socket wrench insert structure

Abstract

Socket wrench insert structure, comprehensive: a socket wrench insert body having a first socket hole and a second socket hole, wherein the first socket hole and the second socket hole are located along the central axis of the socket wrench insert structure at the two ends of the socket wrench insert body, and the first socket hole and the second socket hole are continuously connected to each other; and a polygonal drive structure arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket wrench insert body and surrounding the first socket hole; wherein the socket wrench insert structure has a maximum height along the central axis, the polygonal drive structure has an axial length along the central axis, and the axial length is less than or equal to half the maximum height.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a socket structure and, more particularly, to a socket structure that can be driven and rotated in conjunction with a plurality of hand tools. State of the art

[0002] With the advancement of technology, users often use sockets to engage with hand tools when operating tools such as screws. These sockets engage with hand tools to disassemble and assemble the tools, thus saving labor and increasing operating convenience. For example, users can place a socket on a tool and then use a wrench to clamp and rotate the socket to complete the disassembly and assembly of the tool.

[0003] Although there are many types of sockets on the market that can be used with different hand tools, a single socket can only be used with one hand tool for driving. Different usage scenarios still require different sockets for hand tools to accommodate different location constraints, resulting in inconvenience and burden when carrying.

[0004] Therefore, how to increase versatility when driving a socket for rotation is of great importance to the related industry and represents an important research direction. Object of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a socket structure that can be engaged with various hand tools for driving rotation and can be used with suitable hand tools depending on different usage environments.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a socket structure is provided which comprises a socket body and a polygonal drive structure, wherein the socket body has a first socket hole and a second socket hole, the first socket hole and the second socket hole are located at the two ends of the socket body along the central axis of the socket structure, and the first socket hole and the second socket hole are continuously connected to each other, wherein the polygonal drive structure is arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body and surrounds the first socket hole, the socket structure has a maximum height along the central axis, the polygonal drive structure has an axial length along the central axis, and the axial length is less than or equal to half the maximum height.

[0007] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the socket body has a drive end surface perpendicular to the central axis, the first plug hole extends through the drive end surface, the polygonal drive structure includes a plurality of tooth portions, and each tooth portion extends from the drive end surface in a direction parallel to the central axis.

[0008] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the polygonal drive structure further includes a step difference portion formed in the shape of a recess on at least one of the tooth portions.

[0009] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, each tooth portion has a plurality of first tooth portions and a plurality of second tooth portions, each first tooth portion having a first radial length along the radial direction of the central axis, each second tooth portion being connected to the corresponding first tooth portion, each second tooth portion having a second radial length along the radial direction of the central axis, and the first radial length being greater than the second radial length.

[0010] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the axial length is in the range of 34% to 42% of the maximum height.

[0011] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the socket structure further comprises a cavity, an elastic member, and a positioning ball, wherein the cavity is provided along the radial direction of the central axis in the polygonal drive structure, the elastic member is arranged in the cavity, the positioning ball is connected to one end of the elastic member, and a part of the positioning ball protrudes from the cavity.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a socket structure comprising a socket body, a polygonal drive structure, and a drive hole, wherein the socket body has a first plug hole and a second plug hole, the first plug hole and the second plug hole are located at the two ends of the socket body along the central axis of the socket structure, respectively, and the first plug hole and the second plug hole are continuously connected to each other, the polygonal drive structure is arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body and surrounds the first plug hole, and the drive hole is continuously connected to the first plug hole or the second plug hole along the radial direction of the central axis.

[0013] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the socket body has a drive end surface perpendicular to the central axis, the first plug hole extends through the drive end surface, the polygonal drive structure includes a plurality of tooth portions, and each tooth portion extends from the drive end surface in a direction parallel to the central axis.

[0014] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the polygonal drive structure further includes a step difference portion formed in a recess shape on at least one of the tooth portions, wherein the drive hole extends along the radial direction of the central axis through the step difference portion and the socket body of the polygonal drive structure and is thus continuously connected to the first socket hole.

[0015] In the socket structure according to the above embodiment, the drive hole passes through the socket body and is thus continuously connected to the second socket hole.

[0016] Accordingly, the arrangement of the first socket hole, the polygonal drive structure, and the drive hole allows various types of hand tools to be engaged with the socket structure according to the invention to rotate the socket structure. The user can use a single socket structure with suitable hand tools depending on the application environment, thereby increasing the versatility of operating the socket structure. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a first embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the socket structure according to Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the socket structure according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. Figure 5 shows another schematic perspective view of the socket structure according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a seventh embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 11 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of an eighth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 12 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a ninth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 13 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a tenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 14 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of an eleventh embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 15 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a twelfth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 16 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a thirteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 17 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a fourteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention; Fig. 18 shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face and the polygonal drive structure of a fifteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0017] The present invention is described in detail below using several exemplary embodiments. For illustrative purposes, some details used in practice are described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these details used in practice are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some implementations of the invention, these details used in practice are not required. To simplify the drawings, some of the conventional structures and elements are shown schematically in the drawings. Like components are designated by like reference numerals.

[0018] It is based on the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is referred to. Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a first embodiment of the socket structure 100 according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the socket structure 100 according to Fig. 1. The socket structure 100 includes a socket body 110 and a polygonal drive structure 120. The socket body 110 has a first socket hole 111 and a second socket hole 112. The first socket hole 111 is located at one end of the socket body 110 along the central axis of the socket structure 100, the second socket hole is located at the other end of the socket body 110 along the central axis of the socket structure 100, and the first socket hole 111 and the second socket hole 112 are continuously connected to each other. The first socket hole 111 can be engaged with hand tools, such as a square wrench, to drive rotation of the socket structure 100, and the second socket hole 112 can be engaged with tool bits, such as a screw.

[0019] The polygonal drive structure 120 is arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body 110 and surrounds the first socket hole 111. Specifically, the socket body 110 has a drive end surface 113 perpendicular to the central axis, with the first socket hole 111 extending through the drive end surface 113. The polygonal drive structure 120 comprises a plurality of toothed portions 121, and each toothed portion 121 extends from the drive end surface 113 in a direction parallel to the central axis and has the shape of a rectangular column whose long side runs parallel to the central axis. In this way, the socket structure 100 having the toothed portions 121 can be mounted for rotation by a reversible ratchet.Therefore, the first socket hole 111 and the polygonal drive structure 120 can each be combined with different hand tools, which increases the variety of drive methods of the socket structure 100.

[0020] The socket structure 100 further includes a cavity 122, an elastic member 123, and a positioning ball 124. The cavity 122 is provided along the radial direction of the central axis in the polygonal drive structure 120, the elastic member 123 is disposed in the cavity 122, the positioning ball 124 is connected to one end of the elastic member 123, and a part of the positioning ball 124 protrudes from the cavity 122. When a hand tool (not shown) is engaged with the polygonal drive structure 120, the positioning ball 124 abuts against the engagement hole of the hand tool, facilitating engagement and fixation, thus making the engagement of the hand tool more stable.

[0021] In Fig. 2, the depth of the first plug-in hole 111 and the second plug-in hole 112 is greater than the height of the hand tool or the tool piece to be engaged in order to prevent the hand tool from projecting beyond the first plug-in hole 111 into the second plug-in hole 112 and pressing against the tool piece when the hand tool engages the first plug-in hole 111, whereby the tool piece could detach from the second plug-in hole 112, but the present invention is not subject to any restrictions in this regard.

[0022] It will be Fig. 3, which is a schematic sectional view of the socket structure 100 according to Fig. 1. The socket structure 100 has a maximum height L1 along the central axis, and the polygonal drive structure 120 has an axial length L2 along the central axis, wherein the axial length L2 is less than or equal to half the maximum height L1. Furthermore, the axial length L2 is in the range of 34% to 42% of the maximum height L1. This ensures that the socket body 110 and the polygonal drive structure 120 have a suitable proportion to each other.

[0023] In Fig. 3, the polygonal drive structure 120 has a first width L3 along the radial direction of the central axis, and the socket body 110 has a second width L4 along the radial direction of the central axis, the first width L3 being greater than the second width L4. Therefore, when the socket structure 100 is fitted to drive rotation with a reversible ratchet, the force arm is greater than the resistance arm, thereby achieving a labor-saving effect.

[0024] It is based on the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is referred to. Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the socket structure 200 according to the invention; and Fig. Fig. 5 shows another schematic perspective view of the socket structure 200 according to Fig. 4. The arrangement relationship between the socket body 210 and the polygonal drive structure 220 of the Fig. 4 is similar to the arrangement relationship between the socket body 110 and the polygonal drive structure 120 of the socket structure 200 shown in Fig. 1, so the similarities will not be described again here. It is worth noting that in the second embodiment, each tooth portion 221 of the polygonal drive structure 220 has the shape of a sharp-edged triangular prism, so that the end surface of the polygonal drive structure 220 that is flush with the drive end surface 213 has the shape of a polygonal star.

[0025] The socket structure 200 further includes a drive hole 230 extending through the socket body 210 and continuously connected to the second socket hole 212 along the radial direction of the central axis. The drive hole 230 allows engagement of a hand tool (not shown) from one side of the socket body 210, allowing the user to apply force from one side of the socket body 210 to rotate the socket structure 200, thereby allowing the socket structure 200 to be used for disassembling and assembling tool pieces even in spaces with insufficient vertical height.

[0026] It will be Fig. 6, which shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the socket structure 300 according to the invention. The arrangement relationship between the socket body 310 and the polygonal drive structure 320 of the Fig. 6 is similar to the arrangement relationship between the socket body 210 and the polygonal drive structure 220 of the socket structure 300 shown in Fig. 4, so the similarities will not be described again here. It is worth noting that in the third embodiment, the drive hole 330 extends along the radial direction of the central axis through the polygonal drive structure 320 and is thus continuously connected to the first plug hole 311.

[0027] It should be noted that the drive hole 230 of the second embodiment is continuously connected to the second plug hole 212, while the drive hole 330 of the third embodiment is continuously connected to the first plug hole 311. That is, the arrangement position of the drive hole 230, 330 can be changed according to actual needs to facilitate user operation in different spaces. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0028] It will be Fig. 7, which shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the socket structure 400 according to the invention. The arrangement relationship between the socket body 410 and the polygonal drive structure 420 of the Fig. 7 is similar to the arrangement relationship between the socket body 310 and the polygonal drive structure 320 of the socket structure 400 shown in Fig. 6, so the similarities will not be described again here. It is worth mentioning that in the fourth embodiment, the polygonal drive structure 420 further comprises a step difference portion 422, wherein the step difference portion 422 is formed on at least one of the tooth portions 421 in the form of a recess and extends upwards from the lower edge of the polygonal drive structure 420 to form a Fig. 7. The polygonal drive structure 420 adjacent to the drive end surface 413 maintains a fully polygonal structure and can be combined with various hand tools.

[0029] For further explanation, the drive hole 430 extends along the radial direction of the central axis through the step difference portion 422 and the socket body 410 of the polygonal drive structure 420, thereby continuously connecting with the first socket hole 411. The manner in which the user uses the drive hole 430 to rotate the socket structure 400 is similar to that of the socket structure 200 and the socket structure 300, and therefore will not be described again here. Furthermore, the step difference portion 422 is configured to be clamped with an open-end wrench on opposite sides of the polygonal drive structure 420 to rotate the socket structure 400.

[0030] It will be Fig. 8, which shows a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the socket structure 500 according to the invention. The arrangement relationship between the socket body 510, the polygonal drive structure 520 and the drive hole 530 of the Fig. The socket structure 500 shown in Figure 8 is similar to the arrangement relationship between the socket body 210, the polygonal drive structure 220 and the drive hole 230 of the socket structure 500 shown in Figure 8. Fig. 4, so the similarities will not be described again here. It is worth noting that in the fifth embodiment, a respective tooth portion 521 of the polygonal drive structure 520 further comprises a plurality of first tooth portions 522 and a plurality of second tooth portions 523.

[0031] For further explanation, a respective first tooth portion 522 has a first radial length L5 along the radial direction of the central axis, wherein a respective second tooth portion 523 is connected to the corresponding first tooth portion 522. A respective second tooth portion 523 has a second radial length L6 along the radial direction of the central axis, wherein the first radial length L5 is greater than the second radial length L6. The arrangement of the first tooth portions 522 and the second tooth portions 523 can increase the friction between a reversible ratchet and the polygonal drive structure 520, thereby improving the strength of the combination between the reversible ratchet and the socket structure 500.

[0032] It will be Fig. 9, which shows a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the socket structure 600 according to the invention. The arrangement relationship between the socket body 610, the polygonal drive structure 620 and the drive hole 630 of the Fig. 9 is similar to the arrangement relationship between the socket body 210, the polygonal drive structure 220 and the drive hole 230 of the socket shown in Fig. 4, so the similarities will not be described again here. It is worth noting that the polygonal drive structure 620 comprises six tooth sections 621, wherein each tooth section 621 has the shape of a cylinder and any two adjacent tooth sections 621 are connected to each other by a curved surface, so that for combining with various hand tools, the end surface of the polygonal drive structure 620 that is flush with the drive end surface 613 is hexagonal, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0033] It will be Fig. 10, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face 113a and the polygonal drive structure 120a of a seventh embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120a comprises three trapezoidal, columnar tooth sections (without reference numerals), such that the end face of the polygonal drive structure 120a that is flush with the drive end face 113a is triangular, and the side of each tooth section remote from the central axis forms a tangent surface.

[0034] It will be Fig. 11, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face 113b and the polygonal drive structure 120b of an eighth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120b comprises four trapezoidal, columnar tooth sections (without reference numerals), such that the end face of the polygonal drive structure 120b that is flush with the drive end face 113b is rectangular, and the side of each tooth section remote from the central axis forms a tangent surface.

[0035] It will be Fig. 12, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face 113c and the polygonal drive structure 120c of a ninth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120c comprises five obtuse-angled, triangular, prism-shaped tooth sections (without reference numerals), such that the end face of the polygonal drive structure 120c flush with the drive end face 113c is pentagonal, and the cross-sectional shape of the side of each tooth section remote from the central axis is an obtuse angle.

[0036] It will be Fig. 13, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face 113d and the polygonal drive structure 120d of a tenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120d comprises six obtuse-angled, triangular, prism-shaped tooth sections (without reference numerals), such that the end face of the polygonal drive structure 120d that is flush with the drive end face 113d is hexagonal, and the cross-sectional shape of the side of each tooth section remote from the central axis is an obtuse angle.

[0037] It will be Fig. 14, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end face 113e and the polygonal drive structure 120e of an eleventh embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120e comprises eight obtuse-angled, triangular, prism-shaped tooth sections (without reference numerals), such that the end face of the polygonal drive structure 120e flush with the drive end face 113e is octagonal, and the cross-sectional shape of the side of each tooth section remote from the central axis is an obtuse angle.

[0038] It will be Fig. 15, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end surface 113f and the polygonal drive structure 120f of a twelfth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120f comprises six rectangular columnar tooth sections (no reference numerals), with all tooth sections being provided in an annular manner in equal parts on the outer ring wall of the socket body (no reference numerals).

[0039] It will be Fig. 16, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end surface 113g and the polygonal drive structure 120g of a thirteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120g comprises twelve cylindrical tooth sections (without reference numerals), wherein two adjacent tooth sections are connected to each other by two flat surfaces, so that a concave bending surface towards the central axis is formed between the two adjacent tooth sections.

[0040] It will be Fig. 17, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end surface 113h and the polygonal drive structure 120h of a fourteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120h comprises twelve rectangular columnar tooth sections (no reference numerals), with any two adjacent tooth sections being connected to each other by a curved surface such that the side of each tooth section near the central axis is recessed to form a neck section.

[0041] It will be Fig.18, which shows a schematic plan view of the drive end surface 113i and the polygonal drive structure 120i of a fifteenth embodiment of the socket structure according to the invention. The polygonal drive structure 120i includes six cylindrical tooth portions (no reference numerals) and six rectangular columnar tooth portions (no reference numerals), wherein the cylindrical tooth portions and the rectangular columnar tooth portions are provided alternately in an annular manner on the outer ring wall of the socket body (no reference numerals).

[0042] It should be noted in particular that in all embodiments, all technical features of the socket structure can be combined as needed to achieve the desired effect. Furthermore, the number and shapes of the tooth sections of the polygonal drive structure can be changed as needed to allow it to be combined with hand tools with correspondingly shaped engagement holes. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0043] In summary, the arrangement of the first socket hole, the polygonal drive structure, and the drive hole allows various types of hand tools to be engaged with the socket structure according to the invention to rotate the socket structure. The user can use a single socket structure with suitable hand tools depending on the application environment, thereby increasing the versatility of operating the socket structure.

[0044] The present invention thus provides a socket structure comprising a socket body and a polygonal drive structure, wherein the socket body has a first socket hole and a second socket hole, the first socket hole and the second socket hole are located along the central axis of the socket structure at the two ends of the socket body, respectively, and the first socket hole and the second socket hole are continuously connected to one another, wherein the polygonal drive structure is arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body and surrounds the first socket hole, the socket structure has a maximum height along the central axis, the polygonal drive structure has an axial length along the central axis, and the axial length is less than or equal to half the maximum height.The arrangement of the first socket hole and the polygonal drive structure allows various types of hand tools to be engaged with the socket structure to rotate the socket structure.

[0045] The above description represents only preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications that can be made by one skilled in the art in accordance with the description and drawings of the invention are within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. List of reference symbols 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 socket structure 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 socket wrench insert bodies 111, 311, 411 first plug hole 112, 212 second plug hole 113, 213, 413, 613, 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i drive end face 120, 120h, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g, 120i polygonal drive structure 121, 221, 421, 521, 621 tooth section 122 cavity 123 elastic element 124 Positioning ball 230, 330, 430, 530, 630 drive hole 422 step difference section 522 first tooth section 523 second tooth section L1 maximum height L2 axial length L3 first width L4 second width L5 first radial length L6 second radial length

Claims

[1] Socket structure comprising: a socket body having a first socket hole and a second socket hole, wherein the first socket hole and the second socket hole are located along the central axis of the socket structure at the two ends of the socket body, respectively, and the first socket hole and the second socket hole are continuously connected to each other; and a polygonal drive structure arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body and surrounding the first plug hole; wherein the socket structure has a maximum height along the central axis, the polygonal drive structure has an axial length along the central axis, and the axial length is less than or equal to half the maximum height. [2] Socket structure according to claim 1, wherein the socket body has a drive end surface perpendicular to the central axis and the first plug hole extends through the drive end surface; wherein the polygonal drive structure comprises a plurality of tooth portions, each tooth portion extending from the drive end surface in a direction parallel to the central axis. [3] The socket structure of claim 2, wherein the polygonal drive structure further comprises: a step difference portion formed in the form of a recess on at least one of the tooth portions. [4] A socket structure according to claim 2, wherein each tooth portion comprises: a plurality of first tooth portions each having a first radial length along the radial direction of the central axis; and a plurality of second tooth portions connected to the corresponding first tooth portion and each having a second radial length along the radial direction of the central axis, wherein the first radial length is greater than the second radial length. [5] A socket structure according to claim 1, wherein the axial length is in the range of 34% to 42% of the maximum height. [6] The socket structure of claim 1, further comprising: a cavity provided along the radial direction of the central axis in the polygonal drive structure; an elastic element arranged in the cavity; and a positioning ball connected to one end of the elastic element, a part of the positioning ball protruding from the cavity. [7] A socket structure comprising: a socket body having a first socket hole and a second socket hole, the first socket hole and the second socket hole being located at the two ends of the socket body along the central axis of the socket structure, respectively, and the first socket hole and the second socket hole being continuously connected to each other; a polygonal drive structure arranged in a ring shape on the outer ring wall of the socket body and surrounding the first plug hole; and a drive hole continuously connected to the first plug hole or the second plug hole along the radial direction of the central axis. [8] Socket structure according to claim 7, wherein the socket body has a drive end surface perpendicular to the central axis and the first plug hole extends through the drive end surface; wherein the polygonal drive structure comprises a plurality of tooth portions, each tooth portion extending from the drive end surface in a direction parallel to the central axis. [9] A socket structure according to claim 8, wherein the polygonal drive structure further comprises: a step difference portion formed in the shape of a recess on at least one of the tooth portions; wherein the drive hole extends along the radial direction of the central axis through the step difference portion and the socket body of the polygonal drive structure and is thus continuously connected to the first plug hole. [10] A socket structure according to claim 7, wherein the drive hole extends through the socket body and is thus continuously connected to the second plug hole.

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