Patent ID: 6244141
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A fastener holding device operable with a fastener, the fastener holding device comprising;a driving bit assembly having first and second ends;a retaining member adapted to be placed on the first end of and in surrounding relation to the driving bit assembly, the retaining member having flexible clamps extending from the retaining member for releasably holding the fastener, the clamps maintaining closed and open positions, wherein the retaining member has opposite slots at lower end thereof and each one of the clamps has an outwardly protruding tab; anda sleeve member configured to be placed on and in surrounding relation to the retaining member, the sleeve member havingoppositely positioned recesses formed in a body of the sleeve member, each recess being configured to receive the corresponding tab of each clamp; andoppositely positioned L-shaped protrusions inwardly extending toward the center of the sleeve member to engage corresponding slots of the retaining member to prevent disengagement of the sleeve member from the retaining member, wherein each slot of the retaining member allows the sleeve member to maintain at least one of the first and the second positions in response to the position of the protrusion with respect to the slot, wherein the clamps engage the fastener when the sleeve member is at the first position by an inner surface of the sleeve member pushing against the tabs of the clamps and disengage the fastener when the sleeve member is at the second position as the tabs of the clamps are inserted into corresponding recesses.