Expandable socket accessory

• US 10,463,116 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2018
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PopSockets LLC
• Original Assignee: PopSockets LLC
• Inventors: Barnett, David B., Adelman, Greg, Kory, Michael J., Chiang, Randy Yang, Nahum, Altan, Willson, David F., Alves, Vanessa Cantoli
• Primary Examiner(s): Duckworth, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US15/864,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20190208871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 99/005 Turn-button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/026 with a pin having an enlarged head detachably connected to a fastening device, e.g. to a pin receiving slot
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/10 Handles for carrying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

An expandable socket accessory includes a body movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The body includes a first end and a second end. A platform is removably connected to the second end of the body. The platform includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a collar extending axially away from the top surface. The collar defines a side opening and an inner radial surface. The side opening is sized to slidably receive at least a portion of the second end of the body. The inner radial surface of the platform cooperates with and retains the second end of the body in connection with the platform.

Claims

1. An expandable socket accessory comprising:

a body movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the body including a first end and a second end; and

a platform removably connected to the second end of the body, the platform including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a collar extending axially away from the top surface, the collar defining a side opening and an inner radial surface, the side opening sized to slidably receive at least a portion of the second end of the body;

wherein the inner radial surface of the platform cooperates with and retains the second end of the body in connection with the platform;

wherein the second end of the body includes a hub removably coupled around the body, the hub comprising a radially extending tab residing within the side opening of the collar.

2. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the platform further comprises an inwardly extending detent engaging the hub to further assist with retaining the second end of the body and the platform in connection.

3. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body includes a groove, and the tab of the hub includes an aperture and a protruding member extending into the aperture, wherein the protruding member is disposed in the groove.

4. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body includes a resilient annular rib in snap-fit connection with the inner radial surface of the collar.

5. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises an axially extending sidewall and a flange extending radially inward from the sidewall, the flange defining the inner radial surface.

6. The socket accessory of claim 5, wherein the flange of the collar is resilient and in snap-fit connection with the second end of the body.

7. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the collar is arcuate.

8. The socket accessory of claim 1, wherein the collar is C-shaped.

9. An expandable socket accessory, the accessory comprising:

a body movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the body including a first end and a second end; and

a platform adapted to be removably connected to the second end of the body, the platform including a side opening sized to slidably receive at least a portion of the second end of the body;

wherein the body is slidable relative to the side opening between a locked configuration, in which the body is connected to the platform, and an unlocked configuration, in which the body is disconnected from the platform;

wherein the body further comprises a hub removably coupled to the second end, the hub comprising a radially extending tab residing within the side opening of the platform when the body is in the locked configuration.

10. The socket accessory of claim 9, wherein the platform includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a collar extending axially away from the top surface, wherein the side opening is formed in the collar.

11. The socket accessory of claim 9, wherein the platform includes an inner radial surface sized to engage the second end of the body when the body is in the locked configuration.

12. The socket accessory of claim 9, wherein the tab of the hub includes an aperture and a protruding member extending into the aperture, the protruding member disposed within an annular groove formed in the second end of the body.

13. The socket accessory of claim 9, wherein the platform further comprises an inwardly extending detent engaging the tab of the hub to further assist with retaining the second end of the body and the platform in connection.

14. An expandable socket adapted to connect to a platform, the socket comprising:

a body including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the second end including a hub, a shoulder, a tip, and a wall extending axially away from the shoulder relative to the longitudinal axis, the hub including a radially extending tab removably disposed around the wall;

wherein the body is movable on the longitudinal axis between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration;

wherein the body includes a groove disposed between the wall and the tip, and the tab of the hub includes a protruding member in snap-fit connection with the groove of the body.

15. The expandable socket of claim 14, wherein the groove of the body is an annular groove, and the protruding member is an annular ring within the annular groove of the body.

16. The expandable socket of claim 14, wherein the hub includes a grip adjacent to a portion of the wall of the second end of the body.

17. The expandable socket of claim 14, further comprising a button removably attached to the first end of the body.