Patent ID: 7437975

Claim:
A socket comprising: a cylindrical body having at least one elongated receptacle defined by an inner sidewall; said inner sidewall having one open end; said body having a bottom end separated by said sidewall in fixed, spaced-apart relationship with respect to said open end which defines a depth thereof; said inner sidewall comprising a plurality of non-tapered portions and tapered portions adjacently configured, wherein said tapered portions slope inwardly from an inner bottom portion to an inner sidewall midsection; said tapered portions of said sidewall having a straight portion leading from said open end to said tapered portion; said tapered portions of said sidewall comprises an angle of taper adapted to accommodate a selected size range of a mating fasteners; said bottom end includes an aperture for inserting a tool for dislodging said fastener from said receptacle of said body; and said body includes means carried on said sidewall projecting into said receptacle for yieldably holding said fastener with said body, wherein one of said plurality of non-tapered portions being configured longitudinally adjacent to one of said plurality of tapered portions, wherein said holding means is selected from one of a resilient seal, a coil spring and a snap-lock.