U.S. patent application number 11/416722 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for extendable spline-drive socket system.
Invention is credited to Sean M. Carroll.
Application Number | 20060196321 11/416722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30119417 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carroll; Sean M. |
September 7, 2006 |
Extendable spline-drive socket system
Abstract
A multi-piece socket system having a large internal cavity to
allow a protrusion of a long rod or other workpiece to extend into
the socket. The socket section has at least two pieces: a drive
adaptor and a socket. Optionally, one or more extension collars may
also be used. When assembled, the socket, extension collar(s) if
used, and drive adaptor form a long tubular body into which a rod
or other central member may enter while the nut is being driven
onto the rod. The drive adaptor, extension collars, and sockets
preferably attach together using a plurality of interlocking teeth
on the ends of each member. For further stability, a spring biased
pin extends from the wall of one member and through a hole in the
wall of the mating member. Additional attachments, such as a
threaded rod and drill chuck, may also be used.
Inventors: |
Carroll; Sean M.;
(Burlingame, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREGORY SMITH & ASSOCIATES
3900 NEWPARK MALL ROAD, 3RD FLOOR
NEWARK
CA
94560
US
|
Family ID: |
30119417 |
Appl. No.: |
11/416722 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10616484 |
Jul 8, 2003 |
7036401 |
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11416722 |
May 2, 2006 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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10616484 |
Jul 8, 2003 |
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29160446 |
May 9, 2002 |
D468984 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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29160447 |
May 9, 2002 |
D469325 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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29155019 |
Feb 1, 2002 |
D476873 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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29136362 |
Jan 29, 2001 |
D459961 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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09185235 |
Nov 3, 1998 |
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PCT/US02/21611 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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29155019 |
Feb 1, 2002 |
D476873 |
|
|
10616484 |
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29136362 |
Jan 29, 2001 |
D459961 |
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29155019 |
Feb 1, 2002 |
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09185235 |
Nov 3, 1998 |
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29136362 |
Jan 29, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
81/177.2 ;
81/121.1; 81/177.85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 23/0021 20130101;
F16B 7/042 20130101; B25B 13/06 20130101; B25B 23/0035 20130101;
F16B 35/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
081/177.2 ;
081/177.85; 081/121.1 |
International
Class: |
B25B 23/16 20060101
B25B023/16; B25G 1/04 20060101 B25G001/04; B25B 13/06 20060101
B25B013/06 |
Claims
1. A socket system, comprising: a socket having a socket opening
extending into said socket from a first end, a second opening
extending from said socket opening through said socket to a second
end thereof, a first multiplicity of ridges located around a
surface of said socket, and an extension collar having a first end
and a second end, a second multiplicity of ridges located on said
first end, said second multiplicity of ridges sized and configured
to mate with said first multiplicity of ridges on said socket, an
opening extending through said extension collar, said extension
collar having a length greater than a length of said socket.
2. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said first multiplicity of
ridges is located on an outside surface of said socket and said
second multiplicity of ridges is located on an inside surface of
said extension collar.
3. The socket system of claim 1, further comprising a third
multiplicity of ridges located around a surface of said extension
collar, and a fourth multiplicity of ridges located around a
surface of a driver, said fourth multiplicity of ridges sized and
configured to mate with said third multiplicity of ridges.
4. The socket system of claim 3, wherein said third multiplicity of
ridges is located on an outside surface of said socket and said
fourth multiplicity of ridges is located on an inside surface of
said driver.
5. The socket system of claim 3, wherein said driver is chosen from
the group of drivers consisting of: electric drive wrench,
pneumatic drive wrench, manual wrench and ratchet wrench.
6. The socket system of claim 1, further comprising a drive adaptor
having a first end, a second end, a first opening extending into
said drive adaptor from said first end, said first opening aligning
with said opening through said extension collar, when said drive
adaptor and said extension collar are connected, a drive opening
extending into said drive adaptor from said second end.
7. The socket system of claim 1, further comprising connector means
for detachably attaching said socket and said extension.
8. The socket system of claim 7, wherein the connector means is
chosen from the group of connectors consisting of: spring-biased
pin, keyway, interlocking ridges and locking rings.
9. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said opening in said
extension collar is larger in diameter than said socket
opening.
10. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said extension collar is
at least two inches in length.
11. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said extension collar is
at least three inches in length.
12. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said first and second
multiplicities of ridges each contain between twenty and forty
ridges.
13. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said first and second
multiplicities of ridges each contain 32 ridges.
14. The socket system of claim 1, wherein said second multiplicity
of ridges has a ridge length, said ridge length being less than
half said length of said extension collar.
15. A tool kit, comprising: a plurality of tool attachments, each
attachment having a first multiplicity of ridges located around a
surface thereof, and an extension collar having a first end and a
second end, a second multiplicity of ridges located on said first
end, said second multiplicity of ridges sized and configured to
mate with said first multiplicity of ridges on each of said tool
attachments, an opening extending through said extension collar,
said extension collar having a length greater than a length of said
tool attachment.
16. The tool kit of claim 15, wherein said plurality of tool
attachments includes a socket, a threaded rod and a chuck.
17. The tool kit of claim 15, wherein said plurality of tool
attachments includes at least one socket, said socket having a
socket opening extending into said socket from a first end, a
second opening extending from said socket opening through said
socket to a second end thereof, said first multiplicity of ridges
located around a surface of said socket.
18. A socket system, comprising: a socket having a socket opening
extending into said socket from a first end, a second opening
extending from said socket opening through said socket to a second
end thereof, a first multiplicity of ridges located around a
surface of said socket, an extension collar having a first end and
a second end, a second multiplicity of ridges located on said first
end, said second multiplicity of ridges sized and configured to
mate with said first multiplicity of ridges on said socket, an
opening extending through said extension collar, said extension
collar having a length greater than a length of said socket, a
third multiplicity of ridges located around a surface of said
extension collar, and a driver having a fourth multiplicity of
ridges located around a surface of said driver.
19. The socket system of claim 18, wherein said driver is chosen
from the group of drivers consisting of: electric drive wrench,
pneumatic drive wrench, manual wrench and ratchet wrench.
20. The socket system of claim 18, wherein said second multiplicity
of ridges has a length less than half said length of said extension
collar, and said third multiplicity of ridges has a length less
than half said length of said extension collar.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/616,484 filed Jul. 8, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036401,
which is a continuation-in-part of Patent Cooperation Treaty
application no. PCT/US02/21611, filed Jul. 8, 2002, which is a
CIP:
[0002] of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/160,446 filed May 9, 2002,
now U.S. Pat. No. D468,984,
[0003] and of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/160,447 filed May 9,
2002, now U.S. Pat. No. D469,325
[0004] and of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/155,019 filed Feb. 01,
2002 now U.S. Pat. No. D476,873,
[0005] and of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/136,362 filed Jan. 29,
2001 now U.S. Pat. No. D459,961,
[0006] and of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/185,235 filed Nov. 03,
1998 now abandoned.
[0007] U.S. application Ser. No. 10/616,484 is also a CIP of U.S.
application Ser. No. 29/155,019 filed Feb. 01, 2002 now U.S. Pat.
No. D476,873, which is a CIP of and of U.S. application Ser. No.
29/136,362 filed Jan. 29, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. D459,961, which is
a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/185,235 filed Nov.
03, 1998 now abandoned.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates generally to socket systems.
More particularly, it relates to a tool system for use in deep
cavities or with long rods. The socket tool has a long internal
cavity to allow threaded members to be driven onto a long rod,
which may extends into an internal cavity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Socket systems for turning or rotating nuts, bolts, etc.
have existed in many forms for many years. These systems typically
take the form of a wrench or impact tool having a square drive
which interlocks with a socket having a square drive opening.
Opposite the drive opening is a hexagonal or 12 pointed opening for
a nut or bolt. The drive tool is either manually, pneumatically, or
electrically driven to rotate the socket, thereby rotating the nut
or bolt the socket is engaging.
[0010] These types of systems are only useful in cases where nuts
are driven only a short distance onto a rod or for bolts. If a nut
is to be driven down a substantial length of rod, the rod begins to
interfere with the operation of the driving tool. Deep sockets
provide some additional depth into which a rod may feed and provide
better access to slightly deeper holes, however, the additional
space is minimal, usually only approximately 1 or 2 inches. For the
most part, the deep sockets are intended for use in deep
openings.
[0011] Another tool designed for deep openings is the extension
bar. The extension bar is a solid bar that connects a socket to a
wrench. However, there is no additional space within the socket or
extension bar to allow for a rod or other protrusion. So, although
these devices provide better access to nuts and bolt within deep
openings, they have no provision for threading a nut any
substantial distance onto a threaded rod. Also, with longer devices
there may be substantial torque lost due to twisting of the
extension bar.
[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a tool system that allows the
user to turn a nut or other rotational member onto a rod or other
protruding member without the rod interfering with the driving
mechanism. There is also need of a system that may be used in deep
cavities without any substantial loss of torque.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention takes the form of a multi-piece tool
with a standard drive attachment opening. The socket system has at
least two pieces: a drive adaptor and a socket. Optionally, one or
more extension collars may also be used. When assembled, the
socket, extension collar(s) if used, and drive adaptor form a long
tubular body having an internal opening into which a rod or other
member may enter while the nut is being driven onto the rod. The
drive adaptor, extension collars, and sockets preferably attach
together using a plurality of interlocking teeth on the inside and
outside of the ends of each member. For further stability, a spring
biased pin extends from the wall of one member and through a hole
in the wall of the mating member. Alternate systems use other
attachments, such as a threaded attachment or a drill chuck. Other
objects and advantages of the invention will no doubt occur to
those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the
following detailed description along with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the socket drive
system in use.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-E are views of the drive adaptor.
[0016] FIGS. 3A-E show views of the socket.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-C are views of an alternate socket.
[0018] FIGS. 5A-D show views of the extension collar.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a socket system
with the splines reversed.
[0020] FIGS. 7A-G are views of threaded attachment.
[0021] FIGS. 8A-E show views of a first chuck attachment.
[0022] FIGS. 9A-E show views of a second chuck attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the socket system
10 in use driving a nut 12 onto a threaded rod 14. The drive wrench
16 shown is a corded electric version although other versions such
as cordless electric, pneumatic, or manual wrenches or ratchet
wrenches may also be used. The socket section 18 of the system is
made of at least two parts: the drive adaptor 20 and the socket 40.
Optionally, one or more extension collars 70 may be used to extend
the length of the internal opening 100. FIG. 1 shows a system 10 in
which the drive adaptor 20, a single extension collar 70, and the
socket 40 are used. The additional length provided by using the
drive adaptor 20 and optionally the extension collar(s) 70 allows
the user to drive a nut 12 onto a long threaded rod 14. The opening
extending through or into each of the sections 20, 40, 70 allows
the rod 14 to extend up into the opening while the nut 12 is driven
farther down the rod 14. In most cases, the nut is approximately
the same size or is smaller than the internal opening, thereby
leaving room for the rod to extend into the entire length of the
internal opening through the drive adaptor 20, extension collar 70
and socket 40. The diameter of the internal opening may be anywhere
in the range of 0.5 inches to 5 inches or more. Typically the
larger diameter is used in a situation where the socket 40 is
larger and therefore the internal opening needs to be
correspondingly larger or where greater torque transmission is
required. More preferably, the internal opening has a diameter of
0.75 to 3 inches, most preferably between 1 and 2 inches.
[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the drive adaptor
20. FIG. 2C is a cross-section thereof, FIG. 2D is a side view, and
FIG. 2E is an end view thereof. The drive adaptor 20 shown is a
generally cylindrical member having a drive opening 22 at one end
and a connector opening 24 at the other end. If preferred, these
openings 22, 24 may meet, forming an internal opening 26 through
the entire length of the drive adaptor 20. The drive opening 22 may
be any desired or functional shape, but is currently shown as an
opening 22 for a standard drive such as a 1/4'', 3/8'', or 1/2''
square drive. In order to assist the user in placing the drive
opening 22 onto the drive of the drive wrench 16, the drive opening
22 is set in a shallow depression 28, which helps guide the drive
to the drive opening 22. The connector opening 24 has a
multiplicity of ridges or splines 30 on the interior surface 32 of
the wall 34. These ridges 30 interlock with a matching set of
ridges or splines 50, 80 on the exterior 52, 82 of the socket 40 or
on the extension collar 70. A hole 36 passes through the wall 34 of
the connector opening 24 which interlocks with a pin 56, 86 on the
socket 40 or on the extension collar 70.
[0025] FIG. 3A is a socket end perspective view of the socket 40.
FIG. 3B is a cross-section thereof, FIG. 3C is a side view, FIG. 3D
an end view, and FIG. 3E is an opposing end view. The socket 40 is
a generally cylindrical member having a connector 44 on one end,
and a socket opening 42 on the other end. The connector 44 has a
multiplicity of ridges or splines 50 that are located on a necked
down portion 46 of the connector end of the socket 40. These ridges
50 interlock with ridges 30, 76 in the connector opening 24, 72 in
the drive adaptor 20 or in the extension collar 70. A pin 56
extends from the necked down connector portion 46 of the socket 40
and fits into the connector opening 24, 72 of the drive adaptor 20
or the extension collar 70. The pin 56 is spring biased to be in an
extended position. When the user wants to release the socket 40
from the drive adaptor 20 or extension collar 70, the pin 56 is
depressed and the socket 40 is slid off. Although other shapes and
configurations may be used, the socket opening 42 shown is a
standard hexagonal socket opening 42. The socket opening 42 extends
a portion of the way through the socket 40, at which point it
connects to the internal opening 48 that extends through the
remainder of the socket 40.
[0026] FIG. 4A is a socket end perspective view of an alternate
socket 60. FIG. 4B is a cross-section thereof and FIG. 4C is a side
view of the alternate socket. In this embodiment, the socket
opening 62 is smaller, and the diameter of the socket opening 62
end of the socket 60 has been reduced to conserve material and
allow the tool to be functional in smaller openings. A thicker ring
64 is located around the socket 60 to prevent the extension collar
70 or drive adaptor 20 from extending too far onto the socket 60.
The end wall 38, 88 of the connector opening 24, 72 of the drive
adaptor 20 or the extension collar 70 abuts the edge 66 of the ring
64 and is prevented from progressing any farther onto the socket
60.
[0027] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the extension collar 70.
FIG. 5B is a cross-section thereof. FIG. 5C is a side view and FIG.
5D is an end view of the extension collar 70. The extension collar
70 is a generally cylindrical member, which fits between the drive
adaptor 20 and the socket 40 when a longer internal opening 100 is
desired, or when the opening into which the socket system 10 is
being used is deeper. The internal opening 90 of the extension
collar 70 extends through the entire length of the collar 70 and
connects to the internal opening 48 in the socket 40. When attached
to the drive adaptor 20, the internal opening 90 ends at the base
39 of the connector opening 24 in the drive adaptor 20. The
extension collar 70 may be any suitable length, such as from one to
twenty inches in length, more preferably between two and fifteen
inches in length, most preferably between three and ten inches in
length.
[0028] Alternate embodiments may have a deeper section extending
from the connector opening 24 in the drive adaptor 20 to provide
further depth for the internal opening 100. In other designs, the
internal opening 100 may connect to the drive opening 22 so that
the internal opening 100 passes through the entire length of the
socket section 18.
[0029] When in use, the user may choose to use the pieces of the
multi-piece socket section 18 in different configurations depending
on the application. For example, if a standard socket is too
shallow, but only by a small amount, the socket 40, 60 may be
connected directly to a drive adaptor 20. This is applicable in
cases where the socket 40, 60 of the present invention has a
greater length than a standard socket. If a greater depth is
required, the socket 40, 60 may be attached to an extension collar
70 which is then attached to the drive adaptor 20. If the length
necessary is greater still, one or more additional extension
collars 70 may be inserted between the socket 40, 60 and the drive
adaptor 20 until the length is sufficient for the application.
[0030] The number of ridges or splines 30, 50, 76, 80 may be
anywhere between ten and a hundred, with a smaller number typically
used for smaller diameter drives and a larger number used for large
diameter drives. More preferably, between fifteen and fifty ridges
30, 50, 76, 80 are used. Most preferably, between twenty and forty
ridges 30, 50, 76, 80 are used. In the embodiments shown, there are
thirty-two ridges 30, 50, 76, 80 which provide the rotational
connection between the drive adaptor 20, socket 40, 60, and
extension collar(s) 70. With larger numbers of ridges 30, 50, 76,
80, the user must be more careful to properly align the pins 56, 86
and holes 36, 92 such that each pin 56, 86 properly aligns and
extends through the corresponding hole 36, 92. However, a larger
number of ridges 30, 50, 76, 80 increases the gripping surface
between the drive adaptor 20, socket 40, 60, and extension collar
70, as well as increasing the maximum possible size of internal
opening 100, thereby allowing a larger rod to fit within the
internal opening 100.
[0031] A further benefit of the present design is the increased
moment of inertia, which is created by using a collar type of
design instead of the narrower rods found in the extension bars of
the prior art. The increased moment of inertia is created by
placing the material farther away from the center of rotation in a
collar formation instead of a rod that is focused around the
centerpoint. Force transmission is also improved by placing the
splines on the exterior surface of one collar and the interior
surface of a slight larger collar. These design features create a
system in which the torque transmission is less likely to damage
the parts of the socket drive system 10, while providing greater
torque transmission.
[0032] Alternate connections may be formed between the pieces of
the socket section 18. For example, the embodiments shown have the
female portions of the connections on the socket 40 end of the
members, and the male portions on the wrench 16 end of the members.
These may be reversed if desired, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0033] Additional attachments may also be included in the socket
system or they may be additional separate attachments. Examples of
the additional attachments include a threaded attachment 100, as
seen in FIGS. 7A-G. FIG. 7A is a top perspective view, FIG. 7B is a
bottom perspective view, FIG. 7C is a back end view, FIG. 7D is a
right side view, FIG. 7E is a front end view, FIG. 7F is a
cross-sectional view, FIG. 7G is a left side view and. The threaded
attachment 100 may have any suitable diameter, such as from 0.1 to
2 inches, more preferably between 0.25 to 1 inch. The length of the
attachment 100 is approximately in the range of 0.25 and 5 inches,
more preferably between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, and most
preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 inches. The threaded attachment 100
is used to connect threaded tools, such as core bits, sanding or
grinding wheels or other tools with a female threaded attachment
opening. The diameter and length of the threaded attachment 100
used is determined by the opening in the tool to be attached to the
threaded attachment 100.
[0034] FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of a first chuck
attachment 110, FIG. 8B is a bottom perspective view, FIG. 8C is a
left side view, FIG. 8D is a front end view and FIG. 8E is a back
end view thereof. FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of a second
chuck attachment 120, FIG. 9B is a bottom perspective view, FIG. 9C
is a left side view, FIG. 9D is a front end view and FIG. 9E is a
back end view thereof. The chuck attachments 110, 120 allow a user
to use standard or specialty drill bits with the system, thereby
making it possible to drill a hole within a deep opening or other
hard to reach location.
[0035] Another option would be an angled drive. In this case the
user would be able to use any of the sockets or other attachments,
but the drive mechanism would have a fixed or adjustable angle
built-in one of the sections. Although other fixed angles may be
used, a typical configuration would have the socket or drill acting
at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the drill's rotation.
The angle may be achieved by a special extension collar with a
fixed or adjustable angle mechanical interface or within a special
attachment such as a socket, drill chuck or other attachment wit
the angle incorporated therein.
[0036] Although a generally cylindrical socket section 18 is
optimal for providing the maximum internal opening 100 for the
least rotational footprint, other shapes of socket sections 18 may
also be used, such as square, hexagonal, and other geometric and
nongeometric shapes may be used. A further variation could use one
or more keys that fit in corresponding keyways. The keyways could
be straight with a locking pin, or the keyways could be a labyrinth
forming an interlock with a key, with or without spring biasing.
Locking rings, and other types of interlocks may be substituted for
the hole and pin and/or the interlocking ridges.
[0037] Many features have been listed with particular
configurations, options, and embodiments. Any one or more of the
features described may be added to or combined with any of the
other embodiments or other standard devices to create alternate
combinations and embodiments.
[0038] Although the examples given include many specificities, they
are intended as illustrative of only one possible embodiment of the
invention. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt,
occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the examples given should
only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred
embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
* * * * *