Patent Publication Number: US-10759027-B2

Title: Socket and bit retention

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/782,991, SOCKET AND BIT RETENTION, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to tools for driving fasteners, and in particular to adapters for tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of wrenches and tools are commonly used to apply torque to a workpiece, such as a threaded fastener. In some situations, these tools may also apply an impact force to fasteners that may be difficult or require large amounts of torque to install or remove. 
     The workpiece may have any number of different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, many tools include a driver which mates with any of a number of different adapters, such as sockets and bits, to engage and rotate the different-sized workpieces. The bit and socket are typically secured together in a rigid fashion. In one example, the bit is secured to the socket through the use of a roll pin. In another example, the bit is dimpled and the bit is pressed into the socket. However, these modes of securement can cause the bit to wear, and even cause the securing portion to loosen or break, thus causing failure of the bit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses adapters including a bit and a socket. In an embodiment, the socket is adapted to be removably coupled to a tool, such as, for example, an impact wrench. In an embodiment, the bit includes a detention portion in the form of a detent ball and a bias member provides a biasing force to the detent ball in an outwardly direction relative to the bit. The detent ball is adapted to matingly engage a receiving portion in the socket to couple the bit to the socket. In one aspect, the spring force is sufficient to prevent the bit from being removed from coupling to the socket by hand after assembly. In an embodiment, a distal end of the bit is adapted to be removably coupled to a fastening tool, such as, for example, a ratchet socket. In another embodiment, the distal end of the bit may be formed into a tool for engaging a fastener, for example, a Philips head, Torx® head, flathead screwdriver. 
     The bias member may be a coil spring adapted to provide the biasing force. In an embodiment, the spring further provides a dampening effect that counteracts an impacting force, for example, provided by an impact driver or impact wrench when the bit is used in conjunction with one of these tools. For example, the detent ball may be depressed against the biasing force when a rotational impacting force is applied, which may cause the bit to rotate a small amount within the socket. This allows the bit to absorb some of the impacting energy compared to a bit that may be rigidly secured to the socket. The biasing force counteracts the impacting force by biasing the detent ball outwardly, such that the circular shape of the detent ball naturally reengages the receiving portion in the socket causing the bit to substantially realign in the socket. Thus, by counteraction of the impacting force, the bit does not receive full impacting blows from the impact driver or impact wrench. 
     In an embodiment, a tool of the present application includes an elongated body having an exterior surface and first and second ends. A receiving cavity radially extends from the exterior surface into the elongated body proximal to the second end, and a detent ball is disposed in the receiving cavity and is adapted to engage a socket. A bias member is also disposed in the receiving cavity to abut an inner side thereof and is adapted to bias the detent ball in an outwardly direction relative to the exterior surface. The bias member provides a force that enables the detent ball to securely retain the bit in the socket when the detent ball matingly engages a detent receiving portion of the socket. When the detent ball is engaged with the socket, the elongated body is removable from the socket upon application of an axial force of greater than 20 pounds. In one aspect, the force is such that the elongated body is removable from the socket upon application of an axial force greater than 40 pounds, thus preventing inadvertent removal of the bit from the socket. 
     The detent ball and spring can provide the advantages of enabling a secure, releasable connection between the bit and the socket, while reducing the risk of the connection between the bit and the socket from loosening, reducing wear on the bit and the socket, and providing a longer service life as opposed to prior art bits and sockets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of devices and methods are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view of a bit and socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 8  is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a bit coupled to a socket in accordance with another embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed embodiments of devices and methods are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the devices and methods, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative example for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
     The present application relates to adapters including a bit and a socket. The bit includes a detention portion in the form of a detent ball and a bias member providing a biasing force to the detent ball in an outward or radial direction relative to an exterior surface of the bit. In an embodiment, the detent ball is adapted to matingly engage a detent receiving portion disposed in the socket to securely couple the bit to the socket for use. In one embodiment, the socket is adapted to couple with a lug of a tool, for example, a hand tool, a socket wrench, an impact driver, an impact wrench, and other tools. 
     The biasing force of the bias member or spring is sufficient to require an axial force of about 25 pounds to about 200 pounds, including all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween, to be applied to the bit to disengage the bit from the socket. The spring is also adapted to provide a dampening effect that counteracts an impacting force, for example, provided by an impact driver or impact wrench when the bit is used in conjunction with one of these tools. For example, the detent ball may be depressed against the biasing force when a rotational impacting force is applied, which may cause the bit to rotate a small amount within the socket. This allows the bit to absorb some of the impacting energy compared to a bit that may be rigidly secured to the socket. The biasing force counteracts the impacting force by biasing the detent ball outwardly, such that the circular shape of the detent ball naturally reengages the receiving portion in the socket causing the bit to return to realign in the socket. By counteracting the impacting force, the bit does not receive full impacting blows from the impact driver or impact wrench, which can reduce wear on the bit and provide a longer service life for the bit. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the adapter includes a bit  100  and socket  200 . The bit  100  is adapted to be received in the socket  200  and be coupled with the socket  200 . The bit  100  includes an elongated body  102  having opposing first and second ends  104 ,  106 . The first end  104  includes a first detent cavity  108 , and a first detent ball  110  and a first bias member  112  are disposed in the first detent cavity  108 . In an embodiment, the diameter of the first detent cavity  108  adjacent to the exterior surface  124  is less than the diameter of the first detent ball  110 , thereby preventing the first detent ball  110  from being removed from the first detent cavity  108 . Similarly, the second end  106  includes a second detent cavity  114 , and a second detent ball  116  and a second bias member  118  are disposed in the second detent cavity  114 . In an embodiment, the diameter of the second detent cavity  115  adjacent to the exterior surface  124  is less than the diameter of the second detent ball  116 , thereby preventing the second detent ball  116  from being removed from the second detent cavity  115 . In an embodiment, the diameters of the first detent ball  110  and first detent cavity  108  are respectively greater than the diameters of the second detent ball  116  and second detent cavity  115 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in an embodiment, the elongated body  102  has a squared cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axis extending through the elongated body  102  from the first end  104  to the second end  106 . This squared shape may be adapted to mate with a receptacle of a socket, a socket wrench, an impact wrench, an impact driver, or a receptacle of other tools and accessories. The squared cross-sectional shape may be, for example, about a ½ inch square. In other embodiments, the cross-section shape of the elongated body  102  may be larger or smaller, for example, a ¼ inch square, a ⅜ inch square, a ¾ inch square, a 1 inch square, a 1 and ½ inch square, etc., inclusive of all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. In yet other embodiments, the elongated body  102  may be formed to have different cross-sectional shapes adapted to mate with different shaped receptacles of different tools, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the elongated body  102  may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, hex shaped or other shapes of the type. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the first end  104  may include first edge breaks  122 . The first edge breaks  122  may be in the form of tapers or chamfers at corner edges of the first end  104 . The first edge breaks  122  are adapted to allow for easier mating insertion of the first end  104  into a receptacle of a corresponding tool and/or socket. 
     The first detent cavity  108  may be a bore hole that extends from an external surface  124  of the elongated body  102  into an interior of the elongated body  102 . In one embodiment, the first detent ball  110  and the first bias member  112  are disposed in the first detent cavity  108 , and the first detent cavity  108  is annular embossed. The first bias member  112  is adapted to exert an outwardly bias force on the first detent ball  110 , thereby biasing the first detent ball  110  in a direction toward the external surface  124 . In an embodiment, the first bias member  112  may be a helical compression spring that exerts a spring force on the first detent ball  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a portion of the first detent ball  110  is adapted to protrude from the external surface  124 , as a result of the force of the first bias member  112 , to mate with a corresponding receptacle of a socket or tool. In an embodiment, the first detent ball  110  protrudes a distance of about 0.05 inches to about 0.07 inches, more particularly, about 0.63 inches from the external surface  124 . In other embodiments, the protrusion distance may be increased or decreased based on the size of the first detent ball  110  and bit  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the second end  106  may also include edge breaks, for example, second edge breaks  126 , at corner edges of the first end  106 , in the form of tapered or chamfered edges. The second end  106  may also include a bore hole  128  in an external surface  130  of the second end  106 . The bore hole  128  may extend from the external surface  130  into the elongated body  102  and be axially centered on the external surface  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the second detent cavity  114  may also be a bore hole that extends from the external surface  124  of the elongated body  102  into the interior of the elongated body  102 . In an embodiment, the second detent cavity  114  terminates in a tapered end  120  within the elongated body  102 . The second detent ball  116  and the second bias member  118  are disposed in the second detent cavity  114 , and the second detent cavity  114  is annularly embossed. The second bias member  114  exerts an outwardly bias force on the second detent ball  116  biasing the second detent ball  116  in a direction of the external surface  124 . In an embodiment, the second bias member  118  may also be a helical compression spring that exerts a spring force on the second detent ball  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a portion of the second detent ball  116  protrudes from the external surface  124  as a result of the force of the second bias member  118 . In an embodiment, the second detent ball  116  protrudes a distance of about 0.03 inches to about 0.04 inches, more particularly, about 0.35 inches from the external surface  124 . In other embodiments, the protrusion distance may be increased or decreased based on the size of the first detent ball  116  and bit  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the first detent ball  110  may have a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the second detent ball  116 . In one embodiment, the first diameter is about 0.13 to about 0.14 inches, and more particularly, about 0.135 inches, and the second diameter is about 0.12 to about 0.13 inches, and more particularly, about 0.125 inches. In other embodiments the first diameter and the second diameter may be may be increased or decreased by a same ratio. In yet other embodiments, the first diameter and the second diameter may be about equal. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a distance of the first detent ball  110  and first detent cavity  108  from an edge of the first end  104  is greater than a distance of the second detent ball  116  and second detent cavity  115  from an edge of the second end  106 . In an embodiment, the elongated body  102  may have a length of about 1 inch to about 2 inches, and more particularly, about 1.158 inches. A center of the second detent ball  116  may be spaced a distance of about 0.1 inches to about 0.15 inches, and more particularly, about 0.135 inches from an edge of the second end. The center of the second detent ball  116  may also be spaced a distance of about 0.8 inches to about 1 inches, more particularly, about 0.875 inches from a center of the first detent ball  110 . In other embodiments, the length of the elongated body portion  102  and the spacing of the detent balls may be increased or decreased based on the size of the bit  100 . 
     While the first end  104  and the second end  106  are described as having a same cross-sectional shape and size, the first end  104  and the second end  106  may have differing cross-sectional shapes and sizes. For example, the first end  104  can be sized or shaped to be removably coupled to a tool engagement, such as, for example, a ratchet socket or other type of tool, and it may have a rectangular, hex or other cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the first end  104  may be a driving end having a hex, screwdriver head or socket head adapted to engage a fastener. For example, the first end  104  may be a hex head, a Torx® head, a Phillips-head or cross-head, a slot-head, a square head, and other driving heads adapted to directly engage a fastener. The first end  104  may also be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and other shapes of the type adapted to mate with different shaped receptacles of different sockets and tools. 
     In an embodiment, the second end  106  of the bit  100  is adapted to be matingly inserted into a receptacle of a socket and the second detent ball  116  is adapted to cooperatively engage a detent receiving portion disposed in the socket to securably couple the bit  100  to the socket. In this embodiment, the second bias member  118  is adapted to exert a force sufficient to require an axial force of about 40 pounds to be applied to the bit  100  to remove the bit  100  from the socket. In other embodiments, the second bias member  118  may be adapted to exert a force sufficient to require an axial force of about 25 pounds to about 75 pounds, including all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. This biasing force may also counteract an impacting force by biasing the detent ball outwardly, such that the circular shape of the detent ball causes the detent ball to reengage the receiving portion in the socket causing the bit to realign the bit in the socket. By counteracting the impacting force, the bit does not receive full impacting blows from the impact driver or impact wrench, which reduces wear on the bit and provides a longer service life for the bit. 
     For example, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5-7 , the socket  200  includes a body portion  202  having opposing first and second ends  204 ,  206 . The first end  204  includes a first receptacle  208  extending from a first external surface  210  into the body portion  202  in a direction of the second end  206 . The first receptacle  208  may include edge breaks  212 , for example, in the form of tapers or chamfers at corner edges of the first receptacle  208  proximate to the first external surface  210 . The first receptacle  208  has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axis extending through the socket  200  from the first end  204  to the second end  206 . The cross-sectional shape may be, for example, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and other shapes of the type, and adapted to receive and mate with a bit, a fastener, a socket wrench, an impact wrench, an impact driver, or other tools and accessories. 
     In one embodiment, the first receptacle  208  has a square cross-sectional shape, for example, about a ¾ inch square. In other embodiments, the cross-section shape of the first receptacle  208  may be larger or smaller, for example, a ¼ inch square, a ⅜ inch square, a ½ inch square, a 1 inch square, a 1 and ½ inch square etc., inclusive of all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. 
     The second end includes a second receptacle  214  extending from a second external surface  216  into the body portion  202  in a direction of the first end  204 . The second receptacle  214  may also include edge breaks  218 , for example, in the form of tapers or chamfers at corner edges of the second receptacle  214  proximate to the second external surface  216 . Similar to the first receptacle  208 , the second receptacle  214  may have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axis extending through the socket  200 , for example, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and other shapes of the type, and adapted to receive and mate with a bit, a fastener, a socket wrench, an impact wrench, an impact driver, or other tools and accessories. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5-7 , the second receptacle  214  has a squared cross-section shape adapted to receive the second end  106  of the bit  100 . The second receptacle  214  may have a square cross-sectional shape, for example, about a ½ inch square. In other embodiments, the cross-section shape of the second receptacle  214  may be larger or smaller, for example, a ¼ inch square, a ⅜ inch square, a ¾ inch square, a 1 inch square, a 1 and ½ inch square etc., inclusive of all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the socket  200  also includes a detent receiving portion  220  extending perpendicular to the axis extending through the socket  200  from the first end  204  to the second end  206 . In this embodiment, the detent receiving portion  220  is a through hole that extends from a side exterior surface  222  of the socket to the second receptacle  214 . The detent receiving portion  220  is adapted to cooperatively engage the second detent ball  116  when the bit  100  is disposed in the second receptacle  214  and couple the bit  100  to the socket  200 . As described above, this engagement is adapted to require an axial force of about 40 pounds to be applied to the bit  100  to remove the bit  100  from the socket  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the detent receiving portion  220  has a diameter, for example, about 0.1 to about 0.11 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the detent receiving portion  220  may be larger or smaller and adapted to engage the detent ball of the bit. 
     The socket may also include a button  224  disposed in a button receiving portion  226  extending perpendicular to the axis extending through the socket  200  from the first end  204  to the second end  206  from the side exterior surface  222  of the socket to the first receptacle  208 . The button  224  may be disposed in the button receiving portion  226  and the button receiving portion  226  may be annularly embossed. The button  224  is adapted to protrude into the first receptacle  208  upon receiving a force to contact a bit, a fastener, a socket wrench drive lug, an impact wrench drive lug, an impact driver, or other tool or accessory that may be disposed in or mated with the first receptacle  208 . This can be used to assist in removal of the tool or accessory from the first receptacle  208 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the socket  200  may also include an aperture or hole  228  extending between the first receptacle  208  and the second receptacle  214 . As illustrated, the first receptacle  208  extends from the first external surface  210  of the body portion  202  to a first shoulder  230 , the hole  228  extends from the first shoulder  230  to a second shoulder  232 , and the second receptacle  214  extends from the second shoulder  232  to the second external surface  216  of the body portion  202 . This allows the bore hole  128  in the external surface  130  of the second end  106  of the bit  100  to be visible through the first receptacle  208  when the bit  100  is disposed in the socket  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the first external surface  210  has a diameter of about 1.4 inches to about 1.5 inches, and more particularly, about 1.425 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the first external surface  210  may be larger or smaller, for example, 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 5 inches, 10 inches, etc., inclusive of all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. Similarly, in an embodiment, the second external surface  216  has a diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 1.25 inches, and more particularly, about 1.2 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the second external surface  216  may be larger or smaller, for example, 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 5 inches, 10 inches, etc., inclusive of all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. 
     In an embodiment, the body portion  202  of the socket  200  has a length from the first external surface  210  to the second external surface  216  of about 1.75 inches to about 1.9 inches, more particularly, about 1.8 inches. In this embodiment, the first receptacle  208  has a length or depth of about 0.93 inches to about 0.1 inches, more particularly about 0.95 inches; and the second receptacle  214  has a length or depth of about 0.48 inches to about 0.55 inches, more particularly about 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, the length of the body portion  202 , the first receptacle  208 , and the second receptacle  214  may be increased or decreased based on the size of the socket  200 . 
     Another embodiment of the bit and socket is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the bit  300  and socket  400  are the same as the bit  100  and the socket  200  described above with the following alterations. Second detent ball  316  disposed in second detent cavity  314  with second bias member  318  and has a second diameter less than a first diameter of first detent ball  310 . In this embodiment, the second detent ball  316  engages detent receiving portion  420  to couple the bit  300  to the socket  400 . The second bias member  318  may be adapted to exert a force sufficient to require an axial force of about 40 pounds or greater to be applied to the bit  300  in order to remove the bit  300  from the socket. In other embodiments, the second bias member  318  may be adapted to exert a force sufficient to require an axial force of about 25 pounds to about 75 pounds, including all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween. 
     In the embodiments described above, the detent ball engaging the detent receiving portion of the socket and the biasing force of the bias member or spring cause may provide a dampening effect that counteracts a rotational force, for example, provided by a socket wrench, an impact driver, an impact wrench, or other wrench when the bit is used in conjunction with one of these tools. For example, the detent ball may be depressed against the biasing force when a rotational force is applied to the bit, which may allow the bit to rotate a small amount within the socket. This allows the bit to absorb some of the energy from the rotational force compared to a bit that may be rigidly secured to the socket. The biasing force counteracts the rotational force by biasing the detent ball outward, such that the detent ball reengages the receiving portion in the socket causing the bit to return to realign in the socket. By counteracting the impacting force, the bit may not receive full impacting blows, which can reduce wear on the bit and provide a longer service life for the bit. 
     The sizes and dimensions of the various elements of the bits and sockets described herein may be modified or adapted for a particular use with one or more different tools. For example, the socket may be adapted to receive different fastener sizes, for example, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, etc., as known in the art. Similarly, the size of the elongated body and its cross-sectional shape can be adapted to be received by different sizes and types of sockets, tools, and accessories. 
     Although the devices and methods have been described and illustrated in connection with certain embodiments, many variations and modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is thus not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction set forth above as such variations and modification are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are merely used to distinguish one element from another.