Tool Socket

Abstract

To provide a socket for a tool capable of being easily assembled.SOLUTION: A socket for a tool includes: an outer member; an inner member; an energization member energizing the inner member toward one side in an axial direction in the outer member; and a locking part held by the inner member. The outer member has an outer socket part, a storage part for storing the energization member, and a projection part projecting to the inside between the outer socket part and the storage part. The inner member has an inner socket part, and a holding part extending from the inner socket part through the inside of the projection part to the storage part. A through hole is formed at the other side in the axial direction from the projection part in the holding part. The locking part has an insertion part inserted into the through hole of the holding part, and an elastic part for supporting the insertion part from the inner peripheral surface side of the holding part so as to make a part of the insertion part project from the outer peripheral surface to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool socket. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, power tools such as impact drivers and impact wrenches are used to tighten bolts, nuts, etc. When using a power tool to tighten bolts, etc., various tool sockets are attached to the power tool. Known such sockets include sockets with two holding portions (portions for holding bolts, etc.) with different diameters.

[0003] For example, the socket disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an outer member having a first holding portion for holding a large-diameter nut, and an inner member having a second holding portion for holding a small-diameter nut. The first holding portion is provided at one axial end of the outer member. The other axial end of the outer member is configured to allow a bit to be inserted. The outer member is attached to a power tool such as an impact driver via the bit.

[0004] The inner member is housed in the outer member so as to be movable in the axial direction of the outer member. A biasing member is provided within the outer member between the other end and the inner member. The biasing member biases the inner member toward one side in the axial direction of the outer member. When no external force is acting on the inner member, the biasing member positions the second holding portion of the inner member inside the first holding portion of the outer member.

[0005] When tightening a small-diameter nut using the socket of Patent Document 1, the nut is held by the second holding portion. On the other hand, when tightening a large-diameter nut, the inner member is pushed toward the other axial side of the outer member to expose the inner circumferential surface of the first holding portion, and the nut is held by the first holding portion.

[0006] In this way, the socket of Patent Document 1 can tighten two nuts of different diameters by adjusting the position of the inner member relative to the outer member. In this case, the work of removing and attaching the socket to the power tool can be eliminated when tightening two nuts of different diameters, thereby improving work efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-198959 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In a socket having an outer member and an inner member as described above, it is necessary to prevent the inner member from falling off the outer member. Therefore, in the socket of Patent Document 1, a circular member is fitted into a recess provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer member. Furthermore, a bulge that protrudes toward the outer member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the inner member. With this configuration, the bulge of the inner member is engaged with the circular member, thereby preventing the inner member from falling off the outer member.

[0009] In the socket of Patent Document 1, when fitting the inner member into the outer member, it is necessary to fit the annular member into the recess in the inner circumferential surface of the outer member, and then pass the inner member through the annular member while pushing the annular member apart with the tip of the inner member. However, it is not easy and time-consuming to properly fit the annular member into the recess in the inner circumferential surface of the outer member.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tool socket that can be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to the following tool socket.

[0012] (1) a cylindrical outer member having an open end face on one side in the axial direction; a cylindrical inner member inserted into the one end of the outer member so as to be movable in the axial direction; a biasing member that is provided in the outer member on the other side of the inner member in the axial direction and biases the inner member toward the one side; a locking portion that is held by the inner member within the outer member, the outer member has a hollow outer socket portion provided at the end portion on the one side, a hollow accommodating portion that accommodates the biasing member on the other side of the outer socket portion, and a protruding portion that is provided between the outer socket portion and the accommodating portion in the axial direction and that protrudes inward relative to an inner circumferential surface of the outer socket portion and an inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion in the radial direction of the outer member, the inner member has a hollow inner socket portion positioned within the outer socket portion, and a cylindrical holding portion extending from the inner socket portion to the accommodating portion, passing inside the protruding portion in the radial direction, a through hole that penetrates the holding portion in a radial direction is formed on the other side of the protruding portion in the holding portion, the locking portion has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole so as to be movable in a radial direction of the holding portion, and an elastic portion that supports the insertion portion from the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion so that a part of the insertion portion protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion in the radial direction of the holding portion and is elastically deformed by being pressed inward in the radial direction of the holding portion by the insertion portion, A tool socket in which the portion of the insertion portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is engaged with the protruding portion of the outer member, thereby preventing the inner member from falling out from the one side of the outer member.

[0013] (2) A tool socket as described in (1) above, wherein the elastic portion is curved in an arc along the inner surface of the holding portion and is held by the holding portion on the inner surface side of the holding portion.

[0014] (3) A groove for accommodating the elastic portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion, The tool socket according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the through hole is formed so as to communicate the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion with the groove.

[0015] (4) A tool socket according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the insertion portion and the elastic portion are separate members.

[0016] (5) The tool socket according to (4) above, wherein the insertion portion is made of a spherical member.

[0017] (6) A tool socket according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the insertion portion and the elastic portion are integrally formed.

[0018] (7) A tool socket according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the elastic portion has a C-shape or a ring-shape when viewed from the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The present invention provides a tool socket that is easy to assemble. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tool socket according to one embodiment of the present invention and an impact wrench to which the tool socket is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a socket. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the socket. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the outer member and the inner member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an elastic member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the socket with the inner member pushed into the outer member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of inserting the inner member into the outer member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a socket according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an elastic member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the elastic member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows another example of the elastic member and a socket provided with the elastic member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a socket according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a socket according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The tool socket according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a known power tool such as an impact wrench or an impact driver, etc. Fig. 1 shows a tool socket according to one embodiment of the present invention and an impact wrench to which the tool socket is attached.

[0022] (Impact wrench configuration) First, the impact wrench 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the impact wrench 100 has a main body 102 and a drive shaft 104. Although not shown, a motor for rotating the drive shaft 104 is provided within the main body 102. The drive shaft 104 has a rectangular column shape. A through hole 104a is formed in the drive shaft 104. A pin 200 (see FIG. 2(b) described below) for connecting the tool socket 10 to the drive shaft 104 is inserted into the through hole 104a. The tool socket 10 connected to the drive shaft 104 rotates as the drive shaft 104 rotates. Note that various known impact wrenches can be used as the impact wrench 100, and therefore a detailed description of the impact wrench 100 will be omitted.

[0023] (Tool socket configuration) Next, a tool socket 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as socket 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Fig. 2 shows the socket 10, where (a) is a diagram showing the appearance of the socket 10 and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the bb portion of (a). Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the socket 10.

[0024] 2 and 3, the socket 10 includes an outer member 12, an inner member 14, a biasing member 16, and a locking portion 18. In FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as in FIGS. 4, 6 to 8, and 11 to 13 described below, the axial direction of the outer member 12 is indicated by arrow X. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the outer member 12 will be referred to as the axial direction X.

[0025] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the outer member 12 and the inner member 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the outer member 12 has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape with one end face and the other end face opened in the axial direction X. The outer member 12 has an outer socket portion 20, a connecting portion 22, a housing portion 24, and a protruding portion 26.

[0026] The outer socket portion 20 is provided at one end of the outer member 12 in the axial direction X. The outer socket portion 20 has an inner circumferential surface 20a that has a polygonal shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 20a can hold a fastening member (bolt, nut, etc.) not shown.

[0027] The connecting portion 22 is provided at the other end of the outer member 12 in the axial direction X. An insertion port 22a, a groove 22b, and a pair of through holes 22c are formed in the connecting portion 22. The insertion port 22a is formed so as to open toward the other side of the outer member 12 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the insertion port 22a has a rectangular cross section.

[0028] The groove 22b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 22. The groove 22b is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the outside of the insertion port 22a. The pair of through holes 22c are formed so as to extend in the radial direction of the outer member 12. One end of each through hole 22c opens at the insertion port 22a, and the other end opens at the groove 22b. The pair of through holes 22c are formed so as to face each other in the radial direction of the outer member 12, with the insertion port 22a sandwiched between them. In this specification, the radial direction of the outer member 12 means the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, an O-ring 202 is fitted into the groove 22b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when attaching the socket 10 to the impact wrench 100, the drive shaft 104 of the impact wrench 100 is inserted into the insertion port 22a of the socket 10, and a portion of the O-ring 202 is shifted out of the groove 22b to expose the through-hole 22c. In this state, the pin 200 is inserted into the pair of through-holes 22c of the socket 10 and the through-hole 104a of the drive shaft 104. Then, the portion of the O-ring 202 is fitted into the groove 22b to close the through-hole 22c. This prevents the pin 200 from falling out of the drive shaft 104 and the socket 10, and connects the socket 10 and the impact wrench 100. When removing the socket 10 from the impact wrench 100, a portion of the O-ring 202 is shifted out of the groove 22b to expose the through-hole 22c, and the pin 200 can be removed. This releases the connection between the socket 10 and the drive angle 104, allowing the socket 10 to be removed from the impact wrench 100.

[0030] 2 and 4, the accommodation portion 24 has a hollow shape and is provided on the other side of the outer socket portion 20 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the accommodation portion 24 is provided between the outer socket portion 20 and the connecting portion 22 in the axial direction X. The accommodation portion 24 accommodates the biasing member 16.

[0031] The protrusion 26 is provided between the outer socket portion 20 and the accommodating portion 24 in the axial direction X. The protrusion 26 is provided so as to protrude inward relative to the inner circumferential surface 20a of the outer socket portion 20 and the inner circumferential surface 24a of the accommodating portion 24 in the radial direction of the outer member 12. As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the protrusion 26 has a tapered surface 26a, a cylindrical surface 26b, and a flange surface 26c, which are provided in this order from one side to the other side in the axial direction X. The tapered surface 26a is formed so that its diameter gradually decreases toward the other side in the axial direction X. The cylindrical surface 26b is formed so as to extend from the tapered surface 26a toward the other side in the axial direction X and to have a substantially uniform diameter. The flange surface 26c has an annular shape and is formed so as to extend from the cylindrical surface 26b toward the radially outward direction of the outer member 12.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the inner member 14 is inserted into one end of the outer member 12 in the axial direction X. The inner member 14 is inserted into the outer member 12 so as to be movable in the axial direction X. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the inner member 14 has an inner socket portion 40 and a holding portion 42.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the inner socket portion 40 has a hollow shape and is positioned within the outer socket portion 20. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the inner socket portion 40 has an inner circumferential surface 40a that has a polygonal shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 40a can hold a fastening member (bolt, nut, etc.) not shown.

[0034] In this embodiment, the length of the inner socket portion 40 in the axial direction X is smaller than the length of the outer socket portion 20. The outer peripheral surface 40b of the inner socket portion 40 has a polygonal shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface 20a of the outer socket portion 20. The outer diameter of the inner socket portion 40 (the diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribing the outer peripheral surface 40b) is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer socket portion 20 (the diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribing the inner peripheral surface 20a). With this configuration, the inner socket portion 40 can move in the axial direction X within the outer socket portion 20. Furthermore, the inner socket portion 40 can rotate integrally with the outer socket portion 20.

[0035] The retaining portion 42 is formed in a tubular shape (cylindrical in this embodiment) and is provided so as to extend from the inner socket portion 40 through the inside of the protruding portion 26 (the radial inside of the outer member 12) to the accommodating portion 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , a pair of through holes 42 a and a groove 42 b are formed in the retaining portion 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of through holes 42 a and the groove 42 b are positioned on the other side of the protruding portion 26 in the axial direction X. Note that in this embodiment, at least a portion of the through hole 42 a is formed on the other side of the protruding portion 26 in the axial direction X so that a spherical member 80 (described later) can protrude outward from the retaining portion 42 on the other side of the protruding portion 26 in the axial direction X. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 2 , a portion of the through hole 42 a may be located on one side of the other end of the protruding portion 26 in the axial direction X. Similarly, in the state shown in FIG. 2 , a portion of the groove 42 b may be located on one side of the other end of the protruding portion 26 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the center of the through hole 42a in the axial direction X is positioned on the other side of the protrusion 26 in the axial direction X. Similarly, the center of the groove 42b in the axial direction X is positioned on the other side of the protrusion 26 in the axial direction X.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each through hole 42a is provided to penetrate the holding portion 42 in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. In this embodiment, a pair of through holes 42a is formed to face each other in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the groove 42b is formed in the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42. In this embodiment, the groove 42b is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the holding portion 42. In this embodiment, one end side (the inner circumferential surface 42c side) of each through hole 42a opens at the groove 42b. That is, each through hole 42a is formed to communicate between the outer circumferential surface 42d of the holding portion 42 and the groove 42b. Note that in this specification, the radial direction of the holding portion 42 means a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the holding portion 42. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the holding portion 42 coincides with the axial direction X of the outer member 12. Therefore, the radial direction of the holding portion 42 and the radial direction of the outer member 12 coincide with each other.

[0037] 2, the biasing member 16 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 24 so as to be located on the other side of the inner member 14 in the axial direction X and so as to bias the inner member 14 toward one side in the axial direction X. The biasing member 16 is configured to be expandable and contractible in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, a coil spring is used as the biasing member 16. One end of the biasing member 16 in the axial direction X is supported by the tip end portion (the other end in the axial direction X) of the holding portion 42, and the other end of the biasing member 16 in the axial direction X is supported by the inner surface of the accommodation portion 24.

[0038] The locking portion 18 is held by the holding portion 42 of the inner member 14 within the outer member 12. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the locking portion 18 has a pair of spherical members 80 and an elastic member 82.

[0039] 2, a pair of spherical members 80 are inserted into a pair of through-holes 42a, respectively. In this embodiment, each spherical member 80 is inserted into the through-hole 42a so as to be movable in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. The spherical members 80 are made of, for example, metal. In this embodiment, the spherical members 80 correspond to the insertion portions.

[0040] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the elastic member 82, where (a) is a view of the elastic member 82 from the axial direction X, and (b) is a view of the elastic member 82 from the radially outer side of the holding portion 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the elastic member 82 is curved in an arc along the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42, and is held by the holding portion 42 on the inner circumferential surface 42c side. In this embodiment, the elastic member 82 has a C-shape. In this embodiment, the elastic member 82 is a C-shaped leaf spring made of an elastically deformable material (e.g., metal). A pair of through holes 82a is formed in the elastic member 82.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2 , the elastic member 82 is fitted into the groove 42b of the inner member 14. The elastic member 82 supports each spherical member 80 from the inner circumferential surface 42c of the retaining portion 42 so that a portion of each spherical member 80 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42 in the radial direction of the retaining portion 42. In this embodiment, the portion of each spherical member 80 protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42 is engaged with the flange surface 26c of the protruding portion 26 of the inner member 14, thereby restricting movement of the inner member 14 to one side in the axial direction X. This prevents the inner member 14 from slipping off from one side of the outer member 12 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the elastic member 82 corresponds to the elastic portion.

[0042] In this embodiment, the elastic member 82 is fitted into the groove 42b so that the pair of through holes 42a of the holding portion 42 and the pair of through holes 82a of the elastic member 82 face each other in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. In other words, the elastic member 82 is fitted into the groove 42b so that the pair of through holes 42a and the pair of through holes 82a communicate with each other. This allows a portion of the spherical member 80 inserted into the through hole 42a to fit into the through hole 82a. In this case, the holding portion 42 and the elastic member 82 are locked together via the spherical member 80. This prevents the elastic member 82 from moving in the circumferential direction of the holding portion 42 relative to the holding portion 42.

[0043] In this embodiment, the diameter of the through hole 82a is smaller than the diameter of the spherical member 80. This prevents the spherical member 80 from falling out of the through hole 42a into the holding portion 42 via the through hole 82a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the inner circumferential surface 24a of the accommodating portion 24 and the outer circumferential surface 42d of the holding portion 42 (the distance in the radial direction of the outer member 12) is smaller than the diameter of the spherical member 80. This prevents the spherical member 80 from falling out of the through hole 42a into the accommodating portion 24 via a gap between the inner circumferential surface 24a and the outer circumferential surface 42d.

[0044] As described above, in the socket 10 according to this embodiment, the biasing member 16 biases the inner member 14 toward one side in the axial direction X. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the inner member 14, as shown in FIG. 2 , the inner member 14 is positioned so that the spherical member 80 is engaged with the protrusion 26 of the outer member 12. In this state, a portion of the inner socket portion 40 protrudes from the outer socket portion 20, and the inner circumferential surface 20a of the outer socket portion 20 is not exposed. Therefore, of the outer socket portion 20 and the inner socket portion 40, only the inner socket portion 40 can be used.

[0045] 6, the inner peripheral surface 20a of the outer socket portion 20 can be exposed by pushing the inner socket portion 40 (inner member 14) toward the other side in the axial direction X. This makes it possible to use the outer socket portion 20. In this way, with the socket 10 according to this embodiment, the outer socket portion 20 and the inner socket portion 40 can be selectively used by moving the inner socket portion 40 (inner member 14) in the axial direction X.

[0046] Next, a method for inserting the inner member 14 into the outer member 12 will be described. Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for inserting the inner member 14 into the outer member 12.

[0047] 7(a), when inserting the inner member 14 into the outer member 12, first, the elastic member 82 is fitted into the groove 42b so that the pair of through holes 42a of the holding portion 42 and the pair of through holes 82a of the elastic member 82 face each other in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. In this state, the spherical members 80 are inserted into the pair of through holes 42a, respectively. Note that, in order to prevent the spherical members 80 from falling out of the through holes 42a, it is preferable to apply grease or the like to the through holes 42a, for example.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and (c), the inner member 14 is inserted into the outer member 12. Specifically, the retaining portions 42 of the inner member 14 are inserted into the accommodation portion 24 while passing through the inside of the protruding portions 26. At this time, each spherical member 80 is pushed toward the radially inner side of the retaining portion 42 by the protruding portions 26 while remaining held in the through holes 42a of the retaining portion 42. Specifically, each spherical member 80 moves toward the radially inner side of the retaining portion 42 along the tapered surface 26a and the cylindrical surface 26b. As a result, each spherical member 80 pushes the elastic member 82 toward the radially inner side of the retaining portion 42, causing the elastic member 82 to elastically deform.

[0049] When the pair of spherical members 80 moves toward the other side in the axial direction X from the cylindrical surface 26b, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the pair of spherical members 80 are pushed by the elastic members 82 and move radially outward from the retaining portion 42. As a result, a portion of each spherical member 80 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42 in the radial direction of the retaining portion 42. The state in which the portion of each spherical member 80 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d is maintained by the elastic members 82.

[0050] (Action and effect) As described above, in the socket 10 according to this embodiment, the spherical member 80 is inserted into the through hole 42a so as to be movable in the radial direction of the retaining portion 42. Furthermore, the spherical member 80 inserted into the through hole 42a is supported by the elastic member 82 from the inner circumferential surface 42c of the retaining portion 42 so that a portion of the spherical member 80 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42. With this configuration, the portion of the spherical member 80 protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d is engaged with the protruding portion 26 of the outer member 12, thereby preventing the inner member 14 from falling off from the outer member 12.

[0051] 7, the socket 10 can be assembled by inserting the inner member 14, which holds the pair of spherical members 80 and the elastic member 82, into the outer member 12. Here, in this embodiment, the pair of spherical members 80 and the elastic member 82 can be attached to the inner member 14 outside the outer member 12. In this case, the socket 10 can be assembled more easily than in the case of attaching a circular member to the inner circumferential surface of the outer member as in conventional sockets (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the elastic member 82 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the inner member 14. In this regard, when a circular member is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the outer member, as in a conventional socket (see, for example, Patent Document 1), a portion of the circular member is pressed in the axial direction of the outer member by the inner member when the inner member is inserted into the outer member. Therefore, if the dimensional accuracy of the circular member is not high, the circular member may be displaced from its predetermined position and pushed in the axial direction, or the circular member may be deformed in the axial direction between the outer member and the inner member. In this case, the original function of the circular member (preventing the inner member from falling out) cannot be achieved. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described above, the elastic member 82 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the inner member 14. In this case, when the inner member 14 is inserted into the outer member 12, the elastic member 82 is pressed radially inward of the retaining portion 42 by the spherical member 80. However, the elastic member 82 is not pressed in the axial direction X by the inner member 14 or the outer member 12, and is not deformed in the axial direction X between the outer member 12 and the inner member 14. As a result, the socket 10 can be easily and properly assembled.

[0053] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the holding portion 42 is provided with a pair of insertion portions (spherical members 80 in the above embodiment), but the number of insertion portions is not limited to two and may be one, or three or more. In addition, the number of through holes 42a in the holding portion 42 may be adjusted according to the number of insertion portions.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the locking portion 18 has been described as including a spherical member 80 and an elastic member 82 made up of a C-shaped leaf spring, but the configuration of the locking portion is not limited to the above example. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a socket 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] 8, socket 10a according to this embodiment differs from socket 10 described above in that it includes locking portion 18a instead of locking portion 18. Locking portion 18a differs from locking portion 18 in that it includes elastic member 84 instead of elastic member 82.

[0056] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the elastic member 84, in which (a) is a diagram of the elastic member 84 as seen from the axial direction X, and (b) is a diagram of the elastic member 84 as seen from the radially outer side of the retaining portion 42. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the socket 10a according to this embodiment, a torsion spring is used as the elastic member 84.

[0057] In socket 10a according to this embodiment, elastic member 84 also supports spherical member 80 from the inner circumferential surface 42c of retaining portion 42 so that a portion of spherical member 80 protrudes outward from outer circumferential surface 42d of retaining portion 42 in the radial direction of retaining portion 42 and is elastically deformed when pressed radially inward by spherical member 80. This allows socket 10a to achieve the same effects as those of socket 10 described above.

[0058] 8 and 9, in the socket 10a, the elastic member 84 is formed so that one end and the other end overlap each other when viewed from the axial direction X. In other words, the elastic member 84 has a ring shape when viewed from the axial direction X. However, instead of the elastic member 84, an elastic member 84a having a C-shape when viewed from the axial direction X, as shown in FIG. 10, may be used. In FIG. 10, (a) is a view of the elastic member 84a when viewed from the axial direction X, and (b) is a view of the elastic member 84a when viewed from the radially outer side of the retaining portion 42. In this embodiment, to prevent the spherical member 80 from slipping out into the inner member 14, the gap between one end and the other end of the elastic member 84a is set smaller than the diameter of the spherical member 80. Note that a spring other than a leaf spring or a torsion spring may also be used as the elastic member.

[0059] The elastic member 84a shown in FIG. 10 has a shape in which one end and the other end are offset from each other in the axial direction X. However, as shown in FIG. 11, an elastic member 84b in which one end and the other end are not offset from each other in the axial direction X may be used. In FIG. 11, (a) is a view of the elastic member 84b from the axial direction X, (b) is a view of the elastic member 84b from the radially outer side of the retaining portion 42, and (c) is a view of the socket 10a with the elastic member 84b attached. In this embodiment, a C-shaped ring spring is used as the elastic member 84b. The dimension of the elastic member 84b in the axial direction X is smaller than that of the elastic members 84 and 84a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width (length in the axial direction X) of the groove 42b is set smaller than that in the case where the elastic members 84 and 84a are used, as shown in FIG. 11(c). In this embodiment, too, the gap between one end and the other end of the elastic member 84b is set smaller than the diameter of the spherical member 80 in order to prevent the spherical member 80 from falling out into the inner member 14.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the insertion portion (spherical member 80 in the above-described embodiment) and the elastic portion (elastic members 82, 84, 84a, and 84b in the above-described embodiment) are described as being separate members, but the insertion portion and the elastic portion may be integrally formed. FIG. 12 shows a socket according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the socket and (b) is a cross-sectional view of portion bb in (a). Note that in FIG. 12(b), only the locking portion and the retaining portion are shown to avoid cluttering the drawing.

[0061] As shown in Figure 12, a socket 10b according to this embodiment differs from the socket 10 described above in that it includes a locking portion 18b instead of the locking portion 18. The locking portion 18b includes a pair of rod-shaped portions 86 and a curved portion 88 that is integrally formed with the pair of rod-shaped portions 86 so as to connect the pair of rod-shaped portions 86. The pair of rod-shaped portions 86 and the curved portion 88 are made of an elastically deformable material such as metal. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped portions 86 correspond to the insertion portion, and the curved portion 88 corresponds to the elastic portion.

[0062] Each rod-shaped portion 86 is formed to extend in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. Each rod-shaped portion 86 is inserted into a through-hole 42a so as to be movable in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. The curved portion 88 is held by the holding portion 42 on the inner circumferential surface 42c side so as to be curved in a semicircular arc along the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42. The curved portion 88 is fitted into a groove 42b formed in the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42.

[0063] In this embodiment, the length of the through holes 42a in the axial direction X is greater than the length of the grooves 42b, and the through holes 42a are formed so as to cut a portion of the grooves 42b. In this embodiment, the grooves 42b are separated into two portions by the pair of through holes 42a. Note that, also in this embodiment, each through hole 42a is formed so as to communicate between the outer peripheral surface 42d of the holding portion 42 and the grooves 42b. Although a detailed description will be omitted, also in the above embodiment, the through holes 42a and the grooves 42b may be formed so that the through holes 42a cut a portion of the grooves 42b.

[0064] In socket 10b according to this embodiment, curved portion 88 also supports rod-shaped portion 86 from the inner circumferential surface 42c of retaining portion 42 so that a portion of rod-shaped portion 86 protrudes outward from outer circumferential surface 42d of retaining portion 42 in the radial direction of retaining portion 42 and is elastically deformed when pressed radially inward by rod-shaped portion 86. As with sockets 10 and 10a described above, movement of inner member 14 to one side in axial direction X relative to outer member 12 is restricted by a portion of rod-shaped portion 86 protruding outward from outer circumferential surface 42d of retaining portion 42 engaging with protruding portion 26 of the outer member 12. Therefore, socket 10b also provides the same advantageous effects as sockets 10 and 10a described above.

[0065] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a socket according to still another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of the socket and (b) is a cross-sectional view of portion bb in (a). In order to avoid cluttering the drawing, only the locking portion and the holding portion are shown in Fig. 13B.

[0066] As shown in Figure 13, a socket 10c according to this embodiment differs from the socket 10 described above in that it includes a locking portion 18c instead of the locking portion 18. The locking portion 18c includes a spherical member 80, a rod-shaped portion 86, and a curved portion 88a formed integrally with the rod-shaped portion 86. The rod-shaped portion 86 and the curved portion 88a are made of an elastically deformable material such as metal. In this embodiment, the spherical member 80 and the rod-shaped portion 86 correspond to the insertion portion, and the curved portion 88a corresponds to the elastic portion.

[0067] The spherical member 80 is inserted into one of the through holes 42a so as to be movable in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. The rod-shaped portion 86 is formed so as to extend in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. The rod-shaped portion 86 is inserted into the other through hole 42a so as to be movable in the radial direction of the holding portion 42. The curved portion 88a is held by the holding portion 42 on the inner circumferential surface 42c side so as to be curved in a hook shape along the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42. The curved portion 88a is fitted into a groove 42b formed in the inner circumferential surface 42c of the holding portion 42.

[0068] Similar to the socket 10b described above, in the socket 10c according to this embodiment, the length of the through holes 42a in the axial direction X is greater than the length of the grooves 42b in the axial direction X, and the through holes 42a are formed so as to cut a portion of the grooves 42b. Also in this embodiment, each through hole 42a is formed so as to communicate between the outer peripheral surface 42d of the holder 42 and the grooves 42b.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the curved portion 88a supports the spherical member 80 and the rod-shaped portion 86 from the inner circumferential surface 42c of the retaining portion 42 so that a portion of the spherical member 80 and a portion of the rod-shaped portion 86 protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42 in the radial direction of the retaining portion 42 and are elastically deformed when pressed radially inward by the spherical member 80 and the rod-shaped portion 86. Furthermore, movement of the inner member 14 to one side in the axial direction X relative to the outer member 12 is restricted by the portion of the spherical member 80 and a portion of the rod-shaped portion 86 protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface 42d of the retaining portion 42 engaging with the protruding portion 26 of the outer member 12. Therefore, the socket 10c also provides the same effects as the above-described sockets 10, 10a, and 10b.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 22 of the outer member 12 is configured to be connectable to the drive angle 104 of the impact wrench 100. However, the configuration of the connecting portion is not limited to the above example, and the connecting portion may be configured to be connectable to other power tools. For example, the connecting portion may be configured to be connectable to an impact driver via a rod-shaped connecting member (such as a driver bit). Note that the configuration of the connecting portion can be the same as that of a known socket attached to a power tool such as an impact wrench or impact driver, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present invention provides a tool socket that is easy to assemble. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10, 10a, 10b, 10c sockets 12 Outer member 14 Inner member 16. Pressurizing member 18,18a,18b,18c Locking part 20 Outer socket part 20a Inner surface of outer socket 24 Storage section 24a Inner surface of the housing 26 Protrusion 40 Inner socket part 42 Holding part 42a through hole 42b Groove 42c Inner surface of holding portion 42d Outer surface of holding part 80 Spherical member (insertion part) 82, 84, 84a, 84b Elastic member (elastic portion) 86 Rod-shaped part (insertion part) 88, 88a Curved portion (elastic portion)

Claims

1. a cylindrical outer member having an open end face on one side in the axial direction; a cylindrical inner member inserted into the one end of the outer member so as to be movable in the axial direction; a biasing member that is provided in the outer member on the other side of the inner member in the axial direction and biases the inner member toward the one side; a locking portion that is held by the inner member within the outer member, the outer member has a hollow outer socket portion provided at the end portion on the one side, a hollow accommodating portion that accommodates the biasing member on the other side of the outer socket portion, and a protruding portion that is provided between the outer socket portion and the accommodating portion in the axial direction and that protrudes inward relative to an inner circumferential surface of the outer socket portion and an inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion in the radial direction of the outer member, the inner member has a hollow inner socket portion positioned within the outer socket portion, and a cylindrical holding portion extending from the inner socket portion to the accommodating portion, passing inside the protruding portion in the radial direction, a through hole that penetrates the holding portion in a radial direction is formed on the other side of the protruding portion in the holding portion, the locking portion has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole so as to be movable in a radial direction of the holding portion, and an elastic portion that supports the insertion portion from the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion so that a part of the insertion portion protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion in the radial direction of the holding portion and is elastically deformed by being pressed inward in the radial direction of the holding portion by the insertion portion, A tool socket in which the portion of the insertion portion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface is engaged with the protruding portion of the outer member, thereby preventing the inner member from falling out from the one side of the outer member.

2. The tool socket according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic portion is curved in an arc along an inner peripheral surface of the holding portion and is held by the holding portion on the inner peripheral surface side of the holding portion.

3. a groove for accommodating the elastic portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion; The tool socket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the through hole is formed so as to communicate the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion with the groove.

4. The tool socket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion portion and the elastic portion are formed as separate members.

5. 5. The tool socket according to claim 4, wherein the insert comprises a spherical member.

6. The tool socket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion portion and the elastic portion are integrally formed.

7. The tool socket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic portion has a C-shape or a ring-shape when viewed in the axial direction.

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