| LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS | |
| 10 present invention | 98 fourth sleeve exterior upwardly facing shoulder |
| 12 tool handle | 100 fifth sleeve |
| 14 user's hand | 102 fifth sleeve lower end |
| 16 hexagonal nut | 104 fifth sleeve upper end |
| 20 main body | 106 fifth sleeve interior downwardly facing shoulder |
| 22 lower body | 108 fifth sleeve exterior upwardly facing shoulder |
| 24 lower body end | 110 magnetic strip pair |
| 26 lower body bore | 112 magnetic strip pair |
| 30 upper body | 114 magnetic strip pair |
| 32 upper end | 116 magnetic strip pair |
| 34 retainer member | 118 magnetic strip pair |
| 36 main body cavity | 120 magnetic strip pair |
| 38 spring | 122 upper body interior wall |
| 40 plate | 200 alternate embodiment |
| 42 peripheral plate | 202 peripheral sleeve lower end |
| 44 peripheral plate exterior surface | 204 first sleeve lower end |
| 46 peripheral plate lower end | 206 second sleeve lower end |
| 48 peripheral plate upper end | 208 third sleeve lower end |
| 50 peripheral plate downwardly facing shoulder | 210 fourth sleeve lower end |
| 52 peripheral plate interior surface | 212 fifth sleeve lower end |
| 60 first sleeve | 300 alternate embodiment |
| 62 first sleeve lower end | 302 combined peripheral sleeve and retainer member |
| 64 first sleeve upper end | 304 first sleeve |
| 66 first sleeve interior downwardly facing shoulder | 306 second sleeve |
| 68 first sleeve exterior upwardly facing shoulder | 308 third sleeve |
| 70 second sleeve | 310 fourth sleeve |
| 72 second sleeve lower end | 312 fifth sleeve |
| 74 second sleeve upper end | 314 sixth sleeve |
| 76 second sleeve interior downwardly facing shoulder | 316 first sleeve lower end |
| 78 second sleeve exterior upwardly facing shoulder | 318 second sleeve lower end |
| 80 third sleeve | 320 third sleeve lower end |
| 82 third sleeve lower end | 322 fourth sleeve lower end |
| 84 third sleeve upper end | 324 fifth sleeve lower end |
| 86 third sleeve interior downwardly facing shoulder | 326 sixth sleeve lower end |
| 88 third sleeve exterior upwardly facing shoulder | 328 peripheral sleeve lower end |
| 90 fourth sleeve | 330 magnetic strip pairs |
| 92 fourth sleeve lower end | |
| 94 fourth sleeve upper end | |
| 96 fourth sleeve interior downwardly facing shoulder | |
| PATENT DRAWINGS |
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| FIGURE 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use. The adjustable socket includes a plurality of sleeves concentrically aligned relative to one another and arranged in a biased orientation towards the upper terminal end of an associated socket body, including interlocking projections to maintain the sleeves in a nested concentric relationship adjacent the upper terminal end of the socket body, from which position the sleeves are selectively displaced by the intrusion of a fastener projection, such as a hexagonal nut or bolt head. |
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| FIGURE 2 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. The adjustable socket is used for the grasping and turning of fastener projections, including hexagonal bolts and nuts of different sizes, without having to change a socket of one size for that of another. |
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| FIGURE 3 Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the present invention. The socket of the present invention consists of a body with a threaded, ring-shaped retainer member that holds captive the hexagonally-bored sleeves. |
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| FIGURE 4 Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of the present invention. The sleeves contain magnetic strips that couple in the spaces between the sleeves to prevent the larger sleeves from moving with the smaller sleeves when the insertion of a nut or bolt displaces the smaller sleeves, and the compression of the spring allows the plate to depart from the lower ends of the larger sleeves. |
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| FIGURE 5 Figure 5 is a top view of the present invention. A threaded retainer member retains the sleeves within the socket body cavity. |
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| FIGURE 6 Figure 6 is a bottom view of the present invention. The lower socket body of the present invention has a bore to accept the driving projection of a typical tool such as a ratchet. |
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| FIGURE 7 Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the present invention depicting the relationships between the sleeves as a nut displaces the innermost sleeve. |
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| FIGURE 8 Figure 8 is a perspective view of a hexagonal sleeve. The position of the magnetic strip is shown along with the offset lower end that interlocks with similar offset ends on the other sleeves. |
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| FIGURE 9 Figure 9 is a sectional side view showing an alternate embodiment with a second means of interlocking the sleeves as necessary to prevent upward movement of the sleeves from the position shown. |
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| FIGURE 10 Figure 10 is a sectional side view showing an alternate embodiment with a third means of interlocking the sleeves as necessary to prevent upward movement of the sleeves from the position shown. |