Quick release mechanism for socket drive tool

Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle or shank

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C403S325000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199457

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to socket drive tools and, in particular, to drive tools with quick release mechanisms to facilitate mounting and demounting of associated sockets on the drive tool
A socket drive tool typically has a drive lug at one end, usually square in transverse cross section, adapted to be mateably received in a square drive receptacle end of the associated socket tool. The square drive lug on the drive tool usually has a detent ball seated in a recess and spring loaded outwardly for engagement in a complementary recess in the inner face of the socket, to resiliently retain the socket in place on the drive tool. The spring loading force on the ball is usually such as to permit manual mounting and demounting of the socket on the drive tool, while inhibiting inadvertent disconnection of the parts.
It is known to provide a locking type of mechanism for such a detent ball, wherein a pin or similar member reciprocates in a bore in the drive tool between a retaining condition, wherein the pin forces the ball out of the recess, and a releasing condition, wherein the pin is retracted to allow retraction of the ball into the recess. Typically the pin is spring loaded to its retaining condition and is manually movable to its retracted or releasing condition by means of an actuator member, which is coupled to the pin but is manually accessible by a user to reciprocate with the pin. Commonly, such quick-release arrangements are designed so that when the pin is in its retaining condition, the detent ball is locked in its outwardly projecting or socket-retaining position, so that a socket either cannot be mounted or demounted or is very difficult to mount and demount manually. When the detent ball is recessed by retracting the pin to its releasing condition, the socket can be easily mounted and demounted without interference by the detent ball. However, the use of a reciprocating actuator for effecting movement of the reciprocating pin is mechanically inefficient and may require the exertion of considerable force by the user's finger, thumb or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved socket drive tool of the quick release type which avoids the disadvantages of prior tools while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature of the invention is the provision of a socket drive tool of the type set forth wherein the quick release mechanism is mechanically efficient.
In connection with the foregoing feature, another feature of the invention is the provision of a socket drive tool of the type set forth, with a pivoting actuator for the quick release mechanism.
Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a socket drive tool of the type set forth, which is of simple and economical construction.
Certain ones of these and other features of the invention are attained by providing a socket drive tool for use with a socket, the drive tool comprising: a body having a coupling structure for coupling to an associated socket; the coupling structure including a detent recess and a detent member disposed in the recess and movable between retaining and releasing positions relative to the associated socket; the body having a cavity therein communicating with the detent recess and an opening into the cavity; a link member having an aperture therethrough and disposed in the cavity for contact with the detent member and being reciprocatively movable between a retaining condition holding the detent member in its retaining position and a releasing condition accommodating movement of the detent member to is releasing position; and an actuator coupled to the link member by extending through the aperture and projecting from the opening for access by a user at one side of the link member for pivoting the actuator about a pivot axis on the opposite side of the link member, thereby to manually effect reciprocating movement of the link member between its retaining and releasing conditions.
Other features of the invention are attained by providing a socket drive tool of the type described, wherein the actuator is carried by the body for pivotal movement relative thereto.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4988248 (1991-01-01), Flux
patent: 5329954 (1994-07-01), Miyoshi
patent: 5566595 (1996-10-01), Goff

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