Tools – Handle for tool – Having storage compartment
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-10
2003-10-21
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Handle for tool
Having storage compartment
C081S177400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06634262
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is related to an improved wrench for storing sockets. More particularly, the wrench of the present invention compactly stores exchangeable sockets on a tray that is inserted into the handle of the wrench.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Handtools with handles that store tool members, such as sockets, are well known in the prior art. Of these handtools, none store sockets in as compact, durable and easily accessible manner as is desired. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,016 issued to Seals discloses a handtool in which tool members are threaded onto a screwdriver shaft for storage. The screwdriver shaft can be inserted into the handle of the tool. While this handtool may store tool members compactly, the tool members are not easily accessible because all tool members may need to be removed to access a tool member at the base of the shaft.
Other hand tools in the prior art store sockets singly in separate compartments or on separate mounting stubs. While storing sockets in separate compartments provides access to sockets individually, the sockets are not stored in a compact arrangement. As a result, the handle of the tool must be larger and more unwieldy than is desirable. Further, handtools storing sockets singly include a grasping clip or mounting stub for each individual socket, parts that may be broken off the tool. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,990 issued to Crichton et al. discloses a socket wrench with lips that hold sockets. Further, a handtool that stores tool members singly may have to hold the single tool member so firmly as to make removal difficult.
What is needed in the art is a wrench that store sockets in a compact, but easily accessed and easily loaded manner. What is also needed is a wrench that can retain sockets in place during handling, without outwardly extending stubs or lips that can be broken off.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide storage of sockets in a relatively secure and compact manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide storage of sockets in a easily accessed and easily loaded manner.
Another object of the present invention to provide a wrench that stores sockets in its handle to avoid losing or misplacing the sockets.
A further object of the present invention is to provide storage of sockets on a tray, without the need for extensions or lips that could be broken off the tray.
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a wrench that stores sockets in the handle of the wrench is provided. The wrench has three main components: a head, a handle, and a tray adapted to retain sockets. The handle may be connected to the head via a pivot pin or via a neck. The handle defines a chamber into which the tray may be inserted.
The tray is inserted into the chamber of the handle during storage and use. The tray and chamber have corresponding cylindrical shapes. In addition, the tray is tapered at the insertion end to correspond with a curved region of the handle. The curved shape of the handle enables the handle to be easily grasped.
The tray and handle are adapted to securely engage the tray and handle together, keeping the tray inside the handle until removal is desired. The tray has an engagement end opposite from an insertion end. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement end and the chamber have corresponding threads to secure the tray inside the chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the engagement end and the tray have corresponding ribs to secure the tray inside the chamber. Alternatively, the chamber may have a tapered shape that retains the tray inside the chamber. Also, the tray, particularly the insertion end, may be adapted to interlock with a corresponding portion of the chamber.
When the tray is removed from the chamber, the sockets are retained relatively securely and are easily removed from the tray. The tray has an open side, a back side and a stepped slot adapted to retain at least a first set of nested sockets until removal is desired. The stepped slot is accessible from the open side of the tray. Storing sockets in a stepped slot keeps the sockets visible and accessible from the open side of the tray. A further advantage of storing sockets in a stepped slot is that the tray retains sockets without lips or other extensions that could be broken off the tray.
In a preferred embodiment, the stepped slot is divided into three cells, each cell being separated from the adjoining cell by a divider. The divider may be a platform running from one edge of the tray to the other or ledges extending from the sides of the tray into the cell. An advantage of this feature is that the divider may help retain the nested sockets in the tray even when one socket becomes partially dislodged.
Each cell in the stepped slot has a narrow receptacle and a wide receptacle that together receive and grip a set of nested sockets. Each receptacle is sized and shaped to support and grip a socket. In the preferred embodiment, each receptacle is molded to fit a socket of corresponding size enabling each receptacle to grip a socket.
In one embodiment, each receptacle grips the respective sockets with approximately equal force. In alternative embodiments, only one of the receptacles of a cell is adapted to grip a socket in the set of nested sockets. In another embodiment, one receptacle provides a tighter grip on the socket retained in it that the other receptacle. The receptacles may be tapered to provide a frictional engagement with the sockets. The receptacles may also be slightly flexible and sized slightly smaller than the respective sockets so that the sidewalls of the receptacles flex upon insertion of the socket and grip the sockets. Any kind of frictional engagement may be utilized. The receptacles grip the sets of nested sockets sufficiently tightly so that the set of sockets remains in the tray during handling and even when the tray faces downward.
By storing sockets in a nested configuration, the sockets are retained compactly and relatively securely while still being easy to remove. In one embodiment, the narrow receptacle may exert a greater grip on its corresponding socket than the grip exerted by the wide receptacle on a larger socket, allowing the set of nested sockets to be relatively securely retained but easily removable. The larger, less tightly gripped socket can be easily dislodged, by being pushed or pulled out of the wide receptacle. The smaller, more tightly gripped socket will remain gripped by the tray until the larger socket swings away from the tray, bringing the smaller, nested socket out of the grip of the narrow receptacle. As addressed above, storing sets of nested sockets allows the tray to securely retain the sockets while also providing for easy removal. Another of advantage of this feature is that nested sockets may also be stored more compactly than sockets stored singly.
Each cell stores sets of sockets having a size ratio of one socket to another that is sufficient to enable one socket to be nested in another socket. A socket to have another socket nested in it, preferably has a size ratio of approximately 1.5:1 to 2:1, more preferably 1.6:1 to 1.75:1. However, the ratio may be greater than 2:1. The tray of the preferred embodiment stores three pairs of nested sockets of the following sizes: (1) a {fraction (9/16)} socket and a {fraction (11/32)} socket, which is a 1.6:1 ratio; (2) a ½ socket and a {fraction (5/16)} socket, which is a 1.6:1 ratio; and (3) a {fraction (7/16)} socket and a ¼ socket, which is a 1.75:1 ratio.
In a preferred embodiment, removal of the sockets is facilitated by three apertures defined by the tray. The apertures are positioned to expose one socket in every set of nested sockets through the back side of the tray. The aperture allows the exposed socket to be pushed from the back side of the tray. As discussed above, once one socket in the set of nested sockets is dislodged, the set of nested sockets can be easily grasp
Hail III Joseph J.
Nebo Products, Inc.
Stoel Rives LLP
Thomas David B.
LandOfFree
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