator is one of: M24x1 (Regular), M21.5x1 (Junior), M18.5x1 (Tiny Junior), and M16.5x1 (TOM THUMB); and
the second type of aerator is different than the first type of aerator and is one of: M24x1 (Regular), M21.5x1 (Junior), M18.5x1 (Tiny Junior), and M16.5x1 (TOM THUMB).

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the tool body comprises another aperture positioned on the first end of the tool body, the aperture operationally configured to receive and leverage a bottle cap off of a bottle.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the tool is magnetic.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second aerator wrench has a circular ridged recess comprising a plurality of ridges inside a diameter of the circular ridged recess configured to grip onto an outside of the third type of aerator.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein a bottom of the first aerator wrench is configured to substantially conform to a top of the second aerator wrench, thereby forming a coupling between the first aerator wrench and the second aerator wrench through the aperture.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the first aerator wrench comprises a partially circular recess having two flat edges position parallel and on opposing sides of the partially circular recess; and
the second aerator wrench comprises a circular ridged recess having a plurality of ridges projecting axially and outwardly.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein:
at least a portion of the first aerator wrench is formed of at least one of: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polypropylene (PP); and
at least a portion of the second aerator wrench is formed of at least one of: injection grade silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and rubber.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of keys comprise:
a first key curvedly projecting from a distal end of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn the first type of aerator;
a second key projecting from a first lateral side of the tool body configured to rotationally engage and turn a third type of aerator;
a third key projecting from a second lateral side of the tool body configured to rotationa

Assignees

• Danco Inc

Inventors

• Schuster Michael J
• Saunders Douglas C

Classifications

• B25F1/02 Primary

  with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements · CPC title

• B25B13/10

  with adjustable jaws (B25B13/46, B25B13/48 {B25B13/5041} take precedence) · CPC title

• B25B13/54

  Internal grip wrenches {(B25B13/5083 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B25B13/065

  characterised by the cross-section of the socket · CPC title

• B67B7/16

  for removing flanged caps, e.g. crown caps · CPC title