US4253356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Socket wrench with interchangeable sockets stored in handle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-10
•
Granted: 1981-03-03
•
Expires: 1999-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A socket wrench of the type having interchangeable sockets has its handle constructed to provide a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side and compartments in each of which one of the socket members may be received and frictionally gripped. An access opening in the wall operatively associated with each compartment permits application of force to the socket member in the compartment to remove it through the entrance opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner W. Martinmaas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:01
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25G; B25G1/00; B25G1/08; B25G1/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In a socket wrench of the type which has a handle, a head at one end of the handle with a socket mounting stub, and a set of interchangeable socket members of different sizes which are adapted for individual selective mounting on said stub, the improvement comprising: said handle has an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side; said cavity has portions of different sizes each of which is adapted to frictionally, engage with one of the socket members of said set; and said wall has an access opening operatively associated with each portion of the cavity permitting application of force to the socket member in said portion to remove it through said entrance opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a socket wrench of the type which has a handle, a head at one end of the handle with a socket mounting stub, and a set of interchangeable socket members of different sizes which are adapted for individual selective mounting on said stub, the improvement comprising: said handle has an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side; said cavity has portions of different sizes each of which is adapted to frictionally, engage with one of the socket members of said set; and said wall has an access opening operatively associated with each portion of the cavity permitting application of force to the socket member in said portion to remove it through said entrance opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which the handle tapers substantially uniformly from a large outer end to a narrow neck portion adjacent the head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the socket members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which the access openings are holes along the longitudinal median line of the wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 4 in which the holes are laterally elongated, have rounded margins, and are large enough to accommodate the end of a finger for applying force to the socket member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 5 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement of claim 4 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation substantially centered on the hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 7 in which each hole is adapted to have an end portion of a socket member projecting through it for application of force to the socket member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which said access opening is in the form of an arcuate recess at each margin of the wall, so that force may be applied to a socket member by gripping it between the fingers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which the cavity includes a neck portion immediately adjacent the socket head which is constructed to frictionally engage with an extension member which has one end portion that seats on the stub and a second end portion comprising a stub to selectively receive the socket members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 10 in which the handle tapers substantially uniformly from a large outer end to said neck portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 11 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 11 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a member which has its axis of rotation effectively on the longitudinal median plane of the entrance opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 10 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 10 which includes resilient means secured to the wall in each portion of the cavity for frictionally gripping the members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 which includes resilient means secured to the wall in each portion of the cavity for frictionally gripping the socket members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 16 in which the longitudinal cavity wall in cross section is a segment of a circle in excess of 180°, and the resilient means is close enough to the longitudinal margins of the wall that the stored socket members have their transverse diameters positioned inwardly of the resilient means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which the cavity wall in cross section is a segment of a circle in excess of 180°, and in which the stored socket members are frictionally gripped between their transverse diameters and the longitudinal margins of said wall so they snap into the cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 1 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation effectively on the longitudinal median plane of the entrance opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
97 words
Socket member storage means for interchangeable sockets of a socket wrench of the type which has a head with a socket mounting stub, said storage means comprising: an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side, said cavity having several distinct portions each of which receives and frictionally engages with one socket member of a set, and an access opening in the wall operatively associated with each portion of the cavity for applying manual force to the socket member in said portion to remove said socket member through the entrance opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
97 words
Socket member storage means for interchangeable sockets of a socket wrench of the type which has a head with a socket mounting stub, said storage means comprising: an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side, said cavity having several distinct portions each of which receives and frictionally engages with one socket member of a set, and an access opening in the wall operatively associated with each portion of the cavity for applying manual force to the socket member in said portion to remove said socket member through the entrance opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 21 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the socket members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 21 in which the access openings are holes along the longitudinal median line of the wall.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 21 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claims 21, 22, 23 or 24 in which the socket member storage means is integrally connected to the head and provides a handle for the wrench.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-09-01 | 1985-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-02 | 1988-09-01 | 1989-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-02 | 1992-09-01 | 1993-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |