Non-ferrous fastener retention socket

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11045930-B2
Application number	US-201816202166-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2018
Priority date	Nov 28, 2018
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

A retention socket is configured to hold a non-ferrous metallic fastener and includes a socket body defining a cavity shaped to receive a head of the non-ferrous metallic fastener. The retention socket further includes a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body without the aid of magnetic forces.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retention socket for holding a non-ferrous metallic fastener, comprising:
a socket body defining a cavity shaped to receive a head of the non-ferrous metallic fastener;
a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body; and
wherein the mechanical retaining feature is a snap ring protruding from the socket body toward the cavity to retain the non-ferrous metallic fastener without the aid of magnetic forces.

2. The retention socket of claim 1 , wherein the retention socket is a hexalobular socket.

3. The retention socket of claim 1 , wherein the retention socket is a hex socket.

4. A retention socket for holding a non-ferrous metallic fastener, comprising:
a socket body defining a cavity shaped to receive a head of the non-ferrous metallic fastener; and
a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body;
wherein the mechanical retaining feature includes:
a sleeve disposed over the socket body; and
a snap ring coupled to the sleeve to hold a flange of the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

5. The retention socket of claim 4 , wherein the sleeve defines a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end opposite the first sleeve end, and the snap ring is closer to the second sleeve end than to the first sleeve end to hold the flange of the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

6. The retention socket of claim 5 , wherein the flange defines a first flange surface and a second flange surface opposite the first flange surface, the first flange surface faces the socket body when the socket body is removably coupled to the non-ferrous metallic fastener, the second flange surface faces away from the socket body when the socket body is removably coupled to the non-ferrous metallic fastener, and the snap ring is closer to the second sleeve end than to the first sleeve end to be in direct contact with the second flange surface, thereby removably coupling the socket body to the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

7. The retention socket of claim 6 , wherein the flange defines a circumferential flange surface interconnecting the first flange surface and the second flange surface, and the snap ring is closer to the second sleeve end than to the first sleeve end to be in direct contact with the circumferential flange surface, thereby removably coupling the socket body to the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

8. A nutrunner, comprising:
a shaft rotatable about a rotational axis;
an electric motor coupled to the shaft;
a retention socket removably coupled to the shaft and configured to hold an non-ferrous metallic fastener, wherein the retention socket includes:
a socket body defining a socket; and
a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body without an aid of magnetic forces;

wherein the mechanical retaining feature includes:
a sleeve defining a sleeve recess;
a plurality of balls disposed in the sleeve recess and configured to be in contact with a flange of the non-ferrous metallic fastener; and
an O-ring disposed in the sleeve recess and in contact with the plurality of balls to bias the plurality of balls toward the flange of the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

9. The nutrunner of claim 8 , wherein the retention socket is a hexalobular socket.

10. The nutrunner of claim 8 , wherein the retention socket is a hex socket.

11. The nutrunner of claim 8 , wherein the socket body is a one-piece structure.

12. The nutrunner of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of balls are annularly arranged around the sleeve recess.

13. The nutrunner of claim 8 , wherein the O-ring and the plurality of balls collectively form ball plungers configured to exert compressive forces on the non-ferrous metallic fastener.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Dietze Robert H
• Brady Christopher

Classifications

• B25B23/10

  using mechanical gripping means · CPC title

• B25B21/00 Primary

  Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; (details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006}); Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose (machines B23P19/06) · CPC title

• B25B21/002

  for special purposes · CPC title

• B25B13/06

  of socket type · CPC title

• B25B23/108 Primary

  the driving bit being a Philips type bit, an Allen type bit or a socket · CPC title