Quick-release and positive locking mechanism for use on socket wrenches and on power and impact tools

Claim 2

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a drive stud for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate rotatable pin, a first means for normally selectively engaging or releasing said tool attachment from the drive stud, and a second means for positively locking said tool attachment to the drive stud by selective rotation of said pin.

Claim 3

A tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, comprising a drive stud for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, said detent normally engaging a recess in said tool attachment to hold said tool attachment to the drive stud, a first means for selectively releasing the tool from the stud, and a second positive locking means for positively locking said tool attachment to the drive stud by selective rotation of the pin.

Claim 4

A tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, comprising a drive stud for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, said detent normally engaging a recess in said tool attachment to hold said tool attachment to the drive stud, a first means for selectively releasing the tool from the stud, and a second positive locking means for positively locking said tool attachment to the drive stud by selective rotation of the pin.

Claim 5

A tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, comprising a drive stud for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, a first means for selectively engaging or releasing said tool attachment from the drive stud by selective longitudinal movement of said pin, and a second positive locking means precluding release of the tool attachment by way of said first means for selectively engaging or releasing said tool attachment.

Claim 6

A tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, comprising a drive stud for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, a first means for selectively engaging or releasing said tool attachment from the drive stud by selective longitudinal movement of said pin, and a second positive locking means precluding release of the tool attachment by way of said first means for selectively engaging or releasing said tool attachment.

Claim 7

The tool of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said tool is a hand-held socket ratchet wrench.

Claim 9

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a handle, a head mounted thereon, a drive stud secured to the head of the tool for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, said aperture securing the ball detent to the drive stud, said ball detent being normally in contact with the surface of the pin so that the detent extends outward of the drive stud and engages a recess in said tool attachment to securely hold said tool attachment to the drive stud, said elongate pin having two recesses and a passage between said recesses, a first recess for receiving the ball detent by selective longitudinal alignment of the pin, in which first recess the ball detent retracts thereby releasing the tool, and a second recess for receiving the ball detent by selective rotation of the pin such that during rotation the ball detent travels from the first recess through said passage between the recesses to the second recess, the depth of said second recess being such that the ball detent is maintained in an outward position, and the width of said second recess being such that the tool attachment is securely locked to the drive stud essentially precluding substantial movement of the ball detent.

Claim 10

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a handle, a head mounted thereon, a drive stud secured to the head of the tool for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate slidable and rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, said aperture securing the ball detent to the drive stud, said ball detent being normally in contact with the surface of the pin so that the detent extends outward of the drive stud and engages a recess in said tool attachment to securely hold said tool attachment to the drive stud, said elongate pin having two recesses and a passage between said recesses, a first recess for receiving the ball detent by selective longitudinal alignment of the pin, in which first recess the ball detent retracts thereby releasing the tool, and a second recess for receiving the ball detent by selective rotation of the pin such that during rotation the ball detent travels from the first recess through said passage between the recesses to the second recess, the depth of said second recess being such that the ball detent is maintained in an outward position, and the width of said second recess being such that the tool attachment is securely locked to the drive stud essentially precluding substantial movement of the ball detent.

Claim 11

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a handle, a head mounted thereon, a drive stud secured to the head of the tool for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, the aperture securing the ball detent to the drive stud, a first recess in the elongate pin for normally receiving the ball detent, the depth of said first recess being such that the ball detent normally extends outward of the drive stud and engages a recess in said tool attachment to securely hold the tool attachment to the drive stud, and a second recess in the pin for receiving the ball detent by selective rotation of the pin, in which second recess the ball detent retracts thereby releasing the tool.

Claim 12

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a handle, a head mounted thereon, a drive stud secured to the head of the tool for receiving said removable tool attachment, said drive stud having a longitudinal passage for receiving an elongate rotatable pin, said drive stud further having an aperture for receiving a ball detent, the aperture securing the ball detent to the drive stud, a first recess in the elongate pin for normally receiving the ball detent, the depth of said first recess being such that the ball detent normally extends outward of the drive stud and engages a recess in said tool attachment to securely hold the tool attachment to the drive stud, and a second recess in the pin for receiving the ball detent by selective rotation of the pin, in which second recess the ball detent retracts thereby releasing the tool.

Claim 13

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein said tool is a power impact tool.

Claim 14

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein said removable tool attachment is a socket for turning bolts or the like.

Claim 15

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein said removable tool attachment is an extension bar for receiving sockets or the like.

Claim 16

The tool of claim 6, wherein said first and second recesses are located approximately 180° apart in relative angular position.

Claim 17

In the tool of claim 6, said longitudinal passage being gradually narrower and shallower as the ball detent travels between the first and second recess, the direction of said travel further having a longitudinal component essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pin, said direction being towards the end of the stud holding the socket.

Claim 18

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, said elongate pin further comprising a third assembly recess for receiving said ball detent during assembly, said third recess being of such depth that the ball detent is substantially enclosed by the longitudinal cylindrical surface of said pin during assembly.

Claim 19

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, said elongate pin having two ends, one end secured to a control knob to facilitate manual movement of said pin.

Claim 20

The tool of claims 1, 2, 3, 6 or 7, one end of said elongate pin having a bottom circular face visible to the user during use of said wrench, said bottom face provided with an indicator mark on the surface thereof to indicate the relative angular position of said elongate pin.

Claim 21

The tool of claim 6, wherein said first recess is cammed with respect to the surface of said recess normally in contact with the ball detent whereby removal of the tool attachment from the drive stud is effected by impressing a longitudinal force on the tool attachment essentially along the axis of the drive stud in a direction opposite the head of the tool, said force resulting in the retraction of the ball detent and thereby the release of the tool attachment.

Claim 22

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a head, a drive stud secured to said head for receiving said removable tool attachment, an operating button protruding from said head, a first means for normally engaging said tool attachment, and a second means for releasing said tool attachment by selective rotation of said operating button.

Claim 23

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a head, a drive stud secured to said head for receiving said removable tool attachment, an operating button protruding from said head, a first means for normally engaging said tool attachment, and a second means for releasing said tool attachment by selective rotation of said operating button.

Claim 24

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a head, a drive stud secured to said head for receiving a removable tool attachment, an operating button protruding from said head, a first means for normally engaging said tool attachment, a second means for normally selectively releasing said tool attachment by depressing said operating button, and a third means for positively locking said tool attachment to the drive stud by selective rotation of said operating button.

Claim 25

In a tool for receiving a removable tool attachment, a head, a drive stud secured to said head for receiving a removable tool attachment, an operating button protruding from said head, a first means for normally engaging said tool attachment, a second means for normally selectively releasing said tool attachment by depressing said operating button, and a third means for positively locking said tool attachment to the drive stud by selective rotation of said operating button.

Claim 26

In the one-handed operation of a socket wrench of the type having a first means for securing or releasing tool sockets with one hand, the step of engaging a second positive locking means with one hand to preclude release of the socket with said first means for securing or releasing tool sockets.

Claim 27

In the one-handed operation of a socket wrench of the type having a first means for securing or releasing tool sockets with one hand, the step of engaging a second positive locking means with one hand to preclude release of the socket with said first means for securing or releasing tool sockets.

Claim 28

In the one-handed operation of a socket wrench of the type having a head, a drive stud attached thereto, and a first means for engaging a tool socket to said drive stud, the step of selectively releasing said tool socket by one-handed rotation of an operating button protruding from the head of said socket wrench.

Claim 29

In the one-handed operation of a socket wrench of the type having a head, a drive stud attached thereto, and a first means for engaging a tool socket to said drive stud, the step of selectively releasing said tool socket by one-handed rotation of an operating button protruding from the head of said socket wrench.