Oil filter removal tool

Claim 1

A hand tool for removal of oil filter canisters and the like comprising: a cup-shaped housing having an open end adapted to fit over one end of a filter canister to be removed, said housing including a longitudinal axis, a bottom portion centered on said axis, and axially extending finger portions projecting from said bottom portion and defining said open end, said finger portions being circumferentially spaced thereby defining axially extending openings to aid in visually aligning the tool housing upon a filter canister, said axially extending openings extending into said bottom portion and forming inwardly extending recesses in said bottom portion between said finger portions, the radial inward extent of said recesses being sufficient for the bottom portion between said finger portions to be substantially less than coextensive with the end of an oil filter canister over which said hand tool is adapted to fit, each of said finger portions having a free end and a cam receiving opening formed therein and spaced from said free end, a hole extending longitudinally through each finger portion from said free end and intersecting said cam receiving opening, a pin mounted in each said hole and extending through said cam receiving opening and cam means for each of said finger portions mounted on said pin to swing within said cam receiving opening for engagement with a filter canister near said one end, and means for rotating the housing in one direction to bring the cam means of each finger portion into operative position to engage a filter canister and rotate same.