Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADJUSTABLE EXTENSION FOR SOCKET WRENCHES OR THE LIKE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful improve-
ments in extensions for wrench sets and the like.
Conventionally, a socket wrench set is provided
with a plurality of nut and bolt engaging sockets having a
squared recess in one end engageable with a corresponding
squared end on a standard handle, pivoted type handle or a
ratchet handle which normally extends at right angles from
the longitudinal axis oE the socket when the socket is engaged
upon the handle.
Also provided in the majority of such socket or
ratchet sets is one or more extension rods which enables the
handle to be spaced from the socket so that the socket can
be utilized in locations where adjacent components may pre-
vent rotation or partial rotation of the handle.
However, such extensions are often inconvenient
for the circumstances within which the socket set is being
used. For example, when being used on an automobile engine,
it is often desirable to be able to preselect the length of
the extension so that the handle can be positioned in the
mos-t convenient location for efficient operation~ but with
only one or at the most, two fixed extensions being supplied,
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this is often impossible.
SUMMAKY OF THE INV~NTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages
by providing firstly, an extension for socket wrenches which
is adjustable within limits of the components thereby enabling
the most convenient length to be determined between the socket
and the offstanding handle. Secondly, the same principle can
be incorporated in the handle portion, either standard ratchet
or pivoted, so that the effective length thereof can be ad-
justed.
In accordance with the invention there is provided
an adjustable extension assembly for socket wrenches and the
like comprising in combination a hollow engaging portion and
an extension shaft portion slidably engageable therein for
lengthwise movernent relative thereto, means on the distal end
of the extension shaft portion operatively engageable with
an associated socket or the like, means to prevent rotation
of said extension shaft portion relative to said hollow engaging
portion and means to detachably clamp said extension shaft
portion to the said hollow engaging portion against relative
lengthwise movement one with the other, said means to detachably
clamp said extension shaft portion to said hollow engaging
portion including a resilient, slightly tapered, truncanted
cone-shaped end formed on the end of said hollow engaging por-
tion engaged by said extension shaft portion, at least one
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longitudina:Lly extending slot formed through the wall of said
truncanted cone-shaped end extending from the distal end there-
of inwardly therefrom, said truncated cone-shaped end being
screw threaded and an internally screw threaded, tapered, lock-
ing sleeve slidably over said extension portion and screw
threadably engaging said truncated cone-shaped end, the tighten-
ing of said locking sleeve on said truncated cone-shaped end
compressing sai.d end around said extension portion and clamp-
ing same against endwise movement relative to said hollow
engaging portion.
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With the foregoing in view, and other advantages
as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which
this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the
invention is herein described by reference to the accompany-
ing drawings forming a part hereo~, which includes a descrip-
tion of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles
of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.. . .
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the extension handle
assembly.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinally cross
sectioned exploded view of the three components Eorming the
assembly.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the line
3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an end view along the line 4-4 of
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an end view along the line 5-5 of
Figure 2.
Figure 6 is an end view along the line 6-6 of
Figure 1.
Figure 7 is an end view along the line 7-7 of
Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-
cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention indetail and describing first, the structure shown in Figures
1 - 7, the device consists of three parts, namely an extension
shaEt portion collectively designated 10, a handle engaging
portion collectively designated 11 (defined as a hollow engag-
ing portion) and a clamping or locking sleeve collectively
designated 12.
In detail, the extension shaft portion is prefer-
ably formed from solid material such as steel or the like
and is preferably substantially circular in cross section,
formed with at least one and preferably a plurality of spaced
and parallel, longitudinall.y extending splines 13 on the outer
surface thereof.
The distal end is provided with a flange 14 from
which extends a socket engaging portion 15 which is usually
square in cross section. This portion engages within the
square recess formed on a standard socket (not illustrated)
with the socket being detachably held in position by means
of a spring loaded ball 16 on one face 17 of the portion 15
with the ball being compressible into the surface as the
socket is engaged thereover.
The handle engaging portion is a hollow cylindri-
cal portion having a plurality of spline receivi~g grooves `
18 formed around the inner wall thereof, the number of grooves
preferably equalling the number of splines 13.
These grooves extend longitudinally from one end
to the other but terminate spaced from the end speci~ical-
ly designated 19. ~his end 19 is preferably formed with a
square cross sectioned recess adapted to be snap engaged by
a conventional socket wrench handle (not illustrated) which
extends at right angles from the longitudinal axis of the
extension assembly when positioned on the ha.ndle engaging
portion 11.
It will therefore be appreciated that the shaft
extension portion 13 may slidably engage the handle engag-
ing portion 11 so that the overall length of the two por-
tions may be adjusted within the range of the length of the
two components or portions.
The end of the handle engaging portion 11, speci-
fically designated 20, is slightly tapered on the exterior
surface thereof and this slightly tapered, truncated cone-
shaped end 20 is screw threaded externally as clearly shown
in Figure 2.
A truncated conical sleeve 21 is .internally screw
threaded as at 22 and slides freely over the extension shaft
portion 10 with the screw threads 22 engaging the screw
threaded end 20 of the handle engaging portion. This handle
engaging portion is provided with at least one and prefer-
ably a plurality of spaced and parallel slots 23 formed
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through the wall thereof and extending from the extremity
24 towards the inner end of the conical shaped end 20 so
that when the sleeve 12 is tightened upon the end 20/ the
resiliency of the material forming the conical end 20 per-
mits the sleeve to compress the end 20 and clamp same
around the extension shaft portion 13 thus holding it ag-
ainst endwise movement relative to the handle portion but
at the same time it will be appreciated that the splines
13 engaging the grooves 18, prevent relative rotational
movement between the two portions.
While a splined construction is shown in the draw-
ings, nevertheless it will be appreciated that other means
may be provided which permit relative lengthwise movement
of the two portions yet prevent relative rotation thereof.
For example, the portion 13 could be formed with a square
or other non-circular cross sectional configuration with a
corresponding shape forming the inner bore of the handle en- ;
gaging portion 11 and the invention is of course not limited
to the splines illustrated and described.
In use, the desired size socket is engaged upon
the end 15 and the desired handle engaged within the end 19.
The length of the extension handle assembly is adjusted to
suit the circumstances whereupon the sleeve 12 is tightened
thus clamping the two parts together.
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SUPPLEMENTARY DISC~OSURE
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Figure 8 is an elevational view showing the inven-
tion incorporated within a ratchet handle assembly.
Figure 9 is an elevational view showing the inven-
tion incorporated within a pivoted handle assembly.
Figures 8 and 9 show further uses for the invention.
Figure 8, for example, shows the splined shaft or
extension portion collectively designated lO slidably engage-
able within the hollow engaging portion which in Figures 8
and 9, is collectively designated 25. In Figures 8 and 9,
this hollow extension portion forms the cylindrical handle
o~ a wrench handle assembly and the portion lO is slidably
engageable lengthwise within the hollow handle and is clamped
in the desired location relative to the handle, by means
of sleeve 12 in a manner similar to that described for the
previous embodiment, it being understood that the interior
surface of the handle 25 is splined to receive the splines
13 and that the sleeve 21, operates to clamp the extension
portion 10 in the desired position in a similar manner.
A conventional ratchet assembly or component col-
lectively designated 26 is provided on the distal end of the
spline extension portion 10 with a square cross sectioned
socket engaging portion lS extending from one side of the
generally circular ratchet component 26, it being understood
that this ratchet component is conventional so that details
thereof are not believed necessary. A spring loaded ball
16 extends from one face of the portion 15 and is compressible
against a spring in a conventional manner.
Figure 9 is similar with the exception that a U-
shaped yoke 27 is secured to the distal end of the extension
shaft portion 10 with the leg 28 thereof lying longitudinally
with respect to the portion 10. The square cross sectioned
socket engaging portion 15 is secured to an extension 29 which
in turn is pivoted between the legs 28 of the yoke 27 by means
of a pivot pin 30. This construction may take the form of
a universal nut before the portion 15~ if desired.
This permits the effective length of the handle
assembly to be varied so that it may be used in confined spaces
if desired. It also controls the leverage which may be
applied to the socket engaged therewith, assisting in avoid- ,
ing over-torquing of nuts and bolts engaged by the socket.
Since various modification can be made in my inven-
tion as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely
different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope
of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope,
it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and
not in a limiting sense.
