Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6571669
-
Patent Number
6,571,669
-
Date Filed
Monday, October 1, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 3, 200321 years ago
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 081 1774
- 081 900
- 081 490
- 081 DIG 11
- 206 378
- 206 350
- 206 818
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A socket wrench organizer includes top and bottom socket holders with receptacles for holding sockets for a socket wrench. The receptacles may be individually sized to each socket. A magnet is provided near the bottom of each receptacle for securely holding the sockets. Magnetic or mechanical fasteners hold the socket wrench organizer together in a closed position with the sockets inside for even more securely holding the sockets. The sockets are nested within each other when the socket wrench organizer is in the closed position for compactness and space efficiency. A wrench handle is provided with a flat portion and a hole to facilitate attachment in a convenient package of the socket wrench and socket wrench organizer in the closed position. A non-scratching, non-marring coating is provided on the surface of the socket wrench organizer to facilitate magnetically attaching or merely placing the socket wrench organizer on a scratchable surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to tool storage and organizing. More specifically, the invention relates to an organizer for keeping sockets in proximity with their associated socket wrench and which may be conveniently and temporarily mounted on any magnetically attractable surface.
2. Related Art
The socket wrench is a common, familiar, and widely used tool. It is used in such widely varied applications as, for example, auto mechanics and electronics work. The socket wrench usually includes a handle unit with a head for attaching interchangeable sockets of various sizes. The head typically includes a drive nub which is square for fitting into a square drive hole in the socket. For example, standard sized drive nubs may be ¼, ⅜, or ½ inches square. The drive nub usually includes a spring and ball detent mechanism for more securely holding the interchangeable socket. The head typically includes a ratchet unit, but may include a swiveling hinge or universal joint, or other various features and combinations of features. The relatively expensive wrench is usable with a large number of relatively inexpensive sockets, which are interchangeable and can be supplied in a large range of varying sizes.
It is desirable to have some means of storing the multiplicity of interchangeable sockets in order to keep them together in one place, to keep them from getting lost, to keep them sorted, to make them readily transportable, and to keep them readily accessible. Further, it is desirable to be able to conveniently attach the holder to a project working surface such as an automobile fender, or metal electronics equipment rack. In addition, it is desirable to have some compact, space efficient means to keep the set of interchangeable sockets together with their socket wrench.
One common and inexpensive apparatus used to address some of these problems is a simple socket rack which includes a number of spring clips in a line and typically a carrying handle at one end. Each spring clip is of a size to fit into the drive hole of each socket, and holds the socket by friction against the force of the spring inside the drive hole. These simple socket racks are prone to having the surface of the spring clips wear out so that sockets are not securely held and may come off too easily. In addition, the spring clips can lose resiliency over time, also contributing to the same problem of sockets not being securely held. These simple racks typically place all the sockets out in a single line so that they tend to be long and bulky and hard to fit into the limited space of, for example, a toolbox. In other words, these simple racks are not compact and space efficient.
Another rack, similar to the simple spring clip socket rack, is one which provides a row of socket nubs with a spring and ball detent mechanism, mimicking that of the wrench drive nub, in each socket nub. This rack appears to be an attempt at addressing the problem, outlined above, of securely holding the sockets despite wear, but may still be subject to wear of the ball and nub, and loss of resiliency in the spring of the spring and ball detent mechanism. A disadvantage of this rack is that it is relatively expensive.
Another rack that addresses the problem of securely holding the sockets despite wear is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,107 which uses a cam mechanism to “lock” a socket in place after it has been placed over a nub. This rack stores the sockets spaced apart, due to the bulkiness of the cam mechanism, in a line so that it also is not compact and space efficient.
Magnetic racks address the problem of wear by using magnets to hold the sockets rather than a spring clip or nub. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,817 discloses a magnetic socket rack on which sockets may be placed in a line. This rack does not provide any aid for positioning or sorting the sockets on the rack. It provides an adhesive backing for attachment of the rack to a work bench or tool box, but not for temporary convenient attachment to a work surface. Another rack which places all the sockets out in a line, but with the improvement of adding a plate to help position the sockets on the rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,580. This rack discloses a magnet for temporarily attaching the rack to a metallic work surface, but is not concerned with attaching or placing the rack on a work surface that is easily scratched or marred, such as a painted car fender or plastic surface. Another rack which places all the sockets out in a line, with the improvement of adding a contoured tray to help position the sockets on the rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,631, which also discloses providing a magnet for temporarily attaching the rack to a metallic work surface and a coating to increase friction between the work surface and the rack, but not to prevent marring or scratching of the work surface. Another rack which places all the sockets out in a line, with individually sized holes for each socket to help position the sockets on the rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,377. None of these magnetic racks protect the sockets while they are being stored from accidentally being dislodged by the user's fingers, for example, or from falling off of or out of the rack if the rack is subjected to a sudden or accidental jarring or impact.
As can be seen, there is a need for a socket wrench organizer which securely holds a number of interchangeable sockets and which continues to securely hold the sockets despite normal wear. There is also a need for a socket wrench organizer which protects the sockets from being accidentally dislodged or removed while the sockets are being stored or carried. There is also a need for a socket wrench organizer which can be conveniently placed on or temporarily attached to a work surface without marring or scratching the work surface. There is a further need for a socket wrench organizer which is compact and space efficient, and which facilitates storing the sockets, for example, in toolboxes or metal toolbox drawers. In addition, there is a need for a socket wrench organizer which facilitates keeping the sockets together with the wrench with which they are to be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a socket wrench organizer which securely holds a number of interchangeable sockets and for which normal wear will not affect how securely the sockets are held. Furthermore, the socket wrench organizer of the present invention protects the sockets from being accidentally dislodged or removed while the sockets are being stored or carried with the socket wrench organizer in its closed position. One embodiment also provides a socket wrench organizer that can be conveniently placed on or temporarily attached to a work surface without marring or scratching the work surface. In one embodiment the socket wrench organizer is compact and space efficient, and facilitates storing sockets, for example, in toolboxes or metal toolbox drawers. In addition, one embodiment provides a socket wrench organizer that facilitates keeping the sockets together with the wrench with which they are to be used.
In one aspect of the present invention, a socket wrench organizer includes top and bottom socket holders with receptacles for holding sockets for a socket wrench. The receptacles may be individually sized to each socket, for example, or a single receptacle, not sized to the individual sockets, may be provided with centering nubs for each socket, or a single receptacle with linearly tapered sides for aligning the sockets may be provided. A magnet is provided near the bottom of each receptacle for securely holding the sockets in the receptacles. Fasteners, for example, magnets, are provided for holding the top and bottom socket holders together in a closed position with the sockets inside for added security in holding the sockets, for example, when being stored or carried.
In another aspect of the present invention, the sockets are nested within each other when the socket wrench organizer is holding sockets in the closed position. The nesting of sockets makes the socket wrench organizer more compact and space efficient, improving, for example, efficiency of storage and ease of carrying the sockets.
In another aspect of the present invention, a wrench handle is provided with a flat portion and a hole or holes to facilitate attachment of the socket wrench and socket wrench organizer in the closed position, improving organization, for example, by keeping the socket wrench together in a convenient package with its associated sockets.
In another aspect of the present invention, the magnets used for securely holding the sockets in the receptacles can also be used for temporarily attaching the socket holders to magnetically attractable work surfaces. A rubberized coating or other non-scratching, non-marring coating is provided on the surface of the socket wrench organizer to facilitate either attaching the socket wrench organizer to a magnetically attractable scratchable surface, such as a car fender, for example, or for merely placing the socket wrench organizer on a scratchable non-magnetic surface such as a plastic electronics cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a socket wrench organizer in a disassembled state in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a cross sectional view, taken along line
2
—
2
in
FIG. 1
, of a socket wrench organizer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a cross sectional view, similar to that of
FIG. 2
, of a socket wrench organizer in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a socket wrench organizer in a disassembled state in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for storing, organizing, and accessing sockets for a socket wrench. Although the following description contains specific information pertaining to the implementation of the present invention, the present invention may, nevertheless, be implemented in a manner different from that specifically described here. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description serve to describe example embodiments of the invention. The described embodiments should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, an embodiment of socket wrench organizer
10
includes top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
. Socket wrench handle
16
is adapted for assembly to socket wrench organizer
10
.
FIG. 1
shows a perspective view of socket wrench organizer
10
in a disassembled state with vertical dashed lines indicating alignment for assembly of socket wrench organizer
10
. Assembly of socket wrench organizer
10
, after storing sockets in top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
, is accomplished by moving top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
until they come in contact with the flat portion of handle
16
of socket wrench
18
and are aligned with handle
16
as indicated by the vertical dashed lines in FIG.
1
. Disassembly of socket wrench organizer
10
, for allowing access to the sockets stored within socket wrench organizer
10
, is accomplished by simply separating the pieces top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
from socket wrench handle
16
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, bottom socket holder
14
includes receptacles
22
for holding sockets for socket wrench
18
. Top socket holder
12
also includes receptacles
24
, shown in
FIG. 2
, for holding sockets for socket wrench
18
. The sockets, for example, can be a set of standard metric sized or inch sized sockets using a standard size drive such as ¼, ⅜, or ½ inch square. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, receptacles
22
and
24
are formed as circular holes in bottom socket holder
14
and top socket holder
12
, respectively. The diameter of each of the holes forming receptacles
22
and
24
is just large enough to easily accommodate a corresponding socket from the set of sockets which socket wrench organizer
10
is intended to accommodate. For example, socket wrench organizer
10
can be dimensioned to accommodate a standard set of ⅜ inch drive metric sockets
40
comprising a set of 10 sockets ranging in size from a 19 millimeter (“mm”) socket in steps of 1 mm down to a 10 mm socket. Thus, in the example embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a first receptacle
22
in bottom socket holder
14
is sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 10 mm socket, a second receptacle
22
is sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 11 mm socket, and so forth up to a fifth receptacle
22
sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 14 mm socket, and then a first receptacle
24
in top socket holder
12
is sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 15 mm socket, a second receptacle
24
is sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 16 mm socket, and so forth up to a fifth receptacle
24
sized just large enough to easily accommodate the 19 mm socket.
As seen in
FIG. 2
, sockets
40
are held in place in receptacles
22
by magnet
31
and in receptacles
24
by magnet
32
. Magnets
31
and
32
can be formed, for example, from flat strips of magnetic material, and preferably are strong enough to support the weight of sockets
40
in contact with magnets
31
and
32
when bottom socket holder
14
or top socket holder
12
, respectively, is held upside down. Thus, sockets
40
are prevented from accidentally falling out, possibly becoming lost or inconveniencing the user. Such magnetic strips are commonly available and any sufficiently strong magnetic strip can be used to form magnets
31
and
32
. Magnets
31
and
32
can be affixed to bottom socket holder
14
and top socket holder
12
, respectively, by bonding, for example, or by appropriately shaping and molding the bottom socket holder
14
and top socket holder
12
, which can be fabricated, for example, from injection molded plastic. For example, magnets
31
and
32
can be molded into bottom socket holder
14
and top socket holder
12
, as known in the art.
Magnets
31
and
32
perform a dual function in addition to holding sockets
40
in place in their respective socket holder. Magnets
31
and
32
can also be used to hold the sockets
40
and socket holder
12
or
14
to a magnetizable or magnetically attractable work surface, such as a car fender, metal equipment rack, or computer box. The ability to temporarily attach socket holders
12
and
14
with their sockets
40
to a work surface greatly enhances the convenience of using the socket wrench and helps to keep the sockets organized by allowing easy replacement of unused sockets into their holder while working. Depending on the material out of which socket holders
12
and
14
are made, potential marring or scratching of a painted work surface, such as a car fender, by temporarily attaching socket holder
12
or
14
to it may not be a problem. Nevertheless, socket holders
12
and
14
can be provided with a suitable non-marring coating
34
, as indicated in FIG.
2
. For example, non-marring coating
34
can be a rubberized coating.
Fasteners
36
hold bottom socket holder
14
to socket wrench handle
16
and fasteners
37
hold top socket holder
12
to socket wrench handle
16
when socket wrench organizer
10
is assembled, also referred to as “closed”. In the embodiment shown in the
FIGS. 1 and 2
, fasteners
36
and
37
are fabricated from magnets which are strong enough to hold the weight of their respective socket holder and sockets. Preferably, when magnets are used for fasteners
36
and
37
, the north poles of fasteners
36
are oriented to be closer to the south poles of fasteners
37
(or vice versa) when socket wrench organizer
10
is assembled or closed, so that fasteners
36
in bottom socket holder
14
are attracted toward fasteners
37
in top socket holder
12
. As with magnets
31
and
32
, fasteners
36
and
37
can be bonded or molded in place. Also, mechanical type fasteners, such as snap fasteners, can be used to effect the function of fasteners
36
and
37
.
Thus, fasteners
36
and
37
hold socket wrench organizer
10
together in the assembled or closed position when it is desired to store sockets
40
. With socket wrench organizer
10
held closed in its assembled position by fasteners
36
and
37
, socket wrench organizer
10
confines sockets
40
in an interior space so that fasteners
36
and
37
enhance the function of magnets
31
and
32
in keeping sockets from accidentally falling out, possibly becoming lost or inconveniencing the user. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, socket wrench organizer
10
is held closed together with wrench
18
further enhancing the organizing and convenience functions of socket wrench organizer
10
. Moreover, with socket wrench organizer
10
in its closed position, magnets
31
and
32
can be used to adhere socket wrench organizer
10
and wrench
18
to a work surface or other desirable location, such as a particular spot or side in the interior of a metal toolbox drawer. As another example, with socket wrench organizer
10
in its closed position magnets
31
and
32
can be used to adhere socket wrench organizer
10
and wrench
18
to another socket wrench organizer for a different drive size wrench, so that two or more socket wrench organizers and wrenches of different drive sizes can be easily kept together or carried together.
As more clearly seen in
FIG. 2
, sockets
40
are nested within each other when stored in socket wrench organizer
10
in its closed position. In other words, in the example embodiment shown in
FIG. 2
, 14 mm socket
44
of the set of sockets
40
is stored partially inserted into 19 mm socket
49
of the set of sockets
40
, for example, and so on for the other sockets in the set of sockets
40
. Nesting of sockets
40
in this manner saves space, allowing socket wrench organizer
10
to be more compact, and thus more space efficient, useful and convenient. Nesting of the sockets stored in bottom socket holder
14
into the sockets stored in top socket holder
12
also serves the function of aligning bottom socket holder
14
with top socket holder
12
using the positioning of the sockets in receptacles
22
and
24
. Thus, no alignment pins or holes are needed in socket holders
12
and
14
. Nor do fasteners
36
and
37
need to perform any alignment functions, so that forming fasteners
36
and
37
from a pair of magnets mounted flush to the surface of socket holders
12
and
14
is sufficient to hold socket holders
12
and
14
in alignment to each other. Socket wrench handle
16
is provided with a hole or holes
28
which are sized to accommodate the larger size sockets stored in top socket holder
12
. Thus, holes
28
also perform a similar alignment function of top socket holder
12
to socket wrench handle
16
using the positioning of the larger sockets in receptacles
24
and the positioning of holes
28
in handle
16
. Holes
28
can also perform other useful functions, for example, guarding the user's fingers from sudden impact against nearby objects accompanying the sudden acceleration of the wrench handle when a nut or bolt is “broken loose”. Holes
28
can also facilitate working handle
16
of socket wrench
18
back and forth when socket wrench
18
is being used in a tight spot where movement of handle
16
is confined by nearby objects.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the most space efficient nesting of sockets
40
, i.e. a nesting which allows minimizing the thickness of both bottom socket holder
14
and top socket holder
12
, is a nesting which allows the larger sockets stored in top socket holder
12
to protrude part way through socket wrench handle
16
and into bottom socket holder
14
. The smaller receptacles
22
in bottom socket holder
14
are provided with enlarged portions
26
which are sized to accommodate the larger sockets, as shown in
FIG. 1
, and as shown more clearly in relation to sockets
40
in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 3
shows socket wrench organizer
20
. Socket wrench organizer
20
can be used with or without the wrench handle adaptation shown in FIG.
1
. As seen in
FIG. 3
, top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
of socket wrench organizer
20
are both made thicker than in socket wrench organizer
10
. Thus, socket wrench organizer
20
closes completely even though no wrench handle is sandwiched between top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
of socket wrench organizer
20
. Socket wrench organizer
20
can also be used in conjunction with wrench handle
16
shown in
FIG. 1
, by simply positioning socket wrench organizer
20
, shown in
FIG. 3
, containing sockets
40
, against wrench handle
16
in the same manner as socket wrench organizer
10
, shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, would be positioned against wrench handle
16
.
As seen in
FIG. 3
, sockets
40
fit into receptacles
22
and
24
of socket wrench organizer
20
. Receptacles
22
are provided with enlarged portions
26
to allow for nesting of the sockets
40
. Nesting of the sockets
40
can be used to align magnetic fasteners
36
and
37
and to align top socket holder
12
to bottom socket holder
14
in the closed position. Magnetic fasteners
36
and
37
are used for holding top socket holder
12
to bottom socket holder
14
in the closed position for storing sockets
40
more safely. Alternatively, fasteners
36
and
37
can be provided as mechanical fasteners and can be made to align without using nesting of sockets
40
.
Socket wrench organizer
20
can also be provided with, for example, a molded contour or clip for attachment to a standard wrench handle (not shown). Such a molded contour or clip can be provided on either one or both of top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
, as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, such a molded contour or clip can be provided on the side of either one or both of top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
, i.e. away from magnets
31
and
32
, so that the contour or clip does not interfere with the function of magnets
31
and
32
in providing temporary attachment to a magnetizable work surface or interfere with top socket holder
12
or bottom socket holder
14
resting stably on a non-magnetizable work surface.
FIG. 4
shows one embodiment, socket wrench organizer
30
, in which a single receptacle
22
is provided in bottom socket holder
14
and a single receptacle
24
is provided in top socket holder
12
. Centering nubs
23
are provided in both top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
for aligning the set of sockets
40
. Centering nubs
23
are all the same size as the drive size of the set of sockets
40
, in the present example, ⅜ inch. For example, centering nubs
23
can be made round with the same diameter as the size of the square drive nub. In the present example using ⅜ inch drive sockets
40
, centering nubs
23
have ⅜ inch diameter. Centering nubs
23
need not be used for gripping the sockets
40
to hold them in socket holders
12
or
14
as sockets
40
can still be held in socket holders
12
and
14
by magnets
31
and
32
. Centering nubs
23
may also be formed from magnetic material to provide additional security for holding sockets
40
, or as a substitute for magnets
31
and
32
. Thus, centering nubs
23
are substantially not subject to wear, and do not lose their function of aligning and positioning sockets
40
inside top socket holder
12
and bottom socket holder
14
even in the presence of wear. Thus, centering nubs
23
do not encounter the wear problems associated with socket holding nubs or tabs in the prior art, because the function of centering nubs
23
is different from that of the socket holding nubs or tabs in the prior art.
FIG. 4
also shows an alternative means for aligning the set of sockets
40
. The sides of receptacles
22
and
24
are provided with a linear taper
25
in size from the end sized to accommodate the largest socket to the end sized to accommodate the smallest socket. When receptacles
22
and
24
are linearly tapered in size from one end to the other in this fashion, the sockets may simply be arranged in order of decreasing size from one end to the other within receptacles
22
and
24
without the use of centering nubs
23
. In other words, it is desirable for centering nubs
23
to be absent when tapered receptacles are used. When receptacles
22
and
24
are linearly tapered in size, it is desirable to similarly taper hole
28
in wrench handle
16
when using hole
28
to perform the function of aligning top socket holder
12
to socket wrench handle
16
using the positioning of the larger sockets in receptacle
24
and the positioning of hole
28
in handle
16
, as further described below.
As seen in
FIG. 4
, sockets
40
fit into receptacles
22
and
24
. Receptacle
22
can be provided with an enlarged portion
26
to allow for nesting of the set of sockets
40
. When centering nubs
23
are used to align sockets
40
, however, receptacle
22
can simply be made larger in order to allow nesting of the set of sockets
40
. Nesting of the set of sockets
40
can be used to align magnetic fasteners
36
and
37
and to align top socket holder
12
to bottom socket holder
14
in the closed position. Magnetic fasteners
36
and
37
are used for holding top socket holder
12
to bottom socket holder
14
in the closed position for storing sockets
40
more safely. Alternatively, fasteners
36
and
37
can be provided as mechanical fasteners and can be made to align without using nesting of sockets
40
. When nesting of sockets
40
is used to align top socket holder
12
to bottom socket holder
14
, hole
28
in wrench handle
16
should be dimensioned to accommodate the larger size sockets stored in top socket holder
12
so that hole
28
also performs the function of aligning top socket holder
12
to socket wrench handle
16
using the positioning of the larger sockets in receptacle
24
and the positioning of hole
28
in handle
16
.
Socket wrench organizer
30
, shown in
FIG. 4
, has certain advantages of simplicity in that, for example, there is only one receptacle
22
and only one receptacle
24
. Furthermore, the receptacles
22
and
24
do not need to be closely or individually sized to the set of sockets
40
because centering nubs
23
perform the function of positioning or aligning the sockets
40
within socket holders
12
and
14
. In addition, all of the centering nubs
23
are the same size, being the same size as the drive size for the set of sockets
40
and socket wrench being used.
As seen in the above detailed description, the present invention provides an improved socket wrench organizer that solves several of the problems associated with conventional socket holders.
The socket wrench organizer of the present invention securely holds a number of interchangeable sockets, using magnets, in a way which is not affected by normal wear and which protects the sockets from being accidentally dislodged or removed while the sockets are being stored or carried. In one embodiment, the socket wrench organizer can be conveniently placed on or temporarily attached to a work surface without marring or scratching the work surface. The socket wrench organizer of the present invention is compact and space efficient, which facilitates storing sockets, for example, in crowded toolboxes. The same magnets which are useful for temporarily attaching the socket wrench organizer to a work surface can also be used, for example, to “stick” the socket wrench organizer to a certain spot in a metal toolbox drawer. Further, the same magnets which are useful for temporarily attaching the socket wrench organizer to a work surface can also be used, for example, to “stick” two or more socket wrench organizers together so that different size wrenches, i.e. different drive sizes, and socket sets can be more easily kept together. In one embodiment, a wrench handle is shown which can provide additional useful functions, such as a protecting the user's hands from impact. More importantly, the present invention provides a socket wrench organizer that facilitates keeping the sockets together with the wrench with which they are to be used, substantially enhancing its usefulness and organizing value over conventional socket holders which do not provide that function.
As the above detailed description suggests, a number of modifications can be made and a variety of techniques can be used to implement the concepts of the present invention. While the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described here, and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A wrench having a socket organizer for holding a set of sockets that includes a first plurality of sockets and a second plurality of sockets, said wrench comprising:a wrench handle having a top flat portion, a bottom flat portion, and a hole sized to accommodate said first plurality of sockets from said set of sockets; a top socket holder having a first receptacle, said first receptacle sized to accommodate said first plurality of sockets from said set of sockets, wherein said top socket holder contacts said top flat portion and said first receptacle aligns with said hole when said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled, and said top socket holder having a first magnet for holding said first plurality of sockets in said first receptacle; a bottom socket holder having a second receptacle, said second receptacle sized to accommodate said second plurality of sockets from said set of sockets, wherein said bottom socket holder contacts said bottom flat portion and said second receptacle aligns with said hole when said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled, and said bottom socket holder having a second magnet for holding said second plurality of sockets in said second receptacle; a plurality of fasteners for holding said wrench having a socket organizer in a closed position, wherein said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled, said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled, and said first receptacle and said second receptacle align with said hole to form an interior space for confining both said first plurality of sockets and said second plurality of sockets.
- 2. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said bottom socket holder is adapted to hold each of said second plurality of sockets from said set of sockets nested inside a corresponding socket of said first plurality of sockets from said set of sockets when said wrench is in said closed position, wherein said top socket holder is adapted to hold said first plurality of sockets.
- 3. The wrench of claim 1, further comprising centering nubs in said first receptacle adapted for aligning said first plurality of sockets.
- 4. The wrench of claim 1, further comprising centering nubs in said second receptacle adapted for aligning said second plurality of sockets.
- 5. The socket wrench organizer of claim 1, wherein said first receptacle has linearly tapered sides adapted for aligning said first plurality of sockets.
- 6. The socket wrench organizer of claim 1, wherein said second receptacle has linearly tapered sides adapted for aligning said second plurality of sockets.
- 7. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said second receptacle has an enlarged portion sized to accommodate said first plurality of sockets.
- 8. The wrench of claim 1, wherein a plurality of top fasteners in said plurality of fasteners holds said top socket holder to said wrench handle.
- 9. The wrench of claim 1, wherein a plurality of bottom fasteners in said plurality of fasteners holds said bottom socket holder to said wrench handle.
- 10. The wrench of claim 1, wherein each fastener in said plurality of fasteners is a magnet.
- 11. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said first magnet is capable of providing temporary attachment of said first socket holder to a magnetically attractable work surface.
- 12. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said second magnet is capable of providing temporary attachment of said second socket holder to a magnetically attractable work surface.
- 13. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said top and bottom socket holders have a rubberized coating.
- 14. The wrench of claim 3, wherein said centering nubs comprise magnetic material.
- 15. The wrench of claim 4, wherein said centering nubs comprise magnetic material.
- 16. A wrench having a socket organizer, comprising:a wrench handle having a top flat portion, a bottom flat portion, and a hole through said wrench handle between said top flat portion and said bottom flat portion and sized to accommodate sockets; a top socket holder having a first receptacle with a first opening sized to match said hole, wherein said top socket holder contacts said top flat portion of said wrench handle and said first receptacle aligns with said hole when said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled; at least one first magnet in said top socket holder; a bottom socket holder having a second receptacle with a second opening sized to match said hole, wherein said bottom socket holder contacts said bottom flat portion of said wrench handle and said second receptacle aligns with said hole when said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled; at least one second magnet in said bottom socket holder; a first plurality of fasteners that holds said top socket holder to said wrench handle when said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled; a second plurality of fasteners that holds said bottom socket holder to said wrench handle when said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled, wherein: when said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled, and said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled, said first receptacle and said second receptacle and said hole form an interior space wherein said first receptacle and said second receptacle are vertically aligned.
- 17. The wrench having a socket organizer of claim 16, further comprising:a first plurality of sockets stored in said first receptacle; a second plurality of sockets stored in said second receptacle, wherein: each socket of said second plurality of sockets is nested inside a corresponding socket of said first plurality of sockets when said wrench handle and said top socket holder are assembled and said wrench handle and said bottom socket holder are assembled.
- 18. The wrench having a socket organizer of claim 17, further comprising:a first plurality of centering nubs in said first receptacle, wherein each centering nub of said first plurality. of centering nubs comprises magnetic material and holds one socket of said first plurality of sockets; and a second plurality of centering nubs in said second receptacle, wherein each centering nub of said second plurality of centering nubs comprises magnetic material and holds one socket of said second plurality of sockets.
- 19. The wrench having a socket organizer of claim 16, further comprising a first plurality of centering nubs in said first receptacle.
- 20. The wrench having a socket organizer of claim 16, further comprising a second plurality of centering nubs in said second receptacle.
- 21. The wrench having a socket organizer of claim 16, wherein said at least one first magnet is a centering nub and said at least one second magnet is a centering nub.
US Referenced Citations (11)