Socket including adjustable jaws

An adjustable socket comprising:

• a jaw support member having a rotational axis about which the socket is rotatively driven;
• said support member having an enlarged end including a plurality of slideways that extend radially from the rotational axis with an inclination in one axial direction;
• said support member also including a round end of a smaller size than the enlarged end thereof;
• a plurality of jaws respectively associated with the slideways of the enlarged end on the support member;
• each jaw having a slide received by the associated slideway of the support member such that the jaw is supported for radial movement along a path inwardly and outwardly with concomitant axial movement;
• each jaw including an inwardly facing engagement surface for applying torque during rotational driving of the socket;
• each jaw also including a camming surface that extends radially with an inclination in the opposite axial direction as the support member slideways;
• an adjustment mechanism for moving the jaws on the support member;
• said adjustment mechanism including a sleeve that receives the support member in an axially slidable relationship said sleeve having camming surfaces respectively engaged with the camming surfaces of the jaws in a slidable relationship so as to move the jaws outwardly and inwardly upon axial movement of the sleeve with respect to the support member;
• an adjuster that receives the round end of the support member and is rotatable with respect thereto to move the sleeve axially with respect to the support member for adjustment of the jaws inwardly or outwardly depending upon the direction of rotation;
• said adjustment mechanism also including a seat having a spherical surface positioned along said rotational axis and a plurality of helical springs respectively associated with the jaws;
• and each helical spring having an inner end engaged with said spherical surface of the seat and an outer end engaged with the associated jaw such that the helical springs bias the jaws outwardly in a radial direction.