Socket holder

Abstract

A socket holder is adapted for retaining a socket thereon. The socket has an internal surrounding surface. The socket holder includes a first retaining portion extending along a first axis, a second retaining portion extending along a second axis parallel to the first axis and in the same direction as the first retaining portion, and movable relative to the first retaining portion, and a biasing component for biasing the second retaining portion to move away from the first retaining portion. The second retaining portion cooperates with the first retaining portion to abut against the internal surrounding surface of the socket to retain the socket on the socket holder.

1 . A socket holder adapted for retaining a socket thereon, the socket having an internal surrounding surface, said socket holder comprising:
 a first retaining portion extending along a first axis;   a second retaining portion extending along a second axis parallel to the first axis and in the same direction as said first retaining portion, and movable relative to said first retaining portion; and   a biasing component for biasing said second retaining portion to move away from said first retaining portion;   wherein said second retaining portion cooperates with said first retaining portion to abut against the internal surrounding surface of the socket to retain the socket on said socket holder.   
   
   
       2 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing provided with said first retaining portion and defining a receiving space therein, and an operating block provided with said second retaining portion, disposed to extend into said receiving space, and movable along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second axes, said biasing component being disposed between said housing and said operating block. 
   
   
       3 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said receiving space defined by said housing extends along the third axis;   said housing has an opening that is in spatial communication with said receiving space and that is registered with the third axis; and   said operating block extends into said receiving space via said opening.   
   
   
       4 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein:
 said housing has a first side surface provided with said first retaining portion, an end surface connected to said first side surface and formed with said opening, and a slit formed in said first side surface and extending in a direction parallel to the third axis from said end surface to said first retaining portion; and   said second retaining portion extends outwardly of said housing from said operating block via said slit and is movable relative to said first retaining portion along said slit.   
   
   
       5 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said first retaining portion is formed with a receiving groove that is in spatial communication with said slit in said housing, and that is capable of receiving said second retaining portion therein. 
   
   
       6 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said housing further has an engaging hole in spatial communication with said receiving space in said housing, said operating block having an engaging component that engages said engaging hole for coupling movably said operating block to said housing. 
   
   
       7 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said operating block has an extending section provided with said second retaining portion, and an actuated section connected to said extending section and exposed from said receiving space via said opening of said housing. 
   
   
       8 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said biasing component is a compression spring that has one end connected to said operating block, and another end opposite to said one end along the third axis and abutting against said housing. 
   
   
       9 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said biasing component is a leaf spring that is made from plastic and that extends integrally from said operating block along the third axis to abut against said housing. 
   
   
       10 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said housing further is provided with a slide member spaced apart from said first retaining portion, said socket holder further comprising a slide rail for retaining slidably said slide member. 
   
   
       11 . The socket holder as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said housing further has a second side surface disposed opposite to said first side surface in a direction parallel to the first axis and provided with a slide member, said socket holder further comprising a slide rail for retaining slidably said slide member.