GB2504475A

GB2504475A - Tool for installing automatic air vent on boiler in confined space

Info

Publication number: GB2504475A
Application number: GB201213424A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew William Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-27
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Also published as: GB201213424D0

Abstract

A tool (200, Figure 2a) for installing an air vent (100, Figure 1a) on a boiler comprises a first recess 210 engaging a sidewall of outlet 110 off the axis of rotation of the air vent. Outlet 110 is preferably on a sidewall of the air vent body 190. The tool is rotatable, for example using a spanner or hex key with projection 250, to generate torque to rotate the air vent for installation or removal. Preferably the tool has a second recess 220 fitting a protrusion 120 located off the axis of rotation of the air vent, preferably on a top surface of vent body 190. A grub screw 400 having a hex socket may clamp the tool, through recess 210 or 220, to the air vent through a maintenance aperture in outlet 110 or protrusion 120. The tool may comprise metal or heat-resistant plastic.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY OFFICE

ApplicationNo. 0B1213424.3 R'T'M Date:17 October 2012 The following term is a registered trademark and should be read as such wherever it occurs in this document:

CALEFFI

Intellectual Property Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

A TOOL

The present invention relates to a tool suitable for installing and/or uninstalling an air vent on a boiler. It is envisaged that the tool will enable a user to efficiently and safely install or uninstall an air vent from a boiler with relative ease.

Various devices such as automatic air vents are used to address the problem of free air which floats up to high points throughout a boiler/pipe system. Due to the nature of the free air, such automatic air vents tend to be installed on a higher portion of a boiler. Since the boilers themselves tend to be installed in a confined space, this can lead to the automatic air vents being located on the boiler with only limited space for installation/uninstallation manoeuvres, henceforth referred to as "the manoeuvres".

Therefore using a wrench to grip on to an automatic air vent body to generate a torque required to perform the manoeuvres can lead to injuries. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the grip can fail quite easily due to the outer surface of a typically metallic automatic air vent being rather smooth and often circular in cross-section.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to address these and other issues

with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool for engaging an air vent comprising a first engagement means arranged to engage an outlet portion of the air vent, wherein: the first engagement means comprises a first recess shaped to receive and fit the outlet portion whereby an inner wall of the first recess engages a sidewall of the outlet portion to generate a torque on the air vent; and the outlet portion is located off an axis of rotation for installing or uninstalling the air vent to or from a boiler, whereby: the torque on the air vent is configured to rotate the air vent; and the rotation of the air vent installs or uninstalls the air vent to or from the boiler.

Suitably, the tool further comprises a second engagement means to engage a protrusion on an air vent body wherein: the second engagement means comprises a second recess shaped to receive and fit a part the protrusion whereby an inner wall of the second recess engages a sidewall of the protrusion to generate the torque on the air vent; and the protrusion is located off the axis of rotation whereby: the torque on the air vent is configured to rotate the air vent; and the rotation of the air vent installs or uninstalls the air vent to or from the boiler.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the tool according to the first aspect wherein: the outlet portion comprises an outlet aperture or the protrusion comprises a maintenance aperture; an interior sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture comprises a thread; and the tool further comprises: the first recess or the second recess extending from a cavity of the tool to an outer surface of the tool, wherein the cavity houses at least a part of the air vent body when in use; and a retaining means configured to couple the tool to the outlet portion or the protrusion of the air vent, wherein the retaining means is a screw with a thread shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the thread on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture whereby the retaining means is capable of being detachably attached to the outlet portion or the protrusion of the air vent.

Suitably, the thread on the screw is shaped to receive a reciprocally shaped thread present on an interior sidewall of the first or second recess whereby the retaining means is capable of being detachably attached to the tool. Suitably, the retaining means further comprises a hex socket.

Suitably, the outlet portion is located on a top surface of an air vent body; and the first engagement means is located on an opposing surface of the tool when in use. Alternatively, the outlet portion is located on a sidewall surface of an air vent body; and the first engagement means is located on an opposing surface of the tool when in use.

Suitably, the tool comprises a metal. Suitably, the tool comprises plastics materials.

Suitably, the tool comprises a heat resistant plastic material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a tool for engaging an air vent comprising the steps of: identifying a configuration of the air vent wherein the configuration concerns shape or location of at least one of an outlet portion or a protrusion on the air vent; designing a tool comprising at least one of a first engagement means comprising a first recess for engaging the outlet portion or a second engagement means comprising a second recess for engaging the protrusion accordingly; and fabricating the tool according to the design.

Suitably, the method further comprises the steps of: identifying an outlet aperture on the outlet portion or a maintenance aperture on the protrusion; designing a retaining means capable of coupling the tool to the air vent; designing at least one of the first recess or the second recess to receive the retaining means whereby the retaining means, in use, can engage both the tool and the air vent; and fabricating the tool and the retaining means according to the designs, wherein an interior sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture comprises a thread and the retaining means comprises an air vent portion comprising a thread shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the thread on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture.

Suitably, the method further comprises the steps of: identifying a second tool to be used with the tool; designing an engagement projection for engaging the second tool with the tool; and fabricating the tool according to the design, wherein the engagement projection is attached to the tool or shaping of a body of the tool comprises the engagement projection.

Suitably, the fabrication step involves injection moulding and the tool comprises plastics materials.

According to the present invention there is provided a tool and a method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent

claims, and the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures la and lb show side views of a typical automatic air vent with a vertical discharge; Figures ic and id show side views of a typical automatic air vent with a horizontal discharge; Figures 2a and 2b show cross-section of a tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3a and 3b show side sectional views of the tool of Figures 2a and 2b being engaged with the automatic air vent of Figures la and lb according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4a and 4b show side sectional views of the engaged tool and automatic air vent of Figure 3a and 3b with a retaining means according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a top plan view of the tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures la, ib, lc, and ld, two embodiments of an air vent (100) are shown as illustrations of some of the typical automatic air vents, examples of which would be CALEFFI's Series 5024, 5025, 5026, and 5027 ROBOCAL automatic air vents. CALEFFI's series 5026 and 5027 ROBOCAL automatic air vents have a vertical discharge as illustrated by the embodiment shown in Figures la and lb. CALEFFI's series 5024 and 5025 ROBOCAL automatic air vents have a horizontal discharge as illustrated by the embodiment shown in Figures Ic and id. These products range from those with the "vertical discharge" and the "horizontal discharge" wherein the location of the "discharge" is accommodated by an outlet portion of the air vent (100).

The air vent (100) comprises an outlet portion (110) and a protrusion (120) attached to an air vent body (190). Depending on the product range the outlet portion (110) may be located on a top surface of an air vent body (190) as shown in Figures Ia and lb, or the outlet portion (120) may be located on a sidewall surface of the air vent body (190) as shown in Figures ic and id. The air vent (100) may further comprise a protrusion (120) on the sidewall surface of the air vent body (190) as shown in Figures la and lb, or a protrusion (110) on the top surface of the air vent body 090) as shown in Figures lc and Id.

In this particular embodiment, the outlet portion (110) is located on the top surface and the protrusion (120) on the sidewall surface of the air vent body (190) as shown in Figures la and lb. It is understood that a person skilled in the art would recognise other configurations of the outlet portion and/or the protrusion on the air vent body (190) is possible and the same principles described herein can be applied to alternative embodiments mutatis mutandis.

The outlet portion (110) comprises an outlet aperture (115) which functions as an air release or exhaust port. An outlet cap (170) is attached to the outlet portion (110) whereby the outlet aperture (115) can be adjustably obstructed by the outlet cap (170). The outlet aperture (115) is shaped to receive the outlet cap (170). An interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) and the outlet cap (170) may comprises reciprocally shaped threads whereby the outlet cap (170) can be screwed on to the outlet portion (110) and the extent of obstruction to the outlet aperture (115) be adjusted.

The outlet cap (170) can be adjusted to controllably release any residual air present in the air vent (100) through the outlet aperture (115). Removal of the outlet cap (170) may also provide an access to internal parts of the air vent (100) whereby a spring, a float, an obturator or any other internal parts can be accessed for maintenance.

The protrusion (120) may also comprise a maintenance aperture (130). The maintenance aperture (130) may be shaped to receive a maintenance cap (180) detachably attached to the protrusion (120) whereby the maintenance cap (180) can obstruct access to the maintenance aperture (130) when attached. Detaching the maintenance cap (180) provides an access through the maintenance aperture (130) to internal parts of the air vent (100) whereby a spring, a float, an obturator or any other internal parts can be accessed for maintenance. Suitably the maintenance cap (180) comprises a hex socket and a thread. The maintenance aperture (130) may comprise an interior sidewall with a thread shaped to receive a reciprocally shaped thread of the maintenance cap (180).

Figures 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b, show a cross-section of a tool (200) and side sectional views of the tool (200) being engaged with the automatic air vent (100) shown in Figures la and lb according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The tool (200) comprises a cavity (290), an engagement projection (250), a first engagement means (210), and a second engagement means (220).

The cavity (290) is shaped so that, in use, at least a part of the air vent body (190) can be housed therein. Suitably inner walls of the cavity (290) approximate outer contours of the part of the air vent body (190) to be housed therein whereby close fit can be provided and the overall volume of the tool (200) can be minimised so that the tool (200) takes up minimal space when the manoeuvres are to be performed.

The engagement projection (250) is shaped so that, in use, a second tool can be engaged with the tool (200) to provide a torque required for facilitating the manoeuvres. The second tool may be an Allen® or hex key, a wrench or any other types of tool which can be used to generate a torque on the engagement projection (250). The second tool may further comprise an attachment for engaging the engagement projection (250) such as a socket.

The contours of the engagement projection (250) may comprise a torque edge, whereby the second tool can engage or grip the engagement projection and generate the torque using the tool (200). The engagement projection (250) may be polyhedron comprising a plurality of torque edges. Suitably a cross-section of the engagement projection (250) is hexagonal or polyhedral.

The engagement projection (250) may further comprise an engagement recess (255), as shown in Figure 5, shaped to receive an extremity of the second tool and engage the second tool whereby the torque can be generated on the tool (200). Suitably the engagement recess (255) comprises an opening shaped to snugly fit a hex key or the form of any other extremity of the second tool.

It is understood that the skilled person would recognise that the body of the tool (200) can also be shaped or configured to provide the functionalities of the engagement projection (250) described herein. In alternative embodiments, the same features described in relation to the engagement project (250) can also be applied to the body of the tool (200) mutatis mutandis enabling the engagement between the second tool and the tool (200). Suitably, in such embodiments, the engagement projection (250) may not be present.

The first engagement means (210), in use, engages the outlet portion (110) of the air vent (100). Suitably the outlet cap (170) may be removed before this engagement. The first engagement means (210) comprises a first recess configured to receive and fit around the outlet portion (110) whereby an inner wall of the first recess engages an outer sidewall of the outlet portion (110) to generate a torque on the air vent (100). This generation of the torque is facilitated by the outlet portion (110) being located off an axis of rotation involved in the manoeuvres.

If the outlet portion (110) is located on or near the axis of rotation involved in the manoeuvres, the first engagement means (210) may further comprise a fixing means for fixing a part of the outlet portion (110) to the first engagement means whereby free rotation of the outlet portion (110) inside the first recess can be prevented. Suitably, the inner wall of the first recess may comprise an edge for engaging a reciprocal shaping on the outer sidewall of the outlet portion (110) whereby the free rotation of the outlet portion (110) may be resisted.

It is understood that although in this particular embodiment the first recess starts from the cavity (290) and continues all the way through the tool (200) to the top surface of the tool (200), whereby it essentially becomes a through aperture, it is also possible to have the first recess start from the cavity (290) and finish before reaching the top surface of the tool (200) so that the first recess becomes a blind aperture. In such an alternative embodiment, only a part of the outlet portion (110) may be received by the first recess and the depth of the first recess may define the extent of the part of the outlet portion (110) to be fitted around inside the first recess. However this should not affect the functionality of the first engagement means (210) in engaging the outlet portion (110).

The second engagement means (220), in use, engages the protrusion (120) of the air vent (100). Suitably the maintenance cap (180) may be removed before this engagement. The second engagement means (220) comprises a second recess configured to receive and fit around a part of the protrusion (120) whereby an inner wall of the second recess engages an outer sidewall of the part of the protrusion (120) to generate the torque on the air vent (100).

This generation of the torque is facilitated by the protrusion (120) being located on the sidewall of the air vent body (190) away from the axis of rotation involved in the manoeuvres.

It is understood that although in this particular embodiment the second recess starts from the cavity (290) and continues all the way through the tool (200) to sidewall outer surface of the tool (200), whereby it essentially becomes a through aperture, it is also possible to have the second recess start from the cavity (290) and finish before reaching the sidewall outer surface of the tool (200) so that the second recess becomes a blind aperture. In such an alternative embodiment, the second recess will encapsulate the whole body of the protrusion (120). This should not affect the functionality of the second engagement means (210) in engaging the protrusion (120).

Although it is possible to perform the manoeuvres with only one of the first or second engagement means (210, 220), by providing both means on the tool (200), variants of the air vent (100) with only one of the outlet portion (110) or the protrusion (120) can still be engaged with the tool (200). In an alternative embodiment, only one of the first or second engagement means (210, 220) is provided on the tool (200).

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, side sectional views of the engaged tool (200) and an automatic air vent (100) shown in Figures la and lb with a retaining means (400) according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The retaining means (400) provides for the tool (200) to retain its engagement with the air vent (100) before, during, and/or after the manoeuvres. Suitably the retaining means (400) is configured to couple the tool (200) to the air vent (100).

The retaining means (400) comprises a tool portion for engaging the tool (200) and an air vent portion for engaging the air vent (100).

Suitably the retaining means (400) is configured to couple the tool (200) to the outlet portion (110) of the air vent (100).

Provided that the first recess of the first engagement means (210) is a through aperture, the tool portion engages the tool (200) when in use. Suitably the retaining means (400) is a screw with a thread. Suitably the retaining means (400) is a grub screw with a thread. Suitably the tool portion is the thread shaped to receive a reciprocally shaped thread present on an interior sidewall of the first recess. Suitably the tool portion may comprise a part which can not fit through an opening of the first recess located on an outer top surface of the tool (200) whereby the tool portion engages the outer top surface of the tool (200).

The air vent portion comprises a thread shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the thread on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) whereby the retaining means (400) can be detachably attached to the outlet portion (110) and hence to the air vent (100). The thread on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) may also be shaped reciprocal to the shaping of thread on the outlet cap (170) whereby both the outlet cap (170) and the retaining means (400) can be detachably attached to the outlet portion (110) using the same thread.

Accordingly, the retaining means (400) may comprise a screw with a thread adapted to snugly fit the thread present on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115).

In an alternative embodiment, the retaining means (400) may be configured to couple the tool (200) to the protrusion (120) of the air vent (100).

In such an alternative embodiment, provided the second recess of the second engagement means (220) is a through aperture, the tool portion engages the sidewall of the tool (200) when in use. Suitably the retaining means (400) is a screw with a thread. Suitably the retaining means (400) is a grub screw with a thread. Suitably the tool portion is the thread shaped to receive a reciprocally shaped thread present on an interior sidewall of the second recess. Suitably the tool portion may comprise a part which can not fit through an opening of the second recess located on a sidewall outer surface of the tool (200) whereby the tool portion engages the sidewall outer surface of the tool (200).

The air vent portion comprises a thread shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the thread on the interior sidewall of the maintenance aperture (130). Both the maintenance cap (180) and the retaining means (400) may be attached to the protrusion (120) using the same threads. Accordingly, the retaining means (400) may comprise a screw with a thread adapted to snugly fit the thread present on the interior sidewall of the maintenance aperture (130).

It is understood that in an embodiment of the present invention, the tool (200) may comprise both embodiments of the retaining means.

The coupling of the air vent (100) and the tool (200) with the retaining means (400) of above type may also provide further engagement for generating the torque on the air vent (100) required for the manoeuvres, wherein the air vent portion engages the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) or the maintenance aperture (130) to generate the torque.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the retaining means may comprise an arm for detachably attaching the tool (200) to the air vent body (190), wherein the arm extends from the tool (200) to at least a protruding side portion of the air vent body (190) and the arm comprises a ledge to catch the protruding side portion whereby the tool (200) and the air vent (100) are detachably attached. The protruding side portion may comprise the protrusion (120) or a flange. The protruding side portion may be located at the base of the air vent body (190).

In yet another alternative embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a clamp wherein at least a part of the air vent (100) and a part of the tool (200) can be received by the clamp's mouth whereby the air vent (100) and the tool (200) are coupled.

The retaining means (400) couples the air vent (100) and the tool (200) together so that when the manoeuvres are performed and the air vent (100) has been decoupled from the boiler, the user can draw the tool (200) away from an air vent installation location of the boiler with the air vent (100) coupled to the tool (200), whereby safe and easy retrieval of the detached air vent (100) can be performed. Once the air vent (100) and the tool (200) have been retrieved, they can be decoupled by removing the retaining means (400).

Referring to Figure 5, a top plan view of the tool (200) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The tool (200) comprising the engagement projection (250) with a hexagonal cross-section, the engagement recess (255) with a thread for engaging a wrench attachment, the first engagement means (210) with the first recess located off the axis of rotation involved in the manoeuvres, and the second engagement means (220) with the second recess located off the axis of the rotation involved in the manoeuvres is illustrated. According to this embodiment, the axis of rotation involved in the manoeuvres will orthogonally intersect the hexagonal cross-section of the engagement projection (250) at the centre of the engagement recess (255).

It is understood that the skilled person would recognise that the location of the outlet portion (110) and the protrusion (120) can be exchanged or be different in alternative embodiments of the air vent (100). In such alternative embodiments, the same features described in relation to the first and second engagement means (210, 220) herein can be applied mutatis mutandis with the first and second engagement means (210, 220) accordingly located on the tool (200) to engage the outlet portion (110) and the protrusion (120) respectively.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a tool described herein comprising the steps of: identifying a configuration of an air vent wherein the configuration concerns shape or location of at least one of an outlet portion or a protrusion on the air vent; designing a tool comprising at least one of a first engagement means comprising a first recess for engaging the outlet portion or a second engagement means comprising a second recess for engaging the protrusion accordingly; and fabricating the tool according to the design.

The method may further comprise the steps of: identifying an outlet aperture on the outlet portion or a maintenance aperture on the protrusion; designing a retaining means capable of coupling the tool to the air vent; designing at least one of the first recess or the second recess to receive the retaining means whereby the retaining means, in use, can engage both the tool and the air vent; and fabricating the tool and the retaining means according to the designs, wherein a sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture comprises threads and the retaining means comprises an air vent portion comprising threads shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the threads on the sidewall of the outlet aperture or the maintenance aperture.

The method may also further comprise: identifying a second tool to be used with the tool; designing an engagement projection for engaging the second tool with the tool; and fabricating the tool according to the design, wherein the engagement projection is attached to the tool or shaping of a body of the tool comprises the engagement projection.

The tool may comprise a metal. Suitably the tool may comprise plastics materials.

Suitably the tool may comprise a heat resistant plastic material in case the air vent (100) gets hot. The tool may be of a unitary construction. The fabrication may involve a use of milling machine or an injection moulding process. The identification steps may comprise producing a mould with an imprint or a negative mould of the part of the air vent, and the fabricating step may comprise a process of injection moulding using the produced mould. The identification steps may further comprise taking a mould of a part of the air vent. The fabrication step may further comprise milling operation using a milling machine.

It is understood that when the injection moulding processes are used the tool may comprise a recess or channel shaped reciprocal to shaping of a protrusion or channel present on a mould for controlling mould surface temperature. Suitably the tool comprises a tapered portion for facilitating injection moulding process. Suitably the cavity (290), the first and second engagement means (210, 220), the first and second recess, the engagement projection (250), the engagement recess (255) and/or any protrusion or recess on the tool has a tapered profile.

Although not shown in this embodiment, It is understood that other materials, fabrication processes and machines may be used for fabricating the tool in alternative embodiments. The tool may also comprise various components made from different materials and/or detachably attached to the tool.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A tool (200) for engaging an air vent (100) comprising a first engagement means (210) arranged to engage an outlet portion (110) of the air vent (100), wherein: the first engagement means (210) comprises a first recess shaped to receive and fit the outlet portion (110) whereby an inner wall of the first recess engages a sidewall of the outlet portion (110) to generate a torque on the air vent (100); and the outlet portion (110) is located off an axis of rotation for installing or uninstalling the air vent (100) to or from a boiler, whereby: the torque on the air vent (100) is configured to rotate the air vent (100); and the rotation of the air vent (100) installs or uninstalls the air vent (100) to or from the boiler.
2. The tool (200) of claim 1 further comprising a second engagement means (220) to engage a protrusion (120) on an air vent body (190) wherein: the second engagement means (220) comprises a second recess shaped to receive and fit a part the protrusion (120) whereby an inner wall of the second recess engages a sidewall of the protrusion (120) to generate the torque on the air vent (100); and the protrusion (120) is located off the axis of rotation whereby: the torque on the air vent (100) is configured to rotate the air vent (100); and the rotation of the air vent (100) installs or uninstalls the air vent (100) to or from the boiler.
3. The tool (200) of claim 1 or 2 wherein: the outlet portion (110) comprises an outlet aperture (115) or the protrusion (120) comprises a maintenance aperture (130); an interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) or the maintenance aperture (130) comprises a thread; and the tool further comprises: the first recess or the second recess extending from a cavity (290) of the tool (200) to an outer surface of the tool (200), wherein the cavity (290) houses at least a part of the air vent body (190) when in use; and a retaining means (400) configured to couple the tool (200) to the outlet portion (110) or the protrusion (120) of the air vent (100), wherein the retaining means (400) is a screw with a thread shaped reciprocal to the shaping of the thread on the interior sidewall of the outlet aperture (115) or the maintenance aperture (130) whereby the retaining means (400) is capable of being detachably attached to the outlet portion (110) or the protrusion (120) of the air vent (100).
4. The tool (200) of claim 3 wherein the thread on the screw is shaped to receive a reciprocally shaped thread present on an interior sidewall of the first or second recess whereby the retaining means (400) is capable of being detachably attached to the tool (200).
5. The tool (200) of claim 4 wherein the retaining means (400) further comprises a hex socket.
6. The tool (200) of any preceding claim wherein: the outlet portion (110) is located on a top surface of an air vent body (190); and the first engagement means (210) is located on an opposing surface of the tool (200) when in use.
7. The tool (200) of any one of claims Ito 5 wherein: the outlet portion (110) is located on a sidewall surface of an air vent body (190); and the first engagement means (210) is located on an opposing surface of the tool (200) when in use.
8. The tool (200) of any preceding claim wherein the tool (200) comprises a metal.
9. The tool (200) of any preceding claim wherein the tool (200) comprises plastics materia Is.
10. The tool (200) of any preceding claim wherein the tool (200) comprises a heat resistant plastic material.
11. A tool substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.