US3762245A

US3762245A - Quick release and speeder for socket wrench

Info

Publication number: US3762245A
Application number: US00132289A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Smyers; R Russo
Original assignee: Litton Industrial Products Inc
Current assignee: NATIONAL HAND TOOL Corp A CORP OF; Western Atlas Inc
Priority date: 1971-04-08
Filing date: 1971-04-08
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02

Abstract

A socket wrench as a driving member with a detent member projecting therefrom which may be retracted to quickly release the socket. Longitudinally disposed in the driving member for sliding movement is an elongated pin having one face which cooperates with an elongated portion of the detent to limit projection of the detent from the drive member In some embodiments the detent is positively forced into the retracted position by a portion of the elongated pin. In another embodiment an eccentrically mounted pin rotates to position the detent between projecting and withdrawing positions. A generally planar speeder attachment releasably engages the driving member to facilitate rapid turning of the socket when only a low torque is required.

Description

United States Patent 1 Smyers et al.

1 1 QUICK RELEASE AND SPEEDER FOR SOCKET WRENCH [75] Inventors: William H. Smyers; Ronald D.

Russo, both of Wethersfield, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Litton Industries Products, Inc., New

Britain, Conn.

[22] Filed: Apr. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 132,289

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 24/2ll R Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Assistant ExaminerRoscoe V. Parker Att0rney-Robert S. Smith [57] ABSTRACT A socket wrench as a driving member with a detent member projecting therefrom which may be retracted to quickly release the socket. Longitudinally disposed in the driving member for sliding movement is an elongated pin having one face which cooperates with an elongated portion of the detent to limit projection of the detent from the drive member In some embodiments the detent is positively forced into the retracted position by a portion of the elongated pin. In another embodiment an eccentrically mounted pin rotates to position the detent between projecting and withdrawing positions. A generally planar speeder attachment -releasably engages the driving member to facilitate rapid turning of the socket when only a low torque is required.

I 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED 2 I975 sum 10! 3 INVENTORS RONALD D. RUSSO W|LL|AM H. SMYERS JR.

ATTORNEY PATENTED 2 5 SHEET 2 [IF 3 INVENTORS RONALD D. R'USSO WILLIA M H. SMYERS JR.

ATTORNEY PATENTEU 3.782.245

sum 3 ur 3 ,6 I INVE RS RONA D. R 0 /7 WILL H. SMYER? JR. 72

ATTORNEY QUICK RELEASE AND SPEEDER FOR SOCKET WRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Socket wrenches are widely used where it is desired to drive a large number of sizes of fastening devices. One problem associated therewith has been removal of the sockets which have usually been restrained by a ball detent assembly. Some attempts have been made to devise quick release mechanisms to facilitate the socket removal, but in general such devices have been expensive to manufacture, vulnerable to jamming from dirt which passes into the assembly and completely inoperative once jammed. In some prior art structures forceably removing or installing a socket may damage the detent assembly. Some such structures have required a coining operation to swage the metal required to hold the detent from passing out of the driving stud. Another problem has been the necessity of cutting away a substantial part of the driving stud to install the detent. The cutting required seriously weakens the stud structure. The prior art designs have also not positively forced the detent to the withdrawn position and relied on gravity forces acting on the socket to withdraw the detent.

Another problem which primarily occurs with socket wrenches of the ratchet type is the time required to rotate the socket when only minimum torque requirements are necessary to rotate the fastening devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a socket wrench assembly includes a handle which has a head portion carrying an elongated driving stud for driving engagement. The stud has an extended portion extending from one side of the head having a plurality of generally planar walls and a longitudinal passage extends therethrough and a transverse aperture through the extended portion which is in communication with the longitudinal passage and one of the generally planar walls. A detent member is slidably carried in the transverse aperture and has an exterior end normally projecting out of the aperture and an interior end disposed within the aperture. An elongated pin is slidably carried in the longitudinal passage and interferes with the detent member in one longitudinal position to limit sliding movement thereof out of the transverse aperture.

In the preferred embodiment the detent is elongated, the longitudinal passage extends through the driving stud to the face thereof opposite the extended portion and the portion of the elongated pin engaging the detent member is oblique with respect to the axis of the longitudinal passage. The elongated pin is axially biased for engagement of a portion thereof with the detent to limit sliding movement of the detent out of the transverse aperture. Longitudinal displacement of the elongated pin forces the detent to the withdrawn position.

Most desirably a push button is carried by the elongated pin at the end distal the extended portion of the driving stud and the push button has a face perpendicular to the axis of the elongated pin so that the pin may be longitudinally displaced with a minimum of pressure. This displacement retracts the detent by coaction. In a particularly preferred embodiment the invention includes a removable speeder attachment having a generally planar circular member which engages the extended portion of the elongated driving stud for releasable driving engagement.

In another embodiment an eccentrically mounted pin limits the travel of the detent.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel socket wrench which is capable of rapidly and easily disengaging the detent mechanism from the socket used therewith, and which limits outward motion of the detent.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a structure which will positively drive the detent to the withdrawn position.

Still another object is to provide such a socket wrench wherein the socket may be manually removed even if jamming of the quick release mechanism does occur.

Yet another object is to provide a structure which is inexpensive to produce with a minimum number of machining operations and particularly a minimum number of milling operations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a simple removable means which may be inexpensively produced whereby the driving member may be quickly and easily rotated when only small torque is required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, to a reduced scale, of a ratchet type spcket wrench and section of a socket in exploded relation which embody the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of the head portion of the wrench shown in the FIG. 1 with portions'of the ratcheting mechanism eliminated;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the removable speeder attachment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of another embodiment of the invention which also includes a pin to hold a central subassembly together;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 4 but excluding the pin which holds a subassembly together;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of another embodiment having a pinned subassembly;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of still another embodiment showing only the elongated pin, the detent, a single spring and a portion of the driving stud;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative method of engagement of the elongated pin and detent member in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of still another embodiment which does not require spring bias on the detent;

FIG. 10 is a simplified view of another embodiment which shows the relationship between aneccentrically mounted elongated rod and a detent;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken at the line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now in detail to the appended drawings therein illustrated in FIG. 1 is a socket wrench of the ratchet type having a handle 10, a head 12, and a driving stud 14. The stud 14 in the preferred embodiment is square and is provided with a detent 16 projecting from one generally planar face. The stud is adapted to engage an aperture 4 of socket 5. Recess 6 in aperture 4 engages the detent 16 for positive engagement therebetween. The position of the detent 16 is controlled by A preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 wherein Y the relationship between head 12 driving stud 14, detent 16, push button 18, shift plate 20 and speeder attachment 22 is more clearly shown. Push button 18 is secured by pin 24 to upstanding annular rib 14A of stud 14 to prevent torsional motion therebetween. Pin 24 passes through vertical slots (not shown) in push button 18 and relative motion therebetween is possible. The driving stud 14 is also provided with a blind longitudinal passage 15 and a transverse aperture or passagement 17 in communication with the longitudinal passage and one face of the stud 14. Manual depression of push button 18 axially moves elongated pin 26 with respect to driving stud 14. The elongated pin 26 is preferably general cylindrical in shape. A shoulder 28 thereof engages a coil spring 30. Coil spring 30 is carried at its opposite end by driving stud 14 resulting in an upward position bias for elongated pin 26 and push button 18. The end portion 32 of elongated pin 26 is generally shaped like an inverted truncated cone and is joined to the remainder of elongated pin 26 by a stepped-down portion 34. In the position illustrated the upwardly biased elongated pin 26 bears against a through passage 36 in elongated detent 16. Accordingly the detent 16 is forced outwardly to the position shown wherein the detent prevents a socket from falling off the driving stud 14. Certain mechanism normally included in the head assembly to accomplish the ratcheting action has been omitted to simplify the drawing.

Speeder attachment 22 engages two flat faces of driving stud 14 for driving engagements therebetween. In the preferred embodiment upstanding annular portion 38 carries fingers 39 which engage a cooperatively shaped and dimensioned circumferential groove 42 on driving stud 14.

In operation push button 18 is depressed thereby moving elongated pin 26 to align stepped-down portion 34 thereof with detent 16. Forces imposed on the detent by a socket engaging the depending driving stud 14 causes the detent 16 to withdraw into the transverse aperture 17. In this embodiment it is not necessary to spring bias the detent 16 out of the transverse aperture 17 in which it is carried, since the sloping surface of the end portion 32 of elongated pin 26 positively earns the detent l6 outwardly.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the speeder attachment in FIG. 2 is shown in great detail. Parallel straight

internal surfaces

24, 24 are provided for driving engagement between the speeder attachment 22 and the driving stud l4. Disposed between the straight

internal surfaces

24, 24 on the internal surface are fingers 39 which engage the circumferential groove of the driving stud 14. The periphery of the attachment is knurled for easy manual operation of the attachment. In operation a mechanic will clasp the head of the ratchet and manipulate the periphery of the speeder attachment in the direction in which the ratcheting mechanism allows easy movement. The facile manipulation in this manner allows speedy drive of fastening attachments when only minor torque is required. This feature is particularly significant where only limited room is available for movement of the handle 10.

Another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 includes basically the same head 12, driving stud l4, shift plate 20, coil spring 30, and snap ring 46. In this embodiment a single elongated pin 26A is provided to simplify the construction. The elongated pin is engaged by a transversely disposed pin 24 similarly to the manner shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The elongated pin is provided with a vertical slot (not shown) and therefore relative axial motion is possible between annular rib 14A and elongated pin 24. Pin 24 serves to hold together an entire subassembly comprising of push button 18, elongated pin 26, driving stud 14, and certain portions of the shift mechanism which are not essential to this invention to simplify both assembly and repair. The subassembly together with shift plate 20 is held within bore 44 of head 12 by snap ring 46. Similarly to the FIG. 2 embodiment the spring 30 reacts between the driving stud l4 and a shoulder 28 of elongated pin 26A to provide an upward bias as before. The lower extremity of elongated pin 26A is provided with a conical tip 50 which cooperates with a recess 52 in detent 16A. A spring 54 which preferably is a coil spring of the tapered type and most preferably a barrel spring to provide a maximum number of coils for a minimum height. Minimum height is important because of the major effect on strength of reducing the stud wall thickness. In the static condition the elongated pin 26 is displaced upwardly as shown and detent 16A is positioned to its left most position also as shown. Depression of elongated pin 26A against the force produced by spring 30 forces the conical end portion-S0 thereof against the cooperating surface 52 of detent 16A to thereby cause it to withdraw into the transverse aperture 17.

In still another embodiment illustrated in'FIG. 5 the construction and operation in substantially the same as that illustrated in FIG. 4, however, the transversely disposed pin 24 is omitted to reduce the number and complexity of parts. The elongated pin 26B is provided with a shoulder 56 which engages the shift plate 20 to limit its maximum upward travel.

Yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 wherein the elongated pin 26C is restrained by a transversely disposed pin 24 as before and biased by a spring 30 also as before but is provided with a face 58 obliquely disposed with respect to its longitudinal axis. The face 58 cooperates with an internal face 59 of detent 16C. In operation, depression of the elongated pin 26C forces detent 16C into the transverse aperture 17 against a force provided by a coil spring 54. The maximum outward position of detent 16C is limited by the face 58 of elongated pin 26C. In turn the maximum upward travel of elongated pin 26C is limited by pin 24 in slot 60 therein which is shown in this particular view. Pin 24 is fixedly secured by aligned aperturesin upstanding annular rib 14C of stud 14. The internal face 59 may be provided either in an aperture 62 as illustrated in FIG. 6, a milled slot 64 as illustrated in FIG. 7, or a shoulder 66 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Cooperatively shaped elongated pins 26D and 26E are shown respectively in FIGS. '1 and 8 to accommodate the reaction surfaces of the

detents

16D and 16E.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is similar except with respect to the shape of the elongated pin 26F wherein it is of one-piece construction having an enlarged integral button 64 for ease of operation, a cylindrical end portion 68 and a recess 70. Detent 16F is provided with a cylindrical bore 72 for engagement with the cylindrical end portion 68 of elongated pin 26F in the static condition. Depressing elongated pin 26F aligns recess 70 with a cylindrical bore 72 of detent 16F whereby it may easily withdraw into transverse aperture 17.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. and 11 elongated pin 266 is mounted within driving stud 14 for torsional movement therebetween and has a depending eccentricially mounted portion 74. A torsion spring 76 angularly biases the elongated pin 266 to a position wherein eccentricially mounted portion 74 cams detent 16G to its outermost position. A shoulder 78 limits the outward travel of detent 166 by cooperation with a counterbore 80 of a transverse aperture 17.

Although the concept of the present invention is applicable to any socket wrench, it will be seen that the most significant benefits are obtained from its use in ratchet type devices; thus the primary function of the speeder attachment is to provide facile operation without the necessity of positioning a long handle member. It should also be appreciated that the quick release mechanism will be used primarily with a ratchet mechanism since such devices have achieved wide acceptance.

As will be appreciated, the design of the quick release mechanism may vary somewhat from that illustrated herein, although the specific embodiments described are particularly preferred. The separate push button and speeder attachments may be most preferably molded of a hard synthetic plastic injection moldable material such as thermoplastic linear polyamide. Although shown in embodiments having amale drive engaging a female aperture in a socket, the invention may also be used in an inverted structure. Similarly the invention may also be practiced with screwdrivers having removable blades as well as with socket wrenches. Similarly another embodiment has an elongated pin with a helical groove therein engaging the driving stud whereby torsional force applied to the elongated pin produces a longitudinal displacement of the elongated pin to control the detent position. The mounting of the elongated pin may be contained by the ratcheting mechanism by means of a key-hole slot engaging a shoulder on the pin to prevent upward movement. This structure simplifies assembly and reduces manufacturing cost. While the driving stud is ordinarily square it is possible that the stud even be round and the driving torque be transferred by the detent to the socket.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel socket wrench with quick release and speeder attachment features which permits facile disengagement of the detent mechanism from the socket used therewith and which limits outward motion of the detent as well as positively retracting the detent. In certain of the embodiments it will also be apparent that the detent may slide inwardly in the transverse aperture even if the elongated pin should be jammed due to a malfunction or because of foreign matter injested by the mechanism. The mechanism produced in accordance with the invention is inexpensive to produce and particularly the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 may be manufactured without the necessity for milling operation since its shape allows manufacture with only simple turning operations.

We claim:

1. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socket having walls forming an opening for driving engagement with a driving stud comprising:

a. A handle having a head portion;

B. An enlongated driving stud carried by said head portion for rotational driving engagement, said stud having an extended portion extending from a side surface of said head and having a plurality of planar walls cooperatively configured and dimensioned for driving engagement with the associated socket, and having a longitudinal passage through said extended portion and a transverse passageway in said extended portion communicating with said longitudinal passage and one of said planar walls;

c. A detent member slidably carried in said transverse passageway having an exterior end projecting out of said transverse passageway and an interior end disposed within said transverse passageway said detent member when projecting out of said passageway extending above said one planar wall, said detent member having a camming surface thereon;

d. An elongated pin slidably carried in said longitudinal passage and extending into said transverse passageway, said pin having a surface portion engaging said camming surface on said detent member and urging said detent member to a first position with said exterior end completely within said passageway when said pin is displaced axially; and

e. Spring bias means biasing said detent member toward a second position with said exterior end thereof out of said transverse passageway, said spring bias means, detent member, and elongated pin permitting movement of said detent inwardly whenever said detent member is in said first position.

2. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detent member is elongated.

3. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said longitudinal passage extends through the driving stud to the face thereof opposite said extended portion.

4. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said portion of said elongated pin engaging said detent member is obliquely disposed with respect to the axis of said longitudinal passage and said elongated pin is axially biased for alignment of a portion thereof which engages said detent member to limit sliding movement of said detent out of said transverse passagement.

5. A socket wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein a push button is carried by said elongated pin at the end distal said extended portion of said driving stud, said push button having a face perpendicular to the axis of said elongated pin whereby said elongated pin may be easily longitudinally displaced.

6. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said push button is manufactured of an injection moldable material.

7. A socket wrench assembly in claim 1 wherein said spring bias means said detent member is a barrel spring.

8. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socket having walls forming an opening for driving engagement with a driving stud comprising:

a. A handle having a head portion;

b. An elongated driving stud carried by said head portion for driving engagement, said stud having an extended portion extending from a side surface of said head and having a plurality of planar walls cooperatively configured and dimensioned for driving engagement with the associated socket a longitudinal passage through said extended portion and a transverse passageway in said extended portion communicating with said longitudinal passage and 10. A socket wrench assembly for use with sockets having an opening for reception of a socket driving 5 stud,

a handle having a head portion,

a driving stud connected to and having a socket engaging portion extending from said head,

a first passageway in said driving stud extending one of said walls; along a mm axis A detent member slfdably f m Sald trans a second passageway transverse to and communicatverse passageway having an exterior end normally ing with Said first passageway projecimg out i pzissageway and an manor said second passageway opening to one surface of end dsposeii wlthm sald .transverse Passage? said socket engaging portion of said driving stud, and a cammmg surface, said detent when pro ect- 5 rd 1 detent means SI ab y mounted wt in said second "L out Said f passageway extendmg passageway and movable from a normal detenting a out sai one p anar wa v osition whereat an end of said detent means ex- An elongated Pm hdably earned m Smd .1ongltudl fend beyond said surface to a retracted position nal passage sad pm having a button Pomo'n at one said detent means includin a camrnin surface end thereof and a surface portion engaging said h g g camming surface on said detent member and posit f I tively forcing said detent member toward the inte means mcludmg means m rior of said transverse passageway upon longitudifi passflgwax posmo'fmg detent l nal displacement thereof, said pin permitting said dete 1tmg Posmon f bemg Pwvable along detent member to be manually urged inwardly turn axis to bear on said camming surfaceto withwithout movement of said elongated pin whenever draw 531d detfmt means Said mans Permlttmg h detent member extends out of said passageway; traction of said detent means from detentmg posid r tion when said socket is manually removed,

e. Spring bias m ans urging aid d t t f id spring means urging said detent toward said detenttransverse passageway. mg position,

9. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 8 said operator controlled means including a terminal wherein said detent member is spring biased to urge portion extending into said second passageway and said exterior end thereof out of said transverse passageengaging said detent means. ment and said elongated pin in one position thereof en- 2 3 53 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,762,245 Dated October 2, 1973 In n William H. Smvers, Jr. and Ronald D. Russo It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' In the Title: 1

Line 5, the name of the Assignee should be --Litton Industrial Products, Inc.-.

In the Abstract:

Line 8, after "member" insert a period In the Specification:

Column 1, line 7, after "been" insert --the--V.

7 Column 3, line 18 "passagement" should be -passageway--.

Column 4, line 38, "in" should be --is-.

Column 5, line 66, "operation" should be --operations--.

In the Claims: I

Column 6, Claim 4, line 52, "passagement" should be--passageway--.

Column 7, Claim 8, line 17, "about" should be --above--.

Column 7, Claim 9, line 34, "passagement" should be --passageway--.

Column 8, Claim 10, line 18, "extend" should be -extends--.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of April 19714..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M .FLETCIHER ,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socket having walls forming an opening for driving engagement with a driving stud comprising: a. A handle having a head portion; B. An enlongated driving stud carried by said head portion for rotational driving engagement, said stud having an extended portion extending from a side surface of said head and having a plurality of planar walls cooperatively configured and dimensioned for driving engagement with the associated socket, and having a longitudinal passage through said extended portion and a transverse passageway in said extended portion communicating with said longitudinal passage and one of said planar walls; c. A detent member slidably carried in said transverse passageway having an exterior end projecting out of said transverse passageway and an interior end disposed within said transverse passageway said detent member when projecting out of said passageway extending above said one planar wall, said detent member having a camming surface thereon; d. An elongated pin slidably carried in said longitudinal passage and extending into said transverse passageway, said pin having a surface portion engaging said camming surface on said detent member and urging said detent member to a first position with said exterior end completely within said passageway when said pin is displaced axially; and e. Spring bias means biasing said detent member toward a second position with said exterior end thereof out of said transverse passageway, said spring bias means, detent member, and eLongated pin permitting movement of said detent inwardly whenever said detent member is in said first position.

8. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socket having walls forming an opening for driving engagement with a driving stud comprising: a. A handle having a head portion; b. An elongated driving stud carried by said head portion for driving engagement, said stud having an extended portion extending from a side surface of said head and having a plurality of planar walls cooperatively configured and dimensioned for driving engagement with the associated socket a longitudinal passage through said extended portion and a transverse passageway in said extended portion communicating with said longitudinal passage and one of said walls; c. A detent member slidably carried in said transverse passageway having an exterior end normally projecting out of said passageway and an interior end disposed within said transverse passageway and a camming surface, said detent when projecting out of said transverse passageway extending about said one planar wall; d. An elongated pin slidably carried in said longitudinal passage, said pin having a button portion at one end thereof and a surface portion engaging said camming surface on said detent member and positively forcing said detent member toward the interior of said transverse passageway upon longitudinal displacement thereof, said pin permitting said detent member to be manually urged inwardly without movement of said elongated pin whenever the detent member extends out of said passageway; and e. Spring bias means urging said detent out of said transverse passageway.

9. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said detent member is spring biased to urge said exterior end thereof out of said transverse passagement and said elongated pin in one position thereof engages said detent to limit the travel resulting from said spring bias.

10. A socket wrench assembly for use with sockets having an opening for reception of a socket driving stud, a handle having a head portion, a driving stud connected to and having a socket engaging portion extending from said head, a first passageway in said driving stud extending along a turn axis, a second passageway transverse to and communicating with said first passageway, said second passageway opening to one surface of said socket engaging portion of said driving stud, detent means slidably mounted within said second passageway and movable from a normal detenting position whereat an end of said detent means extend beyond said surface to a retracted position, said detent means including a camming surface thereon, means including operator controlled means in said first passageway for positioning said detent mEans in detenting position and being movable along said turn axis to bear on said camming surface to withdraw said detent means, said means permitting retraction of said detent means from detenting position when said socket is manually removed, spring means urging said detent toward said detenting position, said operator controlled means including a terminal portion extending into said second passageway and engaging said detent means.