Self-forming socket
US5791209A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S81/11
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A self-forming socket having a plurality of retractable pins bundled in parallel within a housing is disclosed. The bundled pins may displace longitudinally and are biased by spring force away from a frame onto which the pins are slidably held. A spacer pin may be positioned at the center of the socket and is similarly biased away from the frame under spring force. When the socket is forced over a fastener, nut, or bolt head, groups of pins are pushed inward toward the frame and into the housing thereby conforming the pins to the contours of the fastener. Applying a torque to the socket transfers the torque through the bundled pins to the fastener. Each pin has a circular cross-section and the interior walls of the housing containing the bundled pins has a hexagonal shape and does not contain any right angles. The pins are packed in a hexagonal arrangement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.