Patent Publication Number: US-2023140562-A1

Title: Socket driver tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/274,756, filed Nov. 2, 2021, titled “SOCKET DRIVER TOOL,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present patent application relates to fastening tools. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fasteners (e.g., hex head fasteners including hex head screws, for example, self-tapping) are commonly used in sheet metal, and metal and plastic part assemblies to secure work pieces together. Often many such fasteners are used at one time. Fasteners (e.g., hex head bolts) are also commonly used with threaded holes, nuts and/or self-locking nuts in assembly work. Also, wood and masonry screws can have hex head configurations. 
     Various tools exist in the prior art for driving these fasteners. 
     Also, because it is common to drive fasteners of different sizes in one project, speeding up the ability to install and remove various different sized fasteners such as hex head fasteners is desirable. Therefore, there is a need for hex sockets of multiple sizes that are interchangeable for use on a drive shaft, and a desire to conveniently and easily store these hex sockets while they are on the tool (e.g., hand or power tool (drill)) and also to store the hex sockets on the drive shaft when they are removed from the tool. 
     Some current double ended detachable socket adapters may be limited by maximum size. The limit is based on the maximum torque the elongated drive shaft can withstand before breaking. Increasing the outer diameter of the socket driver tool system can solve the maximum torque limitation, but the users demand small outer diameter for access reasons. Users may also be likely to lose loose sockets in such double ended detachable socket adapter. 
     Various improvements to the socket drivers or tools are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present patent application provides improvements in the socket drivers or tools. 
     One aspect of the present patent application provides a tool. The tool includes an elongated shaft and socket positioning assembly disposed on the shaft. The elongated shaft has a front end portion and an opposing rear end portion configured to be mounted for rotation by a hand tool or a power tool. The shaft is configured to support at least two sockets, including a first socket and a second socket. Each of the at least two sockets is selectively positionable on the shaft in either a use configuration or in a storage configuration. The socket positioning assembly includes a socket support member and a socket retainer. The socket support member is configured to support the first socket in its use configuration proximate the front end portion of the shaft. The socket retainer is configured to retain at least the second socket in its storage configuration on the shaft. The storage configuration is between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft. The socket retainer is positioned between the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, the second socket is configured to be switched from its storage configuration on the shaft to its use configuration in which the socket support member supports the second socket proximate the front end portion of the shaft. In one embodiment, the first socket is configured to be switched from its use configuration to its storage configuration on the shaft in which the socket retainer retains at least the first socket between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft. 
     In one embodiment, the socket retainer includes a magnet configured to apply magnetic force to retain the second socket, in its storage configuration, on the shaft and between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft. The magnet comprises a ring-shaped magnet. When the second socket is in its parking position and is retained by the magnet, the second socket is not required to maintain maximum torque rating 
     In one embodiment, the socket retainer and the socket support member are disposed at axially separated positions along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In another embodiment, the socket retainer and the socket support member are disposed at axially adjacent positions along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     In one embodiment, each socket includes two different sized fastener driving openings including a first fastener driving opening disposed at a first end portion of the socket and a second fastener driving opening disposed at a second end portion of the socket. Each socket is configured to be reversibly retainable on the front end portion of the shaft with the socket support member supporting the socket such that, in a first use configuration of the socket, the first fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a first fastener when the shaft is rotated, and in a second use configuration of the socket, the second fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a second fastener when the shaft is rotated. 
     In one embodiment, the socket support member comprises a ball coupled to the front end portion of the shaft and configured to be biased radially outward to engage a groove inside one of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, at least the rear end portion and the front end portion of the shaft have hex shaped configurations. In one embodiment, the shaft has an annular groove in the rear end portion. The annular groove is configured for mounting the shaft for rotation by the hand tool or the power tool. 
     In one embodiment, the tool further comprises a magnet coupled to the front end portion of the shaft for magnetizing a fastener to be driven by one of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, the socket support member includes an inner flange and an outer flange, the inner flange and the outer flange have different dimensions for abutting different sized end portions of one of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, the socket is a stored socket that is stored on the shaft and between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft. In one embodiment, the socket retainer has a ball biased radially outward to engage with the stored socket. In another embodiment, the socket retainer has a groove and an O-ring that frictionally engages with the stored socket. 
     In one embodiment, the socket retainer is integrally formed with the shaft. In another embodiment, the socket retainer is configured to be movable relative to the shaft. 
     Another aspect of the present patent application provides a tool assembly. The tool assembly comprises an elongated shaft, a socket positioning assembly disposed on the shaft, a first socket, and a second socket. The elongated shaft has a front end portion and an opposing rear end portion. The rear end portion is configured to be mounted for rotation by a hand tool or a power tool. The socket positioning assembly includes a socket support member proximate the front end portion of the shaft, and a socket retainer between the socket support member and the rear end portion of the shaft. The first socket has a first end portion including a first fastener driving opening, a second end portion, and a first engagement portion disposed on an inner surface of first socket between the first and second end portions of the first socket. The second socket has a third end portion including a third fastener driving opening, a fourth end portion, and a second engagement portion disposed on an inner surface of the second socket between the third and fourth end portions of the second socket. The first socket and the second socket are interchangeably coupleable to the shaft in a use configuration or a storage configuration. In the use configuration, one of the first socket and the second socket is releasably retained on the front end portion of the shaft with the socket support member engaging the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion and the first fastener driving opening or the second fastener driving opening extending axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a fastener when the shaft is rotated. In the storage configuration, the other of the first socket and the second socket is releasably retained on shaft between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft by engagement between the socket retainer and the other of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, the first socket includes a second fastener driving opening at the second end portion of the first socket, the first socket being reversibly retainable on the front end portion of the shaft with the socket support member engaging the first engagement portion, such that in a first use configuration the first fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a first fastener when the shaft is rotated and in a second use configuration, the second fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a second fastener when the shaft is rotated. 
     In one embodiment, the first fastener driving opening and the second fastener driving opening have different sizes. 
     In one embodiment, the second socket includes a fourth fastener driving opening at the fourth end portion of the second socket, the second socket being reversibly retainable on the front end portion of the shaft with the socket support member engaging the second engagement portion, such that in a third use configuration the third fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a third fastener when the shaft is rotated and in a fourth use configuration, the fourth fastener driving opening extends axially forward of the front end portion of the shaft in order to receive and drive a fourth fastener when the shaft is rotated. 
     In one embodiment, at least two of the first fastener driving opening, the second fastener driving opening, the third fastener driving opening, and the fourth fastener driving opening have different sizes. 
     In one embodiment, the first socket includes a shaft opening therethrough, the shaft opening connecting the first fastener driving opening and the second fastener driving opening. The shaft opening is configured to receive a portion of the shaft therein when the first socket is either in its first use configuration or in its second use configuration. The shaft includes a fastener retainer positioned at the front end portion thereof. The fastener retainer includes a magnet that is configured to apply magnetic force to retain the second fastener received in the second fastener driving opening when the first socket is in its second use configuration, and to retain the first fastener received in the first fastener driving opening when the second socket is in the first use configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the socket support member includes an inner flange and an outer flange, the inner flange and the outer flange have different dimensions for abutting different sized end portions of one of the first socket and the second socket. The first fastener is larger in size than the second fastener. When the first socket is in its second use configuration with the outer flange supporting the first end portion of the first socket, the fastener retainer of the shaft is configured and positioned in the second fastener driving opening so as to better accommodate the smaller sized second fastener in the second fastener driving opening. 
     In one embodiment, when the first socket is in its first use configuration with the inner flange supporting the second end portion of the first socket, the fastener retainer of the shaft is configured and positioned in the first fastener driving opening so as to better accommodate the larger sized first fastener in the first fastener driving opening. 
     In one embodiment, the first fastener driving opening is larger in size than the second fastener driving opening. The outer flange is larger in size than the inner flange. 
     In one embodiment, the outer flange and the inner flange of the socket support member are disposed axially adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     In one embodiment, the socket support member comprises a ball coupled to the front end portion of the shaft and configured to be biased radially outward to engage a groove inside one of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, at least the rear end portion and the front end portion of the shaft have hex shaped configurations. 
     In one embodiment, the shaft has an annular groove in the rear end portion. The annular groove is configured for mounting the shaft for rotation by the hand tool or the power tool. 
     In one embodiment, the tool further comprises a magnet coupled to the front end portion of the shaft for magnetizing a fastener to be driven by one of the first socket and the second socket. 
     In one embodiment, one of the first socket and the second socket is a stored socket that is stored on the shaft and between the socket retainer and the rear end portion of the shaft. In one embodiment, the socket retainer has a ball biased radially outward to engage with the stored socket. In another embodiment, the socket retainer has a groove and an O-ring that frictionally engages with the stored socket. 
     In one embodiment, the socket retainer is integrally formed with the shaft. In another embodiment, the socket retainer is configured to be movable relative to the shaft. 
     These and other aspects of the present patent application, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the present patent application, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present patent application. It shall also be appreciated that the features of one embodiment disclosed herein can be used in other embodiments disclosed herein. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  shows an exemplary power tool configured to receive a socket driver tool according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows a partial view of the power tool with the socket driver tool, according to an embodiment of the present patent application, being mounted therein,  FIG.  1 B  also shows a plurality of detachable double-sided/double-ended sockets that are configured to be used with the socket driver tool; 
         FIG.  2    shows the socket driver tool having a socket positioning assembly disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  3    shows a cross-sectional view of the socket driver tool and the socket positioning assembly disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where a socket support member and a socket retainer of the socket positioning assembly are positioned axially adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis of the tool in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  show another view of the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  5    shows a cross-sectional view of the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the socket support member and the socket retainer of the socket positioning assembly are positioned at axially separated positions along the longitudinal axis of the socket driver tool in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B and  5   ; 
         FIG.  5 A  shows a cross-sectional view of a socket according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where portions of the shaft including a lock and a fastener retainer of the shaft are shown in this figure but other portions of the shaft are not shown to better illustrate other portions of the tool; 
         FIG.  6    shows yet another view of the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  7    shows a partial exploded view (e.g., a front portion) of the socket driver tool along with the socket support member of the socket positioning assembly and a working socket according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  8    shows a partial exploded view (e.g., a middle and/or a rear portion) of the socket driver tool along with the socket retainer of the socket positioning assembly and a parking socket according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  9    shows a partial view (e.g., the front portion) of the socket driver tool, where a first end of the working socket is being supported by the socket support member of the socket positioning assembly according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  10    shows a partial cross-sectional view (e.g., the front portion) of the socket driver tool, where the first end of the working socket is being supported by the socket support member of the socket positioning assembly according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  11    shows another partial view (e.g., the front portion) of the socket driver tool, where a second end of the working socket is being supported by the socket support member of the socket positioning assembly according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  12    shows a partial cross-sectional view (e.g., the front portion) of the socket driver tool, where the second end of the working socket is being supported by the socket support member of the socket positioning assembly according to an embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  13    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to another embodiment of the present patent application; 
         FIG.  14    shows a partial view (e.g., the middle and/or the rear portion) of the socket driver tool according to another embodiment of the present patent application, where a spring band/clip assembly is used to retain the parking socket on the socket driver tool in  FIGS.  13 - 14   ; 
         FIG.  15    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to yet another embodiment of the present patent application, where a spring detent assembly is used to retain the parking socket on the socket driver tool; 
         FIG.  16    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to yet another embodiment of the present patent application, where the working socket is in its first use configuration and the parking socket is in its storage configuration; 
         FIG.  17    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the parking socket is in its storage configuration and the working socket is removed from the socket driver tool and is being moved from its first use configuration to its second use configuration; 
         FIG.  18    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the parking socket is in its storage configuration and the working socket is in its second use configuration; 
         FIG.  19    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the working socket and the parking socket are being removed from the socket driver tool; 
         FIG.  20    shows a partial view (e.g., the middle and/or the rear portion) of the socket driver tool according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the spring detent assembly that is used to retain the parking socket on the socket driver tool is shown; 
         FIG.  21    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to an embodiment of the present patent application, where the parking socket in  FIGS.  18  and  19    is being used as the working socket in  FIG.  21    and the working socket in  FIGS.  18  and  19    is being stored as the parking socket on the socket driver tool of  FIG.  21   ; 
         FIG.  22    shows a cross-sectional view of the socket driver tool of  FIG.  21   , where the working socket is in its use configuration and the parking socket is in its storage configuration; 
         FIG.  23    shows the socket driver tool with the socket positioning assembly and the at least two sockets disposed thereon according to another embodiment of the present patent application; and 
         FIGS.  24 - 27    show various views of different exemplary sockets that can are used with the socket driver tool according to an embodiment of the present patent application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, referring to  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  2 - 6   , the present patent application provides a tool, e.g., in the form of a socket driver accessory  10 . The tool  10  comprises an elongated shaft  12  and a socket positioning assembly  14 . The elongated shaft  12  has a front end portion  16  and an opposing rear end portion  18 . The rear end portion  18  is configured to be mounted for rotation by a hand tool (not shown) or a power tool  1000 . In one embodiment, the rear end portion  18  has a circumferential groove  20  for mounting the shaft  12  for rotation by the hand tool or the power tool  1000 . The shaft  12  is configured to support at least two sockets  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  (as shown in  FIG.  1 B ), including a first socket  22  and a second socket  24 . Each of the at least two sockets  22 - 24  are selectively positionable on the shaft  12  in either a use configuration or in a storage configuration. The socket positioning assembly  14  is disposed on the shaft  12 . The socket positioning assembly  14  includes a socket support member  32  that is configured to support the first socket  22  in its use configuration proximate the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 . The socket positioning assembly  14  also includes a socket retainer  34  that is configured to retain at least the second socket  24  in its storage configuration on the shaft  12 . As shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 6   , the storage configuration of the socket  22 ,  24  is between the socket retainer  34  and the rear end portion  18  (or the circumferential groove  20 ) of the shaft  12 . The socket retainer  34  is positioned between the first socket  22  and the second socket  24 . 
     The hand tool is not shown here but the hand tool may generally include a handle for a user to grasp (e.g., that ensures the hand tool does not slip) and a body having an opening configured to receive the shaft  12  therein. A portion of the hand tool body may include a lock configured to releasably engage with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . The lock may include one or more detent balls or pins that are positioned within a hollow, cylinder-shaped hand tool body. The one or more detent balls or pins are spring/resiliently biased into engagement with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . The lock, in another exemplary embodiment, may include a spring biased clip that is spring/resiliently biased into engagement with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . 
       FIG.  1 A  shows an exemplary power tool  1000 , e.g., an impact driver, a drill, or a drill/driver. As a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate, the power tool  1000  may include a housing  1012  having a handle  1018  and a trigger mechanism  1016  for activating the power tool  1000 . The housing  1012  is adapted to receive a battery pack  1020  for use as a cordless power tool. It should be understood that the power tool  1000  can also be pneumatic, hydraulic and corded electrical power tool. The power tool  1000  may be a portable device. 
     In one embodiment, the power tool  1000  may include a motor  1014  and a transmission  1016  disposed in the housing  1012 . The motor  1014  and the transmission  1016  are configured to provide a torque to an output shaft  1013 . In one embodiment, a motor output shaft extends from the motor  1014  to the transmission  1015 , which transmits power from the motor output shaft to the output shaft  1013  and to a tool holder  1026 . The power tool  1000  may also include a gear assembly and the output of the motor  1014  is coupled to the gear assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the power tool  1000  may be an impact driver. For example, the motor  1014  may be configured to drive an impact mechanism  1024  that engages the output shaft/anvil  1013  that extends from the front end of the housing  1012 . The gear assembly is configured to transfer the output of the motor  1014  to a shaft that in turn drives the impact mechanism  1024 . The power tool  1000  is configured to deliver high torque output with minimal exertion by a user, by storing energy in a rotating mass, then delivering it suddenly to the output shaft (e.g., the anvil)  1013 . That is, in operation, a rotating mass is accelerated by the motor  1014 , storing energy, then suddenly connected to the output shaft (e.g., the anvil)  1013 , creating a high-torque impact. 
     The output shaft  1013  of the power tool  1000  is proximate a front end of the housing  1012  and is coupled/connected to the tool holder  1026  for holding a power tool accessory, e.g., tool bit or the elongated shaft  12  of the present patent application. That is, the chuck assembly or tool/bit holder  1026  is provided to connect the elongated shaft  12  to the power tool  1000  or the hand tool. The output shaft  1013  of the power tool  1000  is configured to rotationally drive the tool holder  1026  that is configured to receive the elongated shaft  12  therein. In other words, the chuck assembly or tool/bit holder  1026  may be attachable to the power tool  1000  or the hand tool to be driven for rotation about an axis (e.g., see  1022  in  FIG.  1 A ). The tool holder  1026  may be a keyless chuck, although it should be understood that the tool holder  1026  can have other tool holder configurations such as a quick release tool holder, a hex tool holder, or a keyed tool holder/chuck. The tool holder  1026  may be interchangeably referred to as an end effector, a chuck, etc. An exemplary bit holder  1026  for the power tool  1000  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,401, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The chuck assembly or tool/bit holder  1026  is configured to removably receive the elongated shaft  12  of the tool  10  of the present patent application. The chuck assembly or tool/bit holder  1026  may include a lock configured to engage with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . The lock may include one or more detent balls or pins that are positioned within a hollow, cylinder-shaped body and are spring/resiliently biased into engagement with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . The lock, in another exemplary embodiment, may include a spring biased clip that is spring/resiliently biased into engagement with the circumferential groove  20  on the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . 
     A person of ordinary skill in in the art will understand that several of the components of the power tool  1000  are conventional in nature and therefore need not be discussed in significant detail in the present patent application. 
     In one embodiment, the present patent application provides a double-ended detachable socket adapter system  10  with on tool storage. For example, the present patent application provides a socket driver extension having the hex shaft  12  with the front end portion  16  with a radial spring biased ball  48  and a fixed magnet  38 , the rear end portion  18  with the annular groove  20 , and an intermediate portion with the collar  14  fixed to the hex shaft  12 . The collar  14  has a front end with an outer flange  72  and an inner flange  76  and a rear end with a ring magnet  66 . The hex shaft  12  can carry two double ended sockets  22 ,  24 . The working socket  22  that is in use is carried on the front end  18  of the hex shaft  12  with the spring biased ball  48  engaging an internal groove or recess inside the socket  22  and the rear end of the socket  22  abutting either the inner flange  72  or the outer flange  76  on the collar  14 . In one embodiment, the inner and outer flange  72  and  76  of the socket support member  32  includes with different depths for abutting different diameter socket ends. The tool  10  allows for an additional socket to be installed onto the shank  12  between the socket retainer  34  (or the flange) and the circumferential groove  20 . The second socket  24  that is not in use is carried behind the collar  14  and is held in place by the ring magnet  66  on the rear of the collar  14 . The embodiment with the ring magnet  66  (as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5 ,  6  and  8   ) shows a method of including a park position for the socket that does not reduce cross sectional area of the tool and therefore provide a tool with maximum torque (no reduction in torque compared with one-piece drivers) with the smallest outer diameter. In one embodiment, with the ring magnet embodiment, the second socket in its parking position is not required to maintain maximum torque rating. In one embodiment, the front/working socket  22  is configured to work with a ball and spring arrangement and, because of this, the front/working socket bridges across the weak region of the shaft. 
     In one embodiment, the elongated shaft  12  is a socket driver extension or a socket driver tool. The elongated shaft  12  may interchangeably referred to as a shank. The shaft  12  has a hexagonal shaped configuration. The shaft  12  may have other polygonal shaped configuration. The shaft  12  has the front end portion  16  and the opposing rear end portion  18 . The front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  may be referred to as socket mounting end. The front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  includes a fastener retainer receiving portion  36  that is configured to receive a fastener retainer  38 . The fastener retainer  38  includes a magnet member  38  that is configured to apply magnetic force to retain a fastener (e.g., hex head fasteners including (self-tapping) hex head screws, hex head bolts, etc.) received in a fastener receiving opening  58  when the socket  22  is in its use configuration (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  5   ). 
     The front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  also includes a lock  42  that is configured to engage with a lock engagement portion  44  (as shown in  FIG.  5   ) disposed on an inner surface  46  of the socket  22  so as to selectively releasably connect the socket  22  to the shaft  12  in either a first use configuration or a second use configuration. Each socket generally includes the first use configuration and the second use configuration as will be described in detail in the discussions below. 
     In one embodiment, the lock  42  of the shaft  12  includes a lock member  48  (e.g., lock ball  48  or lock pin) that is positioned within a hollow, cylinder-shaped lock receiving portion  50  in the shaft  12  and is biased by a spring  52 . That is, the lock member  48  is spring/resiliently biased into engagement with the lock engagement portion  44  (as shown in  FIG.  5   ) disposed on the inner surface  46  of the socket  22  so as to selectively releasably connect the socket  22  to the shaft  12  in either the first use configuration or the second use configuration. In one embodiment, the lock member/ball  48  is trapped via staking. 
     The rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12  may be referred to as (e.g., hand or power) tool mounting end. The rear end portion  18  has the circumferential groove  20  for mounting the shaft  12  for rotation by the hand tool or the power tool  1000 . The circumferential groove  20  may be interchangeably referred to as annular groove. The circumferential groove  20  has a predetermined size/radius so as to be able to capture the lock (e.g., in an extended position where the lock protrudes beyond an inner surface) of the power tool or the hand tool. 
     In one embodiment, as shown and explained in detail with respect to  FIGS.  15 - 23   , the shaft  12  may also include an intermediate portion that has a cylindrical shaped configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the shaft  12  is a ¼ inch hex shank. The shaft  12  may have various lengths depending on the particular use. In one embodiment, the shaft  12  has a length of 6 inches (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  21   ). In another embodiment, the shaft has a length of 12 inches (e.g., as shown in  FIG.  23   ). In one embodiment, a portion (e.g., 26.05 mm) of the shank  12  is exposed on the rear end portion  18  of the shank  12  to lock the shank  12  in the impact driver/drill driver/hand tool. 
     The shaft  12  may be made from conventional durable and sturdy material such as stainless steel, tool steel or tool alloys such as chrome vanadium, which does not rust. The shaft  12  may be fabricated by a wide variety of conventional metal working techniques, including but not limited to extruding, machining, casting, forging, welding and combinations of these techniques. 
     The shaft  12  may include a stamped feature  49  (as shown in  FIG.  7   ) that is configured to engage with the socket support member  32  to position the socket support member  32  on the shaft  12 . In one embodiment, the shaft  12  may include a stamped feature configured to engage with the socket retainer  34  to position the socket retainer  34  on the shaft  12 . 
     Each of the sockets  22 - 30 , shown in  FIGS.  1 B and  24 - 27   , is a double-ended socket that is configured to provide different sized fastener receiving openings at its ends. As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the shaft  12  is configured to support any of these exemplary sockets, including but not limited to, the socket  22  with 7/16 inch and 9/16 inch fastener receiving openings, the socket  24  with ⅜ inch and 5/16 inch fastener receiving openings, the socket  26  with 7 millimeter (mm) and 8 mm fastener receiving openings, the socket  28  with 10 mm and 8 mm fastener receiving openings, and the socket  30  with 10 mm and 13 mm fastener receiving openings. Each of the  FIGS.  24 - 27    show different views of the sockets that are configured to be supported on the shaft  12 . For example,  FIG.  24    shows different views of the socket  24  with ⅜ inch and 5/16 inch fastener receiving openings.  FIG.  25    shows different views of the socket  26  with 7 mm and 8 mm fastener receiving openings.  FIG.  26    shows different views of the socket  28  with 10 mm and 8 mm fastener receiving openings.  FIG.  27    shows different views of the socket  30  with 10 mm and 13 mm fastener receiving openings. These sockets are just a few exemplary sockets that are configured to be supported by the shaft  12 . The shaft  12  is also configured to support other sockets that are not specifically discussed in this present patent application. 
     Although each of the sockets  22 - 30 , shown in  FIGS.  1 B and  24 - 27   , is dimensionally different from the other sockets, each of the sockets  22 - 30  is both materially and structurally similar to the other sockets. Therefore, the material properties and the structural configuration of only one socket (e.g., socket  22 ) is described in detail here. 
     The socket  22  may be made of alloy steel material. The socket  22  may be made of AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute)  6150  (e.g., annealed hot rolled (HR)) alloy steel material, which is a fine grained, highly abrasion resistant carbon-chromium alloy steel. The socket  22  may be made of 50CrVA structural steel and alloy steel material. The socket  22  may have a black phosphate manganese finish. The socket  22  may be hardened and tempered. The socket  22  may be made in accordance with a process specification of PS1000. The socket  22  may be made in accordance with an engineering specification of ES100118. The socket  22  may have hardness of Rockwell C scale of 50-54 HRC. The socket  22  may be configured to withstand a minimum torque of 70 feet-pounds. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , the socket  22  has a first end  54  and a second end  56 . The first end  54  of the socket  22  has a first fastener driving opening  58 . The second end  56  of the socket  22  has a second fastener driving opening  60 . 
     The socket  22  may generally include a first diameter portion with a first end and a second end and a second diameter portion with a first end and a second end. The second diameter portion is adjacent to the first diameter portion such that the second end of the first diameter portion is adjacent to the first end of the second diameter portion. The first fastener driving opening  58  is at the first end of the first diameter portion and the second fastener driving opening  60  is at the second end of the second diameter portion. The socket  22  may include an intermediate transition portion disposed between the first diameter portion and the second diameter portion. 
     The first fastener driving opening  58  and the second fastener driving opening  60  of the socket  22  have different sizes. In one embodiment, the first fastener driving opening is smaller in size than the second fastener driving opening. In another embodiment, the first fastener driving opening is larger in size than the second fastener driving opening. The first fastener driving opening and the second fastener driving opening are hex shaped openings. The first fastener driving opening and the second fastener driving opening may have other polygon shaped openings. In one embodiment, the fastener receiving openings  58 ,  60  of the socket  22  are 7/16 inch and 9/16 inch. In another embodiment, the fastener receiving openings  58 ,  60  of the socket  22  are ⅜ inch and 5/16 inch. In yet another embodiment, the fastener receiving openings  58 ,  60  of the socket  22  are 7 mm and 8 mm. In yet another embodiment, the fastener receiving openings  58 ,  60  of the socket  22  are 8 mm and 10 mm. In yet another embodiment, the fastener receiving openings  58 ,  60  of the socket  22  are 10 mm and 13 mm. 
     The socket  22  also includes a shaft opening  62  therethrough. The shaft opening  62  connects the first fastener driving opening  58  and the second fastener driving opening  60 . The shaft opening  60  is configured to receive a shaft portion  64  (as shown in  FIGS.  10  and  12   ) of the shaft  12  therein when the socket  22  is either in its first use configuration (as shown in  FIG.  10   ) or in its second use configuration (as shown in  FIG.  12   ). In one embodiment, the lock  42  of the shaft  12  is positioned in the shaft portion  64  of the shaft  12 . As discussed in detail in the discussions above, the lock  42  of the shaft  12  is configured to engage with the lock engagement portion  44  (as shown in  FIG.  5   ) disposed on the inner surface  46  of the socket  22  so as to selectively releasably connect the socket  22  to the shaft  12  in either the first use configuration or the second use configuration. The inner surface  46  of the socket  22  is shaped and configured to engage/surround an outer surface of the shaft portion  64  of the shaft  12 . The lock engagement portion  44 , disposed on the inner surface  46  of the socket  22 , may be a (e.g., circumferential or annular) groove or channel that is configured to axially lock the lock member  48  of the shaft  12 . 
     The socket  22  is configured to be selectively positionable on the shaft  12  in either a use configuration or in a storage configuration. The socket  22  includes at least one use configuration. The socket  22  includes two use configurations. For example, the (working) socket  22 , connected at the front portion  16 , can be removed from the tool, flipped and connected back to the tool at the front portion as explained below in detail in the discussions below with respect to  FIG.  16 - 23   . Thus, the tool has two use configurations for the socket  22  (i.e., at one use position, that is, at the front portion  16  on the shaft  12 ). The socket  22  is configured to be releasably positionable at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 . The socket  22  is configured to be movable between a first use configuration (see  FIGS.  9  and  10   ) in which the first fastener driving opening  58  is positioned to receive a first fastener and a second use configuration (see  FIGS.  11  and  12   ) in which the second fastener driving opening  60  is positioned to receive a second fastener. The first fastener driving opening  58  and the first fastener have same shape and configurations. The second fastener driving opening  60  and the second fastener have same shape and configurations. The first fastener and the second fastener have different sizes. The first fastener and the second fastener are hex or other polygon shaped fasteners. In one embodiment, the first fastener is smaller in size than the second fastener. In another embodiment, the first fastener is larger in size than the second fastener. 
     The socket  22  also includes at least one storage configuration on the shaft  12  and between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 . For example, the (parking) socket  22  can be removed from the tool, flipped and connected back to the tool (i.e., disposed between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 ) as explained below in detail in the discussions below with respect to  FIG.  16 - 23   . Thus, the tool has two storage configurations for the (parking) socket  22  (i.e., at the one storage position on the shaft  12  that is disposed between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 ). The socket  22  includes two storage configurations. The socket  22  is configured to be releasably positionable on the shaft  12  and movable between a first storage configuration in which the first fastener driving opening  58  is positioned adjacent to the socket retainer  34  and a second storage configuration the second fastener driving opening  60  is positioned adjacent to the socket retainer  34 . In one embodiment, the storage configuration in which the smaller of the fastener receiving openings is positioned adjacent to the socket retainer  34  is used because a magnet member  66  of the socket retainer  34  can apply more magnetic force on the smaller sized end of the socket  22  (i.e., having the smaller fastener receiving opening). The storage configurations are between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12 . 
     At the second end  56 , the socket  22  includes a transversely extending surface  82  that surround the second fastener driving opening  60  and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . This transversely extending surface  82  is supported by or is abutting a surface  78  of an inner flange  76  of the socket support member  32  when the first socket  22  in its first use configuration as shown in and discussed in detail below with respect to  FIGS.  9  and  10   . 
     At the first end  54 , the socket  22  includes a transversely extending surface  84  that surround the first fastener driving opening  58  and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . This transversely extending surface  84  is supported by or is abutting a surface  80  of an outer flange  72  of the socket support member  32  when the first socket  22  in its second use configuration as shown in and discussed in detail below with respect to  FIGS.  11  and  12   . 
     The shaft  12  is configured to support at least two sockets  22 - 30  (as shown in  FIG.  1 B ), including the first socket  22  and the second socket  24 . In one embodiment, the shaft  12  is configured to support two sockets thereon. That is, the shaft  12  is configured to support the first socket  22 , in its use configuration, at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  and to support the second socket  24 , in its storage configuration, on the shaft  12  between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 . In another embodiment, the shaft  12  is configured to support three sockets thereon. That is, the shaft  12  is configured to support the first socket  22 , in its use configuration, at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  and to support the second socket  24  and a third socket  26 , in their storage configurations, on the shaft  12  between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 . In yet another embodiment, the shaft  12  is configured to support four sockets thereon. That is, the shaft  12  is configured to support the first socket  22 , in its use configuration, at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  and to support the second socket  24 , the third socket  26  and a fourth socket  28 , in their storage configurations, on the shaft  12  between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 . 
     The socket  22  that is supported in the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  may be interchangeably referred to as the working socket. As will be explained in detail in the discussions below, the (working) socket  22  supported in the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  includes a first use configuration and a second use configuration. The sockets  24 ,  26 , or  28  supported in their storage configurations on the shaft  12  and between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  may be interchangeably referred to as the parking socket(s). That is, the socket may be referred to as the working socket when it is supported in the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  and the same socket may be referred to as the parking socket when disposed in the intermediate/rear portion of the shaft and retained between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the socket retainer  34  is configured to retain only the first (i.e., positioned adjacent to the socket retainer  34 ) of the at least two parking sockets, in its storage configuration on the shaft  12 , where the storage configuration being between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12 . In such an embodiment, the rest of the at least two parking sockets are retained in their storage configurations on the shaft  12  in an internesting stacking relationship with the adjacent parking sockets. In one embodiment, the socket retainer  34  is configured to retain all of the at least two parking sockets, in their storage configurations on the shaft  12 , where the storage configurations are between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12 . 
     The socket  22  may include a magnet (not shown) therein that is configured to retain the socket  22  on the shaft  12  when the socket  22  is in its parking position. The magnet may be a ring magnet. The magnet may be a circumferential or annular magnet member. The magnet is configured to apply magnetic force to retain the socket  22  on the shaft  12  when the socket  22  is in its parking position. The magnet of the socket  22  is configured to work independently and/or in combination with the magnet/retainer of the socket retainer  34  to retain the socket  22  on the shaft  12 . For example, the first (i.e., positioned adjacent to the socket retainer  34 ) of the at least two parking sockets, in its storage configuration on the shaft  12 , is retained between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12  by both the magnetic force of the magnet of the socket  22  and the force applied by the magnet/retainer of the socket retainer  34 . The rest of the at least two parking sockets are retained in their storage configurations on the shaft  12  between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12  by the magnetic forces of each of the rest of the at least two parking sockets. 
     The magnet of the socket  22  may also be configured to retain the socket  22  on the shaft  12  when the socket  22  is in its use configuration. The magnet of the socket  22  is configured to work independently and/or in combination with the lock  42  of the shaft  12  to selectively releasably connect the socket  22  to the shaft  12  in either the first use configuration or the second use configuration. 
     The tool  10  includes the socket positioning assembly  14  disposed on the shaft  12 . The socket positioning assembly  14  includes the socket support member  32  that is configured to support the first socket  22  in its use configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B ) at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 , and the socket retainer  34  that is configured to retain at least the second socket  24  in its storage configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B ) on the shaft  12 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B, and  5   , the socket retainer  34  and the socket support member  32  are disposed at axially separated positions along a longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . This may be the configuration for longer lengths of the shaft  12 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 3   , the socket retainer  34  and the socket support member  32  are disposed at axially adjacent positions along the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . This may be the configuration for shorter lengths of the shaft  12 . 
     The socket support member  32  may be fixedly disposed on the shaft  12 . The socket support member  32  may be removably disposed on the shaft  12  so it can be moved to different locations/positions on the shaft  12  (e.g., to position the socket support member  32  on the shaft  12  at a new location/position) as desired. The socket support member  32  may include a stamped feature receiving portion on an inner surface thereof. The stamped feature receiving portion is configured to receive or engage with the stamped feature  49  (see  FIG.  7   ) on the shaft  12  to position the socket support member  32  on the shaft  12 . In another embodiment, the socket support member  32  is disposed on the shaft  12  using a fastener (e.g., a headless screw). This embodiment allows the socket support member  32  to be slideable on the shaft  12  and be fixed at a desired location. In yet another embodiment, the socket support member  32  may be glued/adhesively connected to the shaft  12 . The socket support member  32  may interchangeably be referred to as a collar. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the socket support member  32  may generally include a first diameter portion  70  with a first end and a second end, a second diameter portion  72  with a first end and a second end and an intermediate/transition portion  74  positioned between the second diameter portion and the first diameter portion. The intermediate/transition portion  74  connects a second end of the first diameter portion  70  to a first end of the second diameter portion  72 . The second diameter portion  72  is larger in size than the first diameter portion  70 . The second diameter portion  72  may interchangeably be referred to as an outer flange  72  or a first support portion  72 . 
     The socket support member  32  may also include a third diameter portion  76  that is positioned adjacent to the second diameter portion  72  such that a first end of the third diameter portion  76  is adjacent to a second end of the second diameter portion  72 . The third diameter portion  76  is of the same size as the first diameter portion  70 . The third diameter portion  76  may be interchangeably referred to as an inner flange  76  or a second support portion  76 . 
     The first support portion/outer flange  72  and the second support portion/inner flange  76  have different sizes. The first support portion/outer flange  72  is larger in size than the second support portion/inner flange  76 . The first support portion/outer flange  72  and the second support portion/inner flange  76  are disposed axially adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . 
     The socket support member  32  includes a shaft opening therethrough and extending through the intermediate/transition portion, the third diameter portion, the second diameter portion and the first diameter portion. The shaft opening is configured to receive a portion of the shaft  12  therein. The stamped feature  49  (see  FIG.  7   ) of the shaft  12  is positioned in this portion of the shaft  12 . The stamped feature  49  of the shaft  12  is configured to engage with or be received in the corresponding stamped feature receiving portion on the inner surface of the socket support member  32  so as to position the socket support member  32  to the shaft  12 . 
     The inner flange  76  and the outer flange  72 , each include surfaces  78 ,  80  that are configured to support the first socket  22  in its use configurations at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 . For example, these surfaces of the inner flange  76  and the outer flange  72  are transversely extending surfaces that surround their associated shaft openings and are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 - 10   , the socket support member  32  is configured to support the first socket  22  in its first use configuration in which the first fastener driving opening  58  is positioned to receive the first fastener. That is, when the socket  22  is in its first use configuration, the second support portion/inner flange  76  is configured to support the second end  56  of the socket  22 . The surface  78  of the inner flange  76  of the socket support member  32  is configured to support the first socket  22  in its first use configuration. The transversely extending surface  82  at the second end  56  of the socket  22  is supported by or is abutting the surface  78  of the inner flange  76  when the first socket  22  in its first use configuration. 
     The first fastener driving opening  58  is larger in size than the second fastener driving opening  60  in  FIGS.  9 - 12   . The first fastener is larger in size than the second fastener in  FIGS.  9 - 12   . 
     When the socket  22  is in its first use configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  9 - 10   ) with the second support portion/inner flange  76  supporting the second end  56  of the socket  22 , the fastener retainer  38  of the shaft  12  is configured and positioned in the first fastener driving opening  58  so as to better accommodate the smaller first fastener in the first fastener driving opening  58 . Also, when the socket  22  is in its first use configuration with the second support portion/inner flange  76  supporting the second end  56  of the socket  22 , the fastener retainer  38  of the shaft  12  is also configured to apply (e.g., magnetic) force to retain the first fastener received in the first fastener driving opening  58 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 - 12   , the socket support member  32  is configured to support the first socket  22  in its second use configuration in which the second fastener driving opening  60  is positioned to receive the second fastener. That is, when the socket  22  is in its second use configuration, the first support portion/outer flange  72  is configured to support the first end  54  of the socket  22 . The surface  80  of the outer flange  72  of the socket support member  32  is configured to support the first socket  22  in its second use configuration. The transversely extending surface  84  at the first end  54  of the socket  22  is supported by or is abutting the surface  80  of the outer flange  72  when the first socket  22  in its second use configuration. 
     When the socket  22  is in its second use configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  11 - 12   ) with the first support portion/outer flange  72  supporting the first end  54  of the socket  22 , the fastener retainer  38  of the shaft  12  is configured and positioned in the second fastener driving opening  60  so as to better accommodate the smaller second fastener in the second fastener driving opening  60 . Also, when the socket  22  is in its second use configuration with the first support portion/outer flange  72  supporting the first end  54  of the socket  22 , the fastener retainer  38  of the shaft  12  is also configured to apply (e.g., magnetic) force to retain the second fastener received in the second fastener driving opening  60 . 
     The inner flange  76  and the outer flange are configured to maintain the position of the socket  22  with respect to socket support member  32  when the socket  22  is either in its first use configuration or in its second use configuration. One of the reasons for the inner flange  72  and outer flange  76  is to allow larger diameter sockets  58  to sit further rearward on the shaft  12  and abut the outer flange  76  while smaller diameter sockets  60  sit further forward on the shaft  12  and abut the inner flange  72  (as can be seen comparing d 1  in  FIG.  10    with d 2  in  FIG.  12   ). The tool  10  of the present patent application allows for expansion of sizes by incorporating a stepped flange (e.g., inner flange  72  and other flange  76  of the socket support member  32 ) onto the working end of the socket adapter to properly support the larger sockets. One of the benefits from adding step to the flange is to properly calibrate the distance from the magnet  38  to the fastener head that typically varies by size. 
     The socket retainer  34  is configured to retain at least the second socket  24  in its storage configuration on the shaft  12 . The socket retainer  34  is positioned between the first socket  22  and the second socket  24 . In one embodiment, the socket retainer  34  is integrally formed with the shaft  12 . In another embodiment, the socket retainer is movable relative to the shaft  12 . 
     The socket retainer  34  may be fixedly disposed on the shaft  12 . The socket retainer  34  may be removably disposed on the shaft  12  so it can be moved to different locations/positions on the shaft  12  (e.g., to position the socket retainer  34  on the shaft  12  at a new location/position) as desired. In one embodiment, the socket retainer  34  is disposed on the shaft  12  using a fastener  86  (e.g., a headless screw  86  is shown in  FIG.  8   ). This embodiment allows the socket retainer  34  to be slideable on the shaft  12  and be fixed at a desired location. For example, the socket retainer  34  may be moved closer to the socket support member  32  (at or near the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 ) so as to provide more space for parking/storing additional sockets between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  at the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . In another embodiment, the socket retainer  34  may be glued/adhesively connected to the shaft  12 . In yet another embodiment, the socket retainer  34  may include a stamped feature receiving portion on an inner surface thereof. The stamped feature receiving portion is configured to receive or engage a stamped feature on the shaft  12  to position the socket retainer  34  on the shaft  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the socket retainer  34  may generally include a first diameter portion  88  with a first end and a second end, a second diameter portion  90  with a first end and a second end and an intermediate/transition portion  92  positioned between the second diameter portion and the first diameter portion. The intermediate/transition portion  92  connects a second end of the first diameter portion  88  to a first end of the second diameter portion  90 . The second diameter portion  90  is larger in size than the first diameter portion  88 . The second diameter portion  90  is positioned closer to the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  20  than the first diameter portion  88 . 
     The second diameter portion  90  includes a retainer receiving portion therein that is configured to receive the retainer  66 . In one embodiment, the retainer  66  may be a magnet member  66  that is configured to apply magnetic force to retain the second socket  24 , in its storage configuration, on the shaft  12  and in between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12 . The magnet member  66  is a ring or an annular magnet. The magnet member/retainer  66  of the socket retainer  34  includes a shaft opening therethrough. The shaft opening is configured to receive a portion of the shaft  12  therein. 
     The socket retainer  34  includes a shaft opening therethrough and extending through the intermediate/transition portion, the second diameter portion and the first diameter portion of the socket retainer  34 . The shaft opening is configured to receive a portion of the shaft  12  therein. The stamped feature of the shaft  12  may be positioned in this portion of the shaft  12 . The stamped feature of the shaft  12  may be configured to engage with or be received in the corresponding stamped feature receiving portion on the inner surface of the socket retainer  34  so as to position the socket retainer  34  to the shaft  12 . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  13 - 14   , the socket retainer  34  may include a spring biased lock  96  instead of a magnetic retainer  66 . The spring biased lock  96  may be a spring band  96  that is received in a groove  98  of the shaft  12  near an intermediate portion of the shaft  12 . The spring band  96  is configured to resiliently biased into engagement with the inner surface of the second socket  24  to retain the second socket  24  on the shaft  12 . The spring biased lock  96  may serve as the socket retainer  34 . 
     In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 23   , the socket retainer  34  may include another spring biased lock  94  instead of a magnetic retainer  66 . The construction and operation of this lock  94  is similar to the lock  42 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  22   , the spring biased lock  94  may include one or more detent balls or pins  94  that are positioned within a hollow, cylinder-shaped body and are resiliently biased (by a spring) into engagement with the inner surface of the second socket  24  to retain the second socket  24  on the shaft  12 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  19   , the spring biased lock  94  may be used in combination with a chamfered rim  93  to retain the second socket  24  on the shaft  12 . The spring biased lock  94  may serve as the socket retainer  34 . The spring biased lock  94  and the chamfered rim  93  together may serve as the socket retainer  34 . 
     In one embodiment, portions of the inner surface of the socket that engage with the spring biased lock  94  or  96  (to retain the socket is in its storage configuration) are the same as the portions of the inner surface of the socket that engage with the lock  42  at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  (to retain the socket is in its user position). That is, the same portions of the inner surface of the socket are used with the rear lock  94  or  96  to retain the socket is in its storage configuration on the shaft  12  and used with the front lock  42  to retain the socket is in its use configuration on the shaft  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the tool  10  may have two socket retainers  34 , for example, a first/front socket retainer adjacent to the socket support member  32  at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  and a second/rear socket retainer adjacent to the circumferential groove  20 . The parking sockets being placed between and retained by the front socket retainer and the rear socket retainer. The magnets of the front socket retainer and the rear socket retainer may be facing each other and may be facing the parking sockets so as to retain the parking sockets therebetween. 
     The different diameter portions of the socket retainer  34  and the socket support member  32  are configured to remove the excess material (where the material is not needed) so as to reduce the overall weight of the socket positioning assembly  14  including the socket retainer  34  and the socket support member  32 . 
     The socket  22  or  24  is a stored socket that is stored on the shaft  12  and between the socket retainer  34  and the rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  15 ,  19  and  22   , the socket retainer  34  has a ball  94  biased radially outward to engage with the stored socket  22  or  24 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  13   , the socket retainer  34  has a groove  98  and an O-ring  98  that frictionally engages with the stored socket  22  or  24 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  16 - 23   , the present patent application provides another 4-in-1 hex socket holder extension  10  that comprises the elongated shaft  12  with the front end portion  16  and the rear end portion  18 . In this embodiment, the elongated shaft  12  includes a cylindrical intermediate portion  19  disposed between the front end portion  16  and the rear end portion  18 . In one embodiment, the rear end portion  18  includes the hex shank  12  with the annular or circumferential groove  20  that always has at least 26 mm of length exposed to couple to a drill or impact driver  1000 . The rear hex shank  18  extends further toward the front where it abuts the cylindrical intermediate section  19  at a chamfered rim  93  (as shown in  FIG.  19   ). The front end portion  16  has a hex shaped cross section and abuts the cylindrical intermediate section  19  at a flange  95  (as shown in  FIG.  19   ). In one embodiment, the flange  95  may be interchangeably referred to as the socket support member  32  of the socket positioning assembly  14 . The hex shaped portion of the front end portion  16  has the radial spring-loaded ball  48 . The hex shaped portion of the rear end portion  18  has a radial spring-loaded ball  94  (as shown in  FIG.  19   ). In one embodiment, the chamfered rim  93  and the radial spring-loaded ball  94  may together be interchangeably referred to as the socket retainer  34  of the socket positioning assembly  14 . 
     The operation or use of the 4-in-1 hex socket holder extension  10  is shown and explained with respect to  FIGS.  16 - 23   . The same operation is equally applicable for other embodiments of the 4-in-1 hex socket holder extension  10  shown in other figures of the present patent application. 
     For example,  FIG.  16    shows the socket driver tool  10  with the socket positioning assembly  14  and the at least two sockets  22 ,  24  disposed thereon, where the working socket  22  is in its first use configuration and the parking socket  24  is in its storage configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG.  16   , the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12  carries a first double ended socket  22  (i.e., a socket with two different sized ends). In one embodiment, the first socket  22  is supported on the shaft  12  by the socket support member  32  of the socket positioning assembly  14 . In another embodiment, the first socket  22  may abut the flange  95  that serves as the socket support member  32  of the socket positioning assembly  14 . The first socket  22  is retained on the front end portion  16  by the lock  42  (or by the spring-loaded ball  48  of  FIG.  19   ). When installed on the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 , the first socket  22  is configured to use its first end  54  to receive a first fastener. 
       FIG.  17    shows the parking socket  24  is in its storage configuration and the working socket  22  is removed from the socket driver tool  10  and is being moved from its first use configuration to its second use configuration. The first socket  22  can be removed from the shaft  12 . For example, the first socket  22  can simply be pulled away (along the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft and in the direction of the arrow P) from the shaft  12 . This pulling movement overcomes the spring bias of the lock  42  and facilitates the removal of the first socket  22  from the shaft  12 . The first socket  22  can then be flipped in an opposite direction (i.e., in the direction of the arrow F). The first socket  22  is flipped such that the first end  54  of the first socket  22  is now facing towards from the shaft  12  and the second end  56  of the first socket  22  is now away from the shaft  12 . 
     The first socket  22  can be reinstalled on the front end portion  16  to use the other end  56  of the socket  22  to receive a second fastener. The first socket  22  can be reinstalled on the shaft  12  by simply pushing the first socket  22  (along the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft and in the direction opposite to the arrow P) toward the shaft  12 . This pushing movement automatically locks the first socket  22  on the shaft  12  using the spring biased lock  42 .  FIG.  18    shows the parking socket  24  is in its storage configuration and the working socket  22  is in its second use configuration. 
     Thus, the first socket  22  can be very easily moved between the first use configuration as shown in  FIG.  16    in which the first fastener driving opening at the first end  54  is configured and receive the first fastener to the second use configuration as shown in  FIG.  18    in which the second fastener driving opening at the second end  56  is configured to receive a second fastener. 
     The rear end portion  18  of the shaft  12  carries a second double ended socket  24 .  FIG.  20    shows the spring detent assembly that is used to retain the parking socket  24  on the socket driver tool  10 . In one embodiment, the second double ended socket  24  is retained by the socket retainer  34  (with the retainer/magnet  66 ) of the socket positioning assembly. In another embodiment, the second double ended socket  24  abuts the chamfered rim  93  and is retained by the spring biased ball  94  on the rear end portion  18 . The second socket  24  is retained far enough toward the front end so that the shank  12  can still be coupled to the tool/bit holder  26  of the drill or impact driver  1000  while the second socket  24  is installed. 
     In addition, the first and second sockets  22 ,  24  can be interchanged (with the first socket  22  on the rear end portion  18  and the second socket  24  on the front end portion  16 ).  FIG.  19    shows the working socket  22  and the parking socket  24  are being removed from the socket driver tool  10 . As shown in  FIG.  19   , the first and second sockets  22 ,  24  can simply be pulled away (along the longitudinal axis L-L of the shaft and in the direction of the arrows P and Q, respectively) from the shaft  12 . The pulling movement of the first socket  22  overcomes the spring bias of the lock  42  at the front end portion  16  and facilitates the removal of the first socket  22  from the shaft  12 . The pulling movement of the second socket  24  overcomes the spring bias of the spring-loaded ball  94  at the rear end portion  18  or overcomes the magnetic force of the socket retainer  34  and facilitates the removal of the second socket  24  from the shaft  12 . The second socket  24  is configured to be switched from its storage configuration on the shaft  12  to its use configuration in which the socket support member  32  supports the second socket  24  at the front end portion  16  of the shaft  12 . At the same time, the first socket  22  is configured to be switched from its use configuration to its storage configuration on the shaft  12  in which the socket retainer  34  retains the first socket  22  between the socket retainer  34  and the circumferential groove  20  of the shaft  12 . 
     Comparing the  FIGS.  18 - 19    with  FIG.  21    shows that the parking socket  24  in  FIGS.  18  and  19    is being used as the working socket  22  in  FIG.  21    and the working socket  22  in  FIGS.  18  and  19    is being stored as the parking socket  24  on the socket driver tool of  FIG.  21   .  FIG.  22    shows a cross-sectional view of the socket driver tool, where the working socket  22  is retained/locked in its use configuration by the lock  42  and the parking socket  24  is retained/locked in its storage configuration by the lock  94 . In this embodiment, both the working socket  22  is retained/locked in its use configuration and the parking socket  24  is retained/locked in its storage configuration by the spring biased locks. 
     Also, when coupled to the front end portion  16 , the second socket  22  can also be flipped to use both ends of the socket  22 . Thus, the socket holder extension enables the storage and use of 4 different sizes of sockets. The socket holder extension of the present patent application is also very easy to use as the sockets are removed by simply pulling them away from the shaft  12 . The sockets are then either flipped or interchanged with other sockets to reinstall and use the desired socket size. 
     Although the present patent application has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the present patent application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, it is to be understood that the present patent application contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.