The art prior to the invention shown in my copending application Ser. No. 06/502,763 filed June 9, 1983, did not provide an acceptable locking/quick release socket wrench extension.
Application Ser. No. 06/502,763 discloses a quick release locking arrangement for a socket wrench extension having a square drive end in which a transverse bore retains lock means for movement between a lock position in which the locking means projects from one end of the bore far enough to engage a cooperating cavity or undercut in the drive recess of a wrench socket (or other tool) and a release position in which the lock means lies within the cross section of the drive end and permits removal of the drive end from the socket. A lock tab is mounted for movement between a first position obstructing movement of the lock means to its release position and to a second position in which the lock means can move to the release position. The lock tab is a part of and controlled by a sleeve which is biased to hold the lock tab in the first position.
My prior invention required manual actuation of the sleeve to mount a socket on the extension. The design did not have "push-on" mounting capability.