Lug nut and wheel drive socket protectors

Abstract

The drive socket protector for wheels and lug nuts includes a flexible sheath shaped to define an elongated receiver having a tubular wall extending from a closed end to an open end. The elongated receiver includes an interior volume configured to receive a socket tool. The socket tool has a lug opening disposed at the closed end of the elongated receiver. The elongated receiver further includes an exterior surface at the closed end configured to interface with a lug nut. The tubular wall is flexible and configured to conform to the lug opening of the socket tool to be disposed between the lug nut and the socket tool when the socket tool is received within the interior volume of the elongated receiver.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 132,807, filed December 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is deemed part of this application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to lug nut and socket tools used to hold wheels on vehicles, and more particularly to drive socket protectors to prevent damage to the lug nuts and wheels during installation and / or removal of lug nuts. [Background technology]

[0003] Vehicle wheels, such as those used on cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, etc., are often secured to an axle via a wheel hub, which presents a number of bolts arranged in a circular pattern. The wheel, typically a rubber tire wrapped around a steel or aluminum rim assembly, has a number of bolt holes arranged in a circular pattern to correspond to the bolts in the wheel hub. When installed, bolts are placed through the corresponding bolt holes, and lug nuts are used to fasten the wheel to the wheel hub so that it can rotate about a corresponding axle, drive shaft, etc.

[0004] Vehicle wheels also generally provide aesthetic value to a vehicle. Wheels may be powder-coated, painted, chrome-plated, or have other attractive finishes. Lug nuts often have similar types of finishes that match or enhance the aesthetic qualities of their corresponding wheels. However, these finishes are often susceptible to scratches, chips, and other surface and structural damage caused by environmental factors (e.g., curbs, gravel, sticks, etc.) and often resulting from the installation or removal of lug nuts from wheels. When wheels are removed from a vehicle (e.g., for tire changes, tire rotations, brake maintenance, etc.), lug nuts are often removed using common socket tools such as lug wrenches, socket wrenches, or impact wrenches. These tools often cause damage to the aesthetic finish of the lug nuts and wheels. Preventing such damage is desirable to ensure the aesthetic and structural integrity of both the lug nuts and the wheels. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a drive socket protector for wheels and lug nuts, as well as a corresponding method for using the drive socket protector on wheel lug nuts. The drive socket protector includes a flexible sheath that receives a socket tool within its interior volume. The flexible sheath has sufficient flexibility and pliability, such as a thin polymer film material, to allow the enclosed socket tool to interface with the lug nut with the flexible sheath positioned between the opposing surfaces of the socket tool and the lug nut. Upon engagement with the lug nut, the drive socket protector extends back to cover the socket tool to interface with the lug opening in the wheel. The drive socket protector provides simultaneous and enhanced protection for both the wheel lug nuts and the lug opening when installing or removing the wheel from a vehicle.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a drive socket protector for a wheel and lug nuts includes a flexible sheath shaped to define an elongated receiver having a tubular wall extending from a closed end to an open end. The elongated receiver includes an interior volume configured to receive a socket tool. The socket tool has a lug opening disposed at the closed end of the elongated receiver. The elongated receiver further includes an exterior surface at the closed end configured to interface with a lug nut. The tubular wall is flexible and configured to fit within the lug opening of the socket tool to be disposed between the lug nut and the socket tool when the socket tool is received within the interior volume of the elongated receiver.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features: In some embodiments, the socket tool may be a socket that is engaged by a ratchet or impact wrench. The socket tool may also include a lug nut key that engages the socket, where the ratchet or impact wrench engages and drives the socket.

[0008] Furthermore, the tubular wall can be configured to encase the edge of the socket tool and extend proximally along the outer surface of the socket tool when the lug nut fits the flexible sheath into the lug opening. The flexible sheath can be configured to protect both the lug nut and the wheel lug hole while accommodating the diameter of the socket tool. The flexible sheath can be formed of a polymer film having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm.

[0009] Additionally, the drive socket protector may include a drawstring, which may be a cord disposed on the tubular wall configured to encircle the outer ring of the elongated receiver, to adapt the open end to the socket tool. The outer surface of the drive socket protector at the closed end may be removably attached to the open end of an additional drive socket protector, where it provides a serrated edge for separating the two protectors.

[0010] According to another aspect, a method for using a drive socket protector with wheel lug nuts is provided. The method includes inserting a socket tool having lug openings through an open end of the drive socket protector. The open end is defined by a rim of a tubular wall extending between the open end and a closed end formed by the intersection of the tubular walls. The tubular wall further defines an interior volume, such that the lug openings are disposed within the interior volume at the closed end and configured to engage an inner surface of the tubular wall at the closed end. The lug nut is engaged with an outer surface of the closed end such that the inner surface of the tubular wall substantially conforms to the inner surface of the lug opening. The tubular wall extends proximally along an outer surface of the socket tool, thereby providing a barrier between the socket tool and the wheel lug holes. The lug nut is placed on the wheel, and a rotational force is applied with the socket tool to tighten or loosen the lug nut on the wheel.

[0011] The details of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, advantages, objects, and features will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drive socket protector used with a socket tool in conjunction with lug nuts. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drive socket protector used with a socket tool in conjunction with lug nuts. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drive socket protector used with a socket tool in conjunction with lug nuts. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a top view of the drive socket protector. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a drive socket protector. [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section A of FIG. 3. [Figure 3B] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section B of FIG. 3. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drive socket protector with a socket tool. [Figure 5] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a socket tool at various stages of removing lug nuts from a wheel. [Figure 6] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a socket tool at various stages of removing lug nuts from a wheel. [Figure 7] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a socket tool at various stages of removing lug nuts from a wheel. [Figure 6A] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section A of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a drive socket protector on a lug nut key with a lug nut corresponding to the lug nut key. [Figure 9] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key during various stages of installing a lug nut corresponding to the lug nut key on a wheel. [Figure 10] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key during various stages of installing a lug nut corresponding to the lug nut key on a wheel. [Figure 11] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key during various stages of installing a lug nut corresponding to the lug nut key on a wheel. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a drive socket protector on a lug nut key with a corresponding lug nut and a socket tool that receives the lug nut key. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the drive socket protector and device of FIG. 12A. [Figure 13] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a socket tool and a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key at various stages of installing lug nuts corresponding to the lug nut keys on a wheel. [Figure 14]10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a socket tool and a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key at various stages of installing lug nuts corresponding to the lug nut keys on a wheel. [Figure 15] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of a socket tool and a drive socket protector in use on a lug nut key at various stages of installing lug nuts corresponding to the lug nut keys on a wheel. [Figure 14A] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to section A of FIG. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of section B of FIG. 14A. [Figure 16A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive socket protector made from a synthetic polymer material. [Figure 16B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive socket protector made from a synthetic polymer material and showing the drawstring. [Figure 16C] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive socket protector made from fabric. [Figure 17A] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a roll of drive socket protectors configured to separate at a tear point for distribution. [Figure 17B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stack of drive socket protectors configured to separate at a tear point for distribution. [Figure 18A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18C] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18D] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18E] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18F] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18G]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. [Figure 18H] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lug nut compatible with a drive socket protector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0014] The methods and apparatus described herein relate to lug nut and socket tools used to hold wheels in wheel hubs or similar components on vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, or tractors. Lug nut and wheel drive socket protectors are used to prevent damage to the wheel and lug nuts during installation and / or removal of the lug nuts by providing a barrier or cover for the tool acting on the lug nuts. While this application may frequently refer to examples in which lug nuts are installed on vehicle wheels, it should be understood that this disclosure relates to bolts and other installation hardware, as well as other applications in which it is desirable to prevent direct contact between the tool and the fasteners and structures surrounding the fasteners it operates on.

[0015] Wheels commonly used by the vehicles listed above typically include a central portion or disc configured to engage a wheel hub, an outer rim or barrel configured to hold a rubber tire, and a wheel body or spoke assembly radiating from the central portion toward the barrel. The wheel hub enables rotation of the wheel about an axle, drive shaft, or the like, and provides a circular array of bolts that protrude from the wheel hub and are housed in the central portion of the wheel. The wheel provides a corresponding circular array of holes in the central portion for receiving bolts from the wheel hub (bolt hole portion) and lug nuts that engage the ends of the bolts (lug hole portion). The holes may be formed through the thickness of the wheel in the central portion or, for example, evenly spaced around the disc-shaped portion of the central portion.

[0016] When mounted on a vehicle, the inward-facing portion of the center portion or disc rests flat against the wheel hub, so that bolts extending from the wheel hub pass through holes in the wheel and are exposed on the outward-facing side of the wheel, generally the center portion or disc. Lug nuts, each with threads configured to receive a bolt, are attached to each bolt and tightened to secure the wheel to the wheel hub. The lug nuts have a body, such as a collar, that has a larger diameter than the inner portion of the corresponding hole (e.g., the bolt hole portion) to form a seating surface for the lug nut. When the lug nut engages the bolt, it engages the wheel and applies a clamping force to the wheel, holding it to the wheel hub. Specifically, the lug nut engages around the inner portion of the hole or seating surface, such as the outward-facing surface of the center disc that surrounds the bolt hole portion.

[0017] In each hole, a bolt hole portion (also called a bolt hole) is located on the inner portion of the wheel and corresponds to a lug hole portion (also called a lug hole) on the outward-facing side of the center portion or disc. While the hole may be drilled from the outward-facing side of the wheel, the maximum diameter (i.e., the lug hole portion) does not pass through the entire thickness of the wheel. Rather, the lug hole portion often represents a bore through the irregular or outer surface of the wheel to present a regular, uniform, or conforming surface for the lug nut to interface with the wheel. The lug hole portion can include many different configurations but generally presents a uniform bearing surface against which the lug nut rests. For example, the lug hole portion may present a rounded bearing surface configured to engage with a spherical bearing lug nut, a tapered bearing surface configured to engage with a square-shaped bearing lug nut, or a flat bearing surface configured to engage with a flat-shaped bearing lug nut. Providing a uniform contact surface for each lug nut is desirable to achieve uniform torque or clamping force across multiple lug nuts, thereby preventing wheel wobble or uneven rotation. Over time, wheel wobble or uneven rotation at high RPMs can result in uneven wear on tires, tie rods, brakes, warped wheel hubs, broken lug nuts, or other undesirable consequences.

[0018] During installation, lug nuts or wheels can become scratched, scuffed, chipped, or otherwise disfigured by traditional tools used to remove and install lug nuts (e.g., lug wrenches, socket wrenches, impact wrenches, etc.). Wheel and lug nut surfaces often have decorative finishes or coatings to enhance the vehicle's aesthetics. For example, surfaces may be powder coated, painted, chrome plated, or polished. However, these surfaces can be susceptible to scratches or chips when contacted by the hard surfaces of lug installation tools. This damage most commonly occurs in four areas: the lug hole seat, the lug hole walls, the top surface of the lug nut, and the sides of the lug nut. While scratches and other damage primarily affect the aesthetics of the wheel and lug nut, some more serious damage, such as chips, can affect the lug nut's ability to exert consistent clamping force on the wheel. Furthermore, both aesthetic and structural damage to wheels and lug nuts is undesirable and can pose safety concerns in itself, potentially leading vehicle owners to install replacement wheels or lug nuts not originally intended for the vehicle, further compromising the safety of having original factory-installed parts for the vehicle, the durability of associated parts, or even the monetary value of the vehicle. Thus, while lug nuts and wheels may be replaced, it remains highly desirable to maintain lug nuts and wheels in a defect-free condition, at least for the reasons discussed above.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings and illustrative examples depicted therein, a drive socket protector for lug nuts and wheels is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a wheel 20 is mounted on a vehicle 10, the wheel having a central disc 22 configured to receive a five-lug bolt pattern. Bolts 24 extend horizontally in a circular array from the wheel hub or axle or other suitable means for mounting the wheel 20 on the vehicle 10. The circular array of bolts 24 comprises a bolt pattern whereby the wheel 20 is free to rotate about a central axis and cooperate with additional wheels disposed on the vehicle 10 to drive the vehicle 10 across a ground or road surface. In additional examples, the bolt pattern may consist of three or more bolts arranged in a circular pattern centered on the central axis, allowing for a substantially uniform support or clamping force on the wheel 20 around the circular pattern on the wheel hub.

[0020] Corresponding to the bolt pattern, the wheel 20 exhibits a circular array of lug holes, each having a bolt hole portion and a lug hole portion 28. The bolt hole portion is generally a through hole configured to receive a bolt 24 from the wheel hub so that the threaded portion of the bolt 24 can be presented on the wheel's outer surface 20a when mounted to the vehicle 10. The lug hole portion 28 represents a portion of the hole near the wheel's outer surface 20a that has an increased bore diameter to receive a lug nut 30. The lug hole portion 28 includes a lug hole seating surface configured to interface with the lug nut 30 that engages the bolt 24. The lug hole portion 28 also includes a lug hole wall 28b defined by the surface of the wheel 20 within the lug hole portion 28 and spanning between the wheel's outer surface 20a and the lug seating surface. The surface of the wheel may be chrome plated, powder coated, painted, polished aluminum, steel, or a similar finish. The lug nuts 30 may have a similar surface finish that corresponds to, matches, or contrasts with the finish of the wheel 20.

[0021] The wheel surface at the lug hole seat and lug hole walls 28b and outer surface 20a, as well as the outer surface of the lug nuts 30, are susceptible to scratches caused by the installation of the lug nuts 30. As depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, various socket tools 40, such as an impact wrench, socket wrench, or lug wrench, may be used to remove or install the lug nuts 30 on the wheel 20. The tool 40 in the illustrated embodiment is depicted with a drive socket protector 100 to prevent such damage. However, installing the lug nuts 30 without the drive socket protector 100 can lead to scratches caused by direct contact between the socket tool 40 and the lug nuts 30, or between the socket tool 40 and the lug hole seat or walls 28b.

[0022] During installation, the wheel 20 is elevated and placed on the vehicle 10 so that the bolts 24 are inserted into the wheel holes, exposing the threads of the bolts 24 on the outer surface 20a of the wheel 20. A user can place a lug nut 30 on each bolt 24 and use a socket tool 40 (such as an impact wrench, lug wrench, or socket wrench) to apply torque to tighten the lug nuts 30 on the bolts 24 to the wheel 20. When the socket tool 40 is used to drive the lug nuts 30 onto the bolts 24, the lug nuts 30 engage the lug hole seats, thereby providing a clamping force to hold the wheel 20 to the vehicle 10. If the socket tool 40 is used without the driving socket protector 100, the socket tool 40 will contact the lug nuts 30 and may contact the lug holes 28 at the lug hole seats or walls 28b due to rotation, vibration, or lateral movement of the socket tool 40 during installation or removal of the lug nuts 30. Depending on the depth of the lug holes 28, the socket tool 40 may have to contact and press against the lug hole seating surface or wall 28b for an extended period of time. This contact can cause scratches, chips, or other undesirable surface or structural defects in the lug nuts 30, lug holes 28, or wheel 20. The drive socket protector 100 is intended to form a barrier between the socket tool 40 and the lug nuts 30 and lug holes 28 during installation or removal of the lug nuts 30, significantly reducing the possibility of surface and structural damage.

[0023] 2-3B, drive socket protector 100 is depicted as a single sheet or piece of material segmented or rolled upon itself, or otherwise formed as a flexible, hollow sheath or tube having a wall 106 between an open end 102 and a closed end 104. The open end 102 (FIG. 3B) is defined by a perimeter or rim or edge of material, and the closed end 104 (FIG. 3A) is formed by the seamless convergence of two layers or walls 106 of material. Thus, drive socket protector 100 may resemble a tube having one open end and one closed end when the two layers of material are spaced apart and spaced apart from one another, the two separate layers representing the parallel walls 106 of the tube that is drive socket protector 100. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the layers or walls 106 of drive socket protector 100 may be configured to lie flat or collapse upon themselves when not in use, such that drive socket protector 100 may resemble a flat, rectangular sheet. The drive socket protector 100 may be formed from a flexible synthetic polymer having a thickness 100t of 0.1 mm or less, or from other suitably flexible and thin material such as rubber or fabric.

[0024] When the two walls 106 of the drive socket protector 100 are separated from one another, resembling a tubular sheath having an open end 102 and a closed end 104, the drive socket protector 100 defines an interior volume 110. The interior volume 110 may be configured to receive a socket tool, a lug nut key, or a drive tool, in combination or individually, such that the listed devices are retained within the interior volume 110 of the drive socket protector 100 and provide a barrier from lug nuts and wheel lug holes. The drive socket protector 100 has a length dimension 100d and a width dimension 100w, both of which can be varied for various embodiments of the protector designed for different sizes of socket tools or lug nuts. A typical embodiment of the protector may have a length 100d, which is the distance between the open end 102 and the closed end 104, between 2.5 inches and 9 inches, and a width 100w of approximately 2 inches.

[0025] The desired length 100d may depend on the length of the socket tool to be used with the drive socket protector 100. For example, a user may not want a drive socket protector having a length 100d that significantly exceeds the length of the socket tool to be placed therein, at least because, when the socket tool is placed at the closed end 104 of the drive socket protector 100 and the wall 106 of the drive socket protector 100 extends proximally along the outer surface of the socket tool, excess material of the protector 100 will bunch up on the drive tool and interfere with the rotation or other use of the drive or socket tool. Conversely, a user may not want a drive socket protector having a length 100d that is substantially shorter than the length of the socket tool (or combination socket tool, lug nut key, and / or drive tool) such that, when the socket tool is placed at the closed end 104 of the protector 100 and the wall 106 of the protector 100 extends proximally along the outer surface of the socket tool, a significant portion of the socket tool will remain exposed, providing the potential for the socket tool to contact or damage a lug nut or wheel.

[0026] Similarly, a user may desire a drive socket protector 100 with a width 100w that fits a particular size lug nut and / or socket tool. For example, a drive socket protector 100 that is not wide enough may not be able to accept its intended socket tool without stretching or tearing the material of the protector 100, or the protector 100 may wrap the socket tool too tightly within its interior volume. If the protector 100 wraps or encases the socket tool too tightly, the protector 100 may not be able to properly engage the lug nut at the closed end 104. This is because the material of the protector 100 is stretched taut over the lug opening of the socket tool and / or the wall 106 of the protector 100 cannot move freely along the outer surface of the socket tool to allow excess material to enter the lug opening as the lug nut fits into the closed end 104 of the protector 100.

[0027] The drive socket protector 100 can be configured to accept a variety of socket tools, such as lug wrenches, impact wrenches, socket wrenches, socket tools used in conjunction with lug nut keys, and other tools that fit lug nuts and wheel bolts. While the features of the illustrated embodiments may vary, it should be understood that the details and features of the systems, apparatus, and methods described herein are not intended to be exhaustive, i.e., to cover all of the potential uses or advantages of the drive socket protector. Thus, the inclusion or exclusion of a given detail or feature in connection with a particular illustrated embodiment should not be read as requiring the inclusion or exclusion of that detail or feature in all similar embodiments.

[0028] 4-7, the drive socket protector 100 is depicted with a socket tool 140. The socket tool 140 has a socket 142 with a lug opening 144 defined by the perimeter of a recess 144a in the socket tool that is configured to receive the lug nut 130. In this example, the socket 142 is a standard socket that can accommodate lug nuts and bolts of many configurations based on the size of its lug opening 144. In some examples, the socket tool may include a lug nut key that engages the socket to provide a matching receiver for a particular lug nut.

[0029] 4-7, socket 142 has a female square fitting 146 configured to receive a driving tool 148 for driving or rotating socket 142 and, therefore, lug nuts 130. Driving tool 148 may be a ratchet having a male square connector 148a that snaps onto female square fitting 146, as in the illustrated embodiment, or may be a similarly configured impact wrench. Socket 142 in the illustrated embodiment has an outer surface 142a that engages inner surface 100a of wall 106 of drive socket protector 100. Socket 142 also has an inner surface 142b at a recess 144a configured to receive lug nuts 130. Inner surface 142b engages a portion of inner surface 100a of protector 100 that extends through lug opening 144 and into recess 144a due to the presence of lug nut 130 therein (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0030] 5-7 depict various stages in the removal of lug nuts 130 from bolts 124 in a wheel 120 using a socket tool 140 having a socket 142 and a drive tool 148. The bolt 124, located in a vehicle's wheel hub, extends from the wheel hub into a bolt hole portion 126 and a lug hole portion 128, resulting in the bolt's threads being exposed in the lug hole portion 128. When the lug nut 130 is installed on the bolt 124, it engages a lug seating surface 128a in the lug hole portion 128. The lug hole wall 128b is spaced from the lug nut 130 to allow engagement of the socket tool 140 with the lug nut 130. In this example, the lug hole seating surface 128a is angled to match the angled engagement surface 130a of the lug nut 130 and is spaced from the outer surface 120a of the wheel 120 so that the installed lug nut 130 appears to be recessed within the thickness of the wheel 120. Therefore, the socket tool 140 must substantially engage the lug nut 130 within the lug hole portion 128 as shown in FIG.

[0031] As depicted, the drive socket protector 100 is placed on the socket tool 140 such that the inner surface 100a at the closed end 104 of the drive socket protector 100 interfaces with the lug opening 144 and the wall 106 of the protector 100 extends proximally along the outer surface 142a of the socket 142. Thus, the socket 142 is substantially enclosed by the drive socket protector 100, with the drive tool 148, or other addition / extension of the socket tool 140, exiting the drive socket protector 100 at the open end 102. The wall 106 of the drive socket protector 100 is seated in loose connection with the outer surface 142a of the socket 142, allowing the socket 142 to move relatively freely within the interior volume 110. Furthermore, when the socket tool 140 engages the lug nut 130, the wall 106 of the protector 100 conforms to both the lug nut 130 and the inner surface 142b of the socket 142.

[0032] 5 , a user engages socket tool 140 with lug nut 130 at lug opening 144 so that lug nut 130 engages outer surface 100b of protector 100 at closed end 104. As socket tool 140 engages lug nut 130, outer surface 100b of drive socket protector 100 at closed end 104 conforms to the surface of lug nut 130. At the same time, inner surface 100a of protector 100 conforms to inner surface 142b of socket 142 at recess 144. As socket 142 is pressed further onto lug nut 130, lug nut 130 becomes further disposed within recess 144 (as depicted in FIG. 6 ), and a portion of drive socket protector 100 is drawn into recess 144 (from outer surface 142a of socket 142) and becomes disposed between the socket tool and the lug nut. Drive socket protector 100 will move freely along outer surface 142a of socket 142 to provide the necessary amount of material to conform to the surface of lug nut 130 and inner surface 142b within recess 144. Drive socket protector 100 therefore provides a thin barrier between socket 142 and lug nut 130 as socket 142 engages lug nut 130 at the wheel.

[0033] Additionally, drive socket protector 100 is configured to provide sufficient material to conform to the surface of lug nut 130 within recess 144 and also to provide a substantial barrier between socket tool 140 and the surface of lug hole 128 and wheel 120. Even with lug nut 130 positioned within recess 144 (thus retracting a portion of protector 100 from outer surface 142a of socket 142 into recess 144), the illustrated embodiment of drive socket protector 100 can cover the entire outer surface 142a of socket 142 positioned within lug hole 128 (see FIG. 6 ), as well as a majority of socket tool 140 spaced from wheel 120.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6A , installation or removal of lug nuts 130 on a wheel may be possible without contacting the wheel or the surface of the lug hole 128. FIG. 6A shows the socket 142 engaging the lug nut 130 in the lug hole 128 (with the protector 100 disposed therebetween) with neither the socket tool nor the protector 100 engaging the surface of the lug hole 128 or wheel 120. However, inadvertent movement of the socket 140 when rotating the lug nut 130 or engaging or disengaging the lug nut 130 from the bolt 124 can result in contact between the drive socket protector 100 and the wheel 120, lug hole seating surface 128 a, or wall 128 b. Therefore, it is still desirable to utilize the drive socket protector 100 with a socket tool, even if the socket tool may only occasionally or unintentionally contact the wheel or lug hole.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6 , when the socket tool 140 is engaged with the lug nut 130, the socket tool 140 (with the drive socket protector 100 positioned between the socket 142 and the lug nut 130) can be operated to loosen and disengage the lug nut 130 from the bolt 124. The drive socket protector 100 does not significantly interfere with the normal operation of the socket tool when removing the lug nut (other than providing a barrier between the tool and the wheel and lug nut). As shown in FIG. 7 , the drive socket protector 100 may help hold the lug nut 130 in the socket 142 as the socket tool 140 is pulled away from the bolt 124 (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7 ). However, the drive socket protector 100 maintains a barrier between the lug nut 130 and the socket 142 to prevent scratching of the lug hole 128 or the lug nut 130.

[0036] 8-11, the drive socket protector 100 may be placed in a socket tool 240 having a lug nut key 242 configured to engage a corresponding lug nut 230. While some details regarding the illustrated example of FIGS. 8-11 may differ from other examples provided by this disclosure, the functionality of the drive socket protector 100 remains similar among the examples, such that a complete description may not be necessary to capture the full functionality of the drive socket protector in each embodiment. It should be understood that features and / or functionality of the drive socket protector 100 as discussed in connection with one example of the present disclosure may be applicable to other examples within (or outside) the present disclosure, even if those features are not explicitly described within the context of that example.

[0037] 8-11, similar to a conventional socket, a lug nut key 242 may be snapped onto a drive tool 248 and has lug openings 244 defined by the edges or perimeter of a recess 244a into which a lug nut 230 is received. Similar to the socket of FIGS. 4-7, the lug nut key 242 has a female square connector 246 for receiving a male connector 248a of the drive tool. However, the lug nut key 242 differs from a conventional socket in that an inner surface 242b includes a unique pattern of ridges and valleys that corresponds to the alternate pattern of ridges and valleys on the outer surface of the lug nut 230. Therefore, a conventional socket may not be able to engage the lug nut 230, and a lug nut key 242 that corresponds to the surface pattern of the lug nut 230 may be required to engage the lug nut 230 with a socket tool. The drive socket protector 100 is positioned on the lug nut key 242, similar to the above embodiment, with the lug openings 244 located in the closed end 104 of the drive socket protector 100. The protector wall 106 extends proximally along the outer surface 242a of the lug nut key 242 to provide a substantial barrier at the lug nut key 242. The raised inner surface 242b of the lug nut key 242 and the raised surface 230b of the lug nut 230 present a more complex surface relationship between which the drive socket protector 100 is positioned compared to that of conventional sockets and lug nuts (such as those in FIGS. 4-7). However, the flexible nature of the drive socket protector 100 ensures that engagement of this type of lug nut 230 with the lug nut key 242 occurs in a manner similar to engagement with other types of lug nuts (such as those in FIGS. 18A-18H) and the corresponding socket tool required to fasten those lug nuts to those bolts. Thus, the drive socket protector 100 is able to conform to a wide variety of different surface configurations without interfering with the normal operation of the socket tool.

[0038] 9-11 depict various stages of installation of lug nuts 230 onto bolts 224 in wheel 220 using a socket tool 240, including a lug nut key 242 and a drive tool 248, where the lug nut key 242 is configured to accept the lug nuts 230. Bolt 224, located in the vehicle's wheel hub, passes through the wheel hub, through the thickness of wheel 220, and exits at bolt holes 226 and lug holes 228, resulting in threads exposed on outer surface 220a of wheel 220. In this embodiment, lug nut 230 has an angled bottom 230a (corresponding to angled lug nut seating surface 228a of lug hole 228) and a raised outer surface 230b that matches raised inner surface 242b of lug nut key 242. The threads of lug nut 230, of course, match the threads of bolt 224. In this embodiment, the lug holes 228 are continuously angled from the bolt holes 226 to the outer surface 220a of the wheel 220 such that the lug holes 228 present only lug hole seats 228a without substantial lug hole walls.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 9 , a lug nut 230 is placed on a lug nut key 242 in preparation for installing the lug nut 230 on a bolt 224 in a wheel 220. A drive socket protector 100 is installed over the lug nut key 242 and forms a barrier between the lug nut key 242 and the lug nut 230, including at an inner surface 242b that defines a recess 244a. The drive socket protector is thin and flexible, allowing it to move along the surface of the socket tool 240; however, the presence of the drive socket protector 100 between the lug nut 230 and the inner surface 242b helps to hold the lug nut 230 in place. During installation, a user uses the socket tool 240 to engage the lug nut 230 on the bolt 224 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9 . Once the lug nut 230 is engaged with the bolt 224, a drive tool 248 rotates the lug nut key 242 so that the lug nut 230 is driven onto the bolt 224.

[0040] As seen in Figure 10, when the lug nut 230 is fully driven onto the bolt 224, the lug nut engages the seating surface 228a of the lug hole 228. In contrast to the embodiments of Figures 5-7 or 13-15, here the socket tool 240 engages the outer surface 220a of the wheel as the lug nut 230 is driven onto the bolt 224. Thus, rather than providing a barrier between the socket tool and the lug hole wall or lug hole seating surface, the drive socket protector 100 provides a barrier between the lug nut key 242 and the outer surface 220a of the wheel 220.

[0041] During disengagement of the socket tool 240 from the installed lug nuts 230, the socket tool 240 is pulled from the lug nuts 230 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 . As the socket tool 240 disengages from the lug nuts 230, the lug nuts 230 remain on the wheel 220 and are separated from the drive socket protector 100. Thus, the drive socket protector 100 is held by the socket tool 240. While the wheel 220 in this embodiment does not provide an obstacle (such as a lug hole wall) that gets in the way of or is close to the socket tool 240 during disengagement, other embodiments (such as those of FIGS. 5-7 or 13-15) provide such an obstacle, and holding the drive socket protector 100 with the socket tool 240 ensures that a barrier is provided between the socket tool 240 and the wheel surface during the complete process of installing or removing lug nuts on the wheel.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 12A-15, socket tool 340 includes both socket 342 and lug nut key 342k, with drive socket protector 100 depicted with portions of both components within interior volume 110 of protector 100. While socket 342 is shown receiving lug nut key 342k, in other examples, an impact wrench, lug wrench, or other tool could receive lug nut key 342k within interior 110 of protector 100. Unlike the lug nut keys of FIGS. 8-11, lug nut key 342k in this example is not snap-attached to its corresponding socket 342 (such as via a male-female square connector). If the lug nut key (or any socket tool) is not or cannot be attached to its corresponding tool via a retention mechanism (such as the snap-on square connector described above), the user may need to hold the lug nut key in its corresponding socket or drive tool to maintain the connection. Thus, a user often must use one hand to maintain the connection, interface, or relationship between the lug nut key and the socket or drive tool while using the other hand to turn a ratchet, drive an impact wrench, or otherwise apply rotational force. This is undesirable because users, particularly those utilizing impact wrenches, may prefer to have a free hand to stabilize themselves, stabilize the impact wrench, stabilize the wheel on which the lug nuts are being attached, or assist in the task. An advantage illustrated by the example of Figures 12A-15 is that the drive socket protector 100 can be configured to receive and maintain the connection between multiple components of the socket tool 340 within its internal volume 110. That is, the internal volume 110 of the drive socket protector 100 can be configured to hold both the lug nut key and the socket tool in close proximity and maintain the connection, interface, or relationship therebetween.

[0043] 12B shows a drive socket protector 100 having a lug nut key 342k entirely contained within its interior volume 110, with at least a portion of a socket tool 342 also retained within the interior 110. The wall 106 of the drive socket protector 100 extends proximally along the outer surface 342a of both the lug nut key 342k and the socket tool 342 to prevent removal of the key 342k from the socket 342. Disposed at the closed end 104 of the protector 100 and pressed into the lug opening 344 is a lug nut 330 having a raised surface 330b configured to match the inner surface 342b of the key 342k. The lug nut 330 also has a rounded bottom surface 330a configured to mate with a rounded lug nut hole seat 328a of the wheel 320, with the lug hole wall 328b spaced from the lug nut 330 to provide space for engagement of the socket tool 340.

[0044] 13-15 depict various stages of installation of lug nuts 330 onto bolts 324 in a wheel 320 with a socket tool 340 including a lug nut key 342k and a socket 342 configured to accept the lug nuts 330. The bolt 324, located in the vehicle's wheel hub, exits the wheel hub through the thickness of the wheel 320 at bolt holes 326 and lug holes 328, resulting in threads exposed on the outer surface 320a of the wheel 320. Much of the installation occurring in FIGS. 13-15 mirrors the process described above so that a full discussion need not be repeated here. However, one exception is that the drive socket protector 100 retains both the lug nut key 342k and the socket 342 within its interior 110 throughout the entire installation process, providing support for the connection between the two components at the outer surface 342a of the socket tool.

[0045] 14A and 14B, which are cross-sectional views of the lug nut key 342k, lug nut 330, and drive socket protector of FIG. 14, illustrate that the drive socket protector can substantially conform to the inner surface of the socket tool and the outer surface of the lug nut disposed thereon while maintaining a loose or even non-contacting relationship with the outer surface of the socket tool. Thus, the drive socket protector maintains mobility on the outer surface of the socket tool and maintains a barrier across all surfaces that contact the lug nut and socket tool. The illustrated embodiment shows the drive socket protector 100 surrounding the lug nut key 342k with the lug nut 330 disposed within the recess 344a, with the drive socket protector positioned between and in direct contact with both the lug nut 330 and the inner surface 342b of the lug nut key 342k.

[0046] Various embodiments of drive socket protectors, such as those shown in FIGS. 16A-16C, can be formed from different materials that can offer different advantages. For example, the drive socket protector can be manufactured from a thin plastic or other synthetic polymer (FIGS. 16A and 16B) or from a thin sheet of cloth, rubber, or other suitably durable material (FIG. 16C). While the embodiments of FIGS. 16A and 16B may not offer extended durability, they can be manufactured at a relatively low cost per unit and therefore provide a drive socket protector configured for single use or disposable use. Drive socket protectors manufactured from synthetic polymer materials can conform to the surface of the lug nut and socket tool on which they are used, but if significantly stretched during use, the material may not recover to its original state as easily as the drive socket protector such as that of FIG. 16C. Other embodiments, such as that of FIG. 16C, manufactured from a thin sheet of cloth, rubber, or other suitably durable material, may be configured for reusable applications, as the protector can stretch to conform to the surface of the lug nut and socket tool and recover to its original state. These embodiments may have higher manufacturing costs but may offer extended durability designed for repeated use. Some users, such as professional mechanics, may prefer embodiments designed for disposable use due to their lower per-unit cost compared to embodiments designed for reusable applications. Other users, such as those purchasing drive socket protectors for personal use, may prefer the improved durability of embodiments designed for reusable applications. The material of the drive socket protector may also determine whether the protector is transparent (e.g., FIGS. 16A and 16B) or opaque (e.g., FIG. 16C). A transparent drive socket protector allows the user to see the socket tool through the protector, such as to verify continued connection between the lug nut key and its socket. A logo, design, or measuring tool can be screen printed on the exterior surface of the drive socket protector 100.

[0047] The illustrated embodiment of the drive socket protector shown in FIG. 16B further includes a drawstring 160 disposed on the tubular wall and configured to encircle the outer ring of the elongated receiver, such as a drawstring disposed on the outer surface 100b at or near the open end 102. Here, the drawstring 160 is a length of cord or cord-like element received at each of its ends by a cord stopper 162, where the length of cord extends from the cord stopper 162, loops back, and is received by and passes through the cord stopper 162. A user can press a button on the cord stopper 162 to loosen its grip on one end of the length of cord, allowing the user to pull the cord further through the cord stopper 162 and encircle the loop of cord around the drive socket protector 100 and the socket tool. Similarly, with the button pressed, the user can pull the looped portion of the cord to release the cord from the cord stopper 162 and expand the looped portion of the cord, thus loosening the drive socket protector 100 from the socket tool. The drawstring 160 may also be a loose string or cord (requiring the user to tie a knot to tighten the drawstring around the protector and socket tool), a zip tie, or other suitable means for holding the drive socket protector 100 in the socket tool. When using a drive socket protector with a drawstring mechanism, the user may want to manually push the closed end 104 of the protector 100 into the lug opening before tightening the drawstring 160 so that when the closed end 104 engages the lug nut, the drive socket protector 100 is pulled taut across the lug opening and does not interfere with engagement of the lug nut with the socket tool. Unlike embodiments without a drawstring mechanism, due to the drawstring 160 holding the socket protector 100 in the socket tool, the drive socket protector 100 may not be able to move freely across the surface of the socket tool when a lug nut is received by the socket tool in the lug opening.

[0048] 17A and 17B, various embodiments of the drive socket protector 100 may be dispensed from a roll 170 (FIG. 16A) or booklet 172 (FIG. 16B) in which multiple drive socket protectors are bonded together and releasable at a tear point or serrated edge 174. As discussed above, the flexible nature of the wall 106 of the protector 100 allows the sheath or tubular shape of the protector 100 to collapse or flatten upon itself to resemble a substantially flat sheet. This quality allows multiple protectors 100 to be packaged together, as in the illustrated embodiment. In FIG. 17A, multiple drive socket protectors 100 are attached to one another via the bonded tear points or serrated edges 174. The material forming the closed end 104 of one drive socket protector 100 is attached to the material at the open end 102 of the next protector 100 on the roll 170, and so on. A user pulls a drive socket protector 100 at the end of the roll 170, releasing the protector from the roll at the serrated edge 174, and rotates the roll 170 so that the next protector 100 is positioned to be dispensed in a similar manner. In FIG. 17B , multiple drive socket protectors 100 are stacked on top of each other, each protector 100 releasably connected to a tab 176 via the serrated edge 174, forming a booklet-like configuration in which the multiple tabs 176 of the protectors 100 are bound together. Thus, when a user pulls a drive socket protector 100 from the booklet 172, the protector is released from its corresponding tab 176, which remains attached to the remainder of the booklet 172. The serrated edge 174 can be at a closed or open end of the protector 100.

[0049] Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the terms "top," "bottom," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," and "horizontal," and their derivatives, shall refer to the orientation shown in FIG. 1. However, it should be understood that various alternative orientations may be provided, unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting, unless expressly recited in the claims.

[0050] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be made without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law. The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description, rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. Drive socket protectors for wheels and lug nuts a flexible sheath shaped to define an elongated receiver having a tubular wall extending from a closed end to an open end; the elongated receiver includes an interior volume configured to receive a socket tool having a lug opening, the lug opening being located at the closed end of the elongated receiver; the elongated receiver includes an outer surface of the closed end configured to interface with a lug nut; the tubular wall is flexible and configured to fit into the lug opening for placement between the lug nut and the socket tool contained in the interior volume; the flexible sheath is formed of a polymer film having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm; Drive socket protector.

2. 2. The drive socket protector of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall is configured to encase a distal edge of the socket tool and extend proximally along an outer surface of the socket tool when a lug nut fits the flexible sheath into the lug opening.

3. the interior volume having a length dimension and a diameter dimension; The drive socket protector of claim 1 , wherein the length dimension is defined between the closed end and the open end and is configured to protect the lug nuts and the wheel lug holes.

4. 4. The drive socket protector of claim 3, wherein said diameter dimension corresponds to a diameter of said socket tool.

5. Drive socket protectors for wheels and lug nuts a flexible sheath shaped to define an elongated receiver having a tubular wall extending from a closed end to an open end; a drawstring configured to fit the open end to a socket tool having a lug opening; the elongated receiver includes an interior volume configured to receive the socket tool, the lug opening being disposed at the closed end of the elongated receiver; the elongated receiver includes an outer surface of the closed end configured to interface with a lug nut; the tubular wall is flexible and configured to fit into the lug opening for placement between the lug nut and the socket tool contained in the interior volume; Drive socket protector.

6. 6. The drive socket protector of claim 5, wherein the drawstring is a cord-like element disposed substantially within the tubular wall and configured to encircle the outer ring of the elongated receiver.

7. Drive socket protectors for wheels and lug nuts a flexible sheath shaped to define an elongated receiver having a tubular wall extending from a closed end to an open end; the elongated receiver includes an interior volume configured to receive a socket tool having a lug opening, the lug opening being located at the closed end of the elongated receiver; the elongated receiver includes an outer surface of the closed end configured to interface with a lug nut; the tubular wall is flexible and configured to fit into the lug opening for placement between the lug nut and the socket tool contained in the interior volume; an outer surface at the closed end configured to be removably attached to the open end of a second drive socket protector and configured to provide a tear point for removing the second drive socket protector, the tear point including a serrated edge; Drive socket protector.

8. The drive socket protector of claim 1 , wherein the socket tool includes a ratchet and a socket, the socket providing the lug openings, and the ratchet configured to rotate the socket.

9. the socket tool includes an impact wrench; The drive socket protector of claim 1 , wherein the impact wrench provides the lug openings.

10. the socket tool includes a lug nut key; The drive socket protector of claim 1 , wherein said lug nut key provides said lug opening.

11. The socket tool is an impact wrench configured to engage and rotate the lug nut key within the interior volume of the elongated receiver; or 11. The drive socket protector of claim 10, further comprising either a ratchet or a socket, the socket configured to engage the lug nut key in the interior volume of the elongated receiver, and the ratchet configured to rotate the socket and the lug nut key.

12. 1. A method for using a drive socket protector on wheel lug nuts, comprising: Inserting a socket tool having a lug opening through an open end of a drive socket protector having a flexible sheath formed of a polymer film having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, inserting the lug opening into the tubular wall, the lug opening being disposed within the tubular wall at the closed end and configured to engage an inner surface of the tubular wall at the closed end; engaging a lug nut with an outer surface of the closed end such that an inner surface of the tubular wall substantially conforms to an inner surface of the lug opening, the lug nut being disposed on a wheel; extending the tubular wall proximally along an outer surface of the socket tool to provide a barrier between the socket tool and the wheel lug hole; applying a rotational force to the socket tool to tighten or loosen the lug nuts on the wheel; A method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising tightening a drawstring disposed on the tubular wall to substantially conform an inner surface of the tubular wall to the socket tool.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the drawstring is a cord-like element configured to be disposed substantially within the tubular wall and encircle an outer hoop of an elongated receiver having the tubular wall extending from the closed end to the open end.

15. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising engaging a torque tool with the socket tool within the internal volume, such that the torque tool and socket tool are substantially retained in the internal volume, the socket tool including a lug nut key.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the torque-applying tool is either an impact wrench or a ratchet assembly including a socket and a ratchet.

17. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tubular wall is configured to encase a distal edge of the socket tool and extend proximally along an outer surface of the socket tool when the lug nut fits the flexible sheath into the lug opening.

18. the interior volume having a length dimension and a diameter dimension; The method of claim 12 , wherein the length dimension is defined between the closed end and the open end and is configured to protect the lug nuts and lug holes of the wheel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the diameter dimension corresponds to the diameter of the socket tool.

20. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein an outer surface at the closed end is configured to be removably attached to an open end of a second drive socket protector and is further configured to provide a tear point for removing the second drive socket protector.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the tear point comprises a serrated edge.

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