Socket apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for use in rotatably driving a working element using a tool having a handle and a driver for driving the working element, comprising:
- an elongated shaft including a first end having a first portion adapted for engaging the driver of the tool and a second end having a second portion including a socket element adapted for slidably receiving the working element;
an elongated, tubular housing carried by the shaft external to the tool; and
at least one bearing for providing low friction, rotatable support for the tubular housing relative to the shaft and the tool;
wherein the second portion including the socket element is external to the tubular housing; and
wherein the shaft includes a portion external to the tubular housing on the first portion of the shaft having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The housed socket extension has a high strength tubular housing with a socket extension apparatus which fits within the housing and protrudes from the ends of the housing. Two bearing retaining devices are mounted on the socket extension apparatus, adjacent to the ends of said housing. The first end of the socket extension receives a ratchet wrench or power tool, and the second end of the socket extension apparatus is designed to mate with a socket or tool bit.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in rotatably driving a working element using a tool having a handle and a driver for driving the working element, comprising:
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an elongated shaft including a first end having a first portion adapted for engaging the driver of the tool and a second end having a second portion including a socket element adapted for slidably receiving the working element; an elongated, tubular housing carried by the shaft external to the tool; and at least one bearing for providing low friction, rotatable support for the tubular housing relative to the shaft and the tool; wherein the second portion including the socket element is external to the tubular housing; and wherein the shaft includes a portion external to the tubular housing on the first portion of the shaft having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for use in rotatably driving a working element using a power tool having a handle and a driver for driving the working element, comprising:
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an elongated shaft with a first end having a first portion including a first socket element, said first socket element comprising a square receiver adapted for slidably engaging the power tool and a second end having a second portion including a second socket element, said second socket element comprising a square male adapter adapted for slidably engaging the working element; an elongated, tubular housing external to the tool and located between the first and second portions; at least one roller bearing rotatably supporting the tubular housing relative to the shaft; and a retainer, and wherein the shaft comprises a groove for receiving the retainer; wherein the first portion includes an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. In a tool having a handle for being gripped by a first hand of a user and a driver for driving a working element, the improvement comprising:
a removable extension apparatus for extending the reach of the working element, said apparatus including an elongated shaft including a first end having a first portion adapted for receiving the driver of the tool and a second end having a second portion adapted for slidably receiving the working element, an elongated, tubular housing spaced from the tool and carried by the shaft, and a roller bearing for providing low friction, rotatable support for the tubular housing relative to the shaft and the driver, wherein the second portion of the elongated shaft includes a socket for slidably receiving the working element and is external to the tubular housing, and wherein the first portion of the shaft includes an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A kit for retrofitting an impact tool having an anvil for positioning through an opening in a nose of the tool and having a first working element at a first end and a second working element at a second end, comprising:
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an elongated, tubular housing for positioning over at least a portion of the anvil external to the tool and substantially spanning the length of the anvil between the first working element and the second working element; and at least one bearing for providing low friction, rotatable support for the anvil relative to the tubular housing. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A housed socket extension for use in rotatably driving a working element using a tool having a handle and a driver for driving the working element, comprising:
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a tubular housing with an opening extending axially through the housing, said housing having an outer surface including a gripping material, and an inner surface; an elongated shaft with an outer surface, said shaft including a first end with a square female socket element adapted for slidably engaging the tool, and a second end with a male socket element adapted for slidably engaging the working element, wherein the shaft is positioned within the opening of the tubular housing, wherein the first end of the shaft includes a an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the housing; at least one bearing positioned at least partially between the inner surface of the tubular housing and the outer surface of the shaft for providing low friction, rotatable support for the tubular housing relative to the shaft; and a collar ring and setscrew, said setscrew for contacting the outer surface of the shaft and holding the collar ring in a fixed position, wherein the collar ring assists in preventing the bearing from moving in an axial direction away from the housing. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A housed socket extension for use in rotatably driving a working element using a tool having a handle and a driver for driving the working element, comprising:
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an elongated shaft with an outer surface, said shaft including a first end with a female socket element adapted for slidably engaging the tool, and a second end with a male socket element adapted for slidably engaging the working element; a tubular housing located between the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft, said tubular housing including an opening extending axially through the housing, said housing having an outer surface including a gripping material, and an inner surface comprising a bushing material in direct contact with the shaft, said bushing material suitable for reducing friction between said housing and the shaft and adapted to allow the shaft to rotate within the housing without the use of bearings; and a retainer for retaining the housing on the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification