Patent ID: 7926390
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: A61B,B25B

Abstract:
1. A tool bit coupling for selectively retaining and releasing a tool bit, the coupling comprising: a) a shank comprising at least one ball recess extending through a thickness of the shank from an exterior surface to an interior interface adapted for receiving a tool bit, wherein the shank further comprises a first retainer recess spaced apart along the exterior surface from a second retainer recess; b) a ball received in the ball recess substantially extending into the shank interior interface so as to permit the ball to enter into engagement with a tool bit to retain the tool bit with the coupling; c) a sleeve mounted in an axially manipulatable relationship on the shank, the sleeve comprising a first interior ball release recess followed by an interior ball locking surface and then a second interior ball release recess, wherein the first and second ball release recesses and the intermediate ball locking surface are selectively displaceable over the ball recess of the shank; and d) a spring disposed between the shank and the sleeve and comprising first and second spring ends biasing respective first and second spacers disposed between the shank and the sleeve, wherein the spring biases the first spacer into contact with a distal sleeve abutment spaced from the second ball release recess and biases the second spacer into contact with a proximal sleeve abutment spaced from the second ball release recess and the first sleeve abutment; e) wherein the proximal sleeve abutment is removably disposed between the shank and the sleeve in an abutment recess and comprises spaced apart first and second proximal sleeve abutment ends and wherein the first proximal sleeve abutment end is adjacent to the second retainer recess and the second proximal sleeve abutment end is biased against a first retainer removably disposed between the shank and the sleeve in a sleeve retainer recess; f) wherein with the ball received in the ball recess of the shank and being radially aligned with the ball locking surface of the sleeve, the first and second retainer recesses of the shank are axially offset from the first and second ball release recesses and the intermediate ball locking surface of the sleeve; g) wherein with the first retainer and the proximal sleeve abutment removed from between the shank and the sleeve, the coupling is manipulatable into the following configurations so that manipulation of the sleeve effects selective retainment and release of a tool bit from the coupling, including: