Oil drain plug socket for a wrench assembly

• US 7,159,491 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Easco Hand Tools Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Easco Hand Tools Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Steinweg, Paul S., Chaconas, Peter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Lee D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OJINI, EZIAMARA ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US11/220,467
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 811/243, 811/778.5, 811/25, 811/211, 81/581
• US Class Current: 81/58.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/06 of socket type
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/48 for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0035 Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/0042 Tools for removing or replacing filters or for draining oil; Tools for setting or loosening closure means for radiators, batteries, or the like

Abstract

A ratchet wrench, the ratchet wrench having a head portion defining a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface and a plurality of ribs extending radially inward therefrom. The socket includes a first portion defining a plurality of depressions axially aligned with the longitudinal axis in an outer surface thereof, the first portion being releasably received by the substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface, and a second portion including a cylindrical outer surface and defining a hexagonal recess therein. A grip ring includes a knurled outer surface and is disposed on the second portion outer surface. A magnetic insert is received in the hexagonal recess.

Claims

1. A ratchet wrench assembly comprising:

a. a wrench having a handle and a head at one end of said handle, said head defining an opening;

b. a ratchet ring disposed in said opening such that said ratchet ring rotates with respect to said head in a first direction and rotates with said head in a second direction, said ratchet ring defining a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface having at least one rib projecting radially inward from said inner engaging surface; and

c. a socket having

a generally cylindrical first portion having an outer surface and defining a polygonally shaped bore therein,

a grip ring non-rotatably disposed and axially fixed on said first portion outer surface and extending radially therefrom a distance substantially equal to or larger than an axial width of said grip ring; and

a generally cylindrical second portion defining at least one depression in an outer surface thereof for releasably receiving said at least one ratchet ring rib therein when said second portion is inserted into said ratchet ring inner engaging surface.

2. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 1, wherein said grip ring further includes a knurled outer surface and is press-fitted to said first portion outer surface.

3. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 2, wherein said grip ring is composed of an inelastic material.

4. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 3, wherein said inelastic material is aluminum.

5. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of said grip ring is greater than an outer diameter of said wrench head such that said grip ring extends radially outward beyond an outer periphery of said wrench head.

6. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic insert secured in said polygonal bore.

7. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 6, wherein said magnetic insert further comprises a magnet secured in a plug, wherein said plug is press-fitted in said polygonal bore.

8. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 7, wherein said second portion further includes a square shaped bore for receiving a square shaped drive tang on said wrench head.

9. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 7, wherein:

a. said socket includes an axial bore extending from said square shaped bore to said hexagonally shaped bore;

b. said plug includes a base for receiving said magnetic element and a stem extending therefrom; and

c. said stem is received in said axial bore and said base is received in said polygonal bore.

10. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 7, wherein said plug is composed of a non-metallic material.

11. The ratchet wrench assembly of claim 7, wherein:

a. said ratchet ring defines a plurality of said ribs, each said rib having a slot formed therein transverse to an axis of said ratcheting ring, said ratchet ring slots aligning with each other to form a first annular groove;

b. said socket second portion defines a second annular groove in said second portion outer surface that is positioned to align with said ratchet ring first annular groove when said second portion is inserted into said ratchet ring inner engaging surface; and

c. a ring member is received in said first and said second annular grooves so as to releasably retain said adapter in the axial direction in said ratchet ring.

12. A socket for use with a ratchet wrench, said socket comprising:

a. a longitudinal axis;

b. a second portion defining a plurality of depressions axially aligned with said longitudinal axis in an outer surface thereof, said second portion being releasably received by the ratchet wrench;

c. a generally cylindrical first portion including an outer surface and defining a polygonal bore therein;

d. a non-integrally formed grip ring disposed on and extending radially from said first portion outer surface a distance substantially equal to or larger than an axial width of said grip ring, said grip ring including a knurled outer surface; and

e. a magnetic insert received in said polygonal bore.

13. The socket of claim 12, wherein said grip ring is secured to said second portion outer surface by a press-fit.

14. The socket of claim 13, wherein said magnetic insert includes a magnet received in an elastomeric plug, wherein said elastomeric plug is press-fitted into said polygonal bore.

15. The socket of claim 13, wherein said grip ring is constructed of aluminum.

16. A ratchet wrench assembly comprising:

a. a wrench having a handle and a head at one end of said handle, said head defining an opening;

b. a ratchet ring disposed in said opening such that said ratchet ring rotates with respect to said head in a first direction and is rotationally fixed to said head in an opposite second direction, said ratchet ring defining a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface having a plurality of ribs projecting radially inward therefrom, each rib having a slot formed therein transverse to an axis of said ratchet ring, said ratchet ring slots aligning with each other to form a first annular groove;

c. a ring member received in said first annular groove;

d. a socket having

an axial bore formed therethrough,

a first generally cylindrical portion including an outer surface and defining a hexagonal bore therein,

an inelastic grip ring non-rotatably disposed and axially fixed on said first portion outer surface and extending radially therefrom, said grip ring being press-fitted to said first portion outer surface and including a knurled outer surface,

a second portion defining a plurality of depressions in an outer surface thereof for releasably receiving said ratchet ring ribs therein when said second portion is inserted into said ratchet ring inner engaging surface, said second portion outer surface defining a second annular groove that is positioned to align with said ratchet ring first annular groove and releasably receive said ring member when said second portion is inserted into said ratchet ring inner engaging surface; and

e. a magnetic insert having

a plug including a base and a stem extending therefrom, said stem being received in said axial bore and

a magnet received in said base, said bore being received in said hexagonal bore.