Multiple pin retention for universal socket

A universal socket that forms around a fastener to drive the fastener received by the universal socket comprising:

• a socket housing including a circumferential wall that defines a chamber having an inner periphery and an opening, said inner periphery extends through said socket housing along a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of pin members operable to be disposed in said chamber;
• each of said pin members having a middle portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion operable to contact the fastener, said middle portion having a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of said second end portion and less than a cross-sectional diameter of said first end portion;
• a plate member having a first surface and a second surface defining through holes formed between said first and second surfaces, said through holes accommodate said cross-sectional diameter of said middle portion of said pin members but each of said through holes are too small to accommodate said cross-sectional diameter of said first end portion of said pin members, said plate member operable to connect with said chamber to hold said plurality of pin members in said socket housing:
• a plurality of pin cap members, each of said pin cap members having a frangible connection with said plate member, each of said pin cap members having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of each of said pin cap members defines an inner periphery that is operable to accept said second end portion of said pin members, said first end portion of each of said pin cap members also defining an outer periphery that connects to said plate member to provide said frangible connection between each of said pin cap members and said plate member.

A method of assembling a universal socket that forms around a fastener to drive the fastener received by the universal socket, the method comprising:

• providing a plate member having a plurality of through holes;
• providing a plurality of pin cap members, each of said pin cap members having a frangible connection with an adjacent pin cap member, each of said pin cap members having a first end that defines an aperture;
• providing hinge members that pivotally connect said plate member to a part of said plurality of pin cap members, each of said hinge members defining additional frangible connections;
• providing a plurality of pin members having a middle portion between a first end portion and a second end portion, said through holes accommodate a cross-sectional diameter of said first end portion of said pin members but each of said through holes are too small to accommodate a cross-sectional diameter of said first end portion of said pin members;
• folding said pin cap members onto said plate member with said hinge members to align said apertures in each of said pin cap members with said through holes on said plate member;
• inserting said pin members through said through holes in said plate member and into said apertures on said first ends of said pin cap members;
• severing said frangible connection between each of said pin cap members and said hinge members that are frangible connections between said part of said pin cap members and said plate member.