Gripping socket, wrench and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9770815-B2
Application number	US-201314415104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2013
Priority date	Jul 20, 2012
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

A socket assembly for turning a fastener with a wrench has ball mechanisms that normally engage with sides of the fastener and that can be deactivated out of engagement with the fastener by turning a collar of the socket assembly. The socket includes a socket body having a fastener receiving opening sized and shaped to engage the fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally. At least one ball opening is provided in the fastener receiving opening adjacent the fastener when the fastener is received in the opening. A ball is provided capable of partially protruding from the ball opening with the socket in an engaged state. A ball taper insert cams against the ball to push the ball into the ball opening. A spring biases the ball taper insert so as to urge the ball into the ball opening to engage the fastener.

First claim

I claim:

1. A socket for engaging a fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally, the socket having a gripping mechanism to help maintain the socket engaged on the fastener, the socket comprising:
a socket body having a fastener receiving opening sized and shaped to engage a fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally;
at least one ball opening in the fastener receiving opening adjacent the fastener when the fastener is received in the opening;
a ball capable of partially protruding from the ball opening with the socket in an engaged state;
a ball taper insert that cams against the ball to push the ball into the ball opening;
a spring biasing the ball taper insert so as to urge the ball into the ball opening; and
a release mechanism to push the ball taper insert against the spring so as to move the ball taper insert out of the way of the ball;
wherein the release mechanism includes a plunger and an activation collar, the activation collar is being rotatable relative to the socket body so as to move the ball taper insert against the spring when the collar is turned in one direction or allow the spring to move the ball taper insert toward the activation collar when the collar is turned in the opposite direction.

2. A socket as in claim 1 , wherein the ball taper insert moves in a direction parallel to an axis of the socket when it cams against the ball.

3. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein multiple ball openings and associated balls are provided around the periphery of the fastener receiving opening.

4. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fastener receiving opening is for a hex head fastener having six flat surfaces in a hex pattern and one ball opening is provided in each flat surface.

5. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the activation collar includes a ramp surface that slides against the plunger.

6. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , including a plunger that extends between the activation collar and the ball taper insert.

7. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ball taper insert and the plunger are movable in a channel formed in the socket body.

8. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the activation collar is movable axially between a normal position in which it is not rotatable relative to the socket body and a rotatable position in which it can be turned so as to release gripping of the fastener.

9. A socket as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a bayonet connection between the activation collar and the socket body enables the activation collar to be turned after it is slid axially relative to the socket body.

10. A socket as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a spring on the plunger biases the activation collar toward the normal position.

11. A socket as claimed in claim 8 , wherein a spring biases the plunger away from the ball taper insert.

12. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the socket body includes a square-drive opening opposite from the fastener receiving opening, the square-drive opening being for engaging a wrench.

13. A socket as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the socket body includes a spline extension at an end opposite from the fastener receiving opening, the spline extension being for engagement with a drive of a wrench.

14. A wrench having a socket for engaging a fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally, the socket having a gripping mechanism to help maintain the socket engaged on the fastener, the socket comprising:
a socket body having a fastener receiving opening sized and shaped to engage a fastener so as to drive the fastener rotationally;
at least one ball opening in the fastener receiving opening adjacent the fastener when the fastener is received in the opening;
a ball capable of partially protruding from the ball opening with the socket in an engaged state;
a ball taper insert that cams against the ball to push the ball into the ball opening;
a spring biasing the ball taper insert so as to urge the ball into the ball opening; and
a release mechanism to move the ball taper insert relative to the release mechanism and against the spring so as to move the ball taper insert out of the way of the ball.

15. A wrench as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the socket body has a square drive opening for engaging a square drive shaft of the wrench with a releasable coupling.

16. A wrench as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the socket body has a splinted extension that is driven by the wrench.

17. A method of turning a fastener with a socket that is turned by a wrench when the wrench is operated, comprising the steps of:
moving a release mechanism of the socket to a disengaged position of the release mechanism in which the release mechanism moves a spring biased cam that is biased relative to the release mechanism out of the way of a ball of the socket so the ball moves out of the way to permit the socket to be placed over the fastener in rotational driving engagement with the fastener;
after placing the socket over the fastener, moving the release mechanism to an engaged position of the release mechanism in which the release mechanism moves out of the way to permit the spring biased cam to push a ball of the socket against a side of the fastener so as to interfere with the fastener;
operating the wrench to turn the fastener;
moving the release mechanism to the disengaged position; and
removing the socket from the fastener.

18. A method of turning a fastener as claimed in claim 17 , wherein a collar of the release mechanism is moved with a combination of axial and rotary motion between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Assignees

• Actuant Corp

Inventors

• Scrivens Anthony

Classifications

• B25B23/108 Primary

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

• Y10T29/49963

  Threaded fastener · CPC title

• B25B13/06

  of socket type · CPC title