[001 ] A Multi-Jackboit Tensioner (MJT), such as the tensioner sold under the Superbolt ^® brand, Is generally used as a direct replacement for hex nuts, covered nuts, bolts, etc. of a size typically of 1" or greater. A conventional (nut based) MJT threads onto an existing bolt or stud (not shown) providing a highly effective means to "bolt up the joint". The typical MJT consist of three components, I) a hardened washer to provide a hardened, flat surface for the jaekbolts to "push" against; II) an often round nut body that threads onto the existing bolt or stud and seats against hand tight against the washer Initially; and III) a polar array of jaekbolts that thread through the nut body so that their point force against the washer pre-tensions the bolt or stud.

[002] MJTs have addressed some significant problems from the past. However, the use of MJT has given rise to some other problems which need to be addressed. Specifically, each jackboit of the MJT must be separately tightened Some industrial applications require Implementation of multiple MJTs and in such applications, the tightening of each jackbo!t can become time consuming. Typically, the tightening of jaekbolts Involves the use of a wrench or a hand held tool with a socket. During use, the socket must be aligned with each of the jaekbolts prior to tightening. Aligning the socket with the head of the jaekbolts (which comprise a hexagonal head) in order to fasten or unfasten generally Increases the length of time required for fastening or unfastening each jackboit. By way of example, if a large assembly utilising ten MJTs Is considered with each MJT being bolted with 10 jaekbolts then 100 Individual jaekbolts would need to be tightened, each tightened to a designated tension. As a result, even a small decrease In the time taken for aligning a jackboit with the socket can result In significant reduction of time taken for carrying out MJT based operations.

[003] A conventional socket known in the prior art is adapted for coupling a hexagonal head portion of each individual jackboit into an opening of the socket for rotatab!y fastening or unfastening the jackboit. As explained above, such a conventional socket relies on the operator to align the opening of the socket with the hexagonal head of the jackboit to ensure that side walls of the hexagonal head of the jackboit are well aligned with walls defining the opening of the socket. The alignment step Is not only time consuming but can also result In operator fatigue due to the weight of the hand held tool or wrench attached to the socket. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improvement that addresses some of the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] In one aspect, the invention provides a socket for roiafably fastening or unfastening a jackboit of a muiti jackbolt tensioner, the socket extending between a firsf end and a second end such that the first end is adapted to receive the jackboit, the socket comprising:

a passage extending along a length of the socket to receive a head of the jackbolt, the passage being defined by a plurality of even-numbered internal side wails dimensioned to engage a plurality of sides of the head of the jackbolt received therein, the socket having a cenfrai axis with diametrically opposed pairs of said side walls being parallel to each other, and pairs of adjacent side walls meeting to form corner portions to receive corners of the jackbolt head;

a plurality of guiding members arranged circumferentiaily about an opening of the passage to guide the head of the jackboit into the passage and align the plurality of sides of the head of jackbolt such that corners of the jackboit head are aligned into position with corner portions of said pairs of adjacent side wails .

[005] In an embodiment, each guiding member comprises a pair of guiding surfaces wherein the guiding surfaces for each pair are angled relative to each other such that upon contacting the head of the jackboit, the side of the head is biased by at least one of the guiding surfaces of one or more of said guiding members to align corners of the jackboit head into position with corner portions of said pairs of adjacent side walls in the passage.

[006] In an embodiment, the guiding surfaces of the circumferentiaily arranged guiding members extend from a circumferential outer edge portion of the socket towards a radially inner portion of the socket that is axialiy offset from the circumferential outer portion.

[007] In an embodiment, each of the guiding surfaces in said projection diverges towards the circumferential outer edge.

[008] In an embodiment, each guiding surface slopes in a direction extending from the circumferential outer edge portion of the socket towards the radially inner portion of the socket.

[009] In an embodiment, the internal side wails extend along a length of the passage in a direction from the first end towards the second end of the socket.

[010] In an embodiment, respective planes for the pair of guiding surfaces in each guiding member intersect each other at an acute angle in the range of 30 degrees to 80 degrees and more preferably 45 degrees. [01 1] In an embodiment, the side walls in said pairs of adjacent side walls meet at an angle of greater than 90 degrees and at least 100 degrees to form the corner portions to receive corners of the jackbolt head.

[012] In an embodiment, each of the guiding members further comprises one or more radialiy inwardly directed surfaces extending in between adjacently located lateral sides the divergent surfaces.

[013] in an embodiment, each of the guiding members comprises at least two inwardly directed surfaces extending from an upper portion of the projection to a lower portion of the projection and sloping from the circumferential outer edge portion of the socket tovi/ards the radially inner portion of the socket.

[014] In an embodiment, each of the guiding surfaces is positioned adjacent at least one of the inwardly directed surfaces and wherein a plane of the divergent surface is disposed at an angle of less than 90 degrees and preferably greater than 45 degrees relative to an imaginary plane of the adjacently located inwardly directed surface.

[015] in an embodiment, each of the guiding surfaces is quadrangular.

[016] In an embodiment, each of the guiding members comprises at least two inwardly directed surfaces of respective internal side walls extending from an upper portion of the projection to a lower portion of the projection.

[017] In an embodiment, each of the guiding surfaces meets a respective Inwardly directed surfaces along a common edge portion and wherein a plane of the guiding surface is disposed at an angle of less than 90 degrees and preferably greater than 45 degrees relative to an imaginary plane of the respective inwardly directed surface.

[018] In an embodiment, each inwardly directed surface is triangular.

[019] In an embodiment, each of the inwardly directed triangular surfaces is joined together along a respective side of each triangular surface to form an inner edge portion of the projection.

[020] In an embodiment, the inner edge is oriented at an angle of less than 30 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the socket. Preferably, the angle lies in the range of 10 to 20 degrees and more preferably the angle is 15.5 degrees. [021] In an embodiment, the upper portion of each projection comprises a respective chamfered face positioned along each of the divergent surfaces.

[022] In an embodiment, the socket further comprises a spindle receiving opening at or adjacent the second end for receiving a spindle of a jackbolf tensioning device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference wiii now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

[024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly 1000 for simuitaneausiy tensioning a plurality of jackbolts J of a multi-jaekbolt tensioner MJT.

[025] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembiy 1000 for simultaneously tensioning a plurality of jackbolts J (MJT not shown).

[026] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a socket 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

[027] Figure 4 is an enlarged fop perspective view of the socket 200.

[028] Figure 5 is a top view of the socket 200.

[029] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the socket 200.

[030] Figures 7A to 7D illustrate sequential in-use views of the socket 200.

[031] Figure 8 is an orthogonal view of a socket 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[032] Figure 9 is an enlarged orthogonal view of the socket 100. [033] Figure 10 is a side view of the socket 100, [034] Figure 1 1 is a first sectional view of the socket 100. [035] Figure 12 is a second sectional view of the socket 100. [036] Figure 13 is a top view of the socket 100.

[037] Figure 14 is an in-use top view of the socket 100 (shown in engagement with a hexagonal nui/boit-H)

[038] Figures 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate sequential in-use views of the socket 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[039] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an assembly for simultaneously tensioning a plurality of jackboits of a muifi-jackbolt tensioner (MJT) (shown in Figures 1 and 2) is depicted. The assembly comprises a tensioning device T having a first plurality of spindles S that are arranged to simultaneously tension the plurality of jackboits on the MJT. Each spindle cooperates with a respective socket 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, to engage an individual head H of a jackboit J in an initially engaged configuration. The presently claimed invention, in at least some embodiments, provides the sockets 200 that engage with each jackboit head H to allow the jackboits to be tensioned or untensioned.

[040] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, detailed views of each of said sockets 200 have been provided. Each socket socket includes a passage 202 with an opening 206 at a first end of the socket 200. During use, it is desirable to align and center each jackboit head H Into the opening 205. Turning to Figure 4, the passage is defined by a plurality of even-numbered internal side wails dimensioned to engage a plurality of sides of the head H of the jackboit received into the passage 202. In the presently described embodiment, the passage 202 is defined by 12 pairs of internal side walls that are arranged In a polar array about a central axis X, The passage 202 is defined by diametrically opposed pairs of said side wails (such as 01 ; 02) being parallel to each other, and pairs of adjacent side wails such as 227 and 223 meeting to form corner portions 229 to receive corners of the jackboit head H. The side walls 223 and 227 forming the corner portions 229 that receive the corners of the head of the jackboit J are angled at 120 degrees. However, the angle between the adjacent side wails of the passage 202 may be varied to accommodate other non-hexagonal shapes for the head portion of jackboits in an MJT. In the preferred embodiment, the passage 202 extends in a direction from a first end 209 to a second end 210 of the socket. However, the passage 202 does not extend along the entire height of the socket 200. [041] A plurality of circumferentially arranged guiding members 250 are provided about the opening 205 of the passage 202 to guide the jackboit head into the passage 202 and align the plurality of sides of the head of jackboit such that corners of the jackboit head (such as C1- See Figures 7A to 7D)) are aligned into position with corner portions 229 of said pairs of adjacent side walls 223 and 227.

[042] Each guiding member 250 comprises a pair of guiding surfaces 224 and 226 thai are angled relative to each other and diverge away from each other towards a circumferential outer portion of the socket 200. In the preferred embodiment, the divergent guiding surfaces are angled at 45 degrees to each other. However, this Upon contacting the head of the jackboit, the side of the head is biased by one of the guiding surfaces (224 or 226) to align corners of the jackboit head into position with corner portions 229 of said pairs of adjacent side walls 223 and 227 in the passage 202, it is important to note that the guiding surfaces 224 and 226 of the circumferentiaiiy arranged guiding members siope inwardly extending from a circumferential outer edge portion of the socket 200 towards a radially inner portion of the socket 200 that is axialiy offset from the circumferential outer portion. The inwardly sioping configuration of the guiding surfaces 224 and 226 in combination with the mutually angled configuration of the guiding surfaces 224 and 226 in each guiding member 250 effect the guiding members 250 to collectively align and centre the head H of the jackboit J into the passage 202.

[043] Figures 7Ato 7D illustrate the manner in which the socket 200 is useful in self-aligning and self-centering the socket 100 relative to a hexagonal jackboit head (H). Figure 7A illustrates an initial position in which the corners of the hexagonal jackboit (H) are not in alignment with corner portions 229 formed by adjacent pairs of the internal side walls 223 and 227 of the passage 202 of the socket 100. it is also important to note that in the initial or starting position of Figure 7 A, the head (H) of the jackboit is not centered within the passage 202 ie. the centre Y of the jackboit head (H) is offset from the central axis X of the passage 202.

[044] in order to clearly understand the working of the socket 200, it would be best to follow the movement of a corner (such as C1) of the jackboit head (H) sequentially from Figures 7A to 7D. The guiding surface 224 slopes away from the other guiding surface 228 (due to the angled configuration). As a result, upon contacting the guiding surface 224, the corner C1 is biased by the guiding surface 224 resulting in a gradual movement of the corner C1 in a clockwise direction (as shown by the rounded arrow-Figures 7Ato 7D in sequence). Therefore, the guiding surface 224 imparts a self-aligning effect to the corner C1 of the head (H). Similarly, if the corner portion C1 contacted the guiding surfaces 226, then the head (H) would undergo anti-clockwise movement. Advantageously, each of the guiding surfaces 224 and 226 also slope inwardly and downwardly from a circumferential outer edge portion of the socket 200 towards a radially inner portion of the socket 200. As a result, upon contacting guiding surfaces 224 or 228, the comer portion C1 not only undergoes clockwise or anticlockwise movement, the corner portion C1 (and the head H) also undergo axial movement (as shown by movement of the centre Y of the head (H) such that each of the corners (such as C1) of the head (H) are aligned into position with corner portions 229 formed by adjacent side walls 223 and 227.

[045] Figures 8 to 17 depict a second embodiment of a socket 100 for simultaneously tensioning a plurality of jackboits of a muiti-jackbo!t tensioner (MJT). As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the socket 100 comprises an opening 1 10 that Is defined by a plurality of side walls that are dimensioned to engage with a hexagonal head (H) of a jackbolt (see Figure 16). The socket 100 comprises a plurality of substantially Identical projecting members 120 that are arranged circumferentiaily about the opening 1 10, it must be understood that the presently described embodiment comprises 12 identical projections 120 that are circumferentiaily arranged about the opening 1 10. However, the number of projections 120 arranged around the opening 1 10 is not limiting and may be varied in other alternative embodiments. The configuration of each of the projecting members 120 (which will be detailed in the foregoing sections) allows the projections to guide and align the hexagonal head of the jackbolt with corresponding wails of the opening 1 10. The projecting members 120 also guide the hexagonal head in order to center the head of the jackbolt in order to be correctly positioned in the opening 1 10,

[046] Turning to Figure 9, the configuration of each of the projecting members 120 has been illustrated In further detail. Each projecting member 120 comprises a pair of divergent guiding surfaces 122 and 124 that diverge in a downwardly direction from an upper portion 126 of the projection 120 towards a lower portion 128 of an adjacently located projection 120. Each of the upper portions 126 and the divergent surfaces 122 and 124 for all the projecting members 120 form a peripheral edge of the socket 100. it is important to note that one of the divergent surfaces 122A of a first projecting member (120A) and one of the divergent surfaces 124B of an adjacently located second projecting member (120B) define a V-shaped cavity 121. Advantageously, the angle between the adjacently located divergent surfaces 122A and 124B is in the range of 80 and 90 degrees and more preferably 74 degrees (as shown in Figure 4). When the user pushes the socket 100 onto the head (H) of the jackbolt nut of the jackbolt, the divergent or sloping surfaces (122 or 124) for each V-shaped cavity 121 provide a bias that results in sufficient torsional/rotational forces being applied which translates the pushing force (applied by the user) into rotational force that results in rotation of the socket 100 or the hexagonal jackbolt head (H) every time a user pushes the socket 100. Each of the divergent surfaces 122 or 124 also slopes inwardly from a circumferentiaily outer portion to a circurnferentiaily inner portion of the socket 100. As a result, the rotational action of the socket 100 or the head (H) of the jackboit therefore results in the socket 100 and the jackbo!t head (H) being biased to undergo a rotational movement in combination which aligns the corners of the head (H) with corresponding comers 128 of the passage 1 10 but also helps with centering the head (H) into the passage 1 10.

[047] Each projecting member 120 also includes two inwardly directed triangular surfaces 125 and 127 that extend in an inwardly direction and are positioned contiguously relative to each other. The triangular surfaces 125 and 127 extend between adjacently located lateral sides of the divergent surfaces 122 and 124. The inwardly directed surfaces 125 and 127 meet along an inner edge 129 which is disposed at a small angle (preferably in the range of 12 to 20 degrees and more preferably at 15.5 degrees) relative to a longitudinal axis of the socket 100. The provision of the triangular inwardly directed surfaces 125 and 127 is important for assisting with the centering of the socket 100 relative to the jackboit head of the jackboit so that the planar inner walls defining the opening 1 10 are in alignment with the hexagonal head of the jackboit in order to effect tensioning or untensioning of the jackboit. The inwardly directed surfaces 125 and 127 for each of the projecting members 120 provide a slightly convergent (or funnel shaped) entrance into the socket 100 that enables the socket 100 to centre the hex nut/bolt as it is directed in a downwardly direction once the divergent surfaces 122 and 124 have provided an initial rotation or twist to the socket 100 or the hex nut/bolt.

[048] The upper portion 126 for each projecting member 120 comprises respective chamfered faces 126A and 126B that are positioned along each of the divergent surfaces 122 and 124 respectively. Each of the chamfered faces 128A and 128B is substantially trapezoidal and outwardly located portions of each of the chamfered faces 128A and 128B are spaced apart by a triangular upper face 126G of the upper portion 126. In some embodiments, the upper face 126C may be angled or slope for further assisting with the guiding and centering the hex nut/bolt.

[049] Figures 15A to 15C illustrate the manner in which the socket 100 is useful in self aligning the socket 100 relative to a jackboit head or bolt (denoted by H). Figure 15A illustrates an initial position in which the hexagonal bolt (H) is not in alignment with the opening 1 10 of the socket 100. The divergent surfaces 122 and 124 for adjoining projecting members 120 form the V-shaped cavity 121 (as previously discussed). When a misaligned socket 100 is pressed against the hexagonal bolt (H), the corners of hexagonal head (H) come into direct contact with one of the divergent surfaces 122 or 124. Figure 15A indicates contact between divergent surface 124 and one of the corners of the hexagonal head (H). The sloping configuration of the divergent surfaces (122 and 124) results in the gradual sliding of the corner portion of ihe hexagonal bolt (H) substantially towards a central portion of the V-shaped cavity 121 (as shown in Figures 158 and 15C) as the jackboii head (H) undergoes a slight rotational movement (or twisting action) particularly when the jackboit head (H) is not under tension, it may be understood that in alternative embodiments, pushing of the socket 100 on to a jackboit head (H) held under tension may cause rotational movement (or twisting) of the socket 100 (due to the sloping configuration of the divergent surfaces 122 and 124 of each projection member 120) to position the corner C of the jackboit head (H) into the central portion of the V- shaped cavity 121. Figure 15C depicts an aligned position in which the corner of the jackboit head (H) is positioned substantially at a centre of the V-shaped cavity after the initial twisting has been carried out when the socket 100 is pushed.

[050] Once the socket 100 and the jackboit head (H) have been initialiy aligned by the divergent surfaces 122 and 124 of the projecting members 120, the inwardly directed triangular surfaces 125 and 127 provide additional functionality by centering the socket 100 relative the jackboit head (H) and maintaining the jackboit head (H) in an aligned position. The inwardly directed triangular surfaces 125 and 127 (which are oriented at a small angle of 15.5 degrees- as previously discussed) provide a funnel shaped or convergent entry point for the jackboit head (H) before the jackboit head (H) is fully received into the opening 1 10 of the socket 100.

[051] in some other embodiments, the invention may be provided in the form of a socket attachment that can be positioned on conventional socket. Such a socket attachment may include a plurality of projection members 120 such that the projection members 120 become circumferentiaiiy arranged about the opening of the conventional socket. The socket attachment may comprise a coupling arrangement that allows the socket attachment to be fixedly coupled with a conventional socket S to guide and aligning the hexagonal head of the jackboit with corresponding walls of the opening defined by the socket S. The socket attachment consists of a plurality of projecting members 120 arranged circumferentiaiiy about the opening of the socket S for guiding and aligning a plurality of sides of the fastener with corresponding walls defining the opening 1 10 of the socket S. The projecting members 120 comprise a similar configuration as the projecting members 120 in the previously described socket 100 and allow the jackboit head/bolt and the socket S to be aligned to carry out tensioning or untensioning of the jackboit head/bolt.

[052] It should be noted that even though the presently described embodiments indicate the use of the socket 100 or the socket attachment 200 for tensioning and untensioning jackbolts for IvIJTs, the scope of the invention is in no way limited to use with MJT jackbolts. The socket 100, the socket attachment 200 and other alternative embodiments may be used for tensioning and untensioning fasteners of varying shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[053] All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but oniy to the extent that the incorporated materiai does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term In this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to this application.

[054] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[055] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatuses and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions. This application including the appended claims is therefore intended to cover ail such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.