# US 9,517,549 B2 · Socket tool set

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- Number: US 9,517,549 B2
- Document ID: US9517549B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/082,106
- Filed: 2013-11-16
- Published: 2015-05-21
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-16
- Applicants: Gordon H. East
- Inventors: Gordon H. East
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517549B2

## CPC

- B25B 13/06: of socket type
- B25B 13/102: {composed of a plurality of sockets slidable in each other}
- B25B 13/56: Spanner sets
- B25B 23/0035: {Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool}
- B25B 27/0035: {for motor-vehicles (wrenches for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/003)}
- Y10T 29/49822: by applying force
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- 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 socket tool set having a plurality of individual sockets with varying diameters and lengths coaxially nested within one another and a key which is slidably engaged with said sockets during storage of the tool set. During use the key operationally engages an individual socket and serves as an extension to said socket.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A socket tool set comprising:
a plurality of individual sockets with varying diameters and lengths coaxially nested within one another, wherein said nested inner sockets are of decreasing length and diameter being equal to or less than the inner length of said outer most socket; and
a key which is slidably engaged with said sockets during storage, said key operationally engaging an individual socket and serving as an extension to said socket during use, said key having
a longitudinal shank body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the shank body having a shape and a diameter that permits said shank body to slidably and torsionally engage the aperture of the engagement plate;
a flat head having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being attached to said distal end of the shank body, said lower surface of said flat head engaging the inner engagement surface of the engagement plate when the key slidably engages said socket;
a spring loaded detent assembly proximally located near the distal portion of the shank body designed to operationally engage the outer engagement surface of the engagement plate when said lower surface of said flat head engages the inner surface of said engagement plate and maintain said key in a desired position; and a traverse 20 hole extending through the proximal portion of said shank body with said longitudinal shank body operationally engaging an individual socket and serving as an extension to said socket during use; and
a traverse hole extending through the proximal portion of said shank body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The socket tool set of claim 1, wherein each socket includes a proximal end to engage devices such as fasteners, bolts, nuts, sparkplugs, or electronic sensors;
a distal end including an engagement plate with an aperture to receive said key permitting said key to slidably and torsionally engage said socket, said engagement plate having an inner engagement surface and an outer engagement surface; and
a tubular member connecting said proximal end of said socket to said distal end of said socket.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The socket tool set of claim 1, wherein said socket and said key being comprised of one or more metals.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The socket tool set of claim 2, wherein said proximal end of said socket having a shape
selected from the group including, but not limited to, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal,
octagonal, or any other shape known in the art of fasteners, electronic sensors, and sparkplugs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The socket tool set of claim 1, wherein the plurality of said sockets include
an inner socket having an inner diameter of 16 mm and a length of 2½ inches;
a middle socket having an inner diameter of 18 mm and a length of 2¾ inches; 10 an outer socket having an inner diameter of 13/16 inches and a length of 3 inches; and
the key being hexagonal in shape having a length of 4 inches and a diameter of 10 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The socket tool set of claim 1, wherein the plurality of said sockets include
a first inner socket having an inner diameter of ½ inches and a length of 2¼ inches;
a second inner socket having an inner diameter of ⅝ inches and a length of 2½ inches;
a third inner socket having an inner diameter of ¾ inches and a length of 2¾ inches;
a fourth outer socket having an inner diameter of 13/16 inches and a length of 3 inches; and
the key being hexagonal in shape having a length of 4 inches and a diameter of ⅜ inches.

### Claim 7

A method of using a socket tool set comprising the steps of:
providing a socket tool set comprising:
a plurality of individual sockets with varying diameters and lengths coaxially nested within one another, wherein said nested inner sockets are of decreasing length and diameter being equal to or less than the inner length of said outer most socket; and
a key which is slidably engaged with said sockets during storage, said key operationally engaging an individual socket and serving as an extension to said socket during 25 use;
disengaging the key from its stored position within the inner most nested socket;
separating the sockets from their coaxially nested configuration so that each socket is individually accessible;
matching a selected socket which has an appropriate size to engage a fastener or sparkplug;
inserting the key into the selected socket;
engaging the selected socket with the fastener or the spark plug; and
rotating the key so that rotational torque can be applied to the socket to remove the fastener or sparkplug from its secured position or to insert the fastener or sparkplug into its secured position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein each socket includes a proximal end to engage devices such as fasteners, bolts, nuts, sparkplugs, or electronic sensors;
a distal end including an engagement plate with an aperture to receive said key permitting said key to slidably and torsionally engage said socket, said engagement plate having an inner engagement surface and an outer engagement surface; and
a tubular member connecting said proximal end of said socket to said distal end of said socket.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said socket and said key being comprised of one or more metals.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said proximal end of said socket having a shape selected from the group including, but not limited to, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape known in the art of fasteners, electronic sensors, and sparkplugs.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein said key includes
a longitudinal shank body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the shank body having a shape and a diameter that permits said shank body to slidably and torsionally engage the aperture of the engagement plate;
a flat head having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being attached to said distal end of the shank body, said lower surface of said flat head engaging the inner engagement surface of the engagement plate when the key slidably engages said socket; and
a spring loaded detent assembly proximally located near the distal portion of the shank body designed to operationally engage the outer engagement surface of the engagement plate when said lower surface of said flat head engages the inner surface of said engagement plate and maintain said key in a desired position; and
a traverse hole extending through the proximal portion of said shank body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of said sockets include
an inner socket having an inner diameter of 16 mm and a length of 2½ inches;
a middle socket having an inner diameter of 18 mm and a length of 2¾ inches;
an outer socket having an inner diameter of 13/16 inches and a length of 3 inches; and
the key being hexagonal in shape having a length of 4 inches and a diameter of 10 mm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of said sockets include
a first inner socket having an inner diameter of ½ inches and a length of 2¼ inches;
a second inner socket having an inner diameter of ⅝ inches and a length of 2½ inches;
a third inner socket having an inner diameter of ¾ inches and a length of 2¾ inches;
a fourth outer socket having an inner diameter of 13/16 inches and a length of 3 inches; and
the key being hexagonal in shape having a length of 4 inches and a diameter of ⅜ inches.