Clamping socket assembly and method

A clamping socket assembly configured to have an adjustable inner diameter to alter a frictional force being applied to an outer surface of a body having a threaded connection wherein the threaded connection is released when the body is rotated by a tool engaged with the clamping socket assembly, the assembly including:

• a collet having a first end, a second end, and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends, the second end being open and being configured to receive a body such that an inner surface of the perimeter wall can frictionally engage the body, the first end including a tool mating member for receiving a tool;
• the perimeter wall having a plurality of slots extending therein, the slots extending into the second end and extending toward the first end to define a plurality of wings;
• an outer surface of the perimeter wall including a threaded section positioned adjacent to the first end;
• a flaring section of the outer surface being positioned between the second end and the threaded section, the flaring section flaring outwardly and increasing in diameter as the flaring section extends away from the threaded section, the slots extending through the flaring section;
• a sleeve having a receiving end for receiving the first end, the sleeve having a distal end with respect to the receiving end, the distal end being open and being in communication with the tool mating member, wherein the tool is extendable through the distal end and into the tool mating member to engage and rotate the collet;
• the sleeve having an interior surface including internal threading and being threadably engageable with the threaded section of the collet, wherein rotation of the sleeve in a first direction moves the receiving end toward the second end, the sleeve having a smaller diameter adjacent to the receiving end than the second end such that free ends of the wings are urged toward each other as the receiving end moves over the flaring section and toward the second end to decrease an interior diameter of the second end;
• the interior surface of the sleeve adjacent to the receiving end tapering inward such that an internal diameter of the sleeve decreases from the receiving end toward the distal end;
• and
• the sleeve having a break therein and including a first section and a second section, the first section including the distal end and the internal threading, the second section including the receiving end, the first section including a shoulder being abuttable against the second section to urge the second section toward the second end of the collet.

A method of gripping a body of a threaded fastener, the method including:

• positioning the body in a collet, the collet having a first end and a second end, the second end receiving the body, the first end including a tool mating member, the collet having a perimeter wall having a plurality of slots extending therein, the slots extending into the second end to define a plurality of wings;
• positioning a sleeve on the collet, the sleeve having a receiving end receiving the first end and a distal end positioned opposite of the receiving end, the distal end having an opening therein being in communication with the tool mating member, the sleeve including internal threading, the collet having an outer surface including a threaded section;
• rotating the sleeve in a first direction to threadably couple the sleeve to the collet such that the receiving end moves toward the second end and urges the wings into frictional engagement with the body;
• engaging the tool mating member with the tool;
• and
• rotating the tool to rotate the collet and the body.