Patent ID: 8893591

Claim:
A system for engaging fasteners, the system comprising: a socket body having a longitudinal axis that extends between an open first end portion, which is in communication with an open interior portion of the socket body, and a second end portion; the open interior portion being at least partially defined by one or more sidewalls of the socket body; a spring blade assembly, having a blade retaining ring and a plurality of resiliently deformable retaining blades; the blade retaining ring having an open interior through which the socket body is disposed such that the socket body and the blade retaining ring are coaxially aligned and the blade retaining ring may move toward and away from the open first end portion of the socket body, along a length of the socket body; the retaining blades having opposite first and second end portions, wherein the first end portions are secured with the blade retaining ring so that the second end portions of the retaining blades extend freely and outwardly from the blade retaining ring and the open first end portion of the socket body; the second end portions of the retaining blades having tips that are angled inwardly toward the long axis of the socket body; a blade guide having an open interior through which the socket body is disposed such that the socket body and the blade retaining ring are coaxially aligned; the blade retaining guide being secured to the socket body such that longitudinal movement of the blade guide along the socket body length is substantially limited; one or more open pathways existing between the blade guide and the socket body; the plurality of retaining blades being disposed within the one or more open pathways, which are sized to permit sliding movement of the retaining blades; and a plurality of mounting pins extending outwardly from the blade retaining guide and into the socket body such that the plurality of mounting pins extend at least partially into the open interior portion of the socket body.