Socket assembly
OwnerArthur E Christenseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A socket assembly includes a plurality of multi-faceted segments disposed in a standard multi-point socket in an annular arrangement, one multi-faceted segment for each apex in the multi-point socket. Each multi-faceted segment has a length extending between two ends and a plurality of flat facets extending along the length including two outer facets defining a pivot edge that engages an apex between two internal socket walls and an internal facet facing inwardly and sized to engage a side of a multi-sided fastener. A retaining mechanism is provided to secure the plurality of multi-faceted segments in the standard multi-point socket.
Claims20
A socket assembly comprising:
- a multi-pointed socket comprising an internal socket for accepting a multi-sided fastener;
- a plurality of multi-faceted segments, each multi-faceted segment comprising:
- a length extending between two ends;
- a plurality of flat facets extending along the length;
- and
- a pivot edge defined between two facets, extending along the length and positioned to engage an apex between two internal socket walls of the multi-pointed socket;
- and
- a retaining mechanism to secure the plurality of multi-faceted segments in the internal socket of the multi-pointed socket.
A socket assembly comprising:
- a multi-pointed socket comprising an internal socket for accepting a multi-sided fastener;
- a plurality of multi-faceted segments positioned in an annular arrangement and disposed in the internal socket, each multi-faceted segment comprising:
- a length extending between two ends;
- a first outer facet and a second outer facet facing outward from the annular arrangement toward two adjacent internal socket walls of the internal socket;
- a pivot edge defined between the first and second outer facets, extending along the length, and positioned to engage an apex between the two adjacent internal socket walls;
- an inner facet facing inward from the annular arrangement, the inner facet comprising a width equal to a side of the multi-sided fastener to be gripped by the socket assembly;
- a first side facet extending between the first outer facet and the inner facet;
- and
- a second side facet extending between the second outer facet and the inner facet, wherein the first side facet and second side facet of adjacent multi-faceted segments in the annular arrangement do not contact each other when the adjacent multi-faceted segments pivot about the pivot edges and the length of each segment is aligned parallel to the length of every other segment;
- and
- a retaining mechanism to secure the plurality of multi-faceted segments in the standard multi-pointed socket.
A socket assembly comprising:
- a plurality of multi-faceted segments, each multi-faceted segment comprising a length extending between two ends, a plurality of flat facets extending along the length and a pivot edge defined between two facets that extends along the length;
- and
- a retainer to hold the plurality of multi-faceted segments together in an annular arrangement and to form the socket assembly;
- wherein the socket assembly is configured as an annular insert for an internal socket of a multi-pointed socket such that each pivot edge engages an apex between two internal socket walls of the multi-pointed socket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.