Adjustable socket

[0001] This disclosure pertains to an adjustable socket having jaws which are radially displaceable relative to a fastener positioned between the jaws.

[0002] An adjustable socket can be a convenient alternative to a set of individual fixed-size non-adjustable sockets. A single adjustable socket can be adjusted to fit fasteners (e.g. nuts, bolts, etc) of different sizes, whereas individual fixed-size sockets must be selected from a socket set to fit fasteners of different sizes. Some adjustable sockets can also grip a worn fastener more firmly than a fixed-size socket selected from a socket set. Conversely, an adjustable socket having worn jaws can grip a fastener more firmly than a worn fixed-size socket selected from a socket set.

[0003] Desirable attributes of an adjustable socket include compact, simple, inexpensive construction; and the ability to apply and maintain significant force to a fastener without slippage. These attributes are addressed by the adjustable socket disclosed below.

[0004] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

[0034] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D depict an adjustable socket 10 having a housing 12, an adjusting collar 14, a plurality of jaws 16, a retainer 18 and a plurality of biasing members (e.g. springs) 20.

[0036] Housing 12 (also shown separately in FIGS. 3A-3C) has a generally cylindrical shape (i.e. is circular in cross-section) and a longitudinal axis 22. A plurality of (e.g. six) equally circumferentially spaced apertures 24 are formed in and extend through the lower end of housing 12. A pair of opposed tongues 26 protrude into the lower end of each one of apertures 24. The upper end of housing 12 is externally threaded, as indicated at 28. A drive aperture 30 is formed in the upper end of housing 12 to removably receive the driving stub 29 of a standard socket driving implement such as ratchet type socket driving wrench 31 as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. Drive aperture 30 may alternatively removably receive a suitably sized and shaped driving stub mounted on a power-operated drill, power-operated screwdriver, manual screwdriver, etc. Instead of providing drive aperture 30 in housing 12 as aforesaid, one may fix a driving implement such as a handle directly to housing 12 (not shown).

[0037] Adjusting collar 14 is circular in cross-section. The lower end of adjusting collar 14 is internally circumferentially bevelled, as indicated at 32 (FIG. 1). A chamber 34 (best seen in FIG. 2B) is formed within adjusting collar 14, above bevelled lower end 32. The upper end of adjusting collar 14 is internally threaded, as indicated at 36, for threadable coupling to housing 12's threaded upper end 28 as explained below.

[0038] Each jaw 16 (a single jaw is shown separately in FIGS. 4A-4D) has a flat inward face 38, a flat top face 39, and a bevelled central outward face 40, it being understood that “inward” means facing toward axis 22 and “outward” means facing away from axis 22 as shown in FIG. 1. An outwardly protruding lip 42 is formed at the upper end of each jaw 16, above bevelled face 40. A pair of opposed grooves 44 are formed in the lower end sides of each jaw 16. A recess 46 is formed in the upper end of the inward face 38 of each jaw 16. Adjustable socket 10 may have three pairs of diametrically opposed jaws 16 (i.e. a total of six jaws 16).

[0039] Apertures 24, tongues 26, jaws 16 and grooves 44 are sized and shaped for snug fitting of each jaw 16 in a corresponding one of apertures 24 and to permit each jaw 16 to slidably and radially move through the corresponding one of apertures 24, and to resist inward or outward tilting of jaws 16 within apertures 24 relative to axis 22.

[0040] The displacement d₁ (FIG. 4A) between each jaw's top face 39 and the top of the jaw's grooves 44; the displacement d₂ (FIG. 4A) between top face 39 and the centre of the jaw's recess 46; and the wall thickness of housing 12 at each aperture 24; are selected in accordance with well known force balancing principles to avoid self-locking of jaws 16 due to friction when adjustable socket 10 is operated. During such operation (explained below in greater detail) the hexagonal head of fastener 47 (FIG. 1) is gripped between jaws 16, forcing the lower end of the inward face 38 of each jaw 16 against a corresponding one of the outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47. Such forcing tends to tilt the top of each jaw 16 inwardly and tilt the bottom of each jaw 16 outwardly. Each jaw's top face 39 is braced against the top 25 of a corresponding one of housing 12's apertures 24 to resist such tilting, and each jaw's bevelled central outward face 40 is braced against adjusting collar 14's lower end 32 to resist radial outward movement of the jaw during rotation of fastener 47.

[0041] Retainer 18 (FIG. 1) has an upper circular flange portion 48. Stud 50 protrudes downwardly from the centre of flange 48. A plurality of equally circumferentially spaced recesses 52 are formed in stud 50.

[0042] Adjustable socket 10 is assembled by press-fitting retainer 18 through the lower end of housing 12 until flange 48 contacts inward surface 54 of housing 12 as seen in FIG. 2B. Each jaw 16 is then slidably mounted in a corresponding one of apertures 24, with the jaw's inward face 38 toward axis 22. Each spring 20 is then compressed and fitted between a recess 46 in one of jaws 16 and a corresponding recess 52 in stud 50. A ring clamp (not shown) or the like is used to temporarily compress jaws 16 radially inwardly through apertures 24, toward axis 22. Adjusting collar 14's internally threaded upper end is then threadably coupled to housing 12's threaded upper end 28 and rotated until lips 42 of jaws 16 are within adjusting collar 14's chamber 34. The ring clamp is then removed, allowing springs 20 to bias jaws 16 radially outwardly away from axis 22 until the jaws' bevelled outward faces 40 contact adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32.

[0043] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C, rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 in a first direction 53 moves adjusting collar 14 downwardly and coaxially along housing 12. This forces adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32 downwardly against the jaws' bevelled outward faces 40, overcoming the biasing force of springs 20 and forcing jaws 16 radially inwardly as indicated by arrows 55. The jaws' inward faces 38 are thus forced against the hexagonal head of fastener 47 (e.g. a bolt or a nut) located between inward faces 38, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

[0044] Rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 in a second direction opposite to first direction 53 moves adjusting collar 14 upwardly and coaxially along housing 12. This allows springs 20 to move jaws 16 radially outwardly toward adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32 (i.e. in directions opposite to those indicated by arrows 55), thereby opening jaws 16 to release fastener 47.

[0045] FIGS. 7A-7D show jaws 16 in a fully open position in which the diameter of a notional circle C₁ (FIG. 7D) tangential to the jaws' inward faces 38 is maximized. As best seen in FIG. 7A, the outwardly protruding lips 42 of jaws 16 are prevented from moving further downwardly by chamber 34's lower circumferential rim 56, thus retaining jaws 16 within adjustable socket 10.

[0046] FIGS. 8A-8D show adjustable socket 10 after rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 to move jaws 16 into a first partially closed position in which the diameter of a notional circle C₂ (FIG. 8D) tangential to the jaws' inward faces 38 is reduced relative to the diameter of notional circle C₁.

[0047] FIGS. 9A-9D show adjustable socket 10 after further rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 to move jaws 16 into a second partially closed position in which the diameter of a notional circle C₃ (FIG. 9D) tangential to the jaws' inward faces 38 is further reduced relative to the diameter of notional circle C₂.

[0048] FIGS. 10A-10D show jaws 16 after further rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 to move jaws 16 into a fully closed position in which the diameter of a notional circle C₄ (FIG. 10D) tangential to the jaws' inward faces 38 is minimized.

[0049] FIGS. 8A-8D and 9A-9D show just two of many possible partially closed positions. Rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 facilitates selectable positioning of jaws 16 within a continuously adjustable range of partially closed positions between the fully open position shown in FIGS. 7A-7D and the fully closed position shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.

[0050] Comparison of FIGS. 7A-7D, 8A-8D, 9A-9D and 10A-10D reveals that the outwardmost portions of jaws 16 remain within adjustable socket 10's widest external circumference throughout the continuously adjustable range of positions of jaws 16 (i.e. the outwardmost portions of jaws 16 do not extend radially outwardly beyond the external circumference of adjusting collar 14's lower end portion 64). Adjustable socket 10 thus retains the same compact shape whether jaws 16 are fully open, fully closed, or in any intermediate position therebetween.

[0051] The inward face 38 of each one of the six jaws 16 makes force transfer contact with a corresponding one of the six outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47. Such force transfer contact is maintained throughout the continuously adjustable range of positions of jaws 16. Rotational driving forces are accordingly equally distributed and applied to each one of the six outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47 throughout the continuously adjustable range of positions of jaws 16.

[0052] The flat inward face 38 of each jaw 16 remains parallel to a corresponding one of the six flat outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47 throughout the continuously adjustable range of positions of jaws 16. Accordingly, the inward face 38 of each jaw 16 makes flat surface force transfer contact with a corresponding one of the six outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47. Flat surface force transfer contact is maintained throughout the continuously adjustable range of positions of jaws 16.

[0053] FIGS. 12A-12D, 13A-13D, 14A-14D and 15A-15D illustrate different possible configurations of housing 12 and jaws 16, with FIGS. 12A-12D showing the previously described configurations of housing 12 and jaws 16 for purposes of comparison.

[0054] FIGS. 13A-13B depict an alternative housing 12A. Elements which are common to housing 12 and alternative housing 12A bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative housing 12A have reference numerals with the suffix “A” in FIGS. 13A-13B. Specifically, a plurality of (e.g. six) equally circumferentially spaced apertures 24A are formed in and extend through the lower end of alternative housing 12A. A pair of opposed grooves 26A are formed in the lower end of each one of apertures 24A.

[0055] FIGS. 13C-13D depict an alternative jaw 16A. Elements which are common to jaw 16 and alternative jaw 16A bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative jaw 16A have reference numerals with the suffix “A” in FIGS. 13C-13D. Specifically, a pair of opposed tongues 44A protrude from the lower end sides of each jaw 16A. Apertures 24A, tongues 44A, jaws 16A and grooves 26A are sized and shaped to permit each jaw 16A to slidably and radially move through a corresponding one of apertures 24A, and to resist inward or outward tilting of jaws 16A within apertures 24A relative to axis 22.

[0056] FIGS. 14A-14B depict another alternative housing 12B. Elements which are common to housing 12 and alternative housing 12B bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative housing 12B have reference numerals with the suffix “B” in FIGS. 14A-14B. Specifically, a plurality of (e.g. six) equally circumferentially spaced apertures 24B are formed in and extend through the lower end of alternative housing 12B. A pair of opposed tongues 26B protrude into the lower end of each one of apertures 24B. Each tongue 26B has a semi-cylindrical or other rounded shape.

[0057] FIGS. 14C-14D depict an alternative jaw 16B. Elements which are common to jaw 16 and alternative jaw 16B bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative jaw 16B have reference numerals with the suffix “B” in FIGS. 14C-14D. Specifically, a pair of opposed grooves 44B are formed in the lower end sides of each jaw 16B. Each one of grooves 44B has a semi-cylindrical or other rounded shape matching that of tongues 26B. Apertures 24B, tongues 26B, jaws 16B and grooves 44B are sized and shaped to permit each jaw 16B to slidably and radially move through a corresponding one of apertures 24B, and to resist inward or outward tilting of jaws 16B within apertures 24B relative to axis 22.

[0058] It is not essential to provide an opposed pair of tongues or grooves in each of apertures 24, 24A or 24B; nor is it essential to provide an opposed pair of grooves or tongues in each of jaws 16, 16A or 16B. A single tongue or groove in each of apertures 24, 24A or 24B; and a single groove or tongue in each of jaws 16, 16A or 16B will suffice to form a tongue and groove coupling between each one of jaws 16, 16A or 16B and a corresponding one of apertures 24, 24A or 24B.

[0059] FIGS. 15A-15B depict another alternative housing 12C. Elements which are common to housing 12 and alternative housing 12C bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative housing 12C have reference numerals with the suffix “C” in FIGS. 15A-15B. Specifically, a plurality of (e.g. six) equally circumferentially spaced apertures 24C are formed in the lower end of alternative housing 12C. Unlike apertures 24 of housing 12, apertures 24C of housing 12C do not extend through the lower end of alternative housing 12C (i.e. apertures 24C are closed on all sides whereas apertures 24 are open-bottomed). Tongues, grooves, etc. are not provided in apertures 24C, each of which may be rectangular in shape.

[0060] FIGS. 15C-15D depict an alternative jaw 16C. Elements which are common to jaw 16 and alternative jaw 16C bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative jaw 16C have reference numerals with the suffix “C” in FIGS. 15C-15D. Specifically, the sides 45C of each jaw 16C are smooth-tongues, grooves, etc. are not provided in jaws 16C. Each jaw 16C has a rectangular cross-sectional shape matching that of apertures 24C. Apertures 24C and jaws 16C are sized and shaped to permit each jaw 16C to slidably and radially move through a corresponding one of apertures 24C, and to resist inward or outward tilting of jaws 16C within apertures 24C relative to axis 22.

[0061] Other aperture and jaw shapes, sizes and configurations capable of permitting each jaw to slidably and radially move through a corresponding housing aperture, and to resist inward or outward tilting of the jaws within the aperture relative to axis 22, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

[0062] FIGS. 16A-16F depict an alternative adjustable socket 10D having a rapid jaw closure feature. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and alternative adjustable socket 10D bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10D have reference numerals with the suffix “D”. Housing 12D is similar to housing 12, except that external threads 28D on housing 12D are interrupted by circumferentially spaced, non-threaded regions 70D. Adjusting collar 14D is similar to adjusting collar 14, except that internal threads 36D on adjusting collar 14D are interrupted by circumferentially spaced, non-threaded regions 72D. Externally threaded regions 28D have the same circumferential extent as non-threaded regions 72D, and internally threaded regions 36D have the same circumferential extent as and non-threaded regions 70D. This facilitates alignment of externally threaded regions 28D with non-threaded regions 72D as shown in FIGS. 16A-16D. When externally threaded regions 28D are aligned with non-threaded regions 72D, internally threaded regions 36D are aligned with non-threaded regions 70D, and vice versa. Such alignment allows adjusting collar 14D to be displaced rapidly downwardly and coaxially along housing 12D as indicated by arrow 74 in FIG. 16C, without rotation of either adjusting collar 14D or housing 12D, since externally threaded regions 28D do not engage internally threaded regions 36D. Such rapid downward movement rapidly closes jaws 16. Once jaws 16 have been rapidly closed to a desired extent, adjusting collar 14D is rotated around housing 12D as indicated by arrow 76 in FIGS. 16E-16F. Such rotation threadably engages externally threaded regions 28D with internally threaded regions 36D, allowing incremental tightening of jaws 16 to a desired extent. The aforementioned alignment also allows adjusting collar 14D to be displaced rapidly upwardly and coaxially along housing 12D (i.e. in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 74) to rapidly open jaws 16.

[0063] FIGS. 17A-17B depict an alternative adjustable socket 10E. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and alternative adjustable socket 10E bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10E have reference numerals with the suffix “E”. Housing 12E is similar to housing 12, except that external threads 28E on housing 12E are interrupted by non-threaded region 70E which bears a scale 78 calibrated to indicate the position of jaws 16 as the jaws are opened or closed. The jaws' position is indicated by the point at which adjusting collar 14's upper rim 80 intersects scale 78. Suitable calibration markings (not shown) can be provided on scale 78, each marking corresponding to one of a plurality of notional circles tangential to the inward faces 38 of jaws 16 as jaws 16 are opened and closed as aforesaid.

[0064] FIGS. 18A-18C depict an alternative adjustable socket 10F. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and alternative adjustable socket 10F bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10F have reference numerals with the suffix “F”. Alternative adjustable socket 10F's adjusting collar 14F has an external cylindrical shape, whereas adjustable socket 10's adjusting collar 14 has a central frusto-conical portion 60 between a reduced-diameter cylindrical upper end portion 62 and an enlarged-diameter cylindrical lower end portion 64 (FIGS. 2A-2C). Internally, chamber 34F within alternative adjustable socket 10F's adjusting collar 14F has a cylindrical shape, whereas chamber 34 within adjustable socket 10's adjusting collar 14 has a frusto-conical portion 66 above a lower cylindrical portion 68. Chamber 34F has a flat lower circumferential rim 56F. These differences give adjustable socket 10 a sleek, compact appearance in comparison to alternative adjustable socket 10F, but they may also complicate and increase the time and cost required to manufacture adjustable socket 10 in comparison to the time and cost required to manufacture alternative adjustable socket 10F.

[0065] FIGS. 19A-19C depict an alternative “deep” adjustable socket 10G. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and alternative adjustable socket 10G bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10G have reference numerals with the suffix “G”. Alternative adjustable socket 10G's housing 12G is similar to housing 12, except that housing 12G is extended below the lower end of adjusting collar 14, in the direction of longitudinal axis 22. Housing 12G's circumferentially spaced apertures 24G are also extended to accommodate similarly extended jaws 16G. Such extension facilitates insertion of jaws 12G into recesses to grip fasteners which cannot be reached by adjustable socket 10.

[0066] FIGS. 20A-20B depict an alternative adjustable socket 10H. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and alternative adjustable socket 10H bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10H have reference numerals with the suffix “H”. Instead of having a retainer 18 as described above in relation to adjustable socket 10, alternative adjustable socket 10H has a biasing member (e.g. spring) 20H between each diametrically opposed pair of jaws. If adjustable socket 10H has three pairs of diametrically opposed jaws 16H₁, 16H₂ and 16H₃ (i.e. a total of six jaws, as shown) then three springs 20H are provided. Jaw pair 16H₁ is provided with recesses 46H₁ which are closer to the jaws' top surfaces 39 than recesses 46H₂ provided in jaw pair 16H₂. Jaw pair 16H₃ is provided with recesses 46H₃ which are farther from the jaws' top surfaces 39 than recesses 46H₂ provided in jaw pair 16H₂. As best seen in FIGS. 20C-20D, such spaced-apart provision of paired recesses 46H₁, 46H₂ and 46H₃ allows a first spring 20H to be fitted between paired recesses 46H₁ of opposed jaws 16H₁, a second spring 20H to be fitted between paired recesses 46H₂ of opposed jaws 16H₂, and a third spring 20H to be fitted between paired recesses 46H₃ of opposed jaws 16H₃. Springs 20H bias jaws 16H₁, 16H₂, 16H₃ radially outwardly away from axis 22 until the jaws' bevelled outward faces 40 contact adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32.

[0067] FIGS. 21A-21D depict an alternative “laminated” jaw 16I. Elements which are common to jaw 16 and laminated jaw 16I bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Laminated jaw 16I incorporates a central layer 82, two opposed upper side layers 84 and two opposed lower side layers 86. Layers 82, 84, 86 are assembled as shown in FIG. 21D by aligning rivet-receiving apertures 88, then fastening rivets 90 through the aligned apertures.

[0068] FIG. 22 depicts an alternative adjusting collar 14J. Elements which are common to adjusting collar 14 and alternative adjusting collar 14J bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjusting collar 14J have reference numerals with the suffix “J”. Adjusting collar 14J is formed in two parts, namely main part 92 and ring 94. Ring 94 may be formed of plastic or similar material. The outer surface 96 of ring 94 may be knurled (as shown) for improved gripping of adjusting collar 14J. Additionally or alternatively, a trademark, trade name, or other indicia may be etched, engraved, or otherwise applied to or formed upon outer surface 96. Ring 94 may have a ribbed inner surface 98 sized and shaped for interlocking engagement with a corresponding ribbed outer surface 100 formed on main part 92. Ring 94 is pressfitted over main part 92 to interlockably engage ribbed surfaces 98, 100 and thereby resist rotation of ring 94 relative to main part 92.

[0069] FIGS. 23A-23C depict an alternative, 4-jaw adjustable socket 10K. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and 4-jaw adjustable socket 10K bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10K have reference numerals with the suffix “K”. Housing 12K is similar to housing 12, except that four (instead of six) equally circumferentially spaced jaw-receiving apertures 24K are formed in and extend through the lower end of housing 12K. Retainer 18K is similar to retainer 18, except that four (instead of six) equally circumferentially spaced recesses are formed in retainer 18K's downwardly protruding stud. Adjustable socket 10K has two pairs of diametrically opposed jaws 16 (i.e. a total of four jaws 16). In operation, as shown in FIG. 23C, rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12K in first direction 53 moves adjusting collar 14 downwardly and coaxially along housing 12K. This forces adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32 downwardly against the jaws' bevelled outward faces 40, overcoming the biasing force of springs 20 thus forcing jaws 16 radially inwardly as indicated by arrows 55. The jaws' inward faces 38 are thus forced against the square head of fastener 47K (e.g. a bolt or a nut) located between inward faces 38.

[0070] FIGS. 24A-24C depict an alternative, 3-jaw adjustable socket 10L. Elements which are common to adjustable socket 10 and 3-jaw adjustable socket 10L bear the same reference numerals in the drawings and need not be described further. Elements which are unique to alternative adjustable socket 10L have reference numerals with the suffix “L”. Housing 12L is similar to housing 12, except that three (instead of six) equally circumferentially spaced jaw-receiving apertures 24L are formed in and extend through the lower end of housing 12L. Retainer 18L is similar to retainer 18, except that three (instead of six) equally circumferentially spaced recesses are formed in retainer 18L's downwardly protruding stud. Adjustable socket 10L has three jaws 16. In operation, as shown in FIG. 24C, rotation of adjusting collar 14 around housing 12L in first direction 53 moves adjusting collar 14 downwardly and coaxially along housing 12L. This forces adjusting collar 14's bevelled lower end 32 downwardly against the jaws' bevelled outward faces 40, overcoming the biasing force of springs 20 thus forcing jaws 16 radially inwardly as indicated by arrows 55. The jaws' inward faces 38 are thus forced against three equally circumferentially spaced ones of the six outward faces of the hexagonal head of fastener 47 (e.g. a bolt or a nut) located between inward faces 38.

[0071] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. For example, external threads 28 on housing 12, and internal threads 36 of adjusting collar 14, may be double-start threads or other types of multiple-start threads to facilitate rapid opening and closing of jaws 16. As another example, a driving implement (not shown) may be removably drivingly coupled to adjusting collar 14 and operated to rotatably drive adjusting collar 14 around housing 12 in order to adjustably position jaws 16. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.