Socket drive improvement
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsDaniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the 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.
Claims40
-20. (canceled)
A tool adapted to engage a head of a fastener, comprising:
- a surface having first and second recesses, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein the sidewall includes substantially straight first and second portions respectively having first and second portion lengths, the first and second portions are angularly disposed by about 4 to 12 degrees relative to each other, wherein the first portion length is about 20 to 30 percent of the second portion length, and wherein the first portion extends from the second portion to the first recess, and the second portion extends from the first portion towards the second recess, thereby creating an intersection between the first and second portions that defines a contact point that is adapted to engage the head of the fastener.
A tool adapted to engage a head of a fastener, comprising:
- a surface having first and second recesses, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein the sidewall includes:
- a first portion having a first portion length;
- and
- second and third portions having respective second and third portion lengths, the first portion is disposed between the second and third portions and each of the second and third portion lengths is about 20 to 30 percent of the first portion length, the second portion extends from the first portion towards the first recess and the third portion extends from the first portion towards the second recess, thereby creating an intersection between the first portion and one of the second and third portions that defines a contact point adapted to engage the head of the fastener.
A tool adapted to engage a head of a fastener, comprising:
- a surface having first and second recesses, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein the sidewall includes substantially straight first and second portions respectively having first and second portion lengths, the first and second portions are angularly disposed by about 40 to 48 degrees relative to each other and creates an intersection between the first and second portions that defines a contact point that is adapted to engage the head of the fastener.
A tool adapted to engage a head of a fastener, comprising:
- a surface having first and second recesses, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein each of the first and second recesses has two rounded inner corners, the sidewall includes substantially straight first and second portions respectively having first and second portion lengths, the first and second portions are angularly disposed by about 40 to 45 degrees relative to each other, wherein the first portion length is substantially equal to the second portion length, and wherein the first portion extends from the second portion to the first recess, and the second portion extends from the first portion to the second recess, thereby creating an intersection between the first and second portions that defines a contact point that is adapted to engage the head of the fastener.
A tool adapted to engage a fastener having a fastener head with a generally hexagonal shape defining first and second fastener head corners and a fastener flank with a flank length therebetween, comprising:
- a surface having first and second recesses respectively adapted to receive the first and second fastener head corners, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein the sidewall includes substantially straight first and second portions, the first and second portions are angularly disposed by about 40 to 48 degrees relative to each other and creates an intersection between the first and second portions that defines a contact point that is adapted to engage the fastener flank at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half the flank length away from the first fastener head corner.
A tool adapted to engage a fastener having a fastener head with a generally hexagonal shape defining first and second fastener head corners and a fastener flank with a flank length therebetween:
- a surface having first and second recesses respectively adapted to receive the first and second fastener head corners, and a sidewall extending between the first and second recesses, wherein each of the first and second recesses has two rounded inner corners, the sidewall includes substantially straight first and second portions, the first and second portions are angularly disposed by about 40 to 45 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the first portion extends from the second portion to the first recess, and the second portion extends from the first portion to the second recess, thereby creating an intersection between the first and second portions that defines a contact point that is adapted to engage the fastener flank at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half the flank length away from the first fastener head corner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.