Patent US3835737A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3835737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Keeper for socket wrenches
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A keeper accessory for use on a conventional wrench socket without need for alterations to hold a fastener captive in the socket while being manipulated into and out of an assembly position. The one-piece resilient accessory is frictionally engageable with the interior wall surface of the socket to retain the accessory in place and includes an extension positioned to have compressive frictional engagement with the hex face of a fastener to hold the latter seated in the wrench socket deliberately released therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 H Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:04
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/02; B25B23/08; B25B23/10; B25B23/105; B25B23/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
That improvement in a 12-point wrench socket having inner and outer ends and an interior surface provided with 12 inwardly projecting axial ridges separated by twelve intervening shallow V-shaped points which comprises: a keeper of resilient elastomeric material having a portion thereof in resilient gripping contact with and between the opposite ends of a plurality of the axial ridges of said wrench socket and thereby retained assembled against the inner end portions of said ridges solely by an interference fit between said axial ridges and the radially juxtaposed portions of said keeper, said keeper having an elongated protrusion extending outwardly between an adjacent pair of said ridges toward the outer end of said socket, said protrusion being shaped and sized to be radially compressed between one face of a hex fastener and the adjacent one of the points of said wrench socket when a hex fastener is seated in the outer end of said socket and thereby effective to hold the fastener frictionally gripped and captive in the wrench socket while the fastener is being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
That improvement in a 12-point wrench socket having inner and outer ends and an interior surface provided with 12 inwardly projecting axial ridges separated by twelve intervening shallow V-shaped points which comprises: a keeper of resilient elastomeric material having a portion thereof in resilient gripping contact with and between the opposite ends of a plurality of the axial ridges of said wrench socket and thereby retained assembled against the inner end portions of said ridges solely by an interference fit between said axial ridges and the radially juxtaposed portions of said keeper, said keeper having an elongated protrusion extending outwardly between an adjacent pair of said ridges toward the outer end of said socket, said protrusion being shaped and sized to be radially compressed between one face of a hex fastener and the adjacent one of the points of said wrench socket when a hex fastener is seated in the outer end of said socket and thereby effective to hold the fastener frictionally gripped and captive in the wrench socket while the fastener is being maneuvered into and out of an assembly position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said keeper comprises an elongated strip of arcuate configuration within said wrench socket with said protrusion extending axially outwardly along one point thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said keeper comprises a ringlet having an O.D. greater than the diameter of said wrench socket in an axial plane common to a pair of diametrically opposed ridges of said socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said protrusion is generally triangular in cross-section with one face thereof generally parallel to one face of a hex fastener when said fastener Is properly oriented in readiness for axial insertion into said wrench socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
That improvement defined in claim 4 characterized in that said one face of said protrusion faces radially outwardly toward the adjacent interior surface of said wrench socket with the ridge-like crest of said protrusion facing inwardly toward the axis of said wrench socket and in position to be engaged by the face of a hex fastener as the latter is being inserted endwise into the wrench socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said keeper is sufficiently resilient and compressible for frictional engagement with and retention in a range of wrench sockets of related sizes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said keeper has a length prior to installation in said wrench socket less than the interior circumference thereof, and in that said keeper endeavors to expand radially against the interior surface at the inner end of a wrench socket and to assume a U-shape as viewed from the outer end of said socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said protrusion has a normal relaxed position in said wrench socket lying primarily spaced inwardly from and out of contact with the adjacent one of said points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said protrusion has a width circumferentially of the wrench socket not greater than the circumferential distance between adjacent points of the socket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
That improvement defined in claim 9 characterized in that the relaxed inwardly facing surface of said protrusion when installed in the socket is non-circular to prevent a surface having a limited area of contact with the hex face of a fastener seated in said socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said inwardly facing surface of said protrusion comprises a crest extending lengthwise thereof and facing radially inwardly toward the axis of said socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said protrusion has a radial thickness not materially in excess of the radial depth of the adjacent one of said points.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A keeper as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said protrusion is non-circular in cross section and thicker in one transverse direction than in a transverse direction at right angles thereto.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |