FLUID EXTRACTOR DEVICE AND KIT

Abstract

A fluid extractor device including a ring with a circumference capable of fitting around an oil filter; a bracket affixed to the ring; and a valve including a base attached to the bracket, an extendable pin extending through the base, and a vacuum extension extending perpendicularly from the base and terminating in a vacuum aperture.

Claims

1. A fluid extractor device for extracting fluid from an oil filter, comprising: a ring having a ring circumference capable of fitting around an oil filter circumference of the oil filter and comprising a ring clamp disposed on said ring and capable of adjusting said ring circumference of said ring such that said ring is tightly held against the oil filter, wherein: said ring comprises: an outer overlap with an outer overlap end; an inner overlap with an inner overlap end; an outer overlap hook disposed on and extending out from said outer overlap, comprising an outer overlap hook gap; and an inner overlap hook disposed on and extending out from said inner overlap, comprising an inner overlap hook gap; wherein said outer overlap and said inner overlap move with relation to one another when said ring circumference is adjusted, such that said outer overlap end is closer to said inner overlap end when said ring circumference is larger and said outer overlap end is farther away from said inner overlap end when said ring circumference is smaller; said ring clamp comprises an adjuster comprising: a threaded piece comprising a threaded piece T-bar and a threaded piece end; and a sleeve comprising: a sleeve threaded hollow, wherein said threaded piece is sized and dimensioned to be disposed through said sleeve threaded hollow such that threading of said threaded piece mates with threading of said sleeve threaded hollow; a sleeve T-bar disposed at an end of said sleeve; a bolt disposed at another end of said sleeve, wherein is sized and dimensioned to mate with said threaded piece; a sleeve T-bar hole in said sleeve T-bar, wherein said sleeve threaded hollow is exposed through said sleeve T-bar hole and said threaded piece end of said threaded piece is introduced to said sleeve threaded hollow through said T-bar hole; a bolt hole in said bolt, wherein said sleeve threaded hollow is exposed through said bolt hole and said threaded piece end is capable of extending out from said bolt hole when said threaded piece is sufficiently screwed into said sleeve threaded hollow; an outer sleeve affixed to said sleeve T-bar, wherein said outer sleeve extends around a portion of said sleeve threaded hollow; and an inner sleeve, wherein: said inner sleeve extends around a portion of said sleeve threaded hollow; said inner sleeve is sized and dimensioned to move within said outer sleeve; said bolt is disposed proximate to said inner sleeve, and controls how far said inner sleeve moves into said outer sleeve by moving along said threaded piece extending through said sleeve threaded hollow and said bolt hole; said threaded piece T-bar is disposed within and held in place by said inner overlap hook such that said threaded piece extends out from said inner overlap hook gap; and said sleeve T-bar is disposed within and held in place by said outer overlap hook such that said outer sleeve extends out from said outer overlap hook gap; a bracket affixed to said ring; and a valve comprising: a base comprising a bracket side and a pin side, wherein said bracket side extends through said bracket such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another; a valve plug disposed within said base; a pin comprising a pointed end and a screw end, wherein: said pin extends through said base; through turning said screw end of said pin, said pointed end of said pin is capable of being disposed entirely within said base and is capable of extending beyond said bracket side of said base; and said at least one valve hole of said bracket is sized and dimensioned to accommodate said bracket side of said base of said valve such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another; and a vacuum extension extending perpendicularly from said base and terminating in a vacuum aperture, wherein said vacuum extension is sized and dimensioned to securely attach a vacuum hose around said vacuum extension.

2. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner overlap comprises an overlap lip that guides said outer overlap as said outer overlap moves in relation to said inner overlap.

3. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve plug comprises a threaded opening, wherein said screw end of said pin is threaded to made with said threaded opening of said valve plug, and wherein said screw end of said pin is removably attached to said threaded opening of said valve plug.

4. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a left side, a right side, and a center side connecting tops of said left and right sides, a distance between said left and right sides, a width, and at least one valve hole disposed through said bracket; said left side and said right side are parallel to one another; said distance between said left and right sides is such that said ring fits just within said distance; said ring is affixed to said left and right sides of said bracket; and said width is wide enough to accommodate said affixation of said ring to said left and right sides;

5. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one valve hole is at least one valve hole disposed through said left side of said bracket, at least one valve hole disposed through said right side of said bracket, and at least one valve hole disposed through said center side of said bracket.

6. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bracket side of said base of said valve comprises base bracket side threading and each of said at least one valve hole of said bracket comprises corresponding valve threading such that said bracket side of said base of said valve is capable of being securely screwed into any of said at least one valve holes of said bracket.

7. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bracket further comprises a left buffer affixed to said left side of said bracket and a right buffer affixed to said right side of said bracket, wherein said right and left buffers extend slightly into said distance between said right and left sides so as to firmly hold the oil filter in place within said ring and said bracket.

8. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said center side of said bracket is curved convex away from said left and right sides so as to accommodate a curve on a top of the oil filter.

9. A fluid extractor kit for extracting fluid from an oil filter, comprising: a fluid extractor device, comprising: a ring having a ring circumference capable of fitting around an oil filter circumference of the oil filter and comprising a ring clamp disposed on said ring and capable of adjusting said ring circumference of said ring such that said ring is tightly held against the oil filter, wherein: said ring comprises: an outer overlap with an outer overlap end; an inner overlap with an inner overlap end; an outer overlap hook disposed on and extending out from said outer overlap, comprising an outer overlap hook gap; and an inner overlap hook disposed on and extending out from said inner overlap, comprising an inner overlap hook gap; wherein said outer overlap and said inner overlap move with relation to one another when said ring circumference is adjusted, such that said outer overlap end is closer to said inner overlap end when said ring circumference is larger and said outer overlap end is farther away from said inner overlap end when said ring circumference is smaller; said ring clamp comprises an adjuster comprising: a threaded piece comprising a threaded piece T-bar and a threaded piece end; and a sleeve comprising: a sleeve threaded hollow, wherein said threaded piece is sized and dimensioned to be disposed through said sleeve threaded hollow such that threading of said threaded piece mates with threading of said sleeve threaded hollow; a sleeve T-bar disposed at an end of said sleeve; a bolt disposed at another end of said sleeve, wherein is sized and dimensioned to mate with said threaded piece; a sleeve T-bar hole in said sleeve T-bar, wherein said sleeve threaded hollow is exposed through said sleeve T-bar hole and said threaded piece end of said threaded piece is introduced to said sleeve threaded hollow through said T-bar hole; a bolt hole in said bolt, wherein said sleeve threaded hollow is exposed through said bolt hole and said threaded piece end is capable of extending out from said bolt hole when said threaded piece is sufficiently screwed into said sleeve threaded hollow; an outer sleeve affixed to said sleeve T-bar, wherein said outer sleeve extends around a portion of said sleeve threaded hollow; and an inner sleeve, wherein: said inner sleeve extends around a portion of said sleeve threaded hollow; said inner sleeve is sized and dimensioned to move within said outer sleeve; said bolt is disposed proximate to said inner sleeve, and controls how far said inner sleeve moves into said outer sleeve by moving along said threaded piece extending through said sleeve threaded hollow and said bolt hole; said threaded piece T-bar is disposed within and held in place by said inner overlap hook such that said threaded piece extends out from said inner overlap hook gap; and said sleeve T-bar is disposed within and held in place by said outer overlap hook such that said outer sleeve extends out from said outer overlap hook gap; a bracket affixed to said ring; and a valve comprising: a base comprising a bracket side and a pin side, wherein said bracket side extends through said bracket such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another; a valve plug disposed within said base; a pin comprising a pointed end and a screw end, wherein: said pin extends through said base; through turning said screw end of said pin, said pointed end of said pin is capable of being disposed entirely within said base and is capable of extending beyond said bracket side of said base; and said at least one valve hole is sized and dimensioned to accommodate said bracket side of said base of said valve such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another; and a vacuum extension extending perpendicularly from said base and terminating in a vacuum aperture, wherein said vacuum extension is sized and dimensioned to securely attach a vacuum hose around said vacuum extension; and a vacuum pump comprising a vacuum hose capable of secure attachment to said vacuum extension of said valve of said fluid extractor device, wherein said vacuum pump is capable of creating a vacuum such that when said vacuum hose is securely attached around said vacuum extension of said valve of said fluid extractor device and said pin of said valve is extended beyond said bracket side of said base of said valve such that said pin pierces the oil filter held against said ring of said fluid extractor device, fluid from the oil filter moves out of the oil filter, through said vacuum hose and into said vacuum pump.

10. The fluid extractor kit as claimed in claim 9, wherein said inner overlap comprises an overlap lip that guides said outer overlap as said outer overlap moves in relation to said inner overlap.

11. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said valve plug comprises a threaded opening, wherein said screw end of said pin is threaded to made with said threaded opening of said valve plug, and wherein said screw end of said pin is removably attached to said threaded opening of said valve plug.

12. The fluid extractor kit as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said bracket comprises a left side, a right side, and a center side connecting tops of said left and right sides, a distance between said left and right sides, a width, and at least one valve hole disposed through said bracket; said left side and said right side are parallel to one another; said distance between said left and right sides is such that said ring fits just within said distance; said ring is affixed to said left and right sides of said bracket; and said width is wide enough to accommodate said affixation of said ring to said left and right sides

13. The fluid extractor kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one valve hole of said bracket of said fluid extractor device is at least one valve hole disposed through said left side of said bracket, at least one valve hole disposed through said right side of said bracket, and at least one valve hole disposed through said center side of said bracket.

14. The fluid extractor kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said bracket side of said base of said valve of said fluid extractor device comprises base bracket side threading and each of said at least one valve hole of said bracket comprises corresponding valve threading such that said bracket side of said base of said valve is capable of being securely screwed into any of said at least one valve holes of said bracket.

15. The fluid extractor kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said bracket of said fluid extractor device further comprises a left buffer affixed to said left side of said bracket and a right buffer affixed to said right side of said bracket, wherein said right and left buffers extend slightly into said distance between said right and left sides so as to firmly hold the oil filter in place within said ring and said bracket.

16. A fluid extractor device for extracting fluid from an oil filter, comprising: a ring having a ring circumference capable of fitting around an oil filter circumference of the oil filter and comprising a ring clamp disposed on said ring and capable of adjusting said ring circumference of said ring such that said ring is tightly held against the oil filter; a base comprising a bracket side and a pin side, wherein said bracket side extends through said bracket such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another; a valve plug disposed within said base, said valve plug comprising a threaded opening; a pin comprising a pointed end and a screw end threaded to made with said threaded opening of said valve plug; wherein said screw end of said pin is removably attached to said threaded opening of said valve plug; wherein said pin extends through said base with said screw end of said pin extending beyond said pin side of said base; and wherein through turning said screw end of said pin, said pointed end of said pin is capable of being disposed entirely within said base and is capable of extending beyond said bracket side of said base; and a vacuum extension extending perpendicularly from said base and terminating in a vacuum aperture, wherein said vacuum extension is sized and dimensioned to securely attach a vacuum hose around said vacuum extension.

17. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a bracket affixed to said ring; wherein said bracket comprises a left side, a right side, and a center side connecting tops of said left and right sides, a distance between said left and right sides, a width, and at least one valve hole disposed through said bracket; wherein said left side and said right side are parallel to one another; wherein said distance between said left and right sides is such that said ring fits just within said distance; wherein said ring is affixed to said left and right sides of said bracket; wherein said width is wide enough to accommodate said affixation of said ring to said left and right sides; and wherein said at least one valve hole is sized and dimensioned to accommodate said bracket side of said base of said valve such that said valve and said bracket are held in place relative to one another.

18. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one valve hole of said bracket is at least one valve hole disposed through said left side of said bracket, at least one valve hole disposed through said right side of said bracket, and at least one valve hole disposed through said center side of said bracket.

19. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said bracket side of said base of said valve of said fluid extractor device comprises base bracket side threading and each of said at least one valve hole of said bracket comprises corresponding valve threading such that said bracket side of said base of said valve is capable of being securely screwed into any of said at least one valve holes of said bracket.

20. The fluid extractor device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said bracket further comprises a left buffer affixed to said left side of said bracket and a right buffer affixed to said right side of said bracket, wherein said right and left buffers extend slightly into said distance between said right and left sides so as to firmly hold the oil filter in place within said ring and said bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1A is a top down view of the fluid extractor device of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1B is an alternative top down view of the device of the present invention with the valve swiveled in a different position.

[0028] FIG. 2A is a side view of the device of the present invention centered on the bracket and valve.

[0029] FIG. 2B is an alternative side view of the device of the present invention centered on the bracket and valve with the valve swiveled in a different position.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bracket and valve of the device of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device showing the bracket and valve with the pin in a retracted position.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of the present invention centering on the tightening screw.

[0033] FIG. 6A is a close up view of the screw end of the pin.

[0034] FIG. 6B is a close up view of the tightening screw.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of the present invention attached to an oil filter.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a side view of a vacuum pump that is attached to the device to form the fluid extractor kit of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 9A is a side view of a device of the present invention mounted on an oil filter.

[0038] FIG. 9B is the other side view of the device shown in FIG. 9A.

[0039] FIGS. 10A and 10B are detailed views of the valve and bracket of the present invention with the bracket side of the base of the valve apart from and flush against an oil filter, respectively.

[0040] FIGS. 10C and 10D are detailed views of the valve and bracket of the present invention with the pin retracted and extended, respectively.

[0041] FIGS. 11A-11E are top down, one side, other side, bottom up, and perspective views of the present invention, respectively.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a side view of the present invention with the preferred ring clamp.

[0043] FIG. 13A is a top down view of the preferred ring clamp with a larger ring circumference.

[0044] FIG. 13B is a top down view of the preferred ring clamp with a smaller ring circumference.

[0045] FIG. 13C is a top down view of the preferred ring clamp with an overlap lip.

[0046] FIG. 14A is a side view of the adjuster of the preferred ring clamp.

[0047] FIG. 14B is a side view of threaded piece of the adjuster of the preferred ring clamp.

[0048] FIG. 15A is an assembly view of the preferred valve of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 15B is an assembly view of the preferred valve of FIG. 15A with the valve plug and pin visible.

[0050] FIG. 15C is a side view of the preferred valve plug shown in FIG. 15B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, top down views of fluid extractor device 10 are provided. In each view, we see ring 12 with ring clamp 15 and ring circumference 13; bracket 18; valve 22; and pin 38. Bracket 18 interrupts ring 12 so that bracket 18 is a part of ring circumference 13. Ring 12 is the preferred hose clamp ring. Ring clamp 15 includes the preferred tightening screw 14 and screw head 16. Bracket 18 has bracket screws 20 on either side at ring-bracket affixation points 17. Although bracket screws 20 are the preferred method to affix ring 12 and bracket 18 together, it is understood that ring 12 and bracket 18 may be affixed by any means commonly used in the art, such as welding. Although bracket screws 20 are indicated from the inside of ring 12, it is understood that bracket screws 20 extend through ring 12 and are therefore disposed on both sides of ring 12. Valve 22 has base 28 and vacuum extension 30 perpendicular to base 28. Base 28 has bracket side 32 that extends through bracket 18 and exposed side 34 out of which pin 38 extends. Bracket side 32 terminates in a compressible ring 33. Bracket side 32 includes base bracket side threading 31. Pin 38 includes pointed end 40 and screw end 42. Pointed end 40 is not visible in this view as it is within base 28. When pin 38 is extended by turning screw end 42 using threading 36, pointed end 40 will extend out of base 28 and puncture an oil filter (as shown in FIG. 7, for example) positioned within ring 12. Pin 38 is held in place within base 28 by compression nut 44. Vacuum extension 30 has vacuum aperture 26. Ridges 46 around the outside of vacuum extension 30 allow for easy attachment of a vacuum hose and vacuum device (shown in FIG. 8). In FIG. 1B, we see valve 22 swiveled to one side as opposed to perpendicular to ring 12, as shown in FIG. 1A. Valve 22 is also capable of swiveling in the opposite direction from that shown. Bracket screws 20 act as stops so that valve 22 cannot completely revolve, but may swivel within the approximate 180 arc. The swiveling allows a vacuum hose 92 and vacuum pump 94 to be attached at whatever is the most convenient position within that arc.

[0052] Now referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, side views of device 10 centering on bracket 18 and valve 22 are provided. Bracket 18 is shown with bracket screws 20 on either side. Screw head 16 of tightening screw 14 is visible on the right. Vacuum extension 30 and ridges 46 are visible on valve 22. Screw end 42 of pin 38 is visible, as is compression nut 44 holding pin 38 in position within base 28 of valve 22. As with FIGS. 1A and 1B, valve 22 is shown swiveled in different positions in FIG. 2A and 2B. In FIG. 2B, bracket screw 20 is acting as a stop from valve 22 swiveling any further.

[0053] Now referring to FIG. 3, a side view centering on bracket 18 and valve 22 is provided. Valve 22 is swiveled to the side and stopped by bracket screw 20. Valve 22 has vacuum extension 30 with vacuum aperture 26. Valve 22 also has base 28 with bracket side 32 and exposed side 34. Pin 38 extends out of exposed side 34 of base end 28 of valve 22 and is held in place by compression nut 44.

[0054] Now referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the inside of device 10 is shown in which the ring 12, the inside of the bracket 18, and valve 22 are visible. The aperture in the bracket side 32 of the base 28 of valve 22 is visible within the inside of the compressible ring 33. In this view, the pointed end 40 of pin 38 is disposed within this aperture. Base bracket side threading 31 used to screw valve 22 into bracket 18 through valve hole 37 in bracket 18 (not visible because valve 22 is filling valve hole 37 in this view) is also visible. Although not visible in this view, it is understood that the sides of valve hole 37 also include valve threading that coordinates with base bracket side threading 31 to secure valve 22 through bracket 18. FIG. 10D shows the pointed end 40 of the pin 38 in an extended position. In this position, the pointed end 40 of the pin 38 will pierce the side of an oil filter, such as the oil filter 70 of FIG. 7. Once the pointed end 40 of the pin 38 pierces the side of the oil filter, it is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 4A to allow oil to flow through the opening in the oil filter created by the pin 38.

[0055] Now referring to FIG. 5, a side view of device 10 centered on tightening screw 14 is provided. The rounded metal that forms ring 12 is longer than the circumference of the circle formed by ring 12. The extra length is threaded through tightening screw 14 and is visible to the right of tightening screw 14 with the end of the extra length covered with rubber so as to avoid sharp end pieces. When tightening screw 14 is loosened or tightened, the material of ring 12 may move within tightening screw 14 so that the circumference of ring 12 is made smaller or larger to accommodate the circumference of the oil filter. When the desired circumference is achieved, the screw head 16 is tightened so that ring 12 is held snugly and securely around the circumference of the oil filter to be drained.

[0056] Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, close ups of screw end 42 of pin 38 and tightening screw 16 are provided, respectively. The hexagonal sides of screw end 42 and tightening screw 16 are of the same shape and size so that only one sized wrench is necessary to operate each of these features of device 10.

[0057] FIG. 7, shows the device 10 mounted around an oil filter 70. FIG. 8 shows a vacuum pump 94 that includes a hose end 92 that attaches to vacuum extension 30 of the device 10. The device 10 and vacuum pump 94 are combined to form the preferred fluid extractor kit of the present invention.

[0058] Now referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, side views of the preferred embodiment of device 10 are provided. The main difference between the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1-7 and this preferred embodiment is that bracket 18 is not a part of ring circumference 13 of the ring 12 (shown in FIG. 11E). Instead, bracket 18 includes left side 74, right side 76, and center side 78 connecting left and right side 74, 76 at their tops 80, 82. Like ring 12, bracket 18 is placed around oil filter 70 so that left and right sides 74, 76 are parallel and on either side of oil filter 70 and center side 78 extends over the top of oil filter 70. Center side 78 is preferably curved slightly convex away from left and right sides 74, 76, as shown, in order to better follow the lines of the top of oil filter 70. Valve 22 is as described above with the embodiment described in FIGS. 1-7. Valve 22 is shown here with a handle at the screw end 42 of pin 38. This is for ease of turning screw end 42 in order to extend and retract pointed end 40 (shown in FIG. 10D) in order to puncture oil filter 70. Left and right sides 74, 76 are sized to have a length and a spacing to allow it to fit around an oil filter 70 of a given size. Accordingly, the length and spacing will vary depending upon the oil filter 70 and certain embodiments of the kit include multiple brackets 18 having left and right sides 74, 76 of varying lengths and spacings.

[0059] Bracket side 32 of base 28 of valve 22 is positioned through a valve hole 37. Bracket 18 includes several valve holes 37 positioned on left, right, and center sides 74, 76, 78 (shown more clearly in FIGS. 11A-C, E), so that valve 22 may be positioned at several places around oil filter 70. Bracket side 32 of base 28 of valve 22 includes base bracket side threading 31, which corresponds with the valve threading on the inside of each valve hole 37, so that valve 22 may be affixed to bracket 18 at any of these valve holes 37. Distance 84 between left and right sides 74, 76 is just larger than the diameter of ring 12 so that ring 12 may be attached to left and right sides 74, 76 at ring-bracket affixation points 17. This affixation may be by welding or screws or any other method commonly used in the art.

[0060] Now referring to FIGS. 10A-10D, close up views of the intersection of valve 22 and bracket 18 are provided. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, oil filter 70 is included in the figure. Base bracket side threading 31 of bracket side 32 of base 28 of valve 22 is screwed into valve threading of valve hole 37 of bracket 18. In FIGS. 10A-10D, the valve hole 37 into which valve 22 is disposed is on center side 78. It is understood that valve 22 may be disposed in any of the valve holes 37, which are better viewed in FIGS. 11A-C, E. This allows oil filter 70 to be drained in situ, regardless of its orientation in situ. Left buffer 88 is also visible on the inside of left side 74 of bracket 18. It is understood that right side 76 also includes a similar right buffer 90. Buffers 88, 90 hold oil filter 70 in place, as shown. Taking up the space between left and right sides 74, 76 and oil filter 70 decreases the wiggle room of oil filter 70 so that the oil removal process goes more smoothly.

[0061] In FIG. 10A, device 10 has just been placed around oil filter 70. Although it is not shown in this view, it is understood that ring 12 has been tightened around oil filter 70 using ring clamp 15 so that device 10 is held securely in place on oil filter 70. In FIG. 10B, valve 22 has been screwed farther into bracket 18 so that bracket side 32 of valve 22 is flush against oil filter 70. This is the same position that valve 22 is in in FIG. 10C, but oil filter 70 has been removed for illustrative purposes. In FIG. 10D, the handle at the screw end 42 of pin 38 has been turned so that pointed end 40 of pin 38 has extended out of bracket side 32 of valve 22. Although the oil filter 70 has been removed so that this pointed end 40 is visible, it is understood that if oil filter 70 were still in place, oil filter 70 would be punctured. The hose end 92 of a vacuum pump 94, such as that shown in FIG. 8, may then be applied around vacuum extension 30 of valve 22. Ridges 46 help to hold hose end 92 in place. Pin 38 would then be again retracted by turning screw end 42 of pin 38 back in the other direction. At that point, when the vacuum is applied by the vacuum pump 94, any remaining oil left in oil filter 70 will be removed through valve 22 and vacuum hose 92.

[0062] Now referring to FIGS. 11A-11E, top down, left side, right side, bottom up, and perspective views of the device 10, respectively, are provided. These views show that, in addition to the valve hole 37 into which valve 22 is shown disposed in the figures, device 10 includes several other valve holes 37 on the left, right, and center sides 74, 76, 78 into which valve 22 may be disposed. In addition, we see width 86 of left, right, and center sides 74, 76, 78 and buffers 88, 90 from the outside of bracket 18, as opposed to the inside, as we saw them in FIGS. 10A-10D. Oil filter circumference 72 is shown emboldened in FIG. 11D and ring circumference 13 is shown emboldened in FIG. 11E. The ring circumference 13 is capable of fitting around oil filter circumference 72 with little slack. What slack may remain once ring 12 is placed around oil filter 70 is removed by tightening ring clamp 15 so as to reduce ring circumference 13 until ring 12 is tightly held against the oil filter 70.

[0063] Another important feature of the bracket 18 shown in FIG. 11A is the socket opening 39, which is sized to allow a socket wrench (not shown) to be used to turn the bracket 18 and attached oil filter 70. Although the socket opening 39 is shown as a square opening, it may take many forms that allow the bracket 18 to be turned by a separate tool. For example, it may take the form of a slot in which a flat screw head may fit. It may also not be an opening but, rather, a raised area to which a socket may be attached and turned. Accordingly, the socket opening 39 should not be seen as being limited to the opening shown in FIG. 11.

[0064] Now referring to FIGS. 12 and 13A-13C, a preferred embodiment of ring clamp 15 is illustrated. In FIG. 12, ring clamp 15 is shown between left and right sides 74, 76 of bracket 18. Valve 22 and its attachments and features are omitted from this Figure for clarity, but understood to be a part of the fluid extractor device 10. Ring 12 includes outer overlap 102 and inner overlap 106 as shown most clearly in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Outer overlap 102 has outer overlap end 104. Inner overlap 106 has inner overlap end 108. As ring circumference 13 is adjusted to accommodate a larger oil filter, as shown in FIG. 13A, outer and inner overlaps 102, 106 overlap each other less and outer overlap end 104 and inner overlap end 108 are closer together. As ring circumference 13 is adjusted to accommodate a smaller oil filter, as shown in FIG. 13B, outer and inner overlaps 102, 106 overlap each other more and outer overlap end 104 and inner overlap end 108 are farther apart. As shown in FIG. 12, outer overlap end 104 is visible and disposed on top of inner overlap 106. Inner overlap 106 may include overlap lip 100. Lip 100 guides outer overlap 102 as inner and outer overlaps 106, 102 move with relation to one another. Lip 100 ensures that inner and outer overlaps 106, 102 do not become skewed from one another during adjustments.

[0065] Ring clamp 15 includes adjuster 118 that includes threaded piece 120 and sleeve 126. Threaded piece 120 is shown alone in FIG. 14B. Threaded piece 120 is designed to extend through sleeve 126 as shown in FIG. 14A. Threaded piece 120 may include threading along its entire length, as shown in FIG. 14B, or along only a portion extending from threaded piece end 124, as shown elsewhere. Sleeve 126 surrounds a sleeve threaded hollow, which is not shown, but is understood to run through the length of sleeve 126 on the inside of sleeve 126. Threaded piece 120 ends at one end with threaded piece T-bar 122 and at the other end with threaded piece end 124. Threaded piece end 124 may be uncovered, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 14A, or may include a cap 125, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13B, 13C, and 14B. Sleeve 126 ends at one end with sleeve T-bar 130 and at the other end with bolt 128. Bolt 128 is preferable a butterfly bolt, as shown, but may be any type of bolt commonly used in the art. Sleeve T-bar 130 includes hole 134. Bolt 128 includes bolt hole 140. The sleeve threaded hollow is exposed on either end by holes 134 and 140. Although holes 134 and 140 are not clearly shown, it is understood that threaded piece end 124 may enter sleeve threaded hollow through hole 134, screw all the way through sleeve 126, and exit sleeve threaded hollow through bolt hole 140. Sleeve 126 includes outer sleeve 136 and inner sleeve 138. Outer sleeve 126 ends in and is affixed to sleeve T-bar 130. Inner sleeve 138 ends in bolt 128. Inner sleeve 128 may move in and out of outer sleeve 126 as controlled by bolt 128. When bolt 128 is tightened so that bolt 128 moves down threaded piece 120, inner sleeve 128 moves into outer sleeve 126, and vice versa.

[0066] Sleeve T-bar 130 is held in place by outer overlap hook 110. Threaded piece T-bar 122 is held in place by inner overlap hook 114. Hooks 110, 114 are affixed to inner and outer overlaps 106, 102, respectively. This affixation may be by welding 142, as shown in FIG. 12, or by any other means commonly used in the art. Hooks 110, 114 face one another and curve up and out from inner and outer overlaps 106, 102, and then back around to come back in contact with inner and outer overlaps 106, 102. The curved portion allows T-bars 122, 130 to turn within the space, but otherwise remain stationary. This ability for the T-bars 122, 130 to turn accommodates the adjustments made by turning bolt 128.

[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15C, the preferred valve 22 is shown. Valve 22 has base 28 and vacuum extension 30 perpendicular to base 28. Base 28 has bracket side 32 that extends through bracket 18 and exposed side 34 out of which the threaded portion 171 of valve plug 138 extends. Bracket side 32 includes base bracket side threading 31 on the outside surface and cylindrical detent 133 on the inside surface that is dimensioned to capture compressible ring 33. Valve plug 138 is disposed within the hollow interior of base 28. Valve plug 138 includes a substantially cylindrical threaded portion 171 that extends from the exposed side 34 of the base 28 a plug portion 172 having a larger diameter intended to fit within and seal off a mating opening inside of the base 28 and a pin portion 174 having a threaded opening 173 dimensioned to accommodate the threaded end of pin 38. Pin 38 includes a pointed end 40 and threaded end, which is not visible in this view as it is within base 28. The preferred pin 38 is a made of stainless steel and is threaded at the threaded end to allow it to be secured to the valve plug 138 but to also be replaced if dulled or broken. The threaded portion 171 of the valve plug 138 extends out of the opening in the exposed side 34 of the base 34 and is sealed in place by compression nut 44, which threads onto the threaded portion of exposed side 34 and captures o-ring 134. The threaded portion mates with a threaded opening 164 in a knurled knob 160. The knurled knob includes a knurled surface 162, which makes it easier for a user to grasp and rotate the knob 160.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the present invention is readily adapted for removing fluids from other cylindrical objects and may be made larger or smaller to accommodate objects of other sizes. In addition, the present invention may be easily adapted to remove material from plastic or metal drums, from the bottom of bottles, or the like. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.