US4218940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Socket release apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-12-06
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Granted: 1980-08-26
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Expires: 1998-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A remote socket release apparatus for wrenches wherein the release actuation operator is located on the outer end of the wrench handle.
Inventors
- 👤 Doug Main
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:26
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B17/00; B25B13/00; B25B13/02; B25B13/06; B25B13/46; B25B13/461; B25B23/00; B25B23/0007; B25B23/0035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A socket wrench comprising; a hollow wrench head, a drive stud extending outwardly from the wrench head, a cavity provided in the drive stud closed to the outer end of the drive stud and opening into the interior of the hollow wrench head, a detent ball movably carried by the stud member and engageable with a socket carryable by said stud member, means carried within the stud cavity for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent ball, an elongated handle carried by the wrench head and extending outwardly therefrom at a right angle to the stud member, a longitudinal bore provided through the handle, a shaft movable within the bore, means at the outer end of the shaft exterior of the outer end of the handle for moving such shaft and means carried by the inner end of the shaft operably engageable with the means for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent ball, whereby movement of the shaft to a first position engages the detent ball and movement to a second position disengages the detent ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A socket wrench comprising; a hollow wrench head, a drive stud extending outwardly from the wrench head, a cavity provided in the drive stud closed to the outer end of the drive stud and opening into the interior of the hollow wrench head, a detent ball movably carried by the stud member and engageable with a socket carryable by said stud member, means carried within the stud cavity for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent ball, an elongated handle carried by the wrench head and extending outwardly therefrom at a right angle to the stud member, a longitudinal bore provided through the handle, a shaft movable within the bore, means at the outer end of the shaft exterior of the outer end of the handle for moving such shaft and means carried by the inner end of the shaft operably engageable with the means for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent ball, whereby movement of the shaft to a first position engages the detent ball and movement to a second position disengages the detent ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means carried within the stud cavity for selectively engaging and disengaging the detent ball comprises a spring-loaded plunger member reciprocally disposed in the cavity and having a detent ball engaging wall, and an annular recess in the outer periphery of said wall, and having a first position in which the wall forces the detent ball outwardly to engage and secure the socket, and a second depressed position wherein the recess is in alignment with the detent ball to allow said detent ball to retract sufficiently to disengage and release the socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 2 wherein the plunger inner end is provided with a first cam surface and wherein the shaft is reciprocally disposed in the handle bore, said means carried by the inner end of the shaft comprising a second cam surface contactable with the plunger cam surface, whereby upon longitudinal movement of the shaft toward the wrench head, the cam surfaces interact to depress the plunger and movement of the shaft in the opposite direction releases said plunger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first cam surface is hemispherical and the second cam surface is conical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket wrench is also a ratchet wrench having a movable pawl switch carried in the hollow wrench head for effecting rotation of the drive stud in either direction, and including pawl switch operator means movably carried by the shaft and disposed in the hollow wrench head wherein longitudinal movement of the shaft selectively engages and disengages said detent ball and wherein rotation of said shaft effects rotation of said pawl switch operator means for operating said pawl switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pawl switch operator means comprises a sleeve member slidably disposed on said shaft and keying means to prevent rotation of said sleeve member with respect to the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein the drive stud is rotatable and is provided with gearing means disposed inside the hollow wrench head, second gearing means movably carried by the shaft wherein longitudinal movement of the shaft selectively engages and disengages said ball detent and wherein rotation of said shaft provides rotation of said first and second gearing means to effect rotation of the drive stud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A socket wrench as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second gearing means comprises a sleeve member slidably disposed on said shaft and keying means to prevent rotation of the gearing means with respect to the shaft.
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) | 1983-08-26 | 1984-02-25 | 1984-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-26 | 1988-02-25 | 1988-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-26 | 1992-02-25 | 1992-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |