US3713356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Socket release mechanism for wrenches and the like
Assignee: Snap On Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns itself with an improvement in release mechanisms for wrench sockets which are detachably connected to a turning shank such as but not limited to a ratchet driven shank by a spring impelled detent. The spring impelled detent is readily adapted to frictionally hold and retain wrench sockets to a turning shank, but it usually involves the use of two hands to remove such sockets from turning shanks equipped with spring impelled detents, and to obviate this requirement and to afford the ready release of the sockets from their turning shanks with one hand manipulation, and elongated displaceable and combined detent positioning and release member is provided in the turning shank that is simple and serves as a detent camming element cooperating with the detent to displace it relative to the socket recess responsive to finger longitudinal displacement thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 R Knudsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:50
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/0007; B25B23/0035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A wrench locking and release mechanism in combination with a turning tool having a geometric turning shank thereon, there being a longitudinal bore extending axially in said turning shank , a locking detent loosely mounted in a lateral aperture in a wall of said geometric turning shank to communicate with said longitudinal bore therein, a shaft in said longitudinal bore reciprocally mounted therein, there being an elongated groove in said shaft in the region of said locking detent, said longitudinal shaft groove being peripheral around the entire shaft to define circumferential camming shoulders for said locking detent to effect the locking engagement between said turning shank and said socket responsive to the displacement of said shaft in said shank bore in either direction, a spring enveloping said shaft in said longitudinal bore to retain said camming shoulder against said detent in one direction of displacement to normally lock the wrench socket to said geometric turning shank, a finger displaceable button head on said shaft extending beyond said longitudinal bore in said turning shank to release said locking pin detent against the urge of said spring irrespective of the relative radial relation between said shaft and locking detent within the full circumferential sweep of said peripheral shaft groove, and a yieldable seal cover over said button head and anchored to said longitudinal shaft bore in the region of said button head to yield within the reciprocal range of said enveloping shaft spring to preclude the entrance of foreign matter into said longitudinal bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A wrench locking and release mechanism in combination with a turning tool having a geometric turning shank thereon, there being a longitudinal bore extending axially in said turning shank , a locking detent loosely mounted in a lateral aperture in a wall of said geometric turning shank to communicate with said longitudinal bore therein, a shaft in said longitudinal bore reciprocally mounted therein, there being an elongated groove in said shaft in the region of said locking detent, said longitudinal shaft groove being peripheral around the entire shaft to define circumferential camming shoulders for said locking detent to effect the locking engagement between said turning shank and said socket responsive to the displacement of said shaft in said shank bore in either direction, a spring enveloping said shaft in said longitudinal bore to retain said camming shoulder against said detent in one direction of displacement to normally lock the wrench socket to said geometric turning shank, a finger displaceable button head on said shaft extending beyond said longitudinal bore in said turning shank to release said locking pin detent against the urge of said spring irrespective of the relative radial relation between said shaft and locking detent within the full circumferential sweep of said peripheral shaft groove, and a yieldable seal cover over said button head and anchored to said longitudinal shaft bore in the region of said button head to yield within the reciprocal range of said enveloping shaft spring to preclude the entrance of foreign matter into said longitudinal bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |