This invention relates to a socket caddy holding sockets and socket ratchets for use by mechanics.
Sockets and socket ratchets are widely used in various repairs, particularly in auto repairs. An auto mechanic would position himself under a vehicle and then reach for a toolbox in order to retrieve a socket ratchet or a socket to perform the repairs. This often has to be done “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. After use, a particular socket needs to be placed back for storage or replaced with a different socket, also “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. Most mechanics lack time or discipline to return a socket to a particular predetermined location and tend to just drop it into a tool box. Accordingly, there is a need to have a socket caddy providing easy and convenient access to sockets and socket ratchets, permitting removing and replacing sockets with one hand, quickly and with minimal effort. Further, an open view storage allows the user to determine whether there are any missing sockets at a glance.
The socket caddy according to this invention satisfies this need. According to this invention, a vertical panel, atop a base comprising storage, comprises pins extending at a substantially forty five degree angle to the base. Sockets are hung on the pins without the use of the force of friction.
This invention will be better understood with the reference to the drawing figures
Viewing
Numeral 20 indicates a vertical panel. Vertical panel 20 is fixedly attached to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10 along the longitudinal axis. Vertical panel 20 comprises a first and second faces indicated, respectively, by numerals 20a and 20b.
Numeral 30 indicates pins. A plurality of pins 30 extend from first face 20a and second face 120b at a predetermined angle indicated by numeral 60. Angle 60 is shown to be forty-five degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10.
Numeral 70 indicates sockets. Pins 30 slidably and removably retain sockets 70 in a frictionless hanging arrangement by way of the force of gravity, permitting. sockets 70 to be removed with one hand. To accomplish such frictionless hanging arrangement of pins 30, angle 60 must be between zero and eighty degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10. The objective of this invention is to provide effortless and quick removal and replacement of sockets 70 with one hand. Angles 60 smaller than zero degrees would cause sockets 70 to fall off of pins 30. Angles 60 larger than eighty degrees would make removal and replacement of sockets 70 difficult.
Numeral 40 indicates a handle. Handle 40 is disposed on a top portion of vertical panel 20.
In the preferred embodiment described in reference to
Numeral 50 indicates an indicia selected from the group consisting of standard and metric. Indicia 50 is disposed on first face 20a and second face 20b, such that if first face 20a comprises indicia “STANDARD”, as shown in
In the embodiments described in reference to
The embodiment described in reference to
While the present invention has been described and defined by references to the preferred embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply limitations on the invention, and no such limitations are to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
This is a divisional application of the application Ser. No. 12/823,349 filed on Jun. 25, 2010, Art unit 3728, by Henry E. Solowiej, and the Applicant hereby claims the benefit of said Application under 35 U.S.C. 121 and/or 365(c).
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12823349 | Jun 2010 | US |
Child | 13099002 | US |