Air hose removal tool

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lever based tools have been used for many years and are often seen in a common form of pliers. Because of the versatility and function of lever based tools, there are many variations including adaptations for specialty tools for various, specific applications. The present invention teaches a lever based tool for quickly and easily removing an air hose from a push-to-connect fitting.

SUMMARY

The present invention features an air hose removal device for removing a hose from a push-to-connect (quick connect push-in) fitting. In some embodiments the device comprises a first lever arm and a second lever arm. In some embodiments, the second lever arm is pivotally connected to the first lever arm via a connecting pin located through a first lever arm connecting aperture and a second lever arm connecting aperture.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a generally planar rigid upper fork located on a second lever arm anterior end. In some embodiments, the upper fork comprises a “V” shaped notch. In some embodiments, the device comprises a generally planar rigid lower fork mount located on a first lever arm anterior end. In some embodiments, the lower fork mount comprises a slot that runs longitudinally with respect to the plane of operation of the first lever arm and the second lever arm.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a rigid lower fork attachment. In some embodiments the lower fork attachment comprises a “V” shaped notch. In some embodiments, the lower fork attachment comprises a threaded stud located on a lower fork attachment bottom surface that further comprises a mated internally threaded knob. In some embodiments, the lower fork attachment comprises a monolithic “vee” block located on a lower fork attachment top surface. In some embodiments, the “vee” block comprises a groove located in the “vee” block top surface.

In some embodiments, in a first position of rest the first lever arm posterior end is located away from the second lever arm posterior end and the first lever arm anterior end is located away from the second lever arm anterior end. In some embodiments, in a first position, the air hose removal device can be placed into a position of use with respect to a push-to-connect fitting. In some embodiments, in a second position the first lever arm posterior end is moved toward the second lever arm posterior end and the first lever arm anterior end subsequently moves toward the second lever arm anterior end. In some embodiments, upon movement to the second position, the push-to-connect fitting ends are compressed to release an air hose.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention with the lower fork attachment first edge facing outward.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention with the lower fork attachment second edge facing outward.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention without the lower fork attachment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower fork attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the lower fork attachment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:

• • 100 Air hose removal device
  • 200 First lever arm
  • 202 First lever arm anterior end
  • 204 First lever arm posterior end
  • 206 First lever arm middle region
  • 208 First lever arm connecting aperture
  • 210 Second lever arm
  • 212 Second lever arm anterior end
  • 214 Second lever arm posterior end
  • 216 Second lever arm middle region
  • 218 Second lever arm connecting aperture
  • 220 Connecting pin
  • 230 Upper fork
  • 232 Upper fork anterior edge
  • 234 Upper fork posterior edge
  • 236 Upper fork middle region
  • 238 Upper fork top surface
  • 240 Upper fork bottom surface
  • 250 Lower fork mount
  • 252 Lower fork mount anterior edge
  • 254 Lower fork mount posterior edge
  • 256 Lower fork mount middle region
  • 258 Lower fork mount top surface
  • 260 Lower fork mount bottom surface
  • 270 Lower fork attachment
  • 272 Lower fork attachment first edge
  • 274 Lower fork attachment second edge
  • 276 Lower fork attachment middle region
  • 278 Lower fork attachment top surface
  • 280 Lower fork attachment bottom surface
  • 290 “Vee” block
  • 292 “Vee” block anterior edge
  • 294 “Vee” block posterior edge
  • 296 “Vee” block top surface
  • 300 Notch
  • 302 Upper fork cross-section
  • 304 Lower fork attachment cross-section
  • 306 Notch first side edge
  • 308 Notch second side edge
  • 310 Slot
  • 320 Groove
  • 322 Non-slip lining
  • 330 Threaded stud
  • 332 Threaded knob
  • 350 Plane of operation

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the present invention features an air hose removal device (100) for removing an air hose from a push-to-connect (quick connect push-in) fitting. In some embodiments, the device (100) comprises a first lever arm (200) having a first lever arm anterior end (202), a first lever arm posterior end (204), a first lever arm middle region (206) between the first lever arm anterior end (202) and the first lever arm posterior end (204), and a first lever arm connecting aperture (208) located at the first lever arm middle region (206).

In some embodiments, the device (100) comprises a second lever arm (210) having a second lever arm anterior end (212), a second lever arm posterior end (214), a second lever arm middle region (216) between the second lever arm anterior end (212) and the second lever arm posterior end (214), and a second lever arm connecting aperture (218) located at the second lever arm middle region (216). In some embodiments, the second lever arm (210) is pivotally connected to the first lever arm (200) via a connecting pin (220) located through the first lever arm connecting aperture (208) and the second lever arm connecting aperture (218).

In some embodiments, the device (100) comprises a generally planar rigid upper fork (230) having a upper fork anterior edge (232), an upper fork posterior edge (234) opposite the upper fork anterior edge (232), an upper fork middle region (236), an upper fork top surface (238), and an upper fork bottom surface (240). In some embodiments, the upper fork (230) is located on the second lever arm anterior end (212). In some embodiments, the upper fork top surface (238) is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the plane of operation (350) of the first lever arm (200) and the second lever arm (210). In some embodiments, the upper fork (230) comprises a “V” shaped notch (300) having a widest opening originating at the upper fork anterior edge (232) and tapering to a point near the upper fork middle region (236). In some embodiments, the notch (300) is located on the upper fork top surface (238) and extends through an upper fork cross-section (302) to the upper fork bottom surface (240).

In some embodiments the upper fork (230) is about ⅛″ thick. In some embodiments the upper fork (230) is about ¼″ thick. In some embodiments the upper fork (230) is greater than ¼″ thick.

In some embodiments, the device (100) comprises a generally planar rigid lower fork mount (250) having a lower fork mount anterior edge (252), a lower fork mount posterior edge (254) opposite the lower fork mount anterior edge (252), a lower fork mount middle region (256), a lower fork mount top surface (258) and a lower fork mount bottom surface (260). In some embodiments, the lower fork mount (250) is located on the first lever arm anterior end (202). In some embodiments, the lower fork mount (250) is oriented in line with respect to the plane of operation (350) of the first lever arm (200) and the second lever arm (210). In some embodiments, the lower fork mount (250) comprises a slot (310). In some embodiments, the slot (310) runs longitudinally with respect to the plane of operation (350) of the first lever arm (200) and the second lever arm (210). In some embodiments, the slot (310) is located originating proximal to but not connecting with the lower fork mount anterior edge (252) and extending to a point near the lower fork mount middle region (256).

In some embodiments, the device (100) comprises a rigid lower fork attachment (270) having a lower fork attachment first edge (272), a lower fork attachment second edge (274) opposite the lower fork attachment first edge (272), a lower fork attachment middle region (276), a lower fork attachment top surface (278) and a lower fork attachment bottom surface (280). In some embodiments, the lower fork top surface is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the plane of operation (350) of the first lever arm (200) and the second lever arm (210). In some embodiments, the lower fork attachment (270) comprises a “V” shaped notch (300) having a widest opening originating at the lower fork attachment first edge (272) and tapering to a point near the lower fork attachment middle region (276). In some embodiments, the notch (300) is located on the lower fork attachment top surface (278) and extends through a lower fork attachment cross-section (304) to the lower fork attachment bottom surface (280).

In some embodiments the lower fork attachment (270) is about ⅛″ thick. In some embodiments the lower fork attachment (270) is about ¼″ thick. In some embodiments the lower fork attachment (270) is greater than ¼″ thick.

In some embodiments, the lower fork attachment (270) comprises a threaded stud (330) located proximal to the lower fork attachment middle region (276) on the lower fork attachment bottom surface (280). In some embodiments, the threaded stud (330) comprises a mated internally threaded knob (332).

In some embodiments, the lower fork attachment (270) comprises a monolithic “vee” block (290) located on the lower fork attachment top surface (278). In some embodiments, the “vee” block (290) has a “vee” block anterior edge (292), a “vee” block posterior edge (294) and a “vee” block top surface (296). In some embodiments, the “vee” block (290) is located at the lower fork attachment second edge (274) and extends to the lower fork attachment middle region (276). In some embodiments, the “vee” block (290) comprises a groove (320) located in the “vee” block top surface (296). In some embodiments, the groove (320) traverses the “vee” block top surface (296) from the “vee” block anterior edge to the “vee” block posterior edge (294).

In some embodiments, the threaded stud (330) is for connecting the lower fork attachment (270) to the lower fork mount (250). In some embodiments, the threaded stud (330) is located through the slot (310). In some embodiments, the threaded knob (332) is located on the threaded stud (330) and tightened to affix the lower fork attachment (270) into place.

In some embodiments, in a first position of rest the first lever arm posterior end (204) is located away from the second lever arm posterior end (214) and the first lever arm anterior end (202) is located away from the second lever arm anterior end (212). In some embodiments, in a first position, the air hose removal device can be engaged into position with respect to a push-to-connect fitting. In some embodiments, in a second position of use the first lever arm posterior end (204) is located toward the second lever arm posterior end (214) and the first lever arm anterior end (202) is located toward the second lever arm anterior end (212). In some embodiments, upon movement to the second position, the push-to-connect fitting ends are compressed to release an air hose.

In some embodiments, two push-to-connect fitting ends can be actuated to simultaneously release two air hoses. In some embodiments, one push-to-connect fitting end can be actuated to release an air hose.

In some embodiments, the first lever arm connecting aperture (208) is a slot (310). In some embodiments, the second lever arm connecting aperture (218) is a slot (310).

In some embodiments, the groove (320) comprises flat sides. In some embodiments, the groove (320) comprises a 60 degree included angle.

In some embodiments, the groove (320) comprises a non-slip lining (322). In some embodiments, the non-slip lining (322) is a rubber.

In some embodiments, the “V” notch (300) comprises a radius. In some embodiments, the “V” notch (300) comprises stepped increments on a notch first side edge (306) and a notch second side edge (308).

As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the device is about 10 inches in length includes a device that is between 9 and 11 inches in length.

The disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,651; U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,206; U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,727; U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,626; U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,478; U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,787; U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,598; U.S. Design Pat. No. 429,614.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.