Patent ID: 6640671
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A two-way drive adapter for adapting a drive boss of a socket wrench or extension rod having a first dimension to a drive boss of second, different dimension, said drive boss being suitable for reception of a socket or similar accessory, said adapter comprising:an outer housing having a length, a first end, a second end and a width; a two-section channel formed in the length of said outer housing, having a first channel section of a first width dimension defined by an interior surface disposed near said first end; and a second channel section having a second width dimension disposed near said second end, said first width dimension being larger than said second width; a first divot formed proximate to said first end in said interior surface of said first section; a second divot formed proximate to said first divot in said first section interior surface, said second divot being positioned farther from said first end than said first divot; a two-section core removably and slidably disposed in said channel, having a large drive boss section of slightly less width than said first width dimension and a small drive boss section of slightly less width than said second width dimension such that said core may slide within said channel with minimal friction alternately into an up-size conversion position and a down-size conversion position; and said large drive bass section and small drive boss section being of similar lengths; a first retention device disposed on said large drive boss section such that it is received by said second divot in said down-size conversion core position to removably retain said core into said housing, and disposed such that it is exposed outside said channel in said up-size conversion core position; a second retention device disposed on said large drive boss section such that it is received by said first divot in said up-size conversion core position to removably retain said core into said housing in this position; and a third retention device disposed in said small drive boss section such that it is exposed outside said channel in said down-size conversion core position, thereby providing a two-mode drive boss size adapter having an up-size conversion mode and a down-size conversion mode.