Retainer ring for securely retaining a first object to a second object

Abstract

A retainer ring includes at least two holding sections and at least one engaging section. Each holding section has a radius of curvature equal to half of a diameter of a reduced section of a first object, e.g., an adaptor. The engaging section has a radius of curvature greater than that of the holding sections. The holding sections securely clamp the reduced section of the first object with the engaging section partially protruding out of the reduced section of the first object for engaging with a second object e.g., a box end of a wrench.

1. A retainer ring designed for securely  radially retaining an engagement portion of a first object, having a reduced portion of a radially reduced cross-section, to  in a receiving compartment of a second object, the retainer ring having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumference of the retainer ring and being resilient and comprising:
 a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including at least two holding sections and at least one engaging section, said at least one engaging section defining an outward portion having an outer radius of curvature which is greater than an outer radius of curvature of the holding sections, each of said at least two holding sections having an inner radius of curvature equal to half of a diameter of the reduced cross-section of the reduced portion of the first object, said at least one engaging section having an inner radius of curvature which is greater than that of said at least two holding sections, and the curvatures of the holding sections and of the engaging section each having a center of curvature within the circumference of the retainer ring;  
 wherein said at least two holding sections being adapted toprovide for securely radially inward clampclamping of said reduced cross-section of said first object withand the retainer ring is radially compressible and designed to be radially compressed for radially inward clamping of the holding sections on the reduced cross- section of the reduced portion of the first object when said outward portion of  said at least one engaging section partially protruding out of said reduced section of said first object for engaging with said second objectis pressed in a radially inward direction.  
 
     
     
       2. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer ring includes two distal ends spaced by an opening, each of said distal ends of said retainer ring forming an associated one of said at least two holding sections. 
     
     
       3. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a third holding section of said at least two holding sections of said retainer ring is located in a position opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       4. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer ring includes an  a circumferential opening and wherein said at least one engaging section of said retainer ring is opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       5. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       6. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       7. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       8. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       9. A combination comprising:
 a first object that including  includes an engagement portion and a reduced portion of a radially reduced cross-section formed in the engagement portion;  
 a second object that including  includes a receiving compartment; and  
 a resilient retainer ring designed for radially retaining the engagement portion of the first object in the receiving compartment of the second object, the retainer ring having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumference thereof and comprising a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including at least two holding sections and at least one engaging section, said at least one engaging section defining an outward portion having an outer radius of curvature that is greater than an outer radius of curvature of the holding sections, each of said at least two holding sections having an inner radius of curvature equal to half of a diameter of said reduced cross-section of said reduced portion of the engagement portion of the first object, said at least one engaging section having an inner radius of curvature greater than that of said at least two holding sections, the curvatures of the holding sections and of the engaging section each having a center of curvature within the circumference of the retainer ring,  
 said at least two holding sections securely clamping said reduced section of said first object withwherein the retainer ring, when mounted on the reduced cross- section of the engagement portion of the first object and when the engagement portion of the first object is received in the receiving compartment of the second object, has  said outward portion of said at least one engaging section partially  protruding out of said reduced sectionportion of said first object forengagement portion beyond an outer periphery thereof and said outward portion is radially engagingengaged with an inner periphery of said receiving compartment of said second object, with engagement of the at least one engaging section with the second object providing for clamping of the at least two holding sections, so that the retainer ring is radially compressed and the at least two holding sections are securely clamped about the reduced cross-section of the reduced portion of the engagement portion.  
 
     
     
       10. The combination as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said retainer ring includes two distal ends spaced by an opening, each of said distal ends of said retainer ring forming an associated one of said at least two holding sections. 
     
     
       11. The combination as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a third holding section of said at least two holding sections is opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       12. The combination as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said retainer ring includes an  a circumferential opening and wherein said at least one engaging section of said retainer ring is opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       13. The combination as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first object is an adaptor and the second object is a box end of a wrench. 
     
     
       14. The combination as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first object is a bit and the second object is a shank of a screwdriver. 
     
     
       15. The combination as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       16. The combination as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       17. The combination as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       18. The combination as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       19. The combination as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       20. The combination as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is greater than said inner radius of curvature of said at least two holding sections by an amount less than a  said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       21. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one engaging section comprises a first engaging section and a second engaging section, the first engaging section between the third holding section and one of said distal ends of the retainer ring and the second engaging section between the third holding section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       22. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       23. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the retainer ring includes two distal ends spaced by said opening, and one of said at least two holding sections extends between said at least one engaging section and one of said distal ends, and the other of said at least two holding sections extends between said at least one engaging section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       24. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       25. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one engaging section comprises a first engaging section and a second engaging section, the first engaging section extending between the third holding section and one of said distal ends of the retainer ring and the second engaging section extending between the third holding section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       26. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       27. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the retainer ring includes two distal ends spaced by said opening, and one of said at least two holding sections extends between said at least one engaging section and one of said distal ends, and the other of said at least two holding sections extends between said at least one engaging section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       28. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of said at least one engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       29. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the first and second holding sections have an inner radius of curvature equal to half of a diameter of the reduced cross- section of the first object along a circumferential length of the holding sections.   
     
     
       30. A retainer ring for radially retaining an engagement portion of a first object, including a reduced portion of a radially reduced cross- section, in a receiving compartment of a second object, the retainer ring having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumference of the retainer ring and being resilient and comprising:      a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including first and second holding sections and a first engaging section, the first engaging section having an inner radius of curvature that is greater than an inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections, and the first engaging section defining outward portions having an outer radius of curvature which is greater than an outer radius of curvature of said first and second holding sections, the curvatures of the first engaging section and of the outward portions thereof each having a center of curvature within the circumference of the retainer ring, said retainer ring further including first and second distal ends spaced by an opening;        wherein said first and second holding sections provide for securely radially inward clamping of said reduced cross - section of the reduced portion of said first object, and the retainer ring is radially compressible and designed to be radially compressed for radially inward clamping of the first and second holding sections on the reduced cross - section of the reduced portion of the first object when said outward portions of the first engaging section are pressed in a radially inward direction.     
     
     
       31. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , the first and second distal ends of said retainer ring forming respectively the first and second holding sections. 
     
     
       32. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising a third holding section located in a position opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       33. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       34. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       35. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said first engaging section of said retainer ring is opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       36. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       37. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       38. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the first object is a bit and the second object is a shank of a screwdriver. 
     
     
       39. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the first object is an adaptor and the second object is a box end of a wrench. 
     
     
       40. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , further comprising a third holding section and a second engaging section, the first engaging section between the third holding section and one of said distal ends of the retainer ring and the second engaging section between the third holding section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       41. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engagement section. 
     
     
       42. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the first holding section extends between said first engaging section and one of said distal ends, and the second holding sections extends between said first engaging section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       43. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engagement section. 
     
     
       44. A combination comprising:
   a first object that includes an engagement portion and a reduced portion of a radially reduced cross - section formed into the engagement portion;        a second object that includes a receiving compartment; and        a resilient retainer ring designed for radially retaining the engagement portion of the first object in the receiving compartment of the second object, the retainer ring having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumference thereof and comprising a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including first and second holding sections and a first engaging section, the first engaging section having an inner radius of curvature which is greater than an inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections, and the first engaging section defining outward portions having an outer radius of curvature which is greater than an outer radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections, the curvatures of the first engaging section each having a center of curvature within the circumference of the retainer ring;        said retainer ring including first and second distal ends spaced by an opening, said first and second distal ends of said retainer ring forming respectively said first holding section and said second holding section;        wherein the retainer ring, when mounted on the reduced portion of the engagement portion of the first object, and when the engagement portion of the first object is received in the receiving compartment of the second object, has the outward portions of said first engaging section protruding out of said reduced portion of said engagement portion beyond an outer periphery thereof and the outward portions are radially engaged by an inner periphery of said receiving compartment of said second object, so that the retainer ring is radially compressed and the first and second holding sections are radially inwardly clamped about the reduced cross - section of said reduced portion.     
     
     
       45. The combination as claimed in  claim 44 , further comprising a third holding section opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       46. The combination as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       47. The combination as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein said first engaging section of said retainer ring is opposite to said opening. 
     
     
       48. The combination as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       49. The combination as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the first object is an adaptor and the second object is a box end of a wrench. 
     
     
       50. The combination as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       51. The combination as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the first object is a bit and the second object is a shank of a screwdriver. 
     
     
       52. The combination as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       53. The combination as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said at least one of said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       54. The combination as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the adaptor comprises a polygonal engaging portion including an annular groove. 
     
     
       55. The combination as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the adaptor comprises a drive end adapted for driving a socket. 
     
     
       56. The combination as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a polygonal receiving compartment. 
     
     
       57. The combination as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a dodecagonal inner periphery. 
     
     
       58. The combination as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a polygonal receiving compartment. 
     
     
       59. The combination as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a dodecagonal inner periphery. 
     
     
       60. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 44 , further comprising a third holding section and a second engaging section, the first engaging section between the third holding section and one of said distal ends of the retainer ring and the second engaging section between the third holding section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       61. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engagement section. 
     
     
       62. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the first holding section extends between said first engaging section and one of said distal ends, and the second holding sections extends between said first engaging section and the other of said distal ends. 
     
     
       63. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engagement section. 
     
     
       64. The retainer ring as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein the first and second holding sections have an inner radius of curvature equal to half of a diameter of the reduced cross- section of the first object along a circumferential length of the holding sections.   
     
     
       65. A combination comprising:
   an adaptor that includes an engagement portion and a reduced portion of a radially reduced cross - section formed into the engagement portion;        a box end of a wrench that includes a receiving compartment; and        a resilient retainer ring designed for radially retaining the engagement portion of the adaptor in the receiving compartment of the box end of the wrench, the retainer ring having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumference thereof and comprising a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including first, second, and third holding sections and further including first and second engaging sections, the first engaging section having an inner radius of curvature greater than an inner radius of curvature of each of the holding sections and defining a first outward portion having an outer radius of curvature that is greater than an outer radius of curvature of each of the holding sections, the curvatures of the first engaging section and of said first outward portion each having a center of curvature within the circumference of the retainer ring, the second engaging section defining a second outward portion having an outer radius of curvature which is greater than an outer radius of curvature of each of the holding sections;        said retainer ring further including first and second distal ends spaced by an opening, said third holding section being opposite to said opening, the first engaging section extending between the first holding section and the third holding section, and the second engaging section extending between the second holding section and the third holding section; wherein the retainer ring, when mounted on the reduced portion of the engagement portion of the adaptor, has said first, second and third holding sections securely clamping radially on said reduced portion of said engagement portion and has said outward portions of said first and second engaging sections protruding out of said reduced portion of said engagement portion beyond an outer periphery thereof, and said outward portions radially engage with an inner periphery of said receiving compartment of said box end, when the engagement portion is received in the receiving compartment of said box end of a wrench, so that the retainer ring is radially compressed and the first, second and third holding sections are radially inwardly clamped about the reduced portion of the engagement portion.     
     
     
       66. The combination as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein the adaptor comprises a polygonal engaging portion including an annular groove. 
     
     
       67. The combination as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the adaptor comprises a drive end adapted for driving a socket. 
     
     
       68. The combination as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a receiving compartment having a hexagonal inner periphery, and wherein the outward portions of the first and second engaging sections of the retainer ring engage with the hexagonal inner periphery of the receiving compartment at four points. 
     
     
       69. The combination as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       70. The combination as claimed in  claim 69 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       71. The combination as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       72. The combination as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the box end of the wrench comprises a dodecagonal inner periphery and wherein the outward portions of the first and second engaging sections of the retainer ring engage with the dodecagonal inner periphery at six points. 
     
     
       73. The combination as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       74. The combination as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       75. The combination as claimed in  claim 72 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       76. The combination as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein said first engaging section protrudes radially outward from said first and second holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       77. The combination as claimed in  claim 76 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       78. The combination as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein said second engaging section protrudes radially outward from said second and third holding sections by a distance less than said thickness of said retainer ring. 
     
     
       79. A combination of a first object and a radially resilient retainer ring, the retainer ring mounted on a reduced portion of an engagement portion and designed for radially retaining the engagement portion in a receiving compartment of a second object,
   the first object including the engagement portion and the reduced portion of the engagement portion is formed into the engagement portion to have a radially reduced cross - section,        the retainer ring including two distal ends spaced by an opening and having a substantially uniform radial thickness along the circumferential length thereof,        the retainer ring further including a plurality of circumferential sections of said uniform thickness, the circumferential sections including first and second holding sections and a first engaging section, the first and second holding sections having an inner radius of curvature that is equal to half of a diameter of the cross - section of the reduced portion of said engagement portion, and the first engaging section having an inner radius of curvature that is greater than said inner radius of curvature of the holding sections, the first engaging section defining an outward portion that protrudes outwardly beyond a periphery of the engagement portion and has an outer radius of curvature that is greater than an outer radius of curvature of the holding sections, each of said curvatures having a center of curvature inside the periphery of the retainer ring,        wherein the reduced portion of said engagement portion is radially clamped by the holding sections and the retainer ring is radially compressible and is designed to be compressed for radially inward clamping of the holding sections onto the reduced section when the outward portion of the engaging section is pressed in a radially inward direction of the retainer ring.     
     
     
       80. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the first holding section includes one of said distal ends of the retainer ring, and the second holding section includes the other of the distal ends of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       81. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the circumferential sections of the retainer ring further include a second engaging section defining an outward portion protruding outwardly beyond the periphery of the engagement portion of the first object and having an outer radius of curvature that is greater than an outer radius of curvature of each of the holding sections, wherein the curvature has a center of curvature within the periphery of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       82. The combination as claimed in  claim 81 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section and an inner radius of curvature of the second engaging section each is greater than the inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections by an amount less than said thickness of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       83. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein an inner radius of curvature along circumferential lengths of the holding sections is defined by said inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections. 
     
     
       84. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is greater than the inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections by an amount less than said thickness of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       85. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the periphery of the engagement portion of the first object is hexagonal, and an outward portion is defined by each of two circumferential ends of said first engaging section and protrudes outwardly beyond the periphery of the engagement portion and has an outer radius of curvature greater than an outer radius of curvature of the holding sections. 
     
     
       86. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the first engaging section is opposite to said opening, and the first holding section extends between the first engaging section and one of said distal ends of the retainer ring, and the second holding section extends between the first engaging section and the other of said distal ends of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       87. The combination as claimed in  claim 86 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       88. The combination as claimed in  claim 87 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first engaging section is greater than the inner radius of curvature of the first and second holding sections by an amount less than said thickness of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       89. The combination as claimed in  claim 86 , wherein the periphery of the engagement portion of the first object is hexagonal, and an outward portion is defined by each of two circumferential ends of said first engaging section and protrudes outwardly beyond the periphery of the engagement portion and has an outer radius of curvature greater than an outer radius of curvature of the holding sections. 
     
     
       90. The combination as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the circumferential sections of the retainer ring further include a third holding section and a second engaging section, the third holding section being opposite to said opening, the first engaging section extending between the first holding section and the third holding section, and the second engaging section extending between the second holding section and the third holding section. 
     
     
       91. The combination as claimed in  claim 90 , wherein the first and second engaging sections each have an inner radius of curvature that is constant along a circumferential length of the engaging section. 
     
     
       92. The combination as claimed in  claim 90 , wherein the third holding section has an inner radius of curvature that is equal to half of a diameter of the reduced portion of the engagement portion of the first object. 
     
     
       93. The combination as claimed in  claim 90 , wherein the inner radius of curvature of the first and second engaging section is greater than an inner radius of curvature of the third holding section by an amount less than said thickness of the retainer ring. 
     
     
       94. The combination as claimed in  claim 90 , wherein the periphery of the engagement portion of the first object is hexagonal and an outward portion protruding outwardly beyond the periphery of the engagement portion and having an outer radius of curvature greater than an outer radius of curvature of each of the holding sections is defined by each of two circumferential ends of each of the first and second engaging sections.