Took kit

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/032,634 filed Jan. 10, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No 7,104,163.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool kit. In particular, the present invention relates to a tool kit comprising a set of wrenches and a set of go-through type sockets.

2. Description of the Related Art

A typical socket wrench kit comprises a socket wrench and a plurality of sockets of various sizes. Each socket has a standard cavity in an end thereof for engaging with a drive column of the socket wrench. The cost for the user is relatively low, as a single socket wrench can be used to drive dozens of sockets. However, the torque imparted from the socket wrench is too large for some of the sockets. Further, the drive column of the socket wrench is an obstacle to operation in a limited space, such as the engine room of an automobile. Combination wrenches having a box end and an open end are the common option for users in this case. However, after driving the fastener through a certain angle, the user has to disengage the combination wrench from the fastener and then reengage with the fastener for next driving, and the procedure is repeated until the fastener is tightened/loosened to the desired extent. To solve this problem, ratchet type combination wrenches have been designed, allowing the user to freely turn the combination wrench in a reverse direction without driving the fastener. These small-head high-torque reversible combination wrenches are popular to automobile mechanics.

In one design of the small-head high-torque reversible combination wrenches, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,422, the wrench includes a box end in which a wheel is rotatably mounted. The wheel includes a hexagonal inner periphery (or engaging surface) with six faces for engaging with an engaging surface of a bolt or a socket. However, the driving strength or torque is insufficient, as only six points are connected and engaged between the engaging surfaces of the wheel and the bolt (or socket).

To solve this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,422 discloses a wrench having a greater driving strength. The wrench comprises a handle portion and a head portion. A sleeve is rotatably engaged in the head portion and can be controlled to rotate in either direction. A go-through type socket includes a barrel engaged in an inner engaging surface of the sleeve. The user of the wrench of this type must purchase a set of go-through type sockets of various sizes, resulting in an additional cost. In use, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the wrench 10 can be used with a set of go-through type sockets 20 a and 20 b of various sizes. For a socket (e.g., socket 20 a ) including a driving hole 21 a with a nominal size B greater than the nominal size A of the wrench 10 , the torque imparted to the socket 20 a is insufficient. On the other hand, for a socket (e.g., socket 20 b ) including a driving hole 21 b with a nominal size C smaller than the nominal size A of the wrench 10 , the torque imparted to the socket 20 b is too large. Further, in a case that the socket 20 b is selected for driving a fastener in a narrow, deep receptacle, the large head portion of the wrench 10 could not enter the narrow, deep receptacle. Driving of the fastener by the wrench 10 is thus impossible.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a tool kit comprises a number of wrenches of various sizes and a corresponding number of go-through type sockets. Each wrench comprises a handle with a box end. Each wrench further includes a wheel that is rotatably mounted in the box end of the handle and that defines an inner periphery with a nominal size.

Each socket comprises an engaging portion for engaging with the inner periphery of the wheel of a corresponding one of the wrenches. The engaging portion includes a nominal size the same as that of the corresponding one of the wrenches. Each socket further comprises a driving portion including a driving hole with a nominal size the same as that of the corresponding one of the wrenches.

The inner periphery of the wheel of each wrench includes an annular groove. The engaging portion of each socket includes a recessed portion having a plurality of annularly spaced grooves. Each groove has two inclined faces.

Each wrench further includes a retainer partially engaged in the annular groove and partially engaged in the grooves of the engaging portion of a corresponding one of the sockets, thereby retaining the engaging portion of the corresponding one of the sockets and allowing easy removal of the engaging portion of the corresponding one of the sockets from the corresponding one of the wrenches.

Preferably, the number of the wrenches is greater than two.

Preferably, the engaging portion of each socket includes a through-hole in communication with the driving hole of the socket.

In an example, the box end of each wrench includes a star-polygonal inner periphery.

Preferably, the engaging portion of each socket includes a star-polygonal outer periphery, and the driving hole of each socket is star-polygonal.

Preferably, each groove is substantially V-shaped and the inclined faces of each groove are triangular and share a common side.

In another example, the box end of each wrench includes an inner periphery having a plurality of protruded portions and a plurality of recessed portions that are alternately disposed.

Preferably, the engaging portion of each socket includes an outer periphery having a plurality of protruded portions and a plurality of recessed portions that are alternately disposed. The driving hole of each socket including an inner periphery has a plurality of protruded portions and a plurality of recessed portions that are alternately disposed.

Preferably, each groove is substantially V-shaped and the inclined faces of each groove are rectangular and share a common side.

In a further example, the box end of each wrench includes an inner periphery having a plurality of relatively wider recessed portions and a plurality of relatively narrower protruded portions that are alternately disposed.

Preferably, the engaging portion of each socket includes an outer periphery having a plurality of relatively wider protruded portions and a plurality of relatively narrower recessed portions that are alternately disposed. The driving hole of each socket includes an inner periphery having a plurality of relatively wider recessed portions and a plurality of relatively narrower protruded portions that are alternately disposed.

Preferably, each groove is substantially V-shaped and the inclined faces of each groove are rectangular and share a common side.

Preferably, the retainer is substantially circular in section to allow easy insertion of the retainer into the grooves of the engaging portion.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a go-through type socket kit comprises at least three go-through type sockets of various sizes. Each go-through type socket comprises an engaging portion adapted to be engaged with a wheel rotatably mounted in a box end of a wrench, each go-through type socket further comprises a driving portion with a driving hole adapted to drive a fastener. The engaging portion of each go-through type socket comprises an outer periphery with a nominal size that same as that of the driving hole. The engaging portion of each socket includes a recessed portion having a plurality of annularly spaced grooves. Each groove has two inclined faces. The grooves of each socket are adapted to be engaged with a retainer that is partially engaged in an annular groove defined in an inner periphery of the wheel, thereby retaining the engaging portion and allowing easy removal of the engaging portion of the socket from the wrench.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded side view illustrating a conventional tool kit.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of one of a set of wrenches and one of a set of go-through type sockets of a tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a box end of the wrench in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wrench and the socket in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a table showing various metric nominal sizes for the wrenches and go-through type sockets of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an example of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating use of a wrench and a go-through type socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table showing various inch nominal sizes for the wrenches and go-through type sockets of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of tool cases with tool kits in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a wrench and a corresponding socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a box end of the wrench in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10C is a view similar to FIG. 10B , illustrating removal of the socket from the wrench.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a further example of a wrench and a corresponding socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a top view of a box end of the wrench in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of still another example of a wrench and a corresponding socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a top view of a box end of the wrench in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 12B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view illustrating yet another example of a wrench and a corresponding socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view illustrating still another example of a wrench and a corresponding socket of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention.

A tool kit in accordance with the present invention comprises a set of wrenches of various sizes and a set of go-through type sockets of various sizes corresponding to those of the wrenches. The number of the go-through type sockets is the same as that of the wrenches, and each go-through type socket is used with an associated one of the wrenches. FIG. 8 illustrates a tool case with a tool kit in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool kit comprises three wrenches 30 of various sizes and three go-through type sockets 40 of various sizes. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , each wrench 30 includes a handle 34 and a wheel 31 rotatably mounted in a box end 35 of the handle 34 . Switching means 32 may be provided to change a driving rotation direction for driving a fastener and a free rotation direction not driving the fastener. Examples of the switching means 32 include but not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,732,614; 6,722,234; 6,666,112; 6,647,832; 6,644,148; 6,457,389; 6,453,779; 6,450,068; 6,282,992; 6,282,991.

The wheel 31 comprises an inner periphery 311 including a plurality of faces. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner periphery 311 includes six faces that can be used to directly drive a fastener such as a bolt, nut, etc. The nominal size of the wheel 31 is designated by A (see FIGS. 2 and 2A ). Each socket 40 includes an engaging portion 41 for engaging with the inner periphery 311 of the wheel 31 and a driving portion 44 for driving a fastener such as a bolt, nut, etc. The engaging portion 41 is preferably polygonal (hexagonal in this embodiment) and includes an outer periphery having a plurality of faces and a through-hole 45 . The nominal size of the engaging portion 41 of each socket 40 is designated by B (see FIG. 2 ). The driving portion 44 includes a driving hole 42 that is delimited by a plurality of faces and that is in communication with the through-hole 45 (see FIG. 6 ) of the engaging portion 41 , wherein the nominal size of the driving hole 42 of the socket 40 is designated by C (see FIG. 2 ).

The nominal size A of the wheel 31 of each wrench 30 , the nominal size B of the engaging portion 41 of a corresponding one of the sockets 40 , and the nominal size C of the driving portion 42 of the corresponding one of the sockets 40 are identical, as shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 shows various metric nominal sizes of A, B, and C for the wrenches 30 and the sockets 40 .

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a wrench 30 a with a box end 35 a and a corresponding socket 40 a of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10A is a top view of the box end 35 a of the wrench 30 a in FIG. 10 . FIG. 10B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 10 . FIG. 10C is a view similar to FIG. 10B , illustrating removal of the socket from the wrench.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a further example of a wrench 30 b with a box end 35 b and a corresponding socket 40 b of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 11A is a top view of the box end 35 b of the wrench 30 b in FIG. 11 . FIG. 11B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of still another example of a wrench 30 c with a box end 35 c and a corresponding socket 40 c of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 12A is a top view of the box end 35 c of the wrench 30 c in FIG. 12 . FIG. 12B is a schematic sectional view of the wrench and the corresponding socket in FIG. 12 .

The inner periphery 311 of the box end 35 of the wrench in FIGS. 2A and 3 includes six faces. The box end 35 a of the wrench 30 a in FIGS. 10 and 10A includes an inner periphery in the form of a star polygon with twenty-four (24) faces 36 a . The engaging portion 41 a of the socket 40 a includes a star-polygonal outer periphery, and the driving hole 42 a of the socket 40 a is star-polygonal.

The box end 35 b of the wrench 30 b in FIGS. 11 and 11A includes an inner periphery having twelve (12) protruded portions 36 b and twelve (12) recessed portions 37 b that are alternately disposed. The engaging portion 41 b of the socket 40 b includes an outer periphery having a plurality of protruded portions 47 and a plurality of recessed portions 46 that are alternately disposed. The driving hole 42 b of the socket 40 b includes an inner periphery having a plurality of protruded portions 48 and a plurality of recessed portions 49 that are alternately disposed.

The box end 35 c of the wrench 30 c in FIGS. 12 and 12A includes an inner periphery having six (6) relatively wider recessed portions 36 c and six (6) relatively narrower protruded portions 37 c that are alternately disposed. The engaging portion 41 c of the socket 40 c includes an outer periphery having a plurality of relatively wider protruded portions 50 and a plurality of relatively narrower recessed portions 51 that are alternately disposed. The driving hole 42 c of the socket 40 c includes an inner periphery having a plurality of relatively wider recessed portions 52 and a plurality of relatively narrower protruded portions 53 that are alternately disposed. The engaging portion 41 a , 41 b , 41 c of each socket 40 a , 40 b , 40 c includes a through-hole (not shown) in communication with the driving hole 42 a , 42 b , 42 c.

All of these box ends 35 , 35 a , 35 b , and 35 c have the same nominal size A. The engaging portion 41 , 41 a , 41 b , 41 c of the corresponding socket 40 , 40 a , 40 b , 40 c and the driving hole 42 , 42 a , 42 b , 42 c of the corresponding socket 40 , 40 a , 40 b , 40 c have the same nominal size A. Measurement of the nominal size (or simply the “size”) of the box end of the wrench, the engaging portion of the socket, and the driving hole of the socket are conventional and therefore not described in detail.

The tool kit in accordance with the present invention is not limited to use the box ends and the sockets of the embodiments shown and described. Further, the wheel 31 and its corresponding arrangement as well as switching means 32 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be used in the embodiments of FIGS. 10 , 11 , and 12 .

FIG. 5 is an example of a tool kit in accordance with the present invention, wherein the tool kit comprises three wrenches and three go-through type sockets. The nominal sizes A of the wrenches 30 are 24 mm, 19 mm, and 8 mm, respectively. The nominal sizes B of the engaging portions 41 of the sockets 40 are 24 mm, 19 mm, and 8 mm, respectively. The nominal sizes C of the driving holes 42 of the sockets 40 are 24 mm, 19 mm, and 8 mm, respectively. Thus, each of the wrenches 30 of various sizes has a correspondingly sized go-through type socket 40 . The torque imparted to the fastener is sufficient. The insufficient torque problem in conventional designs is solved by the wrench and the socket in accordance with the present invention.

The nominal sizes of the wrenches and the go-through type sockets of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention can be based on the inch system, as shown in FIG. 7 . The number of the wrenches and the corresponding number of the go-through type sockets of the tool kit in accordance with the present invention may be as many as desired. For example, FIG. 9 shows a tool kit with six wrenches and six go-through type sockets in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in a case for driving a fastener 51 located in a narrow, deep receptacle 50 , the user may engage a small-size go-through type socket 40 with the correspondingly sized wrench 30 and insert the combined wrench/socket into the receptacle 50 for accomplishing the driving purposes. Thus, the tool kit in accordance with the present invention is operable in limited operating conditions.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 , the inner periphery 311 of each wrench 30 may include an annular groove 312 , and the engaging portion 41 of the corresponding socket 40 may include a recessed portion 43 . A retainer 33 (such as a C-clip) is partially engaged in the recessed portion 43 of the socket 40 and the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 for securely retaining the socket 40 in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 .

In the example shown in FIG. 10B , the engaging portion 41 a of the socket 40 a includes a recessed portion on an outer circumference thereof. The recessed portion includes a plurality of annularly spaced grooves 43 a . Each groove 43 a is substantially V-shaped in section and defined by two inclined faces 431 and 432 . In this example, the inclined faces 431 and 432 are triangular and share a common side. A retainer 33 is partially engaged in the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 a and partially engaged in the grooves 43 a for securely retaining the socket 40 a in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 a . Referring to FIG. 10C , when the engaging portion 41 a of the socket 40 a is pushed in a direction indicated by the arrow for removing the socket 40 a from the wrench 30 a , the retainer 33 slides along the inclined faces 431 and thus allows the socket 40 a to smoothly slide out of the wrench 30 a.

In the example shown in FIG. 11B , the engaging portion 41 b of the socket 40 b includes a recessed portion on an outer circumference thereof. The recessed portion includes a plurality of annularly spaced grooves 43 b . Each groove 43 b is substantially V-shaped in section and defined by two inclined faces 431 and 432 . In this example, the inclined faces 431 and 432 are rectangular and share a common side. A retainer 33 is partially engaged in the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 b and partially engaged in the grooves 43 b for securely retaining the socket 40 b in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 b . When the engaging portion 41 b of the socket 40 b is pushed for removing the socket 40 b from the wrench 30 b , the retainer 33 slides along the inclined faces 431 and thus allows the socket 40 b to smoothly slide out of the wrench 30 b.

In the example shown in FIG. 12B , the engaging portion 41 c of the socket 40 c includes a recessed portion on an outer circumference thereof. The recessed portion includes a plurality of annularly spaced grooves 43 c . Each groove 43 c is substantially V-shaped in section and defined by two inclined faces 431 and 432 . In this example, the inclined faces 431 and 432 are rectangular and share a common side. A retainer 33 is partially engaged in the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 c and partially engaged in the grooves 43 c for securely retaining the socket 40 c in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 c . When the engaging portion 41 c of the socket 40 c is pushed for removing the socket 40 c from the wrench 30 c , the retainer 33 slides along the inclined faces 431 and thus allows the socket 40 c to smoothly slide out of the wrench 30 c.

In an example shown in FIG. 13 , the engaging portion 41 d of the socket 40 d includes a recessed portion on an outer circumference thereof. The recessed portion includes a plurality of annularly spaced grooves 43 d . Each groove 43 d is substantially V-shaped in section and defined by two inclined faces 431 and 432 . In this example, the inclined face 431 is triangular and the inclined face 432 is rectangular and shares a side with the inclined face 431 . A retainer 33 is partially engaged in the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 d and partially engaged in the grooves 43 d for securely retaining the socket 40 d in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 d . When the engaging portion 41 d of the socket 40 d is pushed for removing the socket 40 d from the wrench 30 d , the retainer 33 slides along the inclined faces 431 and thus allows the socket 40 d to smoothly slide out of the wrench 30 d.

In an example shown in FIG. 14 , the engaging portion 41 e of the socket 40 e includes a recessed portion on an outer circumference thereof. The recessed portion includes a plurality of annularly spaced grooves 43 e . Each groove 43 e is substantially V-shaped in section and defined by two inclined faces 431 and 432 . In this example, the inclined face 431 is triangular and the inclined face 432 has two rounded sides. Further, the inclined faces 431 and 432 share a common side. A retainer 33 is partially engaged in the annular groove 312 of the wrench 30 e and partially engaged in the grooves 43 e for securely retaining the socket 40 e in the wheel 31 of the corresponding wrench 30 e . When the engaging portion 41 e of the socket 40 e is pushed for removing the socket 40 e from the wrench 30 e , the retainer 33 slides along the inclined faces 431 and thus allows the socket 40 e to smoothly slide out of the wrench 30 e.

Preferably, the retainer 33 is substantially circular in section to allow easy insertion of the retainer 33 into the V-shaped grooves 43 a , 43 b , 43 c , 43 d , 43 e of the engaging portion 41 a , 41 b , 41 c , 41 d , 41 e in the above-mentioned examples.

Although the tool kit in accordance with the present invention includes more than one wrench 30 , the overall cost of the tool kit is still relatively low. Further, the overall volume of the tool case for containing the tool kit in accordance with the present invention is not large and thus easy to carry while fulfilling various needs of driving fasteners.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.