Socket loop wrench holder

Abstract

A storage device for storage of socket wrenches thereon in end to end relation. The device has an elongated body that is made of a flexible twisted metal cable or other suitable material. Attached to each opposing end of the body are mutually engageable releasable coupling members. The locking action is accomplished as a result of one end coupling member being biased against and securely retained against the second coupling member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to storage devices having a loop configuration and more particularly to such storage devices for socket wrenches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage devices of various configurations for storing various objects are well-known in the art. A storage loop, for example, which serves to package safety pins or the like is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,979,049, issued to Patterson, on Oct. 30, 1934. The safety pin package is comprised of a ring like member having a pair of ends which are disposed for abutting end to end relation. A separate keeper sleeve is required which encompasses and retains the ends in rebutting relation. A plastic storage loop in the form of a ring is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,432,870, entitled “Plastic Ring and Method of Making the same,” issued to Evalt, on Dec. 16, 1947, which is used for permanently connecting hotel key tags to room keys. Individual ring segments are cut from a plastic helical coil, and the ends of each segment are secured together, as by gluing, after the key and room tag are assembled to the segment. U.S. Pat. No. 1,286,501, entitled “Lap Ring or Link,” issued to Bauer, on Dec. 18, 1918, discloses a storage ring for watch, chains, or jewelry. The ring includes separate ends each of which are precision machined to include a longitudinally disposed arm having and enlarged extremity provided with a lug extending away from the very end surface of each end portion of the ring. The spacing between the opposed face of one end portion of the arm serves as a receptacle for the lug of the other end portion to provide for interlocking the ends of the ring. As can be seen, such structure requires intricate machining done to very close tolerances. Such required machining operations are time consuming and expensive.

Other loop members are known which serve other than storage purposes. One such loop member is used for attaching a towel to golf bags. This particular device is too small to store any objects thereon and is only useful to receive a grommet attached to the towel or the like thereon. Nor is this device practical as a socket wrench storage device since each of the ends are provided with substantially different radiuses which would prevent socket wrenches from being slid around the end portions without binding. Such sliding movement is necessary for the positioning of a predetermined socket wrench adjacent to the interlocking ends so that a particular selected socket wrench may be removed without the need to remove other socket wrenches from the body of the storage device.

It should be noted that none of the above patents disclose a loop storage member for socket wrenches as described herein creating a stronger securing means that screws, together, is coupled together quickly, changes in length, and has the ability to store while in operation.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a socket wrench loop storage member made in accordance with the subject invention with portions of said storage member being broken away for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a side view in of the twisted cable.;

FIG. 3 displays an exploded view of the fastener elements thereof in a torsionally unstressed or locking condition;

FIG. 4 displays an exploded view of the alternative fastener elements; and

FIG. 5 displays an adjustable loop member.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of socket wrench storage device 10. The device includes a body 12 an intermediate portion 20 with opposing coupling members (30, 25) attached on distal ends thereon.

Intermediate portion 20 is made of flexible wire cable. Flexible wire cable is preferably made of a plurality of strands twisted together in a helix configuration as shown in FIG. 2. Each strand is first twisted and then a plurality of stands is then twisted around a core which cushion off stress forces when bending the cable. The core can be made of steel or another suitable metal. In the preferred embodiment each strand is made of 6 fibers.

When opposing coupling members (30, 25) are coupled together, intermediate portion 20 forms loop member from intermediate portion 20. One coupler member is a female member 25 and the opposing coupler member is a mating male member 30. In the preferred embodiment, the opposing coupler members (30, 25) each has a small cylindrical body portion. As depicted the female member 25 has a threaded recessed portion 34 and the male member 30 has a threaded extended portion 32. Recessed portion 34 is formed by an inwardly threaded bore 34 within the cylindrical body portion of the female coupler member 25. Extended portion 32 protrudes outward from the cylindrical body portion of the male coupler member 30. To securely form loop member 20 extended portion 32 is threadably engaged (i.e. screwed) into recessed portion 34 thereby forming a secured connection therebetween.

In an alternative embodiment, opposing coupling members (30, 25) are coupled together in intermediate portion 20 forming a loop member with fastening elements shown in FIG. 4. As depicted there, the female member 25 has a recessed portion 34 and the male member 30 has a extended portion 32. To securely form loop member 21 extended portion 32 is engaged with or snap into recessed portion 34 thereby forming a secured connection therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, gripping ridges 33 are incorporated into the outer surface area of the small cylindrical body portion of one or both opposing coupler members (25, 30). While in use the cylindrical body portion of one or both opposing members (25, 30) are adapted to rotate 360 degrees. The rotation of the cylindrical body portion provide a secure connection thereby preventing the connection between the opposing coupler members to become loose and fail.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the loop member formed by intermediate portion 20 can be manufactured at a fixed predetermined length and made with flexible twisted wire cable. However, in alternative embodiments, the intermediate portion 20 can have an adjustable length. As shown in FIG. 5, extension member 65 have an extending body 64 with opposing arms (60, 62) connected at distal ends. In use the sliding movement of the opposing arms (60, 62) allows for the adjustment of the intermediate portion 20 of the body of wrench storage device.

Claims

1. A socket wreck storage device comprising:

a body having an intermediate portion with opposing coupler members attached to the distal ends thereon; the intermediate portion being defined by a first end with an attached female coupler member and an opposing second end with an attached mating male coupler member; the body being made of an elongated flexible durable material adapted for receiving and holding a plurality of sockets thereon; the female coupler member being releaseable connected to the male coupler member to form a loop member capable of varying in shape while in use; and the female coupler member capable of rotating 360 degrees to form a secured connection therebetween thereby while in use preventing disconnection therefrom;

2. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion is made of a flexible wire cable having a plurality of strands twisted together around a core into a helix configuration which cushion off stress forces when bending the intermediate portion.

3. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 further comprising:

the female coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an inwardly threaded recessed portion;

the male coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an outwardly protruding threaded extending portion; and

the recessed portion adapted to securely engage with the extending portion wherein a secured connection is formed.

4. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 further comprising:

the female coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an inwardly smooth surface bore recessed portion;

the male coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an outwardly protruding smooth surface extending portion; and

the recessed portion adapted to securely engage with the extending portion wherein a secured connection is formed.

5. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 further comprising the female coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an outer surface area having a plurality of ridges incorporated therein such that a user can easily grip the female coupler while connecting and disconnecting.

6. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 further comprising the male coupler member having a small cylindrical body portion with an outer surface area having a plurality of ridges incorporated therein such that a user can easily grip the male coupler while connecting and disconnecting.;

7. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 wherein the female coupler member further comprises a small cylindrical body portion that rotates relative to the intermediate body portion preventing the disconnection of the opposing coupler members.

8. The socket wrench storage device of claim 1 wherein the male coupler member further comprises a small cylindrical body portion that rotates relative to the intermediate body portion preventing the disconnection of the opposing coupler members.