Snap-on Inc.

Textron Corporation

Jeffrey M Arendt

Daniel M Eggert

Christopher D Thompson

Gene E Olson

Glenn A Kaufman

Steven R Wente

Gregory J Chesack

David G McGreal

David G Mcgreal

A Kaufman Glenn

Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Socket drive improvement

Disclosed is a tool head, such as a socket, having an annular groove that allows gripping of the tool head to remove the tool head from a tool having a lug, such as ratchet, torque or impact wrenches. The groove is spaced from the drive engagement end of the socket for improved gripping performance. The groove dimensions were determined to improve gripping performance as well. For example, the groove can have a depth of 0.020&#x2033;-0.050&#x2033;, preferably 0.020&#x2033;-0.030&#x2033;. More broadly, the groove can have a depth of 5.0%-15.0%, and preferably 5.0%-10.5%, of the drive end outer diameter. The groove can, either alone or in combination with the above ranges, have a width of 0.25-0.47&#x2033;, preferably 0.29-0.43&#x2033;. The groove can, either alone or in combination with the above ranges, begin at a distance of 0.070-0.160&#x2033;, preferably 0.090-0.140&#x2033;, and have an end of groove farthest from the end of the socket of 0.32-0.63&#x2033;, preferably 0.38-0.57&#x2033;.

Tool head with groove for removal from lug

Socket with wide groove

A method of manufacturing a punch, such as a socket punch, using wire EDM with at least six steps. The method involves forming a blank, holding the blank with an adapter, machining grooves in the blank, manufacturing a side relief of a working portion using wire EDM, milling the working portion to a final size, and forming a cone point on the end of the working portion. The method allows the punch to be manufactured more quickly and from a CAD model, therefore removing the need for over-specialized equipment and improving manufacturing times.

Method of manufacturing socket punches

An attachment arrangement and method for mower reel drive wherein the rotating reel has its shaft rotatably mounted on a mower frame, and a rotational drive motor is also mounted on the frame. The facility of making the connection between the motor and the frame and of aligning the parts along a longitudinal axis for the drive relationship, are both involved, and pin connections are employed to achieve those objectives.

Attachment arrangement for mower reel drive

Growing community of inventors

Union Grove, WI, United States of America

Jeffrey M Arendt