Adjustable Socket Tool Holder for Mixed Socket Depths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing socket tool holders fail to accommodate socket tools of various sizes and depths efficiently, and lack a mechanism to indicate the size of the socket tools.
Innovation Solution
A socket tool holder with an adjustable stem featuring reduced size width sections and a display surface for indicia, allowing it to accommodate tools of different sizes and depths, and provide size information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size stem is used in the holder, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate socket tools of various sizes and depths
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is divided into multiple reduced size width sections at different heights, allowing the stem to be segmented and adjusted to different lengths. This segmentation enables the single stem structure to accommodate socket tools of various depths while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. By introducing reduced size width sections that can be removed or adjusted, the stem length can be dynamically changed to match different socket tool depths, providing adaptability without excessive complexity.
2Loss of information
If no size indication mechanism is provided, then the holder structure remains simple, but users cannot quickly identify socket tool sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded rings positioned at different heights on the stem to indicate different socket tool sizes. This visual indication system allows users to quickly identify socket sizes without adding complex mechanical or electronic components, maintaining simplicity while solving the information loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The color-coded rings act as an intermediary element between the stem structure and the user. These rings provide size information without being part of the structural holding mechanism, thus adding minimal complexity while effectively communicating socket size information.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stem width is uniform throughout, then the manufacturing is easier, but it cannot provide reduced width sections for proper tool engagement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing completely different stems for each depth, the design segments the stem into standardized reduced size width sections that can be selectively removed. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using repeated modular sections while achieving the adaptability needed for various socket tool depths.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A socket tool holder 100 for holding and supporting a socket tool 102 in upright orientation includes a base section 104 and a stem 106 that extends upwardly from the base section and through the socket tool 102 to terminate above top of the socket tool. An indicia 108 is located at the top of the stem to indicate some aspect of the socket tool 102 being held, in this case that the size of the socket tool is 15 mm and 16 mm, respectively. A plurality of reduced size sections or locations 140 are spaced apart along the length or height of the stem 106. The reduced size sections serve as locations where the stem 106 can be conveniently severed to thereby adjust the length of the stem to the length or depth of the socket tool 102.