Craftsman "Flank Drive" clone/emulation timeframe?

[kythri]

When did Craftsman tools start emulating the "Flank Drive" stuff on their box ends and sockets?

Any specific production run that one can identify that "everything before this did not have it, everything after this did" ??

 

[pipsters]

A good question...when did the patent for Snap-On expire? Probably soon after that.

 

[kythri]

Understood, but I'm wondering if a code on the tools can help identify - specifically, say, "all sockets 'G' or later production" ?

Snap-On says they were granted the patent in 1965, USPTO says 1970.

Patent duration confuses me. It seems that it runs 17-20 years, so assuming 20 years and a 1970 grant, 1990? Unless they got an extension, or could even get an extension, which I can't find any mention of.

I ask, because in the discussions lately, someone specifically asked what was meant by references to "early" Craftsman and "later production".

For my own personal definitions, I'd say the transition point when they started emulating the Flank Drive stuff, but I don't know where that happened. I'd consider "V" and possibly "VV" to be "early", while "G" and newer is "later".

Is there a list anywhere of these manufacturer/facility/date codes, including the newer stuff?

 

[pipsters]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807

List of dates and stamp codes.

 

[Obie]

I'm not exactly sure when it came about, but I can contribute a bit and say that their version is called HeadLock. It honestly works just about the same, and the "bite" patterns are pretty far into the flats. Its very noticeable with their impact sockets. I can say I've yet to round, or even begin to round, a single nut or bolt with their version. At least with the USA stuff, I don't own any china versions.

 

[sk farmer]

A good question...when did the patent for Snap-On expire? Probably soon after that.

while snap-on is often given credit for this type of design, the kelsey-hayes loc-rite patent predates it. it was applied for in oct. of 1961 and granted in march of 1964. it was most commonly seen on bonney tools. someone may have used something similar before klelsey-hayes in 1961 but snap-on was definately not the first to use it.

 

[lauver]

Gang,

I may be able to shed some light on this question. The newer broach did not occur with the V or VV series sockets. It seems to have occured well into the G series sockets, about 1993 (maybe a little earlier) under the Danaher regime. It's worth noting that both MAC and Proto introduced their new socket broaches about this same time. The fact that at least 3 OEMs introduced a new broach about the same time suggests the SO patent had expired.

It's also worth noting that Danaher has continued revising the socket production post G series, with G1 series starting about 2000, G2 series starting about 2004, and G2D starting about 2008. I'm not sure if these recent changes affect the broach or some other aspect of the sockets. But, I have noticed that later sockets have a different retention dimple in the square drive end of the sockets; I don't know when this change occured but my guess would be 2000 or later.

Hope this helps....

 

[FergusonTO35]

All my old Matco, Mac, and Cornwell stuff from the 80's is sans-Flank Drive so I doubt Craftsman would've had it back then.

 

[bmills2]

Flank Drive, Craftsman Headlock started in 1990 with inverted G sockets, all G sockets made 1990 and newer are inverted with the G is up side down , The G1 and C2 all are inverted, G2D not inverter but has different model numbers, also 1990 changed from Easco to Danasher

 

[WWheeler]

[... ] It's also worth noting that Danaher has continued revising the socket production post G series, with G1 series starting about 2000, G2 series starting about 2004, and G2D starting about 2008. I'm not sure if these recent changes affect the broach or some other aspect of the sockets. But, I have noticed that later sockets have a different retention dimple in the square drive end of the sockets; I don't know when this change occured but my guess would be 2000 or later.

Hope this helps....

Yeah i think you are referring to when Craftsman (and some other brand) socket drive ends changed to a double internal detent or 'ball recess feature' sometime not long before the manufacturer Danaher (or perhaps it was Apex by then?) moved production overseas. That design has often been hated on by many on this forum for various complaints. One of my sets of sockets is like that, and I've never noticed any issues with it on any ratchets or extensions I've ever used them on.

Flank Drive, Craftsman Headlock started in 1990 with inverted G sockets, all G sockets made 1990 and newer are inverted with the G is up side down , The G1 and C2 all are inverted, G2D not inverter but has different model numbers, also 1990 changed from Easco to Danasher

Interesting.

I wonder, is this particular knowledge now limited to being shared on forums like this by those who know/remember or does it also exist in a documented place somewhere like alloy artifacts or the like?

 

[bmills2]

Flank Drive, was used by snap on and had a patent on it until 1990 it is a offset on 12point head on sockets and wrenches, it helped stop rounding of bolt heads, patent was up in 1990 and every on switched to it . Craftsman called there version Craftsman Headlock, in the 1992 in catalog has some wrenches listed with headlock. VA