Patent Publication Number: US-6702112-B1

Title: Socket holding device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to sockets that are used in association with socket wrenches. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for storing and holding such sockets during actual use. More particularly, the present invention relates to belt-mounted holding devices for sockets and other tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Socket wrenches and drive sockets usable therewith are commonly stored and transported within tool boxes, along with an assortment of other hand tools. Finding the desired drive socket can incur a certain amount of inconvenience since the drive sockets are frequently mixed with one another and other small hand tools in a toolbox. Further, the desired drive socket must be removed from the tool box and examined to ensure it is the desired socket for the task at hand. A socket wrench, a collection of drive sockets, and one or more wrench extensions can constitute a sizable quantity of tools so as to take up considerable space in a tool box. As the tools within a tool box are not in clear view to the user, but rather must be removed from the tool box and inspected to determine size and length of the drive socket, all contribute toward the time required for accomplishing a certain task. 
     This is particularly a problem associated with garage door repair. Often, the tool belt utilized by the garage door repair man will have a pair or more of large pouches which can contain various tools and drive sockets. Typically, the repairman must reach randomly into one of his or her pockets so as to grasp a number of separate drive sockets. Each of the drive sockets is then physically inspected so as to locate the desired size of the drive socket. 
     Usually, during the repair of garage doors and associated mechanisms, a total of seven or less drive sockets are utilized in association with a socket wrench. However, there are a relatively large number of bolts upon which the various sizes of drive sockets must be applied. During a normal repair operation, the garage door repairman is constantly going back and forth between the various sizes of sockets. The amount of time spent identifying the proper size of socket and location of such a socket can contribute greatly to the inefficiency of the repair of the garage door and its associated mechanisms. As such, a need has developed so as to make the drive sockets available in a quick and convenient manner for access by the particular repairman. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device which makes drive sockets easily available for access and use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device in which the sockets can be easily stowed during periods of non-use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device in which the various sizes of sockets can be stowed within a single storage device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device that can be simply attached to the tool belt of a repairman. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device which greatly improves the efficiency of the repair activities of garage door repairmen. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device which avoids the accidental release of sockets from their desired location. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a socket holding device which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a socket holding device comprising a body having a curved surface and a plurality of socket-receiving members formed on this curved surface. Each of the socket-receiving members has a generally tubular configuration with an open top and a closed bottom. Each of the socket-receiving members has a longitudinal axis which is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     The body has a curved surface with a front face and a back face. The socket-receiving members are affixed to the front face. In particular, the socket-receiving members are integrally formed with the body on the front face of the body. The back face has a curvature suitable for residing around a portion of a human waist or on the surface of a tool belt. 
     Each of the plurality of socket-receiving members has a slot extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body. The slot extends across the surface of the tubular configuration opposite to the curved surface of the body. 
     Each of the plurality of socket-receiving members has a base positioned at the bottom thereof. This base has a magnet positioned therein. The base has a tubular configuration with an interior passageway generally coaxial with the generally tubular configuration of the socket-receiving member. The magnet is positioned in this interior passageway of the base. The base has a top edge. The magnet is positioned so as to have a top surface slightly below the top edge of the base. 
     The body has a first wing member extending outwardly from one side of the plurality of socket-receiving members. The body also has a second wing member extending outwardly from an opposite side of the plurality of socket-receiving members. An attaching means is formed on each of the first and second wing members for attaching the body to a tool belt. In particular, the attaching means can be a pair of holes formed on the first wing member and a pair of holes formed on the second wing member. 
     In the present invention, a plurality of sockets are respectively received in the plurality of socket-receiving members. These plurality of sockets have different sizes. 
     Each of the plurality of socket-receiving members has a chamfered surface at the open top. This chamfered surface narrows toward an interior passageway of the generally tubular configuration of each of the socket-receiving members. Access to the sockets can be obtained through the slot to the exterior surface of the sockets so as to allow each of the sockets to be pushed upwardly through the tubular configuration of the socket-receiving member so that the socket can be dispensed outwardly of the open top. After use, this particular size of socket can be returned to its original position within the socket-receiving member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the socket holding device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the socket holding device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the socket holding device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view across lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 2 of the socket holding device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the socket holding device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the socket holding device  10  in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The socket holding device  10  includes a body  12  and a plurality of socket-receiving members  14  affixed to the body  12 . The body  12  has a curved surface  16 . Each of the socket-receiving members  14  has a generally tubular configuration with an open top  18  and a closed bottom  20 . 
     The body  12  has curved surface  16  on a back face  20  of body  12 . The curved surface  16  is suitably curved so as to generally conform to a portion of a human waist. The curved surface  16  is also suitably curved so as to be affixed to a tool belt which would extend around such human waist. The body  12  also has a front surface  22 . The plurality of socket-receiving members  14  are affixed to the front surface  22  of the body  12 . In particular, the plurality of socket-receiving members  14  are integrally formed with the body  12  of a polymeric material. For example, the socket holding device  10  of the present invention can be easily manufactured through an injection molding process. The body  12  also includes a first wing member  24  and a second wing member  26 . The first wing member  24  extends outwardly from one side of the plurality of socket-receiving members  14 . Similarly, the second wing member  26  extends outwardly from the opposite side of the plurality of socket-receiving members  14 . The wing members  24  and  26  have a structure suitable for the placement of an attaching means thereon so as to facilitate the attachment of the socket holding device  10  to a tool belt or other appliance. For example, various types of fasteners can be attached to the wing members  24  and  26  so as to facilitate the proper attachment. Alternatively, as will be described hereinafter, a pair of holes can be formed on each of the wing members  24  and  26  so that the socket holding device  10  can be affixed by screws or bolts to the tool belt. The socket holding device can be placed in a convenient location relative to the various pouches that are used for the storage of drive sockets therein. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of socket-receiving members  14  has a tubular configuration which extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body  12 . Similarly, a slot  28  is formed on the forward surface of each of the socket-receiving members  14  so as to extend generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body  12 . The slots  28  are formed on the surface of the tubular configuration of each of the socket-receiving members  14  opposite to the body  12 . 
     Each of the socket-receiving members  14  has open top  18  facilitating the ability to remove sockets from the interior passageway  30  of each of the socket-receiving members  14 . So as to further facilitate the ability to install each of the drive sockets into the interior passageway  30  of the respective socket-receiving members  14 , a chamfered surface  32  is formed at the open top  18  of each of the socket-receiving members  14 . The chamfered surface  32  acts as a funnel toward the interior passageway  30  of the respective socket-receiving members  14 . In particular, the chamfered surface  32  narrows toward the interior passageway  30 . 
     Each of the socket-receiving members  14  has a base  34  positioned at the bottom  20  thereof. Base  34  has a magnet  36  positioned therein. The base  34  is of a generally tubular configuration with an interior passageway generally coaxial with the interior passageway  30  of each of the socket-receiving members  14 . The magnet  36  is positioned in the interior passageway of the base  34 . The base  34  has a top edge  38 . Each of the magnets  36  is positioned so as to have a top surface slightly below the top edge  38  of the base  34 . As a result of this configuration, the base  34  will have a slight ledge at this top edge  38  so as to prevent any very small sockets from accidentally sliding through the slot  28 . The raised upper edge  38  from the magnet  36  also further facilitates the ability to magnetically retain the drive sockets within the particular socket-receiving member  14  and to center such sockets therein. Each of the magnets  36  is a round ceramic magnet having sufficient magnetic strength so as to retain the socket within the socket-receiving members  14  and also allows the sockets to be easily released from the magnets  36  upon the application of a general upward pushing force by the fingers of the user of the socket holding device  10  of the present invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the socket holding device  10  is particularly illustrated as receiving a variety of sockets  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  therein. Each of the sockets  40 ,  42 ,  46  and  48  can be placed into the respective socket-receiving members  14  by the repairman during the course of the garage door repair, or other repair activities. As can be seen, the sockets  40  and  42  have a length which is less than the length of the particular socket-receiving members  14 . As a result, in order to remove the sockets  40  and  42 , the repairman will simply place a finger through the slot  28  and apply a general upward pressure on the exterior surface of the particular sockets  40  and  42 . As a result, the sockets  40  and  42  will be released from their magnetic attraction to the magnet in the base  34 . The sockets  40  and  42  will slide outwardly of the open top  18  of each of the socket-receiving members  14 . 
     Socket  44  has a length which is greater than the length of the interior passageway  30  of the socket-receiving member  14  in which it is installed. As a result, it is only necessary for the repairman to grasp the upper end  50  of socket  44  so as to remove the socket  44  from its location within the socket-receiving member  14 . 
     Sockets  46  and  48  have a configuration which is shorter than the length of the interior passageway  30  of the respective socket-receiving members  14 . As a result, sockets  46  and  48  can be removed from the interior passageway  30  of the respective socket-receiving members  14  in the manner described in association with sockets  40  and  42 . It is important to note that the sockets  40 ,  42 ,  44 , 46  and  48  are illustrated as having differing lengths. However, the socket holding device  10  of the present invention can also accommodate sockets having different diameters. In particular, the present invention, in its preferred embodiment, can accommodate sockets having a diameter of between ⅜″to {fraction (9/16)}″. 
     In FIG. 2, for the purposes of illustration, the first wing member  24  is illustrated as having holes  52  and  54  formed therein. Similarly, wing member  26  is illustrated as having holes  56  and  58  formed therein. The holes  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  facilitate the ability to threadedly secure the socket holding device  10  to a tool belt. 
     In FIG. 3, the plan view of the tool holding device  10  of the present invention is particularly illustrated. In FIG. 3, the curved back surface  20  is particularly shown. The wing members  24  and  26  are formed in the body  22  at the ends of the socket-receiving members  14 . In FIG. 3, it can be seen that there are a total of seven socket-receiving members  14 . However, within the concept of the present invention, more or fewer socket-receiving members  14  can be included within the tool holding device of the present invention. FIG. 3 particularly illustrates the chamfered edges  32  associated with the open top  18  of the respective socket-receiving members  14 . The socket-receiving members  14  are shown as integrally formed with the body  12 . However, within the concept of the present invention, it is possible that the socket-receiving members  14  could be formed separately from the body  12  and affixed mechanically thereto. 
     Each of the socket-receiving members is illustrated as having a generally tubular configuration with interior passageway  30  extending therethrough. The slotted opening  28  is illustrated as opening on the forward surface  62  of the socket-receiving members  14 . The base  34  has a generally circular configuration which allows the magnet  36  to be affixed therein. 
     FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a socket-receiving member  14  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It can be seen that the socket-receiving member  14  has an open top  18  and a closed bottom  20 . The open top  18  includes chamfered edge  32  serving to funnel a socket into the interior passageway  30  of the socket-receiving member  14 . Slot  28  is formed on the outer surface of the socket-receiving member  14  so as to allow physical access to a socket retained within the interior passageway  30 . 
     Importantly, the bottom  26  includes a base structure  34  having an upper edge  38 . Magnet  36  is particularly illustrated as affixed within the base  34 . The top of the magnet  36  is slightly lower than the top edge  38  of the base  34  so as to form the retaining area or ledge in which the socket can be physically retained. The wing member  26  is illustrated as extending in a curved manner outwardly of the back of the socket-receiving members  14 . Holes  56  and  58  are illustrated as formed on the wing  26 . 
     FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the socket holding device  70  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Socket holding device  70  includes a plurality of generally tubular socket-receiving members  72  that are physically connected to each other by tabs  74 . Suitable slotted areas can be formed on the forward face of the socket-receiving member  72  so as to facilitate access to sockets retained therein in the manner of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A wing member  76  extends outwardly on one side of the socket-receiving members  72 . Another wing member  78  extends outwardly from an opposite side of the socket-receiving members  72 . Each of the wing members can receive fasteners so as to allow the device  70  to be attached to a belt. 
     It is to be noted that the present invention, in its variety embodiments, facilitates the ability of a worker to have access to the sockets. Since the worker places the various sizes of sockets within the various socket-receiving members, the worker is able to determine which sockets are most often used so as to place such sockets in their most convenient positions for access. For example, if only four primary sockets are used in a particular repair operation, then the worker may only wish to place the four sockets, in order of size, in the first four socket-receiving members as the device of the present invention. Alternatively, the worker may wish to place the sockets in an ordered relationship in order of most common usage. Still further, the worker may just wish to place the sockets in a random order within the socket holding device  10 . The proper size of socket can be easily ascertained by feel through the slot associated with each of the socket-receiving members. The use of the magnets will prevent the sockets from sliding outwardly of the socket-receiving members when the worker moves to an inconvenient location, bends over, or otherwise removes the tool belt. However, the strength of the magnets will not prevent the worker from easily removing the socket from the socket-receiving members when it is time for use. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.