Socket wrench with interchangeable sockets stored in handle

Abstract

A socket wrench of the type having interchangeable sockets has its handle constructed to provide a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side and compartments in each of which one of the socket members may be received and frictionally gripped. An access opening in the wall operatively associated with each compartment permits application of force to the socket member in the compartment to remove it through the entrance opening.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a socket wrench of the type which has a handle, a head at one end of the handle with a socket mounting stub, and a set of interchangeable socket members of different sizes which are adapted for individual selective mounting on said stub, the improvement comprising: said handle has an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side;   said cavity has portions of different sizes each of which is adapted to frictionally, engage with one of the socket members of said set;   and said wall has an access opening operatively associated with each portion of the cavity permitting application of force to the socket member in said portion to remove it through said entrance opening.   
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1 in which the handle tapers substantially uniformly from a large outer end to a narrow neck portion adjacent the head. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of claim 1 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the socket members. 
     
     
       4. The improvement of claim 1 in which the access openings are holes along the longitudinal median line of the wall. 
     
     
       5. The improvement of claim 4 in which the holes are laterally elongated, have rounded margins, and are large enough to accommodate the end of a finger for applying force to the socket member. 
     
     
       6. The improvement of claim 5 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle. 
     
     
       7. The improvement of claim 4 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation substantially centered on the hole. 
     
     
       8. The improvement of claim 7 in which each hole is adapted to have an end portion of a socket member projecting through it for application of force to the socket member. 
     
     
       9. The improvement of claim 1 in which said access opening is in the form of an arcuate recess at each margin of the wall, so that force may be applied to a socket member by gripping it between the fingers. 
     
     
       10. The improvement of claim 1 in which the cavity includes a neck portion immediately adjacent the socket head which is constructed to frictionally engage with an extension member which has one end portion that seats on the stub and a second end portion comprising a stub to selectively receive the socket members. 
     
     
       11. The improvement of claim 10 in which the handle tapers substantially uniformly from a large outer end to said neck portion. 
     
     
       12. The improvement of claim 11 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle. 
     
     
       13. The improvement of claim 11 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a member which has its axis of rotation effectively on the longitudinal median plane of the entrance opening. 
     
     
       14. The improvement of claim 10 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the members. 
     
     
       15. The improvement of claim 10 which includes resilient means secured to the wall in each portion of the cavity for frictionally gripping the members. 
     
     
       16. The improvement of claim 1 which includes resilient means secured to the wall in each portion of the cavity for frictionally gripping the socket members. 
     
     
       17. The improvement of claim 16 in which the longitudinal cavity wall in cross section is a segment of a circle in excess of 180°, and the resilient means is close enough to the longitudinal margins of the wall that the stored socket members have their transverse diameters positioned inwardly of the resilient means. 
     
     
       18. The improvement of claim 1 in which the cavity wall in cross section is a segment of a circle in excess of 180°, and in which the stored socket members are frictionally gripped between their transverse diameters and the longitudinal margins of said wall so they snap into the cavity. 
     
     
       19. The improvement of claim 1 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle. 
     
     
       20. The improvement of claim 1 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation effectively on the longitudinal median plane of the entrance opening. 
     
     
       21. Socket member storage means for interchangeable sockets of a socket wrench of the type which has a head with a socket mounting stub, said storage means comprising: an arcuate longitudinal wall defining a cavity which has an entrance opening along one side, said cavity having several distinct portions each of which receives and frictionally engages with one socket member of a set, and an access opening in the wall operatively associated with each portion of the cavity for applying manual force to the socket member in said portion to remove said socket member through the entrance opening.   
     
     
       22. The .[.improvement.]. .Iadd.storage means .Iaddend.of claim 21 which includes integral transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the socket members. 
     
     
       23. The .[.improvement.]. .Iadd.storage means .Iaddend.of claim 21 in which the access openings are holes along the longitudinal median line of the wall. 
     
     
       24. The .[.improvement.]. .Iadd.storage means .Iaddend.of claim 21 in which each portion of the cavity is adapted to receive and frictionally engage with a socket member which has its axis of rotation lengthwise of the handle. 
     
     
       25. The .[.combination.]. .Iadd.storage means .Iaddend.of claims 21, 22, 23 or 24 in which the socket member storage means .[.is integrally connected.]. .Iadd.connects .Iaddend.to the head .[.and provides.]. .Iadd.to provide .Iaddend.a handle for the wrench. .Iadd. 26. Socket member storage means for a set of interchangeable sockets for a socket wrench of the type which has a head with a socket mounting stub, said storage means comprising: a longitudinal wall defining a long, narrow cavity which has an entrance opening along one side, said cavity having several portions disposed therealong in tandem, each of which portions receives and separately retains one socket member of a set, and each portion of the cavity including means permitting the socket member in said portion to be removed therefrom through the entrance opening without disturbing any other socket member. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 27. The storage means of claim 26 in which each portion of the cavity retains a socket member by frictional engagement therewith, and said means permitting the socket member in said portion to be removed therefrom comprises means permitting application of manual force to the socket to release it from said frictional engagement. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. The storage means of claim 27 in which said means permitting application of manual force to the socket member comprises an access opening in the wall operatively associated with each portion of the cavity. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. The storage means of claim 26 which includes transverse webs between adjacent portions of the cavity defining compartments for the socket members. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 30. The storage means of claims 26, 27, 28 or 29 in which the storage means connects to the head to provide a handle for the wrench. .Iaddend.