US3731722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keeper accessory for various types of conventional tools
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-08
•
Granted: 1973-05-08
•
Expires: 1991-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A keeper accessory for use on typical, conventional tools of assorted types and sizes including socket, box, end wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, etc. The magnetic accessory is held in its normal operating position without need for alteration in the tool or interference with its use with the size of fastener for which the tool was designed and relying on either an interference fit with a surface of the tool or finger pressure applied to wrap a soft metal tang firmly attached to the accessory about the tool or its handle.
Inventors
- 👤 H Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:29
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/02; B25B23/08; B25B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A magnetized keeper accessory installable on a tool head without need for modifying the tool head and effective to hold a fastener captive on the tool head while being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position, said keeper accessory comprising a flexible ringlet of permanently magnetized material bonded together by elastomeric binder material, said ringlet having its inner generally annular surface spaced remotely from magnetic material when mounted on a tool head, said ringlet being permanently magnetized in such manner that the magnetic flux emanates normal to one end face thereof which end face is positioned to engage a fastener, said ringlet being mountable on a tool head with said one end face positioned for direct surface contact with the juxtaposed end surface of a fastener engaged by a tool head and the other end face being spaced remotely therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A magnetized keeper accessory installable on a tool head without need for modifying the tool head and effective to hold a fastener captive on the tool head while being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position, said keeper accessory comprising a flexible ringlet of permanently magnetized material bonded together by elastomeric binder material, said ringlet having its inner generally annular surface spaced remotely from magnetic material when mounted on a tool head, said ringlet being permanently magnetized in such manner that the magnetic flux emanates normal to one end face thereof which end face is positioned to engage a fastener, said ringlet being mountable on a tool head with said one end face positioned for direct surface contact with the juxtaposed end surface of a fastener engaged by a tool head and the other end face being spaced remotely therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory includes means for holding the same removably mounted on a tool head with one pole only closely adjacent one axial end of a fastener when engaged by the tool head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said means for holding the keeper assembled to a tool head includes soft binder material of said ringlet in juxtaposition to a surface of the tool head and placed in stress during forced assembly of the keeper accessory to the tool head thereby to provide an interference fit effective to hold said accessory detachably assembled to the tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 3 characterized in that said accessory embraces a substantial portion of the exterior of a tool head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said accessory is confined substantially to exterior surfaces of said tool head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is adapted to be seated within the inner end of a tool head socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said accessory is non-circular peripheral surface sized to have an interference fit with the interior walls of a socket type tool head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory is so dimensioned along one sidewall surface thereof relative to a juxtaposed tool head surface on which said accessory is installable that the resiliency of said elastomeric binder is effective to hold said accessory firmly but readily removably mounted on a tool head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said ringlet includes a mounting member of ductile magnetic material bonded to a surface thereof spaced from a fastener engaging surface of said accessory and including a portion deformable in a manner to hold the accessory firmly but removably assembled to a tool head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means for holding said ringlet assembled to a tool head comprises a plaque of ductile metal bonded thereto and projecting beyond the periphery thereof, and the protruding edges of said plaque being readily bendable to embrace a portion of a tool head to hold said accessory assembled thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that the protruding edges of said soft metal plaque include tangs readily deformed to embrace a portion of a tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is deformable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one end face of a wrench.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said plaque is deformable to hold said accessory assembled flush against one face of the bit of a screw driver tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said accessory comprises an axially thick ringlet of magnetized particles bonded together with an elastomeric binder and sized to have a snug fit on a tool head with the opening therethrough in general alignment with the axis of a fastener engageable with the tool head while being applied to or removed from its assembly position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that said ringlet is split radially thereof and having a relaxed diameter differing from the diameter of the tool head for which said accessory is designed whereby said accessory is adapted to have an interference fit therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the O.D. of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with the I.D. of a tool socket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 14 characterized in that the opening through the center of said ringlet is sized to have an interference fit with a tool head immediately adjacent the fastener engaging portion thereof and effective to hold a fastener firmly in place against said tool head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A keeper accessary as defined in claim 17 characterized in that the central opening through said ringlet is non-circular in shape and generally complemental to the shape of the bit portion of a screw driver and having a snug frictional fit thereover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keeper accessory as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said magnetized material comprises permanently magnetized particles bonded together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |