Socket with nut or bolt holding structure

A socket for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonal shaped portion, the socket comprising:

• a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends,
• first surfaces defining a tool-receiving portion at the first end, the tool-receiving portion being constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool,
• second surfaces defining a socket portion at the second end, the socket portion being constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein, and
• holding structure associated with the socket portion and constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener,
• wherein the holding structure includes a vacuum source in communication with the socket portion such that when a vacuum is created, the vacuum holds the portion of the fastener against one of the second surfaces defining the socket portion,
• wherein the holding structure further comprises:
• a drive shaft having an opened first end receiving the first end of the socket, a second end of the drive shaft having surfaces defining a second tool-receiving portion constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool, the drive shaft including at least one vacuum port through a wall thereof and communicating with the tool receiving portion and socket portion of the socket,
• a collar disposed about a portion of the drive shaft, the collar having a port in communication with the at least one vacuum port,
• structure permitting the drive shaft and socket to rotate with respect to the collar, and
• a tube connecting the vacuum source to the port in the collar such that when a vacuum is created, the portion of fastener is held in the socket portion.

A socket for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonal shaped portion, the socket comprising:

• a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends,
• first surfaces defining a tool-receiving portion at the first end, the tool-receiving portion being constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool,
• second surfaces defining a socket portion at the second end, the socket portion being constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein, and
• holding structure associated with the socket portion and constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener,
• wherein the holding structure includes a vacuum source in communication with the socket portion such that when a vacuum is created, the vacuum holds the portion of the fastener against one of the second surfaces defining the socket portion,
• wherein the holding structure further comprises:
• a cap having an opened first end receiving the first end of the socket, a second end of the drive shaft having an opening for accessing the tool-receiving portion of the socket, the cap including at least one vacuum port through a wall thereof, the socket having at least one port in the first end thereof communicating the socket portion with the at least one vacuum port,
• a collar disposed about a portion of the cap, the collar having a port in communication with the at least one vacuum port,
• structure permitting the cap and socket to rotate with respect to the collar, and
• a tube connecting the vacuum source to the port in the collar such that when a vacuum is created, the portion of fastener is held in the socket portion.