Patent ID: 7634956
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: B25F

Abstract:
1. A bit holder for use with a hand tool, comprising: (a) a generally flat-sided body, said body having a first end adapted to be connected drivably to a handle, a second end opposite said first end, a pair of parallel, flat, opposite, laterally separated, external sides extending from said second end toward said first end, and a top and a bottom extending laterally between the external sides, the body having a thickness defined by said external sides and having a height, between said top and said bottom of said body, that is greater than said thickness; (b) a tool bit receptacle located at said second end, said receptacle including a bit-receiving cavity defined within said body between said external sides and extending into said body from a bit-receiving opening in said second end, said bit-receiving cavity being shaped to drivingly engage a portion of a selected tool bit and having a width less than said thickness and a depth greater than said thickness but less than said height, and said body defining an unobstructed access opening spaced apart from said second end and extending transversely into said body from one of said pair of external sides toward the other and intersecting with said bit-receiving cavity at a predetermined distance apart from said second end, thereby visibly exposing a part of a tool bit that may be located in said bit-receiving cavity; and (c) a retainer including an elongate retainer spring extending longitudinally along said top, said retainer spring having an outer end located at said second end of said body, said outer end being elastically biased toward said bit-receiving cavity and including a tip extending into said bit-receiving cavity at said bit-receiving opening.