Multi-function socket

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10675739-B2
Application number	US-201715787465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 18, 2017
Priority date	Oct 20, 2016
Publication date	Jun 9, 2020
Grant date	Jun 9, 2020

Abstract

A socket may include a socket body comprising a fastener engagement aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a fastener and a forward sleeve affixed external to the socket body at a forward end of the socket body. The forward sleeve may be configured to rotate radially relative to the socket body, and translate axially relative to the socket body. The socket may also include a biasing member configured to urge the forward sleeve to translate axially relative to the socket body in a direction towards the forward end of the socket body. Further, the socket body may include an internal cavity, and the socket may include a magnet disposed within the internal cavity. The magnet may be configured to translate axially within the internal cavity relative to the socket body and be configured to magnetically attract the fastener to the forward end of the socket body.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A socket comprising:
a socket body comprising a fastener engagement aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a fastener and a rear aperture configured to receive a drive tang of a tool, the socket body defining an axis of rotation that passes through a center of the fastener engagement aperture;
a forward sleeve affixed external to the socket body at a forward end of the socket body adjacent the fastener engagement aperture, the forward sleeve being configured to rotate radially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation, and the forward sleeve being configured to translate axially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation, the forward sleeve comprising a lip configured to engage a flange of the fastener;
a biasing member configured to urge the forward sleeve to translate axially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation in a direction towards the forward end of the socket body;
a magnet assembly comprising a magnet, the magnet assembly being disposed within the an internal cavity of the socket body, the magnet being configured to magnetically attract the fastener to the forward end of the socket body and, in response to the lip of the sleeve being engaged with the flange of the fastener, an attractive force of the magnet imposed on the fastener is configured to compress the biasing member against an urging force of the biasing member, the magnet assembly being sized to pass through the rear aperture into the internal cavity and stop upon engagement with a projection disposed within the internal cavity of the socket body; and
a retaining ring secured within a groove disposed in the internal cavity, the retaining ring being configured to retain the magnet assembly within the internal cavity.

2. The socket of claim 1 further comprising a rear sleeve affixed to the socket body rearward of the forward sleeve relative to the forward end of the socket body, the rear sleeve being configured to rotate radially about the socket body and the axis of rotation;
wherein one of the forward sleeve or the rear sleeve nests within the other of the forward sleeve or the rear sleeve.

3. The socket of claim 1 wherein the forward sleeve is composed of an anti-marring material.

4. The socket of claim 3 wherein the anti-marring material is a urethane.

5. The socket of claim 1 wherein the magnet assembly is configured to translate axially within the internal cavity relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation.

6. A socket comprising:
a socket body comprising an internal cavity and a fastener engagement aperture, the fastener engagement aperture being disposed at a forward end of the socket body and configured to receive at least a portion of a fastener, the socket body defining an axis of rotation that passes through a center of the fastener engagement aperture;
a forward sleeve affixed external to the socket body adjacent the fastener engagement aperture, the forward sleeve comprising a lip configured to engage a flange of the fastener;
a biasing member configured to urge the forward sleeve to translate axially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation in a direction towards the forward end of the socket body; and
a magnet disposed within the internal cavity of the socket body, the magnet being configured to translate axially within the internal cavity relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation, the magnet being configured to magnetically attract the fastener to the forward end of the socket body and, in response to the lip of the sleeve being engaged with the flange of the fastener, an attractive force of the magnet imposed on the fastener is configured to compress the biasing member against an urging force of the biasing member;
wherein the socket further comprises a magnet assembly, the magnet assembly comprising the magnet and a sled, the magnet being affixed to the sled;
wherein the socket body further comprises a rear aperture and a projection, the rear aperture being configured to receive a drive tang of a tool and the projection being disposed within the internal cavity, wherein the magnet assembly is sized to pass through the rear aperture into the internal cavity and stop upon engagement with the projection;
wherein the projection is disposed at a forward end of the internal cavity; and
wherein the socket further comprises a retaining member being disposed at a rear end of the internal cavity, the retaining member being disposed to retain the magnet assembly within the internal cavity.

7. The socket of claim 6 wherein the sled is composed of brass.

8. The socket of claim 6 wherein the forward sleeve is configured to rotate radially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation, and the forward sleeve is configured to translate axially relative to the socket body and the axis of rotation.

9. The socket of claim 8 further comprising a rear sleeve affixed to the socket body rearward of the forward sleeve relative to the forward end of the socket body, the rear sleeve being configured to rotate radially about the socket body and the axis of rotation;
wherein one of the forward sleeve or the rear sleeve nests within the other of the forward sleeve or the rear sleeve.

10. The socket of claim 6 wherein the forward sleeve is composed of an anti-marring material.

11. The socket of claim 10 wherein the anti-marring material is a urethane.

Assignees

• Apex Brands Inc

Inventors

• Miley Chad Aaron
• Heitkamp Timothy Edward

Classifications

• B25B13/06

  of socket type · CPC title

• B25B13/102 Primary

  composed of a plurality of sockets slidable in each other · CPC title

• B25B23/12 Primary

  using magnetic means · CPC title

• B25B23/0035

  Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool · CPC title