Patent Application
20160263732
This application relates to magnetic socket adapters and socket drivers.
This application relates to a magnetic socket adapter with a common magnet compatible with multiple sized socket drivers for improved functionality and value replacement of current socket drivers.
In an aspect, a magnetic socket adapter is configured to be removably coupled to a plurality of differently sized socket drivers. The magnetic socket adapter includes a rear shank configured to be coupled to a tool holder or a chuck of a power tool or a hand tool. A front shaft is coupled to the shank and defines a longitudinal axis. The front shaft has a head with a polygonal outer surface configured to be received in a corresponding polygonal shaped opening in each of the plurality of socket drivers. A retaining projection is coupled to the head and is configured to removably retain each of the plurality of socket drivers on the head. A magnet is coupled to a front end of the front shaft. An outer conical centering surface disposed on the front shaft and configured to abut a corresponding internal conical centering surface in the polygonal opening in each of the plurality of socket drivers to center the socket drivers on the front shaft.
Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following features. The front shaft may have a projection extending axially forward of the head, the bore being defined in the projection. The outer conical centering surface may be disposed at a junction between the head and the projection or on a front end of the projection. The retaining projection may include at least one of a ball and an elastomeric ring extending radially outward from the head to engage a corresponding groove in the polygonal opening in each of the plurality of socket drivers. The magnet is coupled to a magnet holder received in a bore in the front shaft and configured to float axially along the longitudinal axis by a limited extent relative to the front shaft. A spring may bias the magnet holder axially forward. The magnet holder may include a groove (e.g., an axial slot or an annular groove) having a front end and a rear end and the front shaft may have a stop (e.g., a cross pin or a ring) fixedly attached to the front shaft, where the magnet holder can move axially between a rear position where the stop engages the front end of the groove and a front position in which the stop engages the rear end of the groove. The magnet holder may configured to float axially without being biased in an axial direction.
In another aspect, a magnetic socket adapter set includes a plurality of differently sized socket drivers and a magnetic socket adapter. Each socket driver has a rear end portion with a polygonal opening and a front end portion with a polygonal socket configured to receive a nut or fastener. The magnetic socket adapter has a rear shank configured to be coupled to a tool holder or a chuck of a power tool or a hand tool, a front shaft coupled to the shank, and a magnet coupled to a front end of the front shaft. The front shaft defines a longitudinal axis and has a head with a polygonal outer surface configured to be received in the polygonal opening in each of the plurality of socket drivers. The head includes a retaining projection configured to removably retain each of the plurality of socket drivers on the adapter. The front shaft includes an outer conical centering surface configured to abut a corresponding internal conical centering surface in the polygonal opening in each of the socket drivers to facilitate centering the socket drivers on the front shaft.
Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following features. The front shaft may have a projection extending axially forward of the head, the bore being defined in the projection. The outer conical centering surface may disposed at a junction between the head and the projection or on a front end of the projection. The retaining projection may include at least one of a ball and an elastomeric ring extending radially outward from the head to engage a corresponding groove in the polygonal opening in each of the plurality of socket drivers. The magnet may be coupled to a magnet holder received in a bore in the front shaft with the magnet holder configured to float axially along the longitudinal axis by a limited extent relative to the front shaft. A spring may bias the magnet holder axially forward from the bore. The floating magnet assembly may include a groove having a front end and a rear end defined in the magnet holder and a stop fixedly attached to the front shaft, where the magnet holder can move axially between a rear position where the stop engages the front end of the groove and a front position in which the stop engages the rear end of the groove. The magnet holder may be configured to float axially without being biased in an axial direction. The set may further include a drive guide having a socket shaft configured to be removably retained on the head of the adapter, and a sliding sleeve received over the socket shaft and configured to be slidable between a rearward position and a frontward position.
This design addresses a common user frustration by allowing the user to remove the socket driver and clean off metal shavings that collect on the magnet. Advantages of this design include one or more of the following: Magnets can be easily cleaned of metal shavings. Sizes can be easily removed and attached to change sizes without disengaging the shank from a power tool.
Each socket driver 102 has a front portion 104 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 102 also has a rear portion 106 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 108 for receiving the front head 116 to retain the socket 102 on the adapter 110. Each socket also has a cylindrical bore (not shown) extending between the polygonal socket in the front portion 104 and the polygonal opening 108 in the rear portion 106 for receiving the projection 124 of the adapter 110. When the socket driver 102 is coupled to the adapter 110, the projection 124 extends through the cylindrical bore so that the magnet 126 is positioned at the bottom of the socket to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket. This design enables a socket driving set having multiple sized magnetic socket drivers able to be coupled to a single adapter having only one magnet, which greatly reduces the cost of a set of multiple sized socket drivers.
Each socket driver 202 has a front portion 204 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 205 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 202 also has a rear portion 206 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening for receiving the front head 216 to retain the socket 202 on the adapter 210. Each socket 202 also has a cylindrical bore (not shown) extending between the socket in the front portion 204 and the opening in the rear portion 206 for receiving the projection 224 of the adapter 210. When the socket 202 is coupled to the adapter 210, the projection 224 extends through the cylindrical bore so that the magnet 226 is positioned at the bottom of the socket to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket. The magnetic socket adapter 210 differs from the magnetic socket adapter 110 in that the ledge 222 is at a junction between the round intermediate shaft 220 and the head 216 and the projection 224 is shorter in axial length than the projection 124.
The drive guide 302 has a drive shaft 308 and a sliding sleeve 303 received over the drive shaft 308. The drive shaft 308 has a rear portion 309 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 313 for receiving the front head 316 and the retaining ball 318 to retain the drive shaft 308 on the adapter 310. The drive shaft 308 also has a front portion 307 with a hex shaped socket 311 for receiving a screwdriving bit, and a cylindrical bore (not shown) extending between the hex shaped socket 311 and the polygonal shaped opening 313. When the drive shaft 308 is coupled to the adapter 310, the projection 324 extends through the cylindrical bore so that the magnet 326 is positioned at the bottom of the socket 311 to retain a screwdriving bit inside the socket 311. The sliding sleeve 303 is hollow and cylindrical with a front end 304 and a rear end 306, each including a stop (e.g., a hog ring, C-clip, inward shoulder), as described in more detail in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/811,873. The sleeve 303 can slide relative to the drive shaft 308 between a rear position (
Each socket driver 402 has a front portion 404 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 405 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 402 also has a rear portion 406 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 407 for receiving the head 416. The shaped opening 407 further includes an annular groove 408 or a pair of recesses that is configured to receive the balls 418 to retain the socket driver 402 on the adapter 410. The socket driver 402 also has an intermediate portion 409 with a conical inner wall 403 that abuts against the outer conical surface 425 on the projection 424 to center the socket driver 402 on the adapter 410. When the socket 402 is coupled to the adapter 410, the magnet 434 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 405 and allowed to float by a limited extent to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 405. A plurality of socket drivers 402 with different sized sockets 405 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 410.
Each socket driver 502 has a front portion 504 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 505 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 502 also has a rear portion 506 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 507 for receiving the head 516. The polygonal opening 507 further includes an annular groove 508 or a pair of recesses that is configured to receive the balls 518 to retain the socket driver 502 on the adapter 510. The socket driver 502 also has an intermediate portion 509 with a conical inner wall 503 that abuts against the conical surface 525 to center the socket driver 502 on the adapter 510. When the socket 502 is coupled to the adapter 510, the magnet 534 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 505 and allowed to float by a limited extent to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 505. A plurality of socket drivers 502 with different sized sockets 505 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 510.
Each socket driver 602 has a front portion 604 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 605 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 602 also has a rear portion 606 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 607 for receiving the head 616. The polygonal opening 607 further includes an annular groove 608 that is configured to receive the stop 618 to removably retain the socket driver 602 on the adapter 610. The socket driver 602 also has an intermediate portion 609 with a conical inner wall 603 that abuts against the outer conical surface 625 to center the socket driver 602 on the adapter 610. When the socket 602 is coupled to the adapter 610, the magnet 634 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 605 and allowed to float by a limited extent to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 605. A plurality of socket drivers 602 with different sized sockets 605 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 610.
Each socket driver 702 has a front portion 704 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 705 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 702 also has a rear portion 706 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 707 for receiving the head 716. The polygonal opening 707 further includes an annular groove 708 or a pair of recesses that is configured to receive the balls 718 to retain the socket driver 702 on the adapter 710. The socket driver 702 also has an intermediate portion 709 with a conical inner wall 703 that abuts against the outer conical surface 725 to center the socket driver 702 on the adapter 710. When the socket 702 is coupled to the adapter 710, the magnet 734 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 705 to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 705. A plurality of socket drivers 702 with different sized sockets 705 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 710.
Each socket driver 802 has a front portion 804 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 805 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 802 also has a rear portion 806 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 807 for receiving the head 816. The opening 807 further includes an annular groove 808 or a pair of recesses that is configured to receive the balls 818 to retain the socket driver 802 on the adapter 810. The socket driver 802 also has an intermediate portion 809 with a conical inner wall 803 that abuts against the outer conical surface 825 to center the socket driver 802 on the adapter 810. When the socket 802 is coupled to the adapter 810, the magnet 834 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 805 and allowed to float by a limited extent to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 805. A plurality of socket drivers 802 with different sized sockets 805 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 810.
Each socket driver 902 has a front portion 904 with a polygonal (e.g., hex) shaped socket 905 of a different size to drive different sized nuts and fasteners. Each socket driver 902 also has a rear portion 906 with a polygonal (e.g., hex or square) shaped opening 907 for receiving the head 916. The opening 907 further includes an annular groove 908 or a pair of recesses that is configured to receive the balls 918 to retain the socket driver 902 on the adapter 910. The socket driver 902 also has an intermediate portion 909 with a conical inner wall 903 that abuts against the conical surface 925 on the projection 924 to center the socket driver 902 on the adapter 910. When the socket driver 902 is coupled to the adapter 910, the magnet 934 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the socket 905 and allowed to float by a limited extent to retain a nut or fastener inside the socket 905. A plurality of socket drivers 902 with different sized sockets 905 can be removably coupled to the socket adapter 910.
Example embodiments have been provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and to fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Terms of degree such as “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” may be used herein when describing the relative positions, sizes, dimensions, or values of various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These terms mean that such relative positions, sizes, dimensions, or values are within the defined range or comparison (e.g., equal or close to equal) with sufficient precision as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the context of the various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections being described.
Numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary implementations described above. These and other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application is claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/132,800, filed Mar. 13, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62132800 | Mar 2015 | US |
