Socket wrench

Claim 1

In a power-driven socket wrench having: a socket member with a polygonal central opening for engaging a nut or a bolt head; and a holder extending circumferentially around and rotatably supporting said socket member for rotation on an axis at the center of said opening; said socket member having a series of gear teeth thereon extending circularly around its axis; said socket member having an axial length which is substantially less than its width transverse to said opening; said holder where it surrounds the socket member also having a dimension axially of said socket member which is substantially less than its width thereat tranversely of the socket member, whereby the holder with the rotatable socket member therein is insertable into a closely confined space; the improvement which comprises: a rotary input gear located in said holder completely to one side of the socket member and rotatable on an axis extending perpendicular to the rotational axis of the socket member, said input gear having an axial recess in its outer end for receiving a power-driven rotary shaft and having a series of gear teeth on its inner end extending circularly about its axis; and an intermediate gear located in said holder at said one side of the socket member between said input gear and said socket member, said intermediate gear being rotatable on an axis extending parallel to the rotational axis of said socket member and having a circular series of gear teeth which mesh with said gear teeth on the input gear and with said gear teeth on the socket member for imparting the power drive from the input gear to the socket member.