Adapter for wrench sockets

Claim 1

In an adapter for a cylindrical wrench socket, wherein the socket is normally driven by a conventional ratchet wrench or the like, wherein the socket includes an input drive opening having a polygonal cross-section, and wherein the adapter comprises a drive shank having a polygonal cross-section complementary to the input drive opening of the socket, whereby the adapter may be inserted within the socket for driving the same, and a top portion formed integrally with the drive shank at one end thereof and extending laterally therefrom, the top portion having a polygonal configuration, whereby an open-end wrench or the like may be received on the top portion of the adapter for driving the socket whenever the socket would be inaccessible to a ratchet wrench: the improvement which comprises means on the adapter for facilitating a convenient removal of the adapter from the socket, wherein said means comprises the top portion having a a downwardly-facing closed internal slot formed therein, the slot having a transverse width which is substantially less than the length of the adjacent respective side of the polygonal top portion of the socket, whereby a screw driver blade or the like may be inserted into the slot and wedged between the adapter and the top of the socket.