Fastener driver

A driver for gripping a socketed fastener head, the driver comprising:

• a shank;
• a handle fixed relative to the shank in a longitudinal direction;
• two spaced-apart cantilever beams fixed relative to the shank in the longitudinal direction, extending from the shank in the longitudinal direction, and defining a longitudinal gap between them, each of the two cantilever beams having a basal segment adjacent the shank and an end terminating at a tip;
• a sliding shim configured for translational movement relative to the cantilever beams, the sliding shim having a lateral length extending to opposite sides of the cantilever beams, a gap segment between the cantilever beams, and first and second fins positioned on the opposite sides of the cantilever beams, the first and second fins each having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the gap segment in a direction, the direction being substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and also being substantially orthogonal to the lateral direction, the greater thicknesses of the fins being configured to restrict movement of the sliding shim in the lateral direction;
• and
• a stop protrusion extending into the gap and configured to prevent movement of the sliding shim beyond the stop protrusion in the direction of the ends.

A method for installing a fastener having a socketed head presenting a top surface and a socket formed in and below the top surface, the method comprising:

• providing a driver having two cantilever beams and a shank, each cantilever beam including an outward-facing surface, an end, and a basal segment adjacent the shank, the basal segments of the two cantilever beams being immovable relative to the shank;
• aligning the driver with a socket of the socketed fastener head;
• applying a force to the shank of the driver generally in the direction of the socketed fastener head causing the cantilever beams to move toward one another to permit at least partial insertion into the socket;
• applying a force to a sliding shim in a gap between the cantilever beams generally in the direction of the socketed fastener head to press the sliding shim in a translational movement, thereby applying a pressure on the socket;
• and
• settling the sliding shim against a stop protrusion positioned in the gap between the two cantilever beams, the stop protrusion in the gap preventing movement of the sliding shim beyond the stop protrusion in the direction of the socket.