Abstract:
An apparatus is provided that allows the use of a standard ratchet wrench with a square male drive on one end that attaches to a normal socket and a square female drive on the other end which attaches to a normal socket wrench. The apparatus then provides a wrench slider component to provide increased length to reach.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to socket wrenches and, more particularly, to a linearly extendable socket wrench adapter. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As anyone who performs a lot of mechanical work will attest, nothing beats having the proper tool for a job. The proper tool can save time, save money, produce a higher quality job, reduce damage to equipment, and provide for the increased safety of the worker. One tool that is found in many lines of work is that of the socket wrench. These cylindrical shaped wrenches with a receiving cup are used on bolts to remove or tighten them. Their design, however, is prone to several problems. First, they are held in one&#39;s hand, making their applications limited in confined areas where one cannot get their hand. Secondly, their short handle length makes it difficult to apply even a moderate amount of leverage to remove or tighten stubborn bolts. 
   Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a socket adapter for connection to a socket wrench in a manner that provides for increased linear extension. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved socket wrench adapter. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved socket wrench adapter that is linearly extendable. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that allows the use of a standard ratchet wrench with a square male drive on one end that attaches to a normal socket and a square female drive on the other end which attaches to a normal socket wrench. The invention then provides a wrench slider component to provide increased length to reach. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that it allows use of socket wrenches in confined quarters where it is difficult or impossible to get one&#39;s hand on the wrench. 
   The use of the present invention further provides users of socket wrenches an adaptable extension to reach into tight locations in a manner which is not only quick, easy and effective, but safe as well. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an otherwise conventional ratchet wrench  10  according to the PRIOR ART; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a linearly extendable socket wrench adapter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along the linear centerline axis thereof; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the male end thereof; and 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the female end thereof. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In order to describe the complete relationship of the invention, it is essential that some description be given to the manner and practice of functional utility and description of the PRIOR ART, as shown in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . An otherwise conventional ratchet wrench  10  is generally available having an elongated handle  12  extending radially from a rotating head  14 . The rotating head  14  supports an attachment protuberance  16  that removably affixes to a socket  18  selected from a plurality of such units. Each socket  18  includes a recess or cavity  18   a  adapted to receive a specific size nut or bolt head. All sockets  18  include an attachment recess  18   b  of a common size that allows receiving of the attachment protuberance  16  for purposes of providing a rotational driving torque to the nut or bolt head. 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 2–5 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2–5 , an hexagonal wrench socket adapter  100  is shown, according to the present invention, for use with an otherwise conventional ratchet wrench  10  as shown in the PRIOR ART of  FIG. 1 . The extension  100  has a linearly elongated outer housing having a first end  102  opposite a second end  104 . The first end  102  is a cylindrical outer surface having a wrench slider component  105 . The wrench slider component  105  forms a standard square receiving cavity  106  for receiving an attachment protuberance  16  of a ratchet wrench  10 . The second end  102  thereby forms a square socket drive component  108  that thereby emulates the attachment protuberance  16  of the ratchet wrench  10 . It is anticipated that the square socket drive component  108  is formed of standard sized ⅜ inch square socket  109  having a hexagonal bar extension  110  integral with or permanently affixed into the drive socket portion of the square socket drive component  108 . With such an arrangement, the slider component  105  forms a ⅜ inch female hexagonal receiving cavity  112  to received the hexagonal bar  110 . 
   It is envisioned that the female hexagonal receiving cavity  112  terminates at the receiving cavity  106 . If the wrench slider component has an overall outer length of 2½ inches, only ½ inch would be required as a standard square drive depth for receiving a ratchet wrench; therefore, a total of 1¾ inches is available in which the hexagonal bar extension  110  can slide adjustably within the receiving cavity  112 . This allows for an wrench socket adapter that can be telescopingly extended or retracted as the need arises. 
   The block protuberance receiving cavity  106  is of a common size that allows receiving of the attachment protuberance  16  for purposes of providing a rotational driving torque to the hexagonal wrench  22 . The block protuberance receiving cavity  106  is aligned perpendicular to the horizontal planar surface and the hexagonal receiving cavity  110  at the first end  102 . 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention in accordance with either embodiment, the extension  100  is placed upon a ratchet wrench  10  such that the attachment protuberance  16  is engaged with the receiving cavity  106 . Alternately, the standard sized ⅜ inch square socket  109  removably affixes to a socket  18  selected from a plurality of such units. Each socket  18  includes a recess or cavity  18   a  adapted to receive a specific size nut or bolt head. All sockets  18  include an attachment recess  18   b  of a common size that allows receiving of the attachment protuberance  16  for purposes of providing a rotational driving torque to the nut or bolt head. It is envisioned that wrench slider component can slide adjustably within the receiving cavity  112 . This allows for an wrench socket adapter that can be telescopingly extended or retracted as the need arises. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.