Patent Abstract:
A tent-shaped socket caddy with pins holding sockets by way of the force of gravity, substantially without friction with the pins. A base with a shallow storage box provides storage for socket ratchets and socket ratchet extensions.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a socket caddy holding sockets and socket ratchets for use by mechanics. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Sockets and socket ratchets are widely used in various repairs, particularly in auto repairs. An auto mechanic would position himself under a vehicle and then reach for a toolbox in order to retrieve a socket ratchet or a socket to perform the repairs. This often has to be done “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. After use, a particular socket needs to be placed back for storage or replaced with a different socket, also “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. Most mechanics lack time or discipline to return a socket to a particular predetermined location and tend to just drop it into a tool box. Accordingly, there is a need to have a socket caddy providing easy and convenient access to sockets and socket ratchets, permitting removing and replacing sockets with one hand, quickly and with minimal effort. Further, an open view storage allows the user to determine whether there are any missing sockets at a glance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The socket caddy according to this invention satisfies this need. According to the first embodiment of this invention, a tent-shaped structure atop a base comprising storage is provided with pins extending at a substantially forty five degree angle to the base. Sockets are hung on the pins by way of the force of gravity without friction with the pins and thus can be easily removed and replaced with one hand. The second embodiment of this invention provides a vertical panel is atop a base comprising storage with pins extending at a substantially forty five degree angle to the base. As in the first embodiment, sockets are hung on the pins without the use of the force of friction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows perspective and elevational views of the socket caddy according to the first embodiment of this invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows perspective and elevational views of the socket caddy according to the second embodiment of this invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    This invention will be better understood with the reference to the drawing figures  FIG. 1 through 3 . The same numerals refer to the same elements in all drawing figures. 
         [0008]    Viewing  FIG. 1 , numeral  10  indicates a base. Base  10  comprises a rectangular bottom panel with unequal dimensions and a longitudinal axis. In the preferred embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 1  (as well as the embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 2 , as will be shown later), base  10  further comprises base walls indicated by numeral  80 . Base walls  80  and the rectangular bottom panel of base  10  form a shallow box for storing socket ratchets and socket ratchet extensions indicated by numeral  90 . 
         [0009]    A first and second panels, indicated respectively by numerals  20  and  30 , extend from base  10  and meet at a crest indicated by numeral  40 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , first panel  20  and second panel  30  extend from tops of base walls  80 , base walls  80  being a part of base  10 . In different embodiments, first panel  20  and second panel  30  may extend directly from the rectangular bottom panel of base  10 . 
         [0010]    First panel  20  and second panel  30  form a tent having a conventional tent shape with a cross section, is in a plane perpendicular to crest  40 , in the form of an inverted “V”. Crest  40  is parallel to the longitudinal axis of base  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a handle indicated by numeral  100  is disposed on crest  40 . Handle  100  is for carrying the socket caddy according to this invention. 
         [0011]    Numeral  50  indicates pins. A plurality of pins  50  extends from first panel  20  and second panel  30  at a predetermined angle indicated by numeral  60 . 
         [0012]    Numeral  70  indicates sockets. Pins  50  slidably and removably retain sockets  70  in a frictionless hanging arrangement by way of the force of gravity, permitting sockets  70  to be removed with one hand. To accomplish such frictionless hanging arrangement of pins  50 , angle  60  must be between zero and ninety degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base  10 . The objective of this invention is to provide effortless and quick removal and replacement of sockets  70  with one hand. Angles  60  smaller than zero degrees would cause sockets  70  to fall off of pins  50 . Angles  60  larger than ninety degrees would make removal and replacement of sockets  70  difficult. The preferred embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 1  shows angle  60  of forty five-degrees. 
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 1 , base  10 , first panel  20 , second panel  30  and pins  50  are fabricated from a durable plastic material by way of injection molding. In other embodiments, base  10 , first panel  20 , second panel  30  and pins  50  may be fabricated from rigid metal, such as steel or aluminum, or wood. Numeral  110  indicates an indicia selected from the group consisting of standard and metric. Indicia  110  is disposed on first panel  20  and second panel  30 , such that if first panel  20  comprises indicia “METRIC”, as shown in  FIG. 1 , second panel  30  would comprise indicia “STANDARD”. Standard and metric sockets are placed on either first panel  20  or second panel  30  accordingly. Indicia  110  can be applied either by injection molding or by way of an adhesive tape label. 
         [0014]    Viewing now  FIG. 2 , numeral  120  indicates a vertical panel. Vertical panel  120  is fixedly attached to the rectangular bottom panel of base  10  along the longitudinal axis. Vertical panel  120  comprises a first and second faces indicated, respectively, by numerals  120   a  and  120   b . Pins  50  extend from first face  120   a  and second face  120   b  at angle  60 . As in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , angle  60  is shown to be forty-five degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base  10 . Similarly, in other embodiments, angle  60  must be between zero and ninety degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base  10 . 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , handle  100  is disposed on a top portion of vertical panel  120 . 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 2 , base  10 , vertical panel  120  and pins  50  are fabricated from a durable plastic material by way of injection molding. In other embodiments, base  10 , vertical panel  120  and pins  50  may be fabricated from rigid metal, such as steel or aluminum, or wood. 
         [0017]    Indicia  110  is disposed on first face  120   a  and second face  120   b , such that if first face  120   a  comprises indicia “STANDARD”, as shown in  FIG. 2 , second face  120   b  would comprise indicia “METRIC”. Standard and metric sockets are placed on either first face  120   a  or second face  120   b  accordingly. 
         [0018]    In the embodiments described in reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , pins  50  are not removable but are fabricated from a unitary piece of material with either first and second panels  20  and  30  or vertical panel  120 . This can be accomplished, for example, by injection molding. It may be desirable to reduce manufacturing cost of the socket caddy according to this invention by having pins  50  removable, such that the user assembles the socket caddy himself by inserting pins  50  into either first and second panels  20  and  30  or vertical panel  120 .  FIG. 3  describes such removable pins  50  inserted into first and second panels  20  and  30 . Removable pins  50  inserted into vertical panel  120  (not shown) work the same way. 
         [0019]    Specifically, first and second panels  20  and  30  (as well as vertical panel  120 ) further comprise a plurality of openings indicated by numeral  50   b . Openings  50   b  receive and removably retain pins  50 . Pins  50  are frictionally press fit into openings  50   b  by the end user. This can be accomplished by way of a hammer. 
         [0020]    The embodiment described in reference to  FIG. 3  shows pin  50  as having a taper indicated by numeral  50   a . Taper  50   a  is disposed on the end of pin  50  inserted into opening  50   b . In this case, the diameter of opening  50   b  is slightly larger than the diameter of pin  50 , allowing for press fitting of taper  50   a  into opening  50   b . In other embodiments, pins  50  do not have tapers  50   a , in which case openings  50   b  have diameters slightly larger than that of pins  50  for press fitting pins  50  into openings  50   b.    
         [0021]    While the present invention has been described and defined by references to the preferred embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply limitations on the invention, and no such limitations are to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1