Abstract:
A socket for engaging a work piece having at least one wire. The socket includes a body having a closed peripheral side wall, first and second ends and a rotational axis extending between the first and second ends. The socket also includes a first receptacle formed in the first end and defining a drive structure configured for receiving a work piece for driving engagement therewith. A channel is formed in the side wall and opens at and extends laterally from the first end of the body for receiving the at least one wire.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   A variety of wrenches are commonly used to apply torque to a work piece, such as a threaded fastener. The work pieces may have any number of different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, many wrenching tools include a driver which is mateable with any of a number of different adapters, such as sockets, to engage and rotate the different sized work pieces. 
   Sockets are interchangeable adapters which have an open end for engaging a work piece and an opposing end which engages a drive end of a driver device, such as a ratchet, breaker bar or the like. The open end of the socket defines a shape which corresponds to the shape of the work piece. Sockets are used to engage and rotate several different types of devices or parts. Some of these devices or parts include wires which must be connected to another device. Conventional sockets, such as those used to rotate bolts, do not have openings or other structures which enable wired devices to be inserted into the socket without damaging the wires. Thus, it is known to provide slotted sockets which include lateral openings on the body of the socket that enable the wires to be threaded out of a peripheral wall of the socket to prevent damage to the wires. However, such openings decrease the structural integrity and strength of the socket and thereby decrease the operative life of the socket. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a socket which can rotate a work piece having a wire that does not cause damage to the wire and also which maintains the structural integrity and strength of the socket. 
   SUMMARY 
   The application is directed to a socket for a wrench and more specifically, to a socket having a channel that enables a device having a wire to be secured in the socket and the wire threaded through the channel without decreasing the structural integrity and strength of the socket. 
   One embodiment provides a socket for engaging a work piece having at least one wire. The socket includes a body having a closed peripheral side wall, first and second ends and a rotational axis extending between the first and second ends. The socket also includes a first receptacle formed in the first end. The first receptacle defines a drive structure configured for receiving a work piece for driving engagement therewith, and a channel formed in the side wall and opening at and extending laterally from the first end of the body for receiving the at least one wire. 
   In an embodiment, the socket includes a projection extending laterally from the side wall and defining the channel. 
   In an embodiment, the channel has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape. 
   In an embodiment, the channel has an axial extent and a lateral depth which varies along its axial extent. 
   In an embodiment, the drive structure includes an inner surface which is engageable with the work piece. 
   In an embodiment, the inner surface defines a plurality of engagement surface segments which frictionally engage the work piece. 
   In an embodiment, the inner surface defines a plurality of engagement surface segments which frictionally engage the work piece. The surface segments extend from the first end to a designated point from the first end, where the channel extends from the first end to at least the designated point. 
   In an embodiment, the body includes a second receptacle at the second end. 
   In an embodiment, the first receptacle defines an inner end wall, and further includes at least one reinforcing rib positioned in the first receptacle. The rib includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the side wall and the second end is connected to the inner end wall. 
   Another embodiment provides a socket for engaging a work piece. The socket includes a body having a closed peripheral side wall and first and second ends. A first receptacle is formed in the first end for receiving at least a portion of the work piece, and a second receptacle is formed in the second end for receiving a driving device. The socket includes a projection extending laterally from the side wall and defining a channel communicating with the first receptacle and opening at the first end. 
   In an embodiment, the projection is integrally formed with the side wall. 
   In an embodiment, at least a portion of the side wall includes an inner surface for engaging the work piece. 
   In an embodiment, the inner surface defines a plurality of engagement surface segments for engaging the work piece. 
   In an embodiment, the inner surface defines a plurality of engagement surface segments which frictionally engage the work piece. The surface segments extend from the first end to a designated point from the first end. The channel extends from the first end to at least the designated point. 
   In an embodiment, the second receptacle includes at least one recess. The recess is engageable with a driving device to temporarily secure the driving device in the second receptacle. 
   In an embodiment, the body includes an inner end wall separating the first and second receptacles. 
   In an embodiment, the socket includes at least one reinforcing rib positioned in the first receptacle. The rib includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the side wall and the second end is connected to the inner end wall. 
   Accordingly, an advantage is to provide a socket that defines a channel to enable a wire of a device inserted in the socket to extend from the socket. 
   Another advantage is to provide a socket having a projection that defines a channel which enhances the structural integrity and strength of the socket. 
   A further advantage is to provide a socket including a projection which enables a user to easily grip and manually rotate the socket. 
   Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the socket. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the socket shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of a first end of the socket shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of a second end of the socket shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross-section view taken substantially along line  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-section view taken substantially along line  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 5A  where a sensor including wires is positioned in the socket. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the socket. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the socket. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 A and  5 B, in one embodiment, a socket  100  for a wrenching device, such as a ratchet wrench, is provided where the socket includes a generally cylindrical body  102 . The body  102  has an outer surface which may be cylindrical or any other suitable size or shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  102  has a closed, peripheral side wall  104 , a first end  106  and a second end  108 . Formed in the first end  106  is an interior space or receptacle  110 . The receptacle  110  is formed or configured to a engage a work piece, such as an electronic sensor  150 , having one or more wires  155 . 
   The receptacle  110  defines a plurality of flat engagement surface segments or facets  116 . The plurality of facets  116  form a substantially dodecagonal, hexagonal or similar shape corresponding to the outside surface and shape of a work piece, such as the electronic sensor  150 , described above. It should be appreciated that the facets  116  may have any suitable shape. 
   In an embodiment, a boss or projection  112  is integrally formed with the body  102 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the projection  112  is integrally formed with the side wall  104  of the body. The projection  112  has a hollow interior which defines an open-ended channel  114 . The open-ended channel  114  generally extends from end  106  of the body to the interior space or receptacle  110 . It should be appreciated that the projection  112  may be formed on any part of the body  102 . For example, the projection  112  may extend to a designated point from the end  106  of the body or extend the entire length of the side wall  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the projection  112  includes a generally rounded configuration and the channel  114  is generally part-circular in transverse cross-section. It should be appreciated that the projection  112  may have any suitable size or shape. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a wire or wires  155  connected to a work piece  150  may be positioned in or threaded through the open-ended channel  114  to enable the wires to extend from the socket when the work piece is disposed in the receptacle  110 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the inner end of the receptacle  110  is closed by an inner end wall  116 . At least one reinforcing rib or arm  118  is integrally formed with inner end wall  116  in the receptacle  110 . In an embodiment, the inner end wall  116  includes four reinforcing ribs  118 . The reinforcing ribs or arms  118  increase the structural integrity and strength of the socket and thereby prolong the operative life of the socket. It should be appreciated that one or more reinforcing ribs may be integrally formed with or connected to the body  102  of the socket. 
   The second end  108  defines a drive receptacle  120  which has a generally square shape for receiving a drive end of a device, such as a ratchet, and which is separated from the receptacle  110  by the inner end wall  116 . The drive receptacle  120  may have any suitable size or shape corresponding to the drive end of a drive device such as a ratchet. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive receptacle  120  defines one or more detent recesses  122 . The recesses  122  are engaged by detent members, such as balls, connected to the drive end of a tool (not shown). The detent members on the drive end of the tool are biased outwardly to seat in the corresponding recesses  122  of the drive receptacle  120  in a known manner. Engagement between the recesses  122  and the detent members of the drive end of the tool temporarily secure the drive end of the tool in the drive receptacle  120 . The detent members are releasable from the recesses  122  by pulling the drive end out of the drive receptacle  120  using a predetermined force. It should be appreciated that the drive receptacle  120  may include recesses or any suitable engagement members to secure the drive end to the drive receptacle. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment provides a socket  200  including a body  202  having a closed, peripheral side wall  204 , a first end  206  and a second end  208 . A receptacle  210  is formed in the first end  206  and defines one or more engagement surfaces or facets  209  for frictionally engaging a work piece to be driven by the socket. In this embodiment, the side wall  204  of the body  202  has a designated thickness or width. The thicker side wall  204  increases the structural integrity and strength of the socket and reduces the likelihood of mechanical failure during use. Furthermore, a groove or open-ended channel  211  is defined by the side wall  204  to enable one or more wires of a work piece to be positioned in or threaded through the channel. The channel  211  in the illustrated embodiment includes at least one inclined or sloped wall  212 . It should be appreciated that the channel  211  may have any suitable shape or be of any suitable size. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment provides a socket similar to the socket of  FIG. 6  where the side wall  204  defines a groove or channel  214 . In this embodiment, the groove or channel  214  includes a semi-circular wall  216 . Furthermore, the bottom end of the channel or groove is substantially closed by lip  218 . Therefore, one or more wires associated with a device engaged with the socket are threaded over the lip  218 , up through the channel  214  and out of the socket  200 . 
   In the above embodiments, the socket  200  may include one or more projections and/or one or more channels for threading wires or similar cables from an interior part of the socket to a point or distance away from the socket. Additionally, the sockets described in the above embodiments are made of a suitable durable material such as stainless steel. It should be appreciated that the socket and/or any portions of the socket may be made of any suitable material or materials. 
   The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.