Universal socket device

• US 5,806,385 A
• Filed: 05/14/1996
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Corp. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Corp. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Schupp, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, James G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANGANAN, JONI BALDOS
• Application Number:
  US08/645,908
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 81/185, 81/DIG. 11, 81/124.4, 81/437, 81/461, 81/442, 81/448, 269/266
• US Class Current: 81/185
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/105 composed of a plurality of slidable pins
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 81/11 Adapters for different-sized fasteners

Abstract

A universal socket is described which is suitable for use upon a myriad of fastening means whereupon at least a plurality of pins are capable of longitudinal axial movement in concert and in conformity with contact with a workpiece. This result is achieved by the incorporation of a biasing mechanism on the pins which biases the pins in a normally extended position, but which permits movement to a second retracted position. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the pins is decreased in either a linear or non-linear manner from the outer periphery to the center of the socket. In operation, as the workpiece is inserted into the socket, the pins are moved in a longitudinal axial direction from their normally extended position to the second retracted position in conformity with the shape of the workpiece. Upon the application of a torque force to the closed end of the socket fitted with a drive means, the workpiece is either moved clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the nature of the operation to be performed, i.e., tightening or loosening. Upon removal of the workpiece, the pins return to their original extended position due to the biasing mechanism, typically being a spring positioned around a reduced diameter uppermost end of the pins. In one configuration of the pins, accommodation is made for larger multi-sided workpieces than would normally be expected to be inserted into the socket based on the available surface area of the pins through the incorporation of triangular shaped free space within the socket adjacent to the pins. This permits larger sized 4- sided and 6-sided nuts and bolts to be effectively removed or tightened for example.

Claims

1. A socket tool for removing and tightening workpieces, comprising,

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end, said housing forming an interior chamber having a first open end and a second closed end,

a plurality of slidable pins positioned in said chamber and extending longitudinally from said first end toward said second end thereof,

each of said plurality of pins having a first end positioned adjacent said open end of said chamber, and a second end positioned within said chamber, wherein said second end is movably secured within a pin positioning member within said chamber, and wherein each of said plurality of pins including a biasing member acting to bias each of said pins to a first position,

said pin positioning member having a plurality of apertures through which a portion of each of said plurality of pins passes, and having stopper means at said second end of said pins to movably retain said pins in association with said pin positioning member,

said plurality of pins being capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece, and

wherein said pin positioning member includes a sleeve portion in association therewith which extends along the longitudinal direction of said chamber, said sleeve portion movably retaining said pin positioning member within said chamber.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said plurality of pins vary in cross-sectional configuration within said chamber.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein said plurality of pins include outermost pins positioned adjacent the periphery of said chamber, and innermost pins positioned about the longitudinal axis of said housing, wherein the size of said pins varies from a larger cross-sectional configuration at the outermost pins toward a smaller cross-sectional configuration at the innermost pins.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein,

each of said plurality of pins has a cross-sectional configuration of a regular polygon, with each of the corners of said regular polygon being curved, such that adjacent pins within said chamber will contact one another only over a limited surface area, and voids will be present at the corners of each of said pins.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein said plurality of pins have a non-uniform cross-sectional area.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a plurality of open spaces adjacent to said plurality of pins, with the interior surfaces of said housing conforming to a predetermined shape of a workpiece.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein said sleeve member is dimensioned so as to contact the closed end of said chamber and position said pin positioning member at a predetermined location within said chamber.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portion applies an outwardly directed biasing force on at least one wall of said interior chamber.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a shelf portion formed within said chamber, which selectively supports said pin positioning member in a desired position within said chamber.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein said pin positioning member applies an outwardly directed biasing force on at least one wall of said interior chamber to inhibit movement of said pin positioning member in said chamber.

11. A universal socket comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end with an aperture for insertion of a drive mechanism;

a pin positioning mechanism within said housing having a plurality of apertures disposed therein, which is movably positioned within said housing;

a plurality of pins disposed within said housing which are capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece;

wherein each pin has a pin biasing mechanism for maintaining the pin in the first extended position, and

wherein the open end of the housing further comprises at least four triangular openings adjacent to the pins.

12. The universal socket of claim 11 wherein the uppermost portion of the pins has a pin retaining portion which engages said pin positioning member to maintain said pins in association therewith.

13. The universal socket of claim 11 wherein the pins have a non-uniform cross- sectional area.

14. The universal socket of claim 13 wherein the cross-sectional area of the pins decreases from the exterior periphery to an internal section of the pins.

15. The tool of claim 11, wherein said pin positioning mechanism applies an outwardly directed biasing force on at least one interior wall of said housing to inhibit movement of said pin positioning mechanism in said chamber.

16. The tool of claim 11, wherein said pin positioning mechanism includes a sleeve portion in association therewith which extends along the longitudinal direction of the interior of said housing, said sleeve portion movably retaining said pin positioning mechanism within said housing, and wherein said sleeve portion applies an outwardly directed biasing force on at least one interior wall of said housing.

17. A socket tool for removing and tightening workpieces, comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end, said housing forming an interior chamber having a first open end and a second closed end;

a plurality of slidable pins positioned in said chamber and extending longitudinally from said first end toward said second end thereof;

each of said plurality of pins having a first end positioned adjacent said open end of said chamber, and a second end positioned within said chamber, wherein said second end is movably secured within a pin positioning member within said chamber, and wherein each of said plurality of pins includes a biasing member acting, to bias each of said pins to a first position;

said pin positioning member having a plurality of apertures through which a portion of each of said plurality of pins passes, and having a stopper means at -.aid second end of said pins to movably retain said pins in association with said pin positioning member wherein said pin positioning member is movably retained in said interior chamber; and

said plurality of pins being capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece, wherein said stopper means comprises separate stoppers secured to the second end of said pins.

18. A socket tool for removing and tightening workpieces, comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end, said housing forming an interior chamber having a first open end and a second substantially closed end;

a plurality of slidable pins positioned in said chamber and extending longitudinally from said first end toward said second end thereof,

each of said plurality of pins having a first end positioned adjacent said open end of said chamber, and a second end positioned within said chamber, wherein said second end is movably secured within a pin positioning member within said chamber, and wherein each of said plurality of pins includes a biasing member acting to bias each of said pins to a first position;

said pin positioning member having a plurality of apertures through which a portion of each of said plurality of pins passes, and having stopper means at said second end of said pins to movably retain said pins in association with said pin positioning member;

said plurality of pins being capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece, wherein said plurality of pins vary in cross-sectional configuration within said chamber, and wherein said plurality of pins included outermost pins positioned adjacent the periphery of said chamber, and innermost pins positioned about the longitudinal axis of said housing, wherein the size of said pins varies from a larger cross-sectional configuration at the outermost pins toward a smaller cross-sectional configuration at the innermost pins.

19. A socket tool for removing and tightening workpieces, comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end, said housing forming an interior chamber having a first open end and a second closed end;

a plurality of slidable pins positioned in said chamber and extending longitudinally from said first end toward said second end;

each of said plurality of pins having a first end positioned adjacent said open end of said chamber, and a second end positioned within said chamber, wherein said second end is movably secured within a pin positioning member within said chamber, and wherein each of said plurality of pins includes a biasing member acting to bias each of said pins to a first position;

said pin positioning member having a plurality of apertures through which a portion of each of said plurality of pins passes, and having a stopper means at said second end of said pins to movably retain said pins in association with said pin positioning member; and

said plurality of pins being capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece, wherein each of said plurality of pins has a cross-sectional configuration of a regular polygon, with each of the corners of said regular polygon being curved, such that adjacent pins within said chamber will contact one another only over a limited surface area, and voids will be present at the corners of each of said pins.

20. A universal socket comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end with an aperture for insertion of a drive mechanism;

a pin positioning mechanism within said housing having a plurality of apertures disposed therein, which is movably positioned within said housing;

a plurality of pins disposed within said housing which are capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece;

wherein each pin has a pin biasing mechanism for maintaining the pin in the first extended position;

wherein the pins have a non-uniform cross-sectional area;

wherein the cross-sectional area of the pins decreases from the exterior periphery to an internal section of the pins.

21. A universal socket comprising:

a housing having an open end and a substantially closed end with an aperture for insertion of a drive mechanism;

a pin positioning mechanism within said housing having a plurality of apertures disposed therein, which is movably positioned within said housing;

a plurality of pins disposed within said housing which are capable of longitudinal axial movement from a first extended position to a second retracted position in response to contact with a workpiece;

wherein each pin has a pin biasing mechanism for maintaining the pin in the first extended position; and

wherein said pin positioning mechanism includes a sleeve portion in association therewith which extends along the longitudinal direction of the interior of said housing, said sleeve portion movably retaining said pin positioning mechanism within said housing, and wherein said sleeve portion applies an outwardly directed biasing force on at least one interior wall of said housing.