Abstract: A tool for removing an oil filter from an engine includes a wrench with a body from which a plurality of fingers pivotally project. Each finger has a remote end section from which a projection extends to compressively engage the oil filter. A drive mechanism causes the fingers to pivot with respect to the body. A flexible boot has a cylindrical shape with an open end and a smaller closed end and an exterior surface that is contacted by a rod of the wrench prior to engaging the oil filter. The boot catches and retains oil leakage during removal of an oil filter. The drive mechanism is adapted to have a handle removably attached thereto.

Abstract: A tool for removing an oil filter from an engine includes a wrench with a body from which a plurality of fingers pivotally project. Each finger has a remote end section from which a projection extends to engage the oil filter. A drive mechanism causes the fingers to pivot with respect to the body. A flexible boot has a curved frusto-conical shape with an open end and a smaller closed end and encloses the wrench. The boot catches and retains oil leakage during removal of an oil filter. A shaft is attached to the drive mechanism of the wrench and extends through the first aperture of the boot. The drive mechanism is adapted to have a handle removably attached thereto.

Abstract: A work implement holder includes a base with a permanent magnet and a first coupling. An elongated, flexible first shaft has a second coupling at one end that releasably mates with the first coupling to secure the first shaft to the base. A third coupling is attached to the second end of the first shaft. An elongated, flexible second shaft has an fifth coupling at one end that releasably mates with the third coupling to secure the second shaft to the first shaft. The opposite end of the second body has a sixth coupling. A work implement has a fourth coupling that releasably mates with the third and sixth couplings to secure the work implement to the first and second shafts, respectively. For example, the work implement can be a mirror, a magnifying glass, a clip, a permanent magnet, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: A holder for a flashlight includes a base from which a flexible shaft extends. The base has a permanent magnet for attaching the holder onto or adjacent to the workpiece. The shaft has a first end attached to the base and comprises an elongated, flexible metal core that preferably is surrounded by a resilient coating. The material of the shaft is such that when the shaft is bent into a given shape around flashlight, the core retains the given shape to hold onto the flashlight.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an airtight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside walls of a radiator filler neck to provide an airtight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an air-tight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.

Abstract: A coolant draining tool has a thermally insulating handle with a passageway therethrough. A curved drain tube is connected to the passageway and has an end portion with plurality of apertures for insertion into the cooling system of a motor vehicle. A hose coupling also is connected to the passageway for attaching the tool to a suction device to draw coolant from the cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an air-tight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering coolant from a motor vehicle includes an inlet tube with a sharply pointed end for penetrating a wall of a hose of the vehicle cooling system. The inlet tube is connected to an inlet of a closed container. An outlet of the closed container is coupled to a suction port of a venturi that also has a fluid inlet for attachment to a source of a pressurized fluid, and a fluid outlet. The flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet creates a suction at the suction port which draws coolant from the cooling system of a vehicle into the closed container. A muffler is provided at output from the venturi to reduce noise produced by fluid flowing form that output. Specific structures for the venturi and the muffler are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a closed container having an inlet connected to a radiator of an engine cooling system. An outlet of the container is coupled to the suction port of a venturi that has an inlet port connected by a solenoid valve to a source of pressurized air. A controller opens the solenoid valve for a given interval whenever the engine is turned off. That action creates a negative pressure in the container which bleeds gas from the radiator. Any coolant that also is removed from the radiator is collected in the container.

Abstract: A portable work light has a transparent tube through which light is emitted from a source within the tube. A pair of fasteners each have a strap that extends around the tube with a coupling attached to the strap. A cord passes through both couplings and has fixed loop at one end through which passes a section of the cord at the other end. The fixed loop is received within a tubular fastener which is able to slide along the fixed loop. The tubular fastener has a first position along the fixed loop in which the section of the cord is captivated from moving through the fixed loop, and a second position in which the section of cord is able to move through the fixed loop. This structure allows the cord to be held cinched around an object for supporting the transparent tube from which light is emitted.

Abstract: A portable work light has a handle to which a head is pivotally attached. The head houses a light source and a reflector that projects a beam of light. The head has an air inlet and outlet with a fan that forces air from the inlet to outlet thereby cooling components inside the head. The work light may be powered by either a battery which is releaseably connected to the handle or from an external source via an electrical cord that connects to a socket in the handle. An optical fiber assembly may be releaseably attached to the head over the opening to direct light from source through a fiber optic cable to illuminate small recessed working areas.