Flexible Socket Wrench Extension With Articulated Hex Ball Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional socket wrench extensions with universal joints are inadequate for accessing hex bolt heads or nuts in complex interference scenarios, as they often kink or flop, preventing effective torque application due to insufficient coupling.

Innovation Solution

A jointed, articulated socket wrench extension with hex ball-head and socket joints connected by pliable control covers, allowing up to 90-degrees of flex and enabling the tool to snake past obstacles, comprising a series of square-drive male/female adapter ends and intermediate couplers with pliable control covers that snap over retaining lips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional rigid wobble-joint extensions are used, then simple angle adjustments are achieved, but the extension kinks and flops in complex interference scenarios, preventing effective torque application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access different anglesVSAvoidstability under torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extension is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by spherical joints, allowing each segment to maintain structural integrity while the joints provide flexible positioning. This segmentation enables the extension to navigate complex interference patterns without kinking, as each segment remains rigid under torque while the joints accommodate angular adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated mechanism with spherical joints that can adapt their angles in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the extension to maintain stability under torque while simultaneously adjusting to complex spatial constraints, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple short rigid extensions are plugged together, then access to intricate areas is improved, but the assembly kinks too easily and flops around, failing to provide proper coupling for torque application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to intricate areasVSAvoidnumber of connected segments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a flexible coupling is introduced to snake past obstacles, then access to hex bolt heads or nuts is enabled, but the coupling must maintain stability to transmit substantial torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to snake past obstaclesVSAvoidtorque transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Spherical joints are used at each connection point, allowing the segments to pivot and curve around obstacles while maintaining rigid connections. The spherical geometry enables multi-directional rotation and angular adjustment, providing the flexibility to snake past obstacles while the rigid segment connections ensure substantial torque can be transmitted without flopping or kinking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8495934B2Flexible socket wrench extension

Publication Date: 2013.07.30 SCHNEIDER STEVEN A

AI summary

A tool extension for a socket wrench includes a jointed, articulated series of square-drive male/female adapter ends with intermediate couplers having hex ball-head and socket joints. Three such intermediate couplers together in one series allow for an overall 90-degrees of flex. Each coupler has a bell body over which a pliable control cover is stretched. Each hex ball head and socket joint is bridged over by a corresponding pliable control cover which then snaps over a retaining lip just under a neck.