# US 5,343,786 A · Bit and socket combination

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- Number: US 5,343,786 A
- Document ID: US5343786A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/036,321
- Filed: 1993-03-24
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1993-03-24
- Assignees: Snap-on Incorporated
- Inventors: Gerald A. Wridt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5343786A

## CPC

- B25B 15/001: {characterised by material or shape of the tool bit}
- B25B 23/0035: {Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool}
- Y10T 279/17: Socket type
- B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A tool combination includes a bit socket with a hole extending axially therethrough and having a square drive portion and a hexagonal portion and a circularly cylindrical retaining portion between said drive portion and said bit portion, the portions being of successively smaller width from the drive end to the bit end. A hexagonal bit has an application end and a coupling end, the application end being insertable into the hole from the drive end thereof. The coupling end is provided with a retainer in the form of either an enlarged head or a laterally projecting ear which seats in the retaining portion of the hole, with the application end of the bit projecting forwardly from the bit end of the socket. An associated drive lug, when received in the drive portion of the hole, retains the bit place.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tool combination for transmitting torque from a drive lug of a driver to a workpiece, comprising: a unitary one-piece socket member having a drive end and a bit end and a longitudinal hole therethrough from end to end, said hole having an open drive portion adjacent to said drive end for receiving the drive lug in driven engagement therewith and a bit portion adjacent to said bit end and a retaining portion between said drive portion and said bit portion, a first shoulder in said hole between said retaining portion and said bit portion facing said drive end, a second shoulder in said hole between said retaining portion and said drive portion facing said drive end and disposed for engagement with the drive lug when it is received in said drive portion, and an elongated bit having an application end engageable with the workpiece and a coupling end and laterally extending projection means adjacent to said coupling end, said application end of said bit being insertable in and removable from said hole from said drive end thereof with said projection means being engageable with said first shoulder to limit the depth of insertion at a working position wherein said application end of said bit projects outwardly beyond said bit end of said socket member, said coupling end having an end surface substantially coplanar with said second shoulder when said projection means is disposed in engagement with said first shoulder.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said first shoulder is substantially frustoconical in shape.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said bit includes an elongated shank extending between said application and coupling ends, said projection comprising an enlarged head at said coupling end and projecting laterally beyond said shank around the entire circumference thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said projection means includes at least one laterally-extending ear.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said drive portion of said hole is substantially square in transverse cross section.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said retaining portion is circularly cylindrical in transverse cross section.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tool combination of claim 1, wherein said bit portion of said hole is polygonal in transverse cross section.