Tool for opening and closing taps or valves

Abstract

Tool for opening and closing taps or valves with a cylindrical body (6) characterized by that a handle (7) is arranged on the cylindrical base body (6) in a fixed or removable manner, either laterally, obliquely from above, or attachable from above, that a threaded pin (1) with a handle (3) attached to it is arranged centrally in the cylindrical base body (6) in a height- and depth-adjustable manner, at the end of which a cone-shaped cone (2) is arranged, in which two, three or more radially extending, distributed rod-shaped legs (4) engage, Each of the rod-shaped legs (4) has an engagement pin (5) attached and the engagement pins (5) are guided radially displaceable in longitudinal grooves (8) arranged in the cylindrical base body (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tool for opening and closing taps or valves which, due to prolonged disuse or other influences, can no longer be operated solely by the finger strength of one hand.

[0002] It has long been known that opening or closing faucets or valves can sometimes cause significant problems. This is especially true for faucets that have remained closed or open for extended periods, making them very difficult to operate by hand. Examples include faucets connected to dishwashers or washing machines. In case of a malfunction, it is essential to be able to close these quickly. The same applies to faucets that are only opened and closed during the summer months but otherwise remain largely unused. Due to potential carbon deposits or rust, these can easily become impossible to operate by hand alone.

[0003] Document DE 17 03 579 U1 discloses a special valve pliers for loosening and tightening drain valves in washbasins. In these pliers, after being pressed into a drain valve, an internally arranged eccentric mechanism moves the jaws and pressure pieces outwards, engaging the inner wall of the drain valve and thus loosening or tightening it. However, these valve pliers are only suitable for loosening drain valves with a very narrow inner diameter.

[0004] Document DE 100 13 631 A1 describes a different assembly tool for disassembling valves on a four-stroke engine, which features a non-slip handle and a bore in the underside into which a rotating magnet is inserted. This disassembly tool is primarily suitable only for the safe and loss-free disassembly of valves for internal combustion engines.

[0005] A technical solution is known from DE 36 42 198 A1, which describes a simple key for opening and closing shut-off valves of compressed gas cylinders. This type of wrench has a head plate and an adjoining handle. The head plate has at least two, preferably three, vertical bolts. The key is attached to the conventional handles of compressed gas cylinders, with the pins (5) engaging the handle so that the handle can be rotated and thus opened. This key is not suitable for different types of handles.

[0006] Utility model DE 20 2014 101 871 U1 describes another simple tool for operating shut-off valves, which is also only suitable for one type of handle. This tool is divided into two sections. The tool head has three engagement elements, which are designed as cylindrical or oval pins.

[0007] CN 1 14 290 274 ​​A describes a tool for opening and closing valves. Support columns are connected to a handwheel-type mechanism beneath it. An actuating rod is mounted laterally on the handwheel, which is used to rotate the handwheel. The actuating rod engages with protrusions, which rotate interlocking parts to open or close the valve. Compared to other wrenches in the prior art, the process of opening or closing the valve with this valve opening and closing tool is secure, maintaining engagement and preventing slippage during rotation. This tool is also not suitable for use with different handle types.

[0008] CN 1 11 336 306 A discloses a handwheel clamping and locking mechanism that can be mounted on the handwheel of a manual valve. This mechanism comprises at least two clamping jaws, a main disc body, an assembly for synchronously opening and closing the clamping jaws, and an external connecting part. The assembly for synchronously opening and closing the clamping jaws is used to allow each clamping jaw to move synchronously along a clamping channel, so that each clamping jaw can be positioned on the concentric circular path of the main disc body. The opening and closing tool of the manual valve consists of the handwheel clamping and locking mechanism, a transmission mechanism, and a torque wrench.The transmission mechanism serves to transfer force from the torque wrench to the clamping and locking mechanism of the handwheel, allowing a precisely defined force to be set for opening and closing without damaging the valve.

[0009] The object of the invention is to create a novel, structurally simple tool for opening and closing taps or valves, which makes it possible to close or open taps or valves that can no longer be opened by the finger force of one hand, and which is easy to handle with little effort and universally suitable for a wide variety of applications.

[0010] The invention is solved by the features of the first claim. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The tool according to the invention for opening and closing taps or valves consists of a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical base body 6, on which a handle 7 is fixedly or detachably mounted laterally or obliquely from above or directly from above. A threaded pin 1 with a handle 3 attached to it is arranged centrally from above in the cylindrical base body 6 such that the threaded pin 1 can be adjusted in height and depth by turning it. A conical cone 2 is attached to the end of the threaded pin 1, in which two, three, or more radially extending, distributed rod-shaped legs 4 engage. The rod-shaped legs 4 are preferably positively guided in the conical grooves 9 extending downwards in the cone 2.This can be achieved simply by having the conical grooves 9, for example, dovetail-shaped in cross-section or semi-open in another form. A downward-projecting engagement pin 5 is attached to each of the rod-shaped legs 4, with the engagement pins 5 being radially displaceable and guided in longitudinal grooves 8 within the cylindrical base body 6. This design allows the two, three, or more engagement pins 5 to be adjusted radially inwards until their inner surface rests against the head of a tap or valve, firmly enclosing it and enabling operation with a simple twisting motion. This prevents tap heads or other valve heads that could previously be operated solely by finger force from being opened and / or closed.The engagement pins 5 can also be adjusted outwards so that they can be inserted and positioned from the inside into a perforated handle of a tap or valve, so that the perforated head of a stuck tap or valve can be opened or closed again with a simple twist.

[0011] In a qualified design of the tool for opening and closing taps or valves, a ratchet is integrated into the base body 6, as is the case with other known ratchet-equipped tools. This makes it possible to repeatedly perform a partial rotational movement, for example, when only a small operating range is possible due to limited space.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment, the handle 7 is coupled via an intermediate cardan joint, so that the opening and closing of taps or valves is not only possible at right angles to the installation position of the tap or valve. This also allows for the force to be applied to the novel tool at an angle or even from above.

[0013] Additionally, it is also advantageous if the radially adjustable rod-shaped legs 4 of the tool for opening and closing taps or valves are spring-loaded, so that the engagement pins 5 can be moved radially inwards more easily and can be placed as firmly as possible against the head of a tap or valve to be operated and engaged.

[0014] Additionally, the engagement pins 5 of tools for opening and closing taps or valves can be designed with a specially roughened surface or with additional serrations. This reduces the risk of the tool slipping when force is applied to the respective head.

[0015] The invention will be described below with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 will be described in more detail in one possible implementation variant. Fig. Figure 1 shows, as the upper figure, a view of a tool according to the invention from below, below it a figure of a side view and, as the last figure, a perforated side view. Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the tool according to the invention, the upper figure showing the engagement pins 5 being applied from the outside to a six-pronged closed tap head 14 and the lower figure showing the engagement pins being applied from the inside to a three-pronged openwork tap head 13 or a six-pronged openwork tap head 14 (shown as dashed lines). Fig. Figure 3 shows a version with a handle that can be attached either from above or from the side. 7 Fig. Figure 4 shows a preferred cone design in side view and a corresponding sectional view of the cone 2 with cone grooves 9.

[0016] In the upper image of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a tool according to the invention with a handle 7 optionally attached in a fixed or detachable manner. Three longitudinal grooves 8, offset by 120 degrees, are provided in the cylindrical base body 6. Each longitudinal groove 8 has an adjustable engagement pin 5 of a defined length projecting from the inside. The engagement pins 5 are attached inside the cylindrical base body 6 to three rod-shaped legs 4, also offset by 120 degrees. These engagement pins 5 can be fixedly or interchangeably mounted (for example, screwed in) in the rod-shaped legs 4. If they are interchangeable, engagement pins 5 of different lengths can be easily and quickly arranged as needed to achieve different engagement depths in or on the upper part of a faucet, i.e., on or into a faucet head.A conical opening 16 can be arranged in the underside of the cylindrical base body 6 to allow deeper insertion or more effective application of the tool according to the invention, depending on the shape of the boat head.

[0017] The middle view shows a side view of a tool according to the invention. An upper mounting aid 10 can be arranged on the handle 3, which, when rotated, adjusts the height of a cone 2 located inside the cylindrical base body 6. The laterally detachable handle 7 can also be mounted onto this upper mounting aid from above. This upper mounting aid can also simultaneously serve to make it easier to rotate the handle 3, so that the radial distance between the engagement pins 5 can be changed as needed by means of the height-adjustable cone 2 and the resulting radial displacement of the rod-shaped legs 4.

[0018] In the lower image of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of the openwork, cylindrical base body 6. The conical cone 2 is adjustable in height and depth by means of a threaded pin 1. Three conical grooves 9, offset by 120 degrees, are provided in the cone 2, into which the three rod-shaped legs 4 are slidably guided. The conical grooves 9 are preferably dovetail-shaped, and the inner leg ends are advantageously spherical so that they can slide in the conical grooves 9. When the cone 2 is moved upwards by turning the threaded pin 1, the rod-shaped legs 4 are moved radially inwards. The radial distance between the three engagement pins 5, which are guided in the longitudinal grooves 8, is also changed and reduced accordingly, relative to the center point of the cylindrical base body 6. By turning the threaded pin 1 (a type of threaded screw) in the opposite direction, the rod-shaped legs 4 are moved inwards.h the cone 2 is moved downwards, the rod-shaped legs 4 are moved outwards and the engagement pins 5 are moved radially outwards in the longitudinal grooves 8, i.e. their radial distance is increased accordingly.

[0019] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows two top views of the tool according to the invention illustrating possible engagement positions of the engagement pins 5 in three different tap heads 13, 14. The upper figure shows the three engagement pins 5 being applied from the outside to a six-pronged, fully enclosed tap head 14. The three engagement pins 5 are moved inwards from the outside into the recesses by simply turning the threaded pin 1 until they rest firmly against the edge of the tap head 14 and enclose its contour. Then, by applying force via the handle 7, the tap head 14, which is shaped like a six-petaled flower, is released. This allows a greater force to be applied than is possible with the finger strength of one hand or even both hands.

[0020] The lower illustration shows how the three engagement pins 5 are positioned from the inside against a three-pronged, internally perforated tap head 13 or a six-pronged, internally perforated tap head 14. This is achieved by moving the cone 2 downwards by turning the threaded pin 1, so that the three engagement pins can be firmly positioned against the inner contour. This reliably prevents slippage when force is applied.

[0021] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows two side views of a version with a handle 7 that can be attached either from above or from the side. In a simple version, the handle 7, which serves as a grip, has a corresponding groove-like recess arranged so that it can engage either an upper insertion aid 10 or a lateral insertion aid 11 by being either inserted or attached. By rotating the handle 7, the locking bolt 12 engages and the handle 7 is securely locked.

[0022] Depending on the available space, the tool can then be inserted either from the side or from above at the tap head 13, 14 to be operated. To allow greater force to be applied, for example from above, the handle 7 is provided with a bore at its end so that a sturdy bolt or rod can be inserted, enabling a rotary motion to be performed with both hands. This can also be achieved using a bracket (not shown) located in the handle 7, which can be folded out laterally from the handle 7 when required.

[0023] In the Fig.Figure 4 shows a further enlarged detail of a preferred embodiment of the cone 2 in a side view and a corresponding sectional view with the cone grooves 9. An internal thread is formed in the cone 2, into which the threaded pin 1 engages. The threaded pin 1 is fixed by means of a threaded pin guide 15 so that it can only be rotated and cannot move up or down. Rotating the threaded pin 1 moves the cone 2 up or down. A handle 3 is formed at the top of the threaded pin 1, which is preferably knurled to facilitate rotation of the threaded pin 1 and thus, via height adjustment of the cone 2, radial displacement of the engagement pins 5.It is also possible, in principle, to design the tool according to the invention in such a way that the cone 2 can be exchanged with just a few steps, and then the tool can also be used for tap heads 13, 14 of different sizes and dimensions. The cone 2 is then designed as a truncated cone.

[0024] The tool according to the invention for opening and closing taps or valves has a simple design and makes it possible to open or close taps or valves that can no longer be operated by finger force. The force required is considerably less, and the tool is suitable for various applications if the engagement pins 5 can be appropriately positioned against or within a contour. Reference symbol list 1 threaded pin 2 cones 3 Handle 4 rod-shaped legs 5 insertion pins 6 cylindrical base bodies 7 handle 8 longitudinal grooves 9 conical grooves 10 Upper mounting aid 11 Side mounting aid 12 locking bolts 13 Three-pronged faucet head 14 Six-pronged faucet head 15 Threaded pin guide 16 Cone opening

Claims

Tool for opening and closing taps or valves with a cylindrical base body (6) characterized in that a handle (7) is fixedly or detachably arranged laterally, obliquely from above, or from above on the cylindrical base body (6), that a threaded pin (1) with a handle (3) attached thereto is arranged centrally in the cylindrical base body (6) in a height- and depth-adjustable manner, at the end of which a conical cone (2) is arranged, in which two, three or more radially extending, distributed rod-shaped legs (4) engage, an engagement pin (5) is attached to each of the rod-shaped legs (4) and the engagement pins (5) are guided radially displaceably in longitudinal grooves (8) arranged in the cylindrical base body (6). Tool for opening and closing taps or valves according to claim 1, characterized in that a ratchet is built into the base body (6). Tool for opening and closing taps or valves according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (7) is designed with a cardan joint. Tool for opening and closing taps or valves according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod-shaped legs 4 are additionally spring-loaded. Tool for opening and closing taps or valves according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement pins 5 are designed with a roughened surface or with additionally introduced ribbing.

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