Socket support adapter
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a socket support adapter which has special utility in permitting the removal of nuts, bolts and other threaded elements in confined or inaccessible places. 
     In various kinds of maintenance and repair operations, it is sometimes necessary to remove nuts, bolts and other threaded elements from confined areas. In some instances, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for a mechanic to manipulate a tool in the removal of a nut or bolt. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel socket support adapter, of simple and inexpensive construction, which is adaptable for use in removing threaded elements, such as nuts, bolts and the like from heretofore inaccessible areas. 
     More specifically, the novel socket support adapter includes an elongate extensible and retractable body having a pair of gear driven male socket elements extending therefrom which are adapted to engage a female socket element and a drive ratchet assembly, respectively, whereby a nut, bolt, or the like may be readily removed or replaced in a heretofore inaccessible area. 
     These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
    
    
     FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel socket support adapter; 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the socket support adapter; and 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel socket support adapter, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. The socket support adapter 10 includes an elongate body 11 comprised of two cast body sections 12. One of the body sections 12 includes an elongate generally cylindrical sleeve portion 13 having a generally cylindrical housing 14 integrally formed therewith at one end thereof. The other body section 12 also includes a sleeve portion 15 which is of cylindrical configuration but having a smaller diameter than the sleeve portion 13. The sleeve portion 15 also has a cylindrical housing 16 integrally formed with one end thereof. 
     The housing 14 includes an end wall 14a and an annular wall 14b. The housing 14 is also provided with an opening 14c opposite the end wall 14a. Similarly, the housing 16 is provided with an inner wall 16a, an annular wall 16b  and has an opening 16c opposite the end wall 16a. It will be noted that the openings 14c and 16c, respectively, faced in opposite directions. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the sleeve portion 13 is provided with elongate circumferentially spaced apart, inwardly projecting ribs or splines 17. Similarly, the sleeve portion 15 is provided with a circumferentially spaced apart grooves 18 therein which accommodate the splines 17 to thereby permit sliding movement between the sleeve portions but preventing relative rotation therebetween. The sleeve portion 13 is also provided with an elongate longitudinally extending slot 19 therein through which projects a bolt 20, the latter engaging in a threaded recess in the sleeve portion 15. A suitable wingnut 21 engages the bolt 20 for locking the sleeve portions in an adjusted longitudinal position. 
     An elongate telescopic drive shaft is positioned within the body 11 and includes an elongate generally cylindrical section 22 having a bore 23 therethrough which is of rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The bore 23 accommodates an elongate shaft section 24 therein, the latter being of rectangular cross-sectional configuration, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The shaft section 22 has a bevel gear 25 affixed to the free end thereof while the shaft section 24 has a bevel gear 26 affixed to the free end thereof. It will be seen that the shaft sections can be extended and retracted in telescoping relation when the sleeve portions are extended and retracted relative to each other. It will also be noted that the bevel gear 25 is positioned interiorly of housing 14, and that bevel gear 26 is positioned interiorally of housing 16. 
     The socket support adapter 10 also includes a pair of male socket elements 27 which are of rectangular cross-sectional configuration each being revolvably mounted in one of the housings 14 and 16. Each male socket element 27 includes a cylindrical portion 28 which is journaled in a bearing assembly 29 mounted in the associated housing adjacent the opening therein. In this regard, it will be noted that the male socket element 27 projects outwardly from its associated housing, and it will further be noted that the male socket elements project in opposite directions with respect to each other. A suitable seal 30 is provided with male socket element and engages the cylindrical portion thereof adjacent the bearing assembly 29. A pair of retaining rings 31 are provided each engaging one of the seals 30 for retaining the seal and bearing assembly within the associated housing. 
     Each male socket element 27 is provided with a bevel gear 32 positioned within the associated housing and disposed in meshing relation with one of the gears on the elongate drive shaft. In this regard, the bevel gear on one male socket element 27 is disposed in meshing relation for the bevel gear 25 on the shaft section 22 while the bevel gear on the male socket element is disposed in meshing relation with the bevel gear 26 on the shaft section 24. Each male socket element is also provided with an elongate stem 33 which projects axially from the associated bevel gear 32 and engages in a seat 34 for properly positioning the male socket element and the associated bevel gear for proper meshing relation with the bevel gear on the drive shaft. 
     Each housing 14, 16 is provided with a threaded bore 35 therein which is disposed in coaxial relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the associated seat portion. Each threaded bore 35 accommodates an end socket member 36 therein. In this regard, the end socket member 36 which is of hexagonal configuration is provided with a threaded plug portion 37 and threadedly engages in associated bore 35. Each socket member 36 is also provided with a socket recess 38 which is of rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The use of removable socket members also facilitates assembly of the socket support adapter. Each end socket member 36 is adapted to receive the male socket element 40 of an elongate steadying handle 39 to prevent movement of the socket support adapter 10 during its use. 
     In this regard, each male socket element 27 is adapted to accommodate a female socket element 41 of conventional construction, the female socket element having a socket recess therein and adapted to fit a nut, bolt or other threaded member of predetermined size and configuration. Each male socket element 27 is also adapted to accommodate the adapter element 43 of a conventional drive ratchet handle 42 which is used to rotate the male socket element in a well known manner. With this arrangement, it will be seen that when one of the male socket elements 27 is rotated by drive ratchet handle 42 in a predetermined direction, the other male socket element will be rotated in the same direction as a result of the drive through the drive shaft. 
     In use, when it is desirable to move a nut or bolt from an inaccessible area, a user will select the appropriate female socket element and apply the element to one of the male socket elements 27. The female socket elements may then be disposed in engaging relation with a nut or bolt to be removed even if the nut or bolt is located in an inaccessible area. In the event that the user must extend the length of the socket support adapter 10 in order to manipulate the ratchet handle 42, this may be readily done. A steadying handle 39 may be used to prevent the socket support adapter during manipulation of the drive ratchet. Thereafter, the user may drive the other male socket element by ratchet handle 42 in a well known manner. It is important to point out that rotation of the drive male socket element rotates the driven male socket element in the same direction thereby giving the user a better sense of control during the loosening or tightening operation. 
     It has been found that the present socket support adapter 10 is especially adapted for use with automotive vehicles for removing or replacing threaded elements such as nuts or bolts often located in confined or substantially inaccessible areas. Conventional socket wrenches simply cannot be used to remove and replace nuts and bolts in such confined areas. 
     It will therefore be seen from the foregoing paragraphs, that I have provided a novel socket support adapter, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices. 
     It is anticipated that various changes can be made in the size, shape and construction of the socket support adapter device disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.