ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 20 -- United States Patent no. 12,390,911, issued on Aug. 19, was assigned to Snap-on Inc. (Kenosha, Wis.).

"Universal joint tool adapter assembly" was invented by Preston T. Gaines (Kenosha, Wis.) and Craig Bashleben (Kenosha, Wis.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A tool adapter assembly, such as, for example, a socket or socket adapter, having drive, center, and work bodies. The drive body and the work body can be adjusted in a number of positions/angles relative to one another by a user. The tool adapter assembly includes components adapted to retain a set/desired position/angle of the drive body and the work body relative to one another."

The patent was filed on Nov. ...