Device to assist in moving water heaters

Abstract

A device to assist in moving a water heater is provided. The device comprises at least one socket having a threaded portion configured to be received by a corresponding threaded portion of at least one of an inlet nozzle or an outlet nozzle of the water heater. The at least one socket comprises the threaded portion formed on an external surface of the socket or an internal surface of the socket. Further, the device comprises a handle integrally formed with the at least one socket and configured to receive a hand of a user, to allow the user to grasp the device for moving the water heater. The handle is fabricated to have a rectangular shape, a semi-circular shape or a semi-hexagonal shape. Moreover, the handle comprises a cavity for receiving the hand of the user to allow the user to grasp the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device to assist in moving a water heater, the device comprising:
 at least one socket having a threaded portion configured to be received by a corresponding threaded portion of at least one of an inlet nozzle or an outlet nozzle of the water heater, wherein the at least one socket comprises the threaded portion formed on:
 an external surface of the socket, when one or more of the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle comprises the corresponding threaded portion formed on an internal surface thereof; or 
   an internal surface of the socket, when one or more of the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle comprises the corresponding threaded portion formed on an external surface thereof; and   a handle integrally formed with the at least one socket and configured to receive a hand of a user, to allow the user to grasp the device for moving the water heater, wherein the handle is fabricated to have a rectangular shape, a semi-circular shape or a semi-hexagonal shape, and wherein the handle comprises a cavity for receiving the hand of the user to allow the user to grasp the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the cavity ranges from 17 centimeters (cm) to 24 cm. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inside of the handle comprises one or more depressions for resting one or more fingers of the hand of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outside of the handle comprises at least one depression for resting at least a thumb of the hand of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the handle is less than or equal to a distance between the inlet nozzle and the outlet nozzle of the water heater. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is fabricated using a material having high tensile strength. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one socket comprises a first socket configured to be arranged with the inlet nozzle and a second socket configured to be arranged with the outlet nozzle, and wherein the handle is integrally formed with the first socket and the second socket. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first socket and the second socket is configured to be independently rotated for arranging the first socket with the inlet nozzle and the second socket with the outlet nozzle, while maintaining the handle in a stationary position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip-enhancing wrap arranged on the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the grip-enhancing wrap is fabricated using at least one of rubber and silicone.