TW202202280A - Socket drive improvement - Google Patents

Abstract

Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Description

Socket drive improvements

The present invention generally relates to tools for driving fasteners, and more particularly to sockets and drivers for tools.

A wide variety of wrenches and tools are commonly used to apply torque to workpieces such as threaded fasteners. Workpieces may have any number of different sizes, shapes and fittings. Accordingly, many tools include drive mechanisms adapted to cooperate with one or more different adapters, such as sleeves, to engage and rotate different workpieces. For example, with a typical bolt with a hexagonal head, the inner wall of the hex-shaped socket engages the fastener at or near the top corner of the fastener head, allowing the tool to apply torque to the workpiece . However, as a result of this engagement, the sleeve may prematurely age fatigue and fail due to repeated stress applied to the sleeve wall from the top corners of the fastener. Additionally, when torque is applied to the fastener, the fastener can become frictionally locked in the sleeve due to a small amount of rotation of the fastener within the sleeve, or due to insufficient interaction of the head with the sleeve. become prone to wear and tear.

The present invention relates to sockets and other tools, such as hex sockets, dodecagon sockets, spline sockets, wrenches, etc., which are suitable for Engage the fastener at a location further from the top corner of the fastener. By moving the point of contact or engagement of the socket and fastener head away from the top corners of the fastener head, the strength and life of the socket is increased and the fasteners become less frictionally locked in place Risk of wear in or by the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the dodecagonal sleeve includes an axial bore having a substantially dodecagonal cross-section having twelve each extending between twelve corresponding recesses side wall. Each side wall includes a first portion and a second portion that are angularly displaced relative to each other by about 130 degrees to 140 degrees. This geometry of the sleeve provides a point of contact between the sleeve and the side of the head of the dodecagonal fastener at a distance from the top corner of the head of the fastener about 100 times the length of the side. Seventy-five to ninety percent, thereby increasing the contact surface area and life expectancy of the sleeve.

In another embodiment, the hexagonal socket includes an axial bore having a generally hexagonal cross-section with six side walls extending between six corresponding recesses, respectively. Each side wall includes a first portion and a second portion that are angularly displaced relative to each other by about 130 degrees to 140 degrees. This geometry of the sleeve provides a point of contact between the sleeve and the side of the head of the hex-type fastener that is approximately one-half the length of the side from the top corner of the fastener's head. Thirty to seventy percent, thereby increasing the contact surface area and life expectancy of the sleeve.

The apparatus and method of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of apparatuses and methods, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limitations of the invention, but merely as a basis for the scope of the claims, and as representative examples for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

The present invention relates to a tool suitable for engaging the heads of fasteners, such as hex nuts or bolts (also referred to herein as fastener heads). The tool is adapted to engage the fastener at a point away from the top corner of the fastener, which increases the strength and life of the tool and reduces the risk of the fastener becoming frictionally locked or caught in the tool, The risk of the fastener being worn or the tool slipping on the fastener is also reduced.

In one embodiment, the tool is a socket adapted to mate with a one-way wrench, such as a ratchet or the like. Typically, the sleeve includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first axial hole in the first end is adapted to receive a fastener head, such as a bolt head or a nut, and the second axial hole in the second end is adapted to be connected in a known manner with one-way The wrench is cooperatively engaged. The first axial bore may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape extending axially from the first end towards the second end at least partially through the body. In one embodiment, the polygonal cross-sectional shape is generally hexagonal, which is suitable for engaging fastener heads, such as hex bolt heads or nuts. The cross-sectional shape of the hexagon may be, for example, about a 1/2 inch cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the hexagon may be larger or smaller, for example, the cross-sectional shape may be SAE 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 inch 1/2 inch, etc., or metric dimensions, including all ranges and subranges in between. In still other embodiments, the first axial hole may be formed with different cross-sectional shapes to mate with differently shaped fastener heads, which may be triangular, rectangular, five Heptagonal, Heptagonal, Octagonal, Hexagonal, Double Hexagonal, Splined or other shape types.

The second axial bore may have a substantially square cross-sectional shape extending at least partially through the body from the second end to the first end. The second axial bore may be adapted to mate with a drive shaft or drive boss of a tool, which may be a hand tool, socket wrench, torque wrench, impact driver, impact wrench or other, in a known manner tool. The cross-sectional shape of the square can be, for example, a 1/2 inch square or other SAE or metric dimensions. In still other embodiments, the second axial hole may be formed with different cross-sectional shapes suitable for mating with different shaped sockets or different tools, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the second axial hole Can be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, hexagonal, or other shape types.

1 and 1A illustrate one embodiment of a sleeve 100 having a first axial bore 102 that is generally hexagonal in shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 100 is placed over a typical head 120 of a fastener, such as a hex bolt head or a nut.

The first axial bore 102 includes six corresponding recesses 104 distributed circumferentially around the inner side wall of the sleeve 100 at equidistant intervals. The recesses 104 are spaced equidistantly around the sleeve 100 at approximately 60 degrees from one another to receive the apex 122 of the hex head 120 of the fastener. The recess 104 is dimensioned to provide a relative apex angle 122 of the head 120 of the fastener about the sleeve 100 in both left and right directions when the apex 122 of the head 120 is aligned substantially centrally in the recess 104 A rotation of about 3 degrees from the center.

The first axial hole 102 further includes six longitudinal side walls 106 extending between the recesses 104 and connected to the recesses 104 respectively. Referring to FIG. 1A , each side wall 106 (shown in FIG. 1 ) includes a first substantially straight portion 108 disposed adjacent to a second straight portion 110 that is angled relative to the first portion 108 ground offset. The second portion 110 extends from the recess 104 and intersects the first portion 108 at an angle. As shown in FIG. 1A , the second portion 110 is disposed at an angle ( α1 ) relative to the first portion 108 . In one embodiment, the angle (α1 ) is about 4 to 12 degrees, and preferably 5 to 7 degrees. The second portion 110 may also have a length (L1) approximately equal to twenty to thirty percent of the length of the first portion 108, and preferably twenty-six percent.

The geometry of the first axial hole 102 creates a point of contact 112 between the side wall 106 (shown in FIG. 1 ) and the side 124 or plane of the head 120 of the fastener at a substantially location on the side wall 106 The upper portion is the intersection of the second portion 110 and the first portion 108, and the position of the contact point 112 on the side surface 124 is offset from the apex angle 122 of the fastener. As shown in FIG. 1A , the contact point 112 maintains a distance ( D1 ) from the vertex 122 . In one embodiment, the distance ( D1 ) is about thirty percent to sixty percent, more Preferably, the distance ( D1 ) is forty to fifty-five percent of half the length of the side 124 , and more preferably, the distance ( D1 ) is about half the length of the side 124 . of forty-five. It will be appreciated that each end of the sidewalls 106 that intersect around the hexagonal shape will generally be identical or mirror images as described above.

1-1A and 5-5A, when compared to a typical prior art hexagonal sleeve 500 having six recesses 504 and six longitudinal side walls 506, the contact point 112 of the sleeve 100 is compared to the sleeve The contact point 512 of 500 is further from the top corner 122 of the head 120 of the fastener. When the sleeves 100 and 500 are 3/4 inch sleeves, for example, the contact point 112 of the present invention is at a distance (D1) of about 0.092 inches, compared to the prior art contact point 512 having a distance of about 0.0548 inches Distance (DP1). Furthermore, the sidewall 506 of the prior art sleeve 500 is only straight and does not include the second portion shown in Figures 1 and 1A.

The increased distance from the top corner 122 of the fastener's head 120 to the contact point 112 increases the surface area and offsets the load from the top corner 122 and spreads stress concentrations farther from the top corner 122 . This allows more of the sidewall 106 surface area to be in contact with the head 120, thereby increasing the strength and working life of the sleeve 100. This also reduces the risk of the head 120 becoming frictionally locked or caught in the sleeve 100 , and also reducing the risk of the head 120 being worn or the sleeve 100 slipping on the head 120 .

2 and 2A illustrate another embodiment of a sleeve 200 having a first axial bore 202 having a generally dodecagonal shape (a/k/a double hex) . As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve 200 is provided on the head 120 of a fastener, such as a bolt head or a nut. The first axial bore 202 includes twelve corresponding recesses 204 distributed circumferentially around the inner side wall of the sleeve 200 at equal intervals. The recesses 204 are spaced equidistantly around the sleeve 200 at about a 30 degree angle from one another to receive the hex head 120 of the fastener. In the present embodiment, the recess 204 is dimensioned to provide the head 120 relative to the fastener around the sleeve in both left and right directions when the apex 122 of the head 120 is substantially centrally aligned in the recess 204 The center of the 200 is about 3.6 degrees of rotation. In another embodiment, the recess 204 is dimensioned to provide approximately 100% of the center of the sleeve 200 relative to the fastener's head 120 in either direction when the apex 122 of the head 120 is substantially centrally aligned in the recess 204. 1.9 degrees of rotation.

The first axial hole 202 also includes twelve longitudinal side walls 206 located between the recesses 204, respectively. Referring to Figure 2A, each sidewall 206 includes a first portion 208 and a second portion 210 that are angularly offset from each other. The first portion 208 and the second portion 210 extend from respective recesses 204 and intersect each other at an angle. As shown in FIG. 2A , the first portion 208 is disposed at an angle ( α2 ) relative to the second portion 210 . In one embodiment, the angle (α2) is about 40 to 48 degrees, and preferably 43 degrees. The first portion 208 and the second portion 210 may also have lengths that are approximately equal to each other.

The geometry of the axial hole 202 creates a point of contact 212 between the side wall 206 and the side 124 at a location on the side wall 206 that is substantially the intersection of the first portion 208 and the second portion 210 , the point of contact 212 The location on the side 124 is offset from the top corner 122 of the fastener. In use, the sleeve 200 initially contacts the sides 124 of the fastener at the contact points 212, and as the load increases, the surface area contact between the sleeve 200 and the sides 124 gradually increases toward the apex 122 and the recess 204.

As shown in FIG. 2A , the contact point 212 remains at a distance ( D2 ) from the top corner 122 . In one embodiment, the distance (D2) is about thirty to sixty percent of the length of half of the sides 124 of the head 120 of the fastener (half the length between the corners 122), and preferably, This distance ( D2 ) is about forty percent of half the length of the side 124 . It will be appreciated that each end of the sidewalls 106 intersecting around the dodecagonal shape will generally be identical or mirror images as described above.

2-2A and 6, when compared to a typical prior art dodecagonal sleeve 600 having twelve recesses 604 and twelve longitudinal side walls 606 equally spaced apart, the point of contact of sleeve 200 212 is further from the top corner 122 of the head 120 of the fastener than the contact point 612 of the sleeve 600. For example, when the sleeves 200 and 600 are 3/4 inch sleeves, the contact point 212 of the present invention is at a distance (D2) of about 0.0864 inches, as compared to the prior art contact point 612 at a distance of less than 0.0864 inches distance (DP2). As shown in FIG. 6 , the contact point 612 of the sleeve 600 is near the intersection of the first portion 608 and the recess 604 . Additionally, the sidewall 606 of the prior art sleeve 600 includes a first portion 608 and a second portion 610 that are offset from each other by an angle (αP2) of about 36 to 37 degrees, which is less than the angle (α2) of the sleeve 200 .

3 and 3A illustrate another embodiment of a sleeve 300 having a first axial bore 302 having a generally spline-type cross-sectional shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 300 is provided on the head 120 of a fastener, such as a bolt head or a nut. The axial bore 302 includes twelve equally spaced recesses 304 equally spaced circumferentially around the inner sidewall of the sleeve 300 . The recesses 304 are equally spaced around the sleeve 300 at approximately 30 degree angular intervals from each other and have two rounded interior angles. In the present embodiment, the recess 304 is dimensioned to provide the head 120 relative to the fastener around the sleeve in both left and right directions when the apex 122 of the head 120 is substantially centrally aligned in the recess 304 The center of the 300 is about 3.6 degrees to about 4 degrees of rotation.

The axial hole 302 also includes twelve side walls 306 respectively located between the recesses 304 . Referring to Figure 3A, each sidewall 306 includes a first portion 308 and a second portion 310 that are angularly offset from each other. Both the first portion 308 and the second portion 310 extend from the recess 304 and intersect each other at rounded corners. As shown in FIG. 3A , the first portion 308 is disposed at an angle ( α3 ) relative to the second portion 310 . In one embodiment, the angle (α3) is about 40 to 45 degrees, and preferably 42 degrees. The first portion 308 and the second portion 310 may also have lengths that are approximately equal to each other. It will be appreciated that each end of the sidewalls 306 that intersect around the spline shape will generally be identical or mirror images as described above.

The geometry of the axial hole 302 creates a contact point 312 between the sidewall 306 and the sidewall 124 at a location on the sidewall 306 near the intersection of the first portion 308 and the second portion 310, where the contact point 212 is located. The location on the side 124 is offset from the top corner 122 of the fastener. In use, the sleeve 300 initially contacts the sides 124 of the fastener at the contact points 312, and as the load increases, the surface area contact between the sleeve 300 and the sides 124 gradually increases in the direction toward the apex 122 and the recess 304.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the contact point 312 remains at a distance ( D3 ) from the top corner 122 . In one embodiment, the distance (D3) is about thirty to sixty percent of the length of half the sides 124 of the head 120 of the fastener (half the length between the corners 122), and preferably, This distance (D3) is about thirty-five percent of the length of half of the side 124.

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate another embodiment of a sleeve 400 having a first axial bore 402 having a spline-type shape, similar to sleeve 300 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the axial bore 402 includes twelve equally spaced recesses 404 equally spaced circumferentially around the inner sidewall of the sleeve 400 . The recesses 404 are equally spaced around the sleeve 400 at approximately 30 degree angular intervals from each other and have two rounded interior angles. In this embodiment, similar to the sleeve 300, the recess 404 is dimensioned to provide for both left and right directions relative to the fastener when the apex 122 of the head 120 is substantially centrally aligned in the recess 404. The head 120 is rotated about 3.6 degrees to about 4 degrees about the center of the sleeve 400 .

The axial hole 402 also includes twelve side walls 406 respectively located between the recesses 404 . 4, each sidewall 406 includes a first portion 408 and a second portion 410 that are angularly offset from each other. Both the first portion 408 and the second portion 410 extend from the recess 404 and intersect each other at rounded corners. As shown in FIG. 4 , the first portion 408 is disposed at an angle (α4 or α4a) relative to the second portion 410 . In one embodiment, the angle (α4) is about 40 to 45 degrees, and preferably 41.6 degrees; the angle (α4a) is about 140 to 135 degrees, and preferably 138.4 degrees. The first portion 408 and the second portion 410 may also have lengths that are approximately equal to each other.

In one embodiment, recess 404 is formed with angled wall portions 414 and 416 that are offset relative to each other by an angle (α4b). In one embodiment, the angle (α4b) is about 20 to 24 degrees, and preferably about 22 degrees. Referring to FIG. 4A , furthermore, the radius in the allowable spline geometry of the sleeve 400 (generated by the arctangent at points X to Z and the tangent of side Y) is maximized. In this embodiment, the width of the teeth (ie, the side walls 406 ) may be reduced to increase the strength of the walls of the sleeve 400 . It will be appreciated that each end of the sidewalls 406 intersecting around the dodecagonal shape is generally identical or mirror image as described above.

Similar to the sleeve 300, the geometry of the axial hole 402 creates a point of contact between the sidewall 406 and the sidewall at a location on the sidewall 406 near the intersection of the first portion 408 and the second portion 410, the point of contact The position on the side is offset from the top angle of the fastener. Similarly, in use, the sleeve 400 also initially contacts the sides of the fastener at the point of contact, and as the load increases, the surface area contact between the sleeve 400 and the sides progressively increases toward the corners and recesses 404 .

3-4 and 7-7A, when compared to a typical prior art spline-type sleeve 700 having twelve equally spaced recesses 704 and twelve longitudinal side walls 706, the sleeve 300 The contact point 312 of the sleeve 400 is farther from the apex angle 122 of the head 120 of the fastener than the contact point 712 of the sleeve 700 is. For example, when the sleeves 300 and 700 are 3/4 inch sleeves, the contact point 312 is at a distance (D3) of about 0.076 inches, as compared to the contact point 712 of the prior art sleeves at a distance of about 0.0492 inches (DP2). As shown in FIG. 7A , the contact point 712 of the sleeve 700 is near the intersection of the first portion 708 and the recess 704 . Additionally, the sidewall 706 of the prior art sleeve 700 includes a first portion 708 and a second portion 710 that are offset from each other by an angle (αP3) of about 36 to 37 degrees, which is less than the angle (α3) of the sleeve 300 and the sleeve 400 angle (α4).

Figures 8 and 8A illustrate another embodiment of a sleeve 800 having a first axial bore 802 in a generally dodecagonal shape (a/k/double hexagon). As shown in Figure 8A, the sleeve 800 is disposed on the head 920 of a typical fastener, such as a dodecagonal (a/k/a double hex) bolt head or nut. The first axial bore 802 includes twelve equally spaced corresponding recesses 804 circumferentially equally spaced in the inner sidewall of the sleeve 800 . The recesses 804 are equally spaced from each other circumferentially around the sleeve 800 at intervals of about 30 degrees to receive the heads 920 of the fasteners. In this embodiment, the recess 804 is dimensioned to provide relative fastener head 920 around the center of the sleeve 800 in any direction when the apex angle 922 of the head 920 is substantially centrally aligned in the recess 804 About 0.5 degrees to 4 degrees, more preferably, about 1.9 degrees of rotation.

The first axial bore 802 also includes twelve side walls 806 respectively located between adjacent recesses 804 (eg, adjacent first and second recesses). Referring to Figure 8A, each sidewall 806 includes a first portion 808 and a second portion 810 that are angularly offset relative to each other. Each of the first portion 808 and the second portion 810 respectively extend from the recess 804 and are angled to each other. As shown in FIG. 8A , the first portion 808 is disposed at an angle (α8) relative to the second portion 810 . In one embodiment, the angle (α8) is about 130 to 140 degrees, preferably about 133 to 136 degrees. In other words, the first portion 808 is disposed at an angle of approximately 40 to 50 degrees relative to the second portion 810, preferably approximately 44 to 47 degrees.

The first portion 808 and the second portion 810 may also have substantially equal lengths to each other, and may be substantially straight. Sidewall 806 may also include a third portion 814 located between first portion 808 and second portion 810 . The third portion 814 may be a concave surface sized to fit but not interfere with the small diameter of the fastener. The point of intersection of the third portion 814 with the side face 924 produces the point of contact 812 . In one embodiment, the radius of the concave third portion 814 is about fifty-one to fifty-four percent of a standard hexagonal dimension, more specifically, about fifty-two to fifty percent fifty three. In alternative embodiments, the third surface 814 may be substantially straight.

This geometry of the axial hole 802 results between the side 806 near the intersection of the first portion 808 and the second portion 810 (eg, substantially at the third portion 814 ) and the side 924 away from the apex 922 of the fastener Contact point 812. In use, the sleeve 800 initially contacts the side 924 of the fastener at the point of contact 812, and as the torque load increases, the surface area of contact between the sleeve 800 and the side 924 increases in the direction toward the apex 922 and the recess 804 gradually increase. The geometry of the axial bore 802 also provides an angle ( β8 ) between either of the first portion 808 and the second portion 810 and the side face 924 . In one embodiment, the angle (β8) is about 2 to 8 degrees, preferably about 5 to 7 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 8A , the contact point 812 is a distance ( D8 ) from the vertex 922 . In one embodiment, the distance ( D8 ) is about seventy-five percent to ninety percent of the length of the side 924 , preferably, the distance ( D8 ) is about eighty to ninety percent of the length of the side 924 . Eighty-five percent. The distance ( D8 ) from the top corner 922 is about thirty percent to sixty percent of the length of the side 924 relative to the hex fastener, preferably the distance ( D8 ) is half the length of the side 924 . About forty-nine percent to fifty-four percent. It should be understood that each end of the sidewall 806 surrounding the dodecagon shape is generally identical or mirror images as described above.

1 to 4A and 8 to 8A, the increased distance from the top corner of the fastener's head to the point of contact transfers the load on the top corner and distributes stress concentrations away from the fastener. The top corner is further away. This allows more of the sleeve surface area to come into contact with the head of the fastener, thereby increasing the strength and working life of the sleeve. This also reduces the risk of the head becoming frictionally locked or caught in the sleeve, and also reducing the risk of the head being worn or the sleeve sliding over the head. Moving the contact point away from the top corner of the fastener also allows the sleeve to be used on damaged or worn fasteners where existing sleeves cannot be used.

The sockets described herein generally relate to 3/4 inch sockets, however, the dimensions and dimensions of the respective elements of the sockets described herein can be varied to accommodate specific uses with one or more different tools. For example, the sleeve may be adapted to receive different fastener sizes, eg, 1 inch, 1/2 inch, 10 inches, 10 millimeters, 12 millimeters, 14 millimeters, etc., as known in the art. Similarly, the dimensions of the second axial bore may be adapted to receive drive shafts or drive flanges of different sizes and types of socket wrenches.

Additionally, the geometry of the interior surface of the sleeve described herein may be applicable to other types of tools that apply torque to fasteners. For example, a wrench or socket wrench may include the geometries disclosed herein such that the wrench or socket wrench has a point of contact located further from the top corner of the fastener. Similarly, other devices and/or fasteners may include the geometries described herein.

Although the apparatus and method have been described and illustrated in connection with certain embodiments, many variations and modifications will be apparent to and can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure . Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be limited to the precise details of the methods or constructions described above, since such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, unless specifically stated, any use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are only used to distinguish one element from another.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800: Sleeve 102, 202, 302, 402, 802: the first axial hole 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804: Recess 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706, 806: Sidewalls 108: Part 1 110: Part II 112, 212, 312, 512, 612, 712, 812: Contact Points 120, 920: head 122, 922: top angle 124, 924: side 208, 308, 408, 608, 708, 808: Part 1 210, 310, 410, 610, 710, 810: Part II 414: Wall Section 416: Wall Section 814: Part III D1, D2, D3, DP1, DP2, DP3, D8: Distance L1: length α1, α2, α3, α4, α4a, α4b, αP2, αP3, α8: Angle β8: Angle

The following figures illustrate, by way of example and not limit the invention, apparatus and methods of embodiments of the present invention, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or corresponding parts. 1 is a top view of a hex socket engaged with a conventional hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 1A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 1 engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a top view of a dodecagon socket engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 2 engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a top view of a splined sleeve engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 3 engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of a splined sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the splined sleeve of FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a top view of a prior art hex socket engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 5 engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of a prior art dodecagon socket engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut. Figure 7 is a top view of a prior art splined sleeve engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 7 engaged with a typical hex bolt head or nut. 8 is a top view of another dodecagonal socket according to one embodiment of the present invention. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the sleeve of FIG. 8 engaged with a typical dodecagon head or nut in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

800: Sleeve

802: The first axial hole

804: Recess

806: Sidewall

812: Contact Points

Claims (16)

A tool adapted to engage the head of a dodecagonal fastener, the head having an apex and a side, the side having a side length, the tool comprising: A surface having a sidewall extending between a first recess and a second recess, wherein the sidewall includes a substantially straight first portion and a second portion having a first portion length and a second portion, respectively Two part lengths, the first part and the second part are disposed at an angle of about 130 degrees to 140 degrees relative to each other, thereby forming a contact point adapted to be at a distance of the apex angle of the The sides are joined at a distance of about seventy-five to ninety percent of their length. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are disposed at an angle of about 133 degrees to 136 degrees relative to each other. The tool of claim 1, wherein the contact point is adapted to engage the side face at a distance from the apex angle that is about eighty to eighty-five percent of the length of the side face. The tool of claim 1 including a sleeve body having an axial bore, and the surface is an inner surface disposed within the axial bore. The tool of claim 1, wherein the surface is provided on the wrench body. The tool of claim 1 wherein said inner surface includes 12 equally spaced recesses and 12 side walls, wherein each said side wall extends between two adjacent said recesses. The tool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes a substantially straight third portion located between the first portion and the second portion. The tool of claim 1 wherein the sidewall includes a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion, and the third portion is concave. A tool adapted to engage a head of a hex-type fastener, the head having a top angle and a side, the side having a side length, the tool comprising: a surface having a first recess and a second recess, and a sidewall extending between the first recess and the second recess, wherein the sidewall includes a substantially straight first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion having a first portion length and a second portion length, respectively, the first portion and the second portion being disposed at an angle of about 130 to 140 degrees relative to each other, thereby forming a point of contact, the The contact point is adapted to engage the side face at a distance from the apex angle that is about thirty percent to sixty percent of the length of the side face. The tool of claim 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion are disposed at an angle of about 133 degrees to 136 degrees relative to each other. The tool of claim 9, wherein the contact point is adapted to engage the apex angle at a distance of about forty-nine percent to fifty-four percent of the length of the side surface side. The tool of claim 9, which includes a sleeve body having an axial bore, and the surface is an inner surface disposed within the axial bore. The tool of claim 9, wherein the surface is provided on the wrench body. The tool of claim 9, wherein the inner surface includes 12 equally spaced recesses and 12 side walls, wherein each of the side walls extends between adjacent ones of the recesses. The tool of claim 9, wherein the sidewall includes a substantially straight third portion located between the first portion and the second portion. The tool of claim 9, wherein the sidewall includes a third portion located between the first portion and the second portion, and the third portion is concave.

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