Tools with socket retainers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9669526-B2
Application number	US-201414149019-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 7, 2014
Priority date	Jan 7, 2014
Publication date	Jun 6, 2017
Grant date	Jun 6, 2017

Abstract

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool may comprise an output shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the output shaft including a socket mount having a tip and a solid root, and a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position in which the retaining pin is located entirely within a first space formed in the tip and a retaining position in which the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the tip and opening to the first space and (ii) a release pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An impact tool comprising:
a hammer configured to rotate about an axis;
an anvil including (i) an impact jaw configured to be periodically impacted by the hammer to cause rotation of the anvil about the axis and (ii) an output shaft including a socket mount configured to transfer the rotation of the anvil to a socket removably coupled to the socket mount, the socket mount including a tip and a solid root, the solid root being located between the tip and the impact jaw along the axis; and
a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position in which retaining pin is located entirely within a first space formed in the tip and a retaining position in which the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the tip and opening to the first space and (ii) a release pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position;
wherein the tip of the socket mount is formed to include a second space that extends along the axis between a proximal end of the tip and a distal end of the tip, the proximal end of the tip being spaced apart from the distal end of the tip along the axis, the second space receiving the release pin of the socket retainer; and
wherein the release pin includes an outer section configured to extend out of a second aperture formed in the distal end of the tip and opening to the second space, an inner section spaced apart from the outer section of the release pin along the axis, and a middle section located between the inner and outer sections of the release pin.

2. The impact tool of claim 1 , wherein the solid root of the socket mount has a solid cross-section between a proximal end of the solid root and a distal end of the solid root, the proximal end of the solid root being spaced apart from the distal end of the solid root along the axis.

3. The impact tool of claim 2 , wherein:
the solid root of the socket mount has a root thickness measured along the axis between the proximal and distal ends of the solid root;
the tip of the socket mount has a tip thickness measured along the axis between the proximal and distal ends of the tip; and
a ratio of the root thickness to the tip thickness is greater than 0.9.

4. The impact tool of claim 3 , wherein the ratio of the root thickness to the tip thickness is less than 1.1.

5. The impact tool of claim 4 , wherein the ratio of the root thickness to the tip thickness is about 0.95.

6. The impact tool of claim 1 , wherein the retaining pin includes an outer section configured to extend out of the first aperture when the retaining pin is in the retaining position, an inner section spaced apart from the outer section in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and a middle section located between the inner and outer sections of the retaining pin and formed to include a passageway that receives the release pin.

7. The impact tool of claim 6 , wherein the socket retainer further includes a spring configured to bias the retaining pin toward the retaining position.

8. The impact tool of claim 7 , wherein the spring is located in the first space between the inner section of the retaining pin and an outer surface of the socket mount.

9. The impact tool of claim 1 , wherein the first space is configured to extend from an outer surface of the tip in which the first aperture is formed, through the second space, and toward a floor located between the axis and the outer surface of the tip.

10. The impact tool of claim 1 , wherein both the tip and the solid root of the socket mount are configured to be received by a socket when the socket is removably coupled to the socket mount.

11. A tool comprising:
an output shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the output shaft including a socket mount configured to transfer rotation to a socket removably coupled to the socket mount, the socket mount including a tip and a solid root; and
a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position in which the retaining pin is located entirely within a first space formed in the tip and a retaining position in which the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the tip and opening to the first space and (ii) a release pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position;
wherein the tip of the socket mount is formed to include a second space that extends along the axis between a proximal end of the tip and a distal end of the tip, the proximal end of the tip being spaced apart from the distal end of the tip along the axis, the second space receiving the release pin of the socket retainer; and
wherein the release pin includes an outer section configured to extend out of a second aperture formed in the distal end of the tip and opening to the second space, an inner section spaced apart from the outer section of the release pin along the axis, and a middle section located between the inner and outer sections of the release pin.

12. The tool of claim 11 , the solid root has a root thickness measured parallel to the axis, the tip has a tip thickness measured parallel to the axis, and a ratio of the root thickness to the tip thickness is between 0.95 and 1.05.

13. The tool of claim 12 , wherein the tip is formed to include a second space that receives the release pin, the second space extending along the entire tip thickness.

14. The tool of claim 13 , wherein the solid root has a solid cross-section along the entire root thickness.

15. The impact tool of claim 14 , wherein both the tip and the solid root of the socket mount are configured to be received by a socket when the socket is removably coupled to the socket mount.

16. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the retaining pin is formed to include a passageway configured to receive the retaining pin.

17. Apparatus comprising:
a socket including a floor having a central void formed therein and a side wall extending away from the floor; and
a wrench comprising an output shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the output shaft including a socket mount configured to be received in the void formed in the floor of the socket, the wrench further comprising a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position and a retaining position and (ii) a release pin coupled to the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position;
wherein, when the retaining pin is in the releasing position, the retaining pin is located within a first space formed in the socket mount such that the retaining pin does not impede movement of the socket along the axis and, when the socket mount is received in the void formed in the floor of the socket and the retaining pin is in the retaining position, the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the socket mount and opening to the first space such that the retaining pin engages the floor of the socket to impede movement of the socket along the axis;
wherein the tip of the socket mount is formed to include a second space that extends along the axis bet

Assignees

• Ingersoll-Rand Company

Inventors

• Ely Sean C

Classifications

• B25B21/026

  Impact clutches · CPC title

• B25B21/02

  with means for imparting impact to screwdriver blade or nut socket · CPC title

• B25B13/06

  of socket type · CPC title

• B25B23/0035 Primary

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