Wrench socket storage rack with quick release mechanisms

Claim 1

Apparatus for holding and selectively releasing a plurality of wrench elements of the type having a drive opening therein comprising: an elongated rack having a pair of outer faces, an elongated internal longitudinally-extending recess between said faces, each face having an elongated slot extending between opposite ends of said rack, said slots in communication with said recess, said recess having a transverse width greater than a transverse width of said slots; and a plurality of separate retainer assemblies mounted in spaced relation along the length of and within said recess, each retainer assembly including a support post projecting outwardly through the slot of one of said outer faces and having an outer portion adapted for retaining engagement within a drive opening of a wrench element that is placed on said post, each retainer assembly including releasable detent means on the support post thereof for detaining engagement with a wrench element that has been placed on said post, each retainer assembly further including manual release means accessible through the slot on the other face of said rack for manually releasing said detent means thereby permitting withdrawal of an engaged wrench element away from said support post.