Socket wrench extension

Details Socket wrench extension Socket wrench extension

1998-10-09

2001-01-09

Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3723)

Tools

Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor

Handle or shank

C081S177200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06170365

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a socket wrench extension comprising a polygonal insertion member and a correspondingly designed receiving member at the other end. The insertion member comprises a locking member that partially projects from a lateral socket head surface. A pressure transmission member is axially guided in the insertion member and has a pin-shaped or key-shaped end that serves as a pressure actuation of the pressure transmission member and has another end that is a component of a mechanism for transforming an axial movement of the pressure transmission member in the direction toward the insertion member into an outward movement of the locking member.
Such locking members are provided in order to snap into position by a spring force into a matching recess of a receiving member into which the insertion member of the socket wrench extension is to be inserted. In general, this is the receiving member of a socket wrench insert. By snapping into position in the recess, the locking member prevents easy separation of the two tool parts because they are connectable and releasable only by applying a certain force. However, it often occurs that the parts become accidentally detached, for example, when the socket wrench extension with socket wrench insert connected thereto must be removed from a screw or nut when in a slightly slanted position. Between the socket wrench insert and the screw or the nut frictional forces may occur that are greater than the locking forces of the spring-loaded locking member.
A socket wrench extension of the aforementioned kind is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,745. Such socket wrench extensions are embodied as a single-piece component, which, depending on its respective embodiment, has a concentrically or eccentrically arranged longitudinal bore for receiving an actuating rod. The longitudinal bore is embodied either as a throughbore or as a blind bore. While in the first case an end cap is required at the end face of the polygonally embodied insertion member, in the latter case an abutment ring, secured by a washer and a spring ring is provided in a receiving member adjacent to the bore in order to effect axial fixation of the actuation rod. A disadvantage of these known socket wrench extensions is that the axial guiding action of the guiding rod is in all cases realized by a longitudinal bore so that high standards in regard to machining tolerances for providing a precise guiding action are necessary. This makes the manufacture of such extensions very expensive. A further disadvantage of the known socket wrench extensions is that the locking member is positioned in a transverse bore within the insertion member and is secured therein by a securing screw or an end cap against falling out. This requires a great number of components, and thus results in a cost-intensive manufacture and mounting.
It is therefore an object of the invention to improve a socket wrench extension of the aforementioned kind such that with a simple assembly and reduced manufacturing costs a high functional precision is achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is inventively solved for a socket wrench extension of the aforementioned kind by the inventive features, including a rigid tube that connects the insertion member and the receiving member in which the pressure transmission member is arranged and a guide sleeve for axially guiding the pressure transmission member in the receiving portion. The guide sleeve is inserted into the throughbore of the receiving bore and is preferable pressed into it (press-fit attachment) whereby the insertion or press-fit diameter of the guide sleeve is greater than the maximum diameter of the pressure transmitting member.
A socket wrench embodied as suggested allows a simple and fast assembly. Additionally, an inexpensive manufacture is ensured. This is so because the locking member, before assembly of the socket wrench extension, can be inserted into the insertion member through the bore provided for receiving the pressure transmission member. Upon insertion of the pressure transmission member, the locking member is secured in the insertion member without additional securing elements. After completion of assembly, i.e., attaching the receiving member, insertion member, and tube, the pressure transmission member can be inserted through the throughbore for the guide sleeve. This is made possible because the insertion diameter or the press-fit diameter of the guide sleeve is greater than the maximum diameter of the pressure transmission member. The final step of inserting the guide sleeve provides the pressure transmission members with axial guiding action, i.e., it is fixed in the axial direction. The guide sleeve can be made of a suitable material having a minimal frictional coefficient in order to provide a smooth axial guiding action.
With the inventive socket wrench extension a secure attachment of the inserted socket wrench insert at the socket wrench extension is provided. The pressure transmitting member is guided in the insertion member of the socket wrench extension. It has a first end that transmits the pressure and a second end that is a component of a mechanism for transforming the movement of the pressure transmitting members into an outward movement of the locking members. In one embodiment of the invention it is suggested that the second end of the pressure transmitting member is provided with a slant which rests at the radially guided locking members.
In order to provide a return force it is suggested, according to another embodiment of the invention, to provide a spring which exerts a force onto the pressure transmission member in the direction toward the pin-shaped or key-shaped end thereof. Preferably, the spring is supported with one end at the insertion member and with the other end at the pressure transmission member.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1651361 (1927-12-01), Ayotte
patent: 4399722 (1983-08-01), Sardo, Jr.
patent: 4703677 (1987-11-01), Rossini
patent: 4733584 (1988-03-01), Karge
patent: 5289745 (1994-03-01), Beardsley
patent: 5433548 (1995-07-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 1170336 (1957-05-01), None
patent: 2118858 (1972-11-01), None
patent: 2848243 (1980-05-01), None
patent: 32 14 867 (1983-10-01), None
patent: 89096452 (1991-01-01), None
patent: 162092 (1991-10-01), None

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