Patent US3834253A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3834253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Keeper for socket wrenches
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-06-08
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1992-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A keeper accessory for use on 12-point socket wrenches to hold a hex fastener captive without need for retainers or modification of a conventional wrench. The accessory is selectively usable with cylinder and box type wrenches and comprises at least one end ringlet preferably supporting two or more parallel legs shaped to lie along a respective point of a wrench with its radially opposed surfaces disposed to frictionally engage a hex face of a fastener and the juxtaposed point areas of the wrench thereby to grip and hold the fastener captive.
Inventors
- 👤 H Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:18
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/02; B25B23/08; B25B23/10; B25B23/105; B25B23/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A keeper adapted to be inserted axially of a 12 point wrench socket with the major portion of the axial length thereof located between the opposite ends of the 12-point portion of the wrench socket and effective to frictionally grip a hex fastener and retain the same captive against unintended dislodgement from the wrench socket, said keeper comprising first and second ringlets of molded resilient elastomeric material interconnected by a plurality of elongated elastomeric keeper ribs extending axially therebetween and positioned for axial assembly into a 12 point wrench socket with said ringlets positioned adjacent a respective end of the 12-point portion of said wrench socket and with a respective one of said keeper ribs lying closely along and between the opposite ends of respective points other than one hexagonally related set thereof, said ribs being effective as said elastomeric ribs are compressed against the adjacent ones of the wrench points to grip the juxtaposed face of a hex fastener and hold the same firmly but releasably captive, and said ringlets lying in parallel planes and spaced sufficient distances apart to lie generally flush against the respective ends of a box type socket wrench and to cooperate therewith to hold said keeper assembled thereon and against unintended accidental displacement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A keeper adapted to be inserted axially of a 12 point wrench socket with the major portion of the axial length thereof located between the opposite ends of the 12-point portion of the wrench socket and effective to frictionally grip a hex fastener and retain the same captive against unintended dislodgement from the wrench socket, said keeper comprising first and second ringlets of molded resilient elastomeric material interconnected by a plurality of elongated elastomeric keeper ribs extending axially therebetween and positioned for axial assembly into a 12 point wrench socket with said ringlets positioned adjacent a respective end of the 12-point portion of said wrench socket and with a respective one of said keeper ribs lying closely along and between the opposite ends of respective points other than one hexagonally related set thereof, said ribs being effective as said elastomeric ribs are compressed against the adjacent ones of the wrench points to grip the juxtaposed face of a hex fastener and hold the same firmly but releasably captive, and said ringlets lying in parallel planes and spaced sufficient distances apart to lie generally flush against the respective ends of a box type socket wrench and to cooperate therewith to hold said keeper assembled thereon and against unintended accidental displacement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A keeper as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the inner rim edge of said first ringlet is generally hexagonal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A keeper as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the inner periphery of said first ringlet is of hexagonal shape but slightly larger than the periphery of a hexagonal fastener part adapted to be gripped by the ribs of said keeper when said keeper is installed in a 12 point wrench socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A keeper as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the same is a one-piece unit having a snug interference fit with a wrench socket and shaped to be slightly deformed as a hex shaped fastener component is telescoped thereinto while said keeper is assembled to a wrench socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A keeper as defined in claim 4 characterized in having six ribs equally spaced from one another and adapted to lie within six hexagonally related set of points of a 12 point socket wrench.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A keeper as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said keeper is selectively installable in a 12 point box wrench and a 12 point cylinder type socket wrench.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A keeper selectively installable without fasteners in a 12 point box wrench or a cylinder type socket wrench comprising: a one-piece non-metallic resilient member having a pair of thin end rings interconnected by a plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs sized and shaped to lie along and between the opposite ends of one hexagonal set of the wrench points with their inwardly facing sides positioned to have a snug frictional fit with the adjacent face of a hex fastener part as the same is inserted endwise from one axial end of said keeper, and said keeper rings being spaced to overlie and abut a respective rim edge of a box wrench, and one of said rings being readily deformable to permit the same to be inserted from one end of a cylinder type socket wrench.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A keeper selectively installable without fasteners in a 12 point box wrench or a cylinder type socket wrench comprising: a one-piece non-metallic resilient member having a pair of thin end rings interconnected by a plurality of spaced apart parallel ribs sized and shaped to lie along and between the opposite ends of one hexagonal set of the wrench points with their inwardly facing sides positioned to have a snug frictional fit with the adjacent face of a hex fastener part as the same is inserted endwise from one axial end of said keeper, and said keeper rings being spaced to overlie and abut a respective rim edge of a box wrench, and one of said rings being readily deformable to permit the same to be inserted from one end of a cylinder type socket wrench.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A keeper as defined in claim 7 characterized in that one of said rings is substantially radially wider than the other, and the other of said rings being relatively narrow radially thereof and adapted to deform easily to permit the same to be inserted through the open fastener-seating end of a cylinder type socket wrench.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keeper as defined in claim 7 characterized in that the outwardly facing surfaces of said ribs are shaped complementally to the juxtaposed surfaces of a point portion of a socket wrench, and the inwardly facing side of said ribs being bowed crosswise thereof and positioned to have a snug frictional fit against a hex surface of a fastener part when the part is installed therein.
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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |