Abstract:
A selected drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”] (i) is at a first time selected from a magazine and mounted to a rotary tool, normally an electric drill, and (ii) is at a later time removed from the tool and returned to the same magazine, each in a one-handed operation totally without manual contact with any of the drill or driver bit, a holder of the d—d bit, or any chuck of the tool. Coaction is realized between (i) a d—d bit holder having a sliding sleeve releasibly holding a d—d bit, and (ii) a d—d bit dispenser having multiple bores of complex interior contour each relieved to one side in a complex contour defining a side entrance and extraction channel. The d—d bit holder (and its mounted d—d bit) is (i) entered downward into a bore of the d—d bit dispenser, and (ii) plunged full to the bottom, whereupon (iii) the d—d bit is released while (iv) the d—d bit holder is withdrawn upward through the channel. Nearly the same process is repeated to mount a selected d—d bit; (i) the d—d bit holder is entered downward into the bore of the d—d bit dispenser, and (ii) plunged full downwards to contact a d—d bit, but is then (iii) extracted laterally sideways through the side entrance and extraction channel. Both mounting and dismounting of drill and driver bits is thus performed with easy and powerful movements transpiring over but a few seconds, with all drills and driver bits always being positively retained, each always within its associated bore of the d—d bit dispenser when not in use.

Description:
RELATION TO A PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION 
   The present patent application is descended from, and claims benefit of priority of, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/371,854 filed on Apr. 11, 2002 for an EASY “ON-OFF” CORDLESS DRILL Bit DISPENSING SYSTEM to the selfsame inventor as the present utility patent application. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally concerns holders and dispensers of bits for rotary tools, including drill bits and drive bits for portable handheld electric drills. 
   The present invention particularly concerns systems for holding each of a number of interchangeable bits and/or drills for handheld electric drills when not in use, and also for holding a selected bit or drill in use within the handheld electric drill, especially when there is some form or cooperative interaction between the holding of the bits and/or drills not in use and the holding of the bit or drill in use so that a particular bit presently held the electric drill may be de-selected while a new bit or drill may be newly selected and become held to the electric drill. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Holders serving to adapt drills, and driver bits such as serve to drive screws and nuts, to the chucks of electric drills are quite common. Some have sliding and/or twisting elements which permit quick mounting of a selected drill, or driver, bit to the holder, and thus to the chuck of the drill. 
   Likewise, the exist various retainers and containers, often as are portable and sometimes as may be mounted to the belt and/or tool belt of a workman, for holding drills and/or drive bits while not in use. These retainers and containers will sometimes service to hold, normally in a vertically erect position, a drill or a driver bit while it is preliminarily entered directly into the bore of the chuck of an electric drill, of into a holder that is itself mounted to the chuck of an electric drill (and thus indirectly into the bore of the chuck). Conversely, a drill or a driver bit that is mounted in the chuck of an electric drill, or in a holder that is itself mounted in the chuck of an electric drill, can be, while still so mounted, entered into some retainers and holders of drills and driver bits. 
   However, both for holders and retainers/containers, the extent of any interaction or coaction has been limited to (i) preserving alignments, (ii) feeding a drill or driver bit to be mounted (in the case of loading the chuck of the drill), or (iii) receiving a drill or driver bit to be dismounted (in the case of unloading the chuck of the drill). The actual, final, step of tightening the mount of a new drill or driver bit, or loosing the mounting of an old drill or driver bit, is realized (i) by use of the hand (including with “keyless” chucks), (ii) by use of a tool, such as a chuck key, held by the hand. Thus one hand normally holds the electric drill while the other hand tends to at least a final unsecuring of an old drill or driver bit, or the securing of a drill or driver bit, to the chuck of the electric drill (or, equivalently, to a holder mounted in the drill&#39;s chuck). 
   The present invention will be seem to function differently, and to permit of an interaction and a coaction between, on the one hand, (i) a holder, mounted to the chuck of an electric drill, of a drill or a drive bit, and, on the other hand, (ii) a retainer or container in which typically many drills and/or drive bits not currently in use for drilling or driving (as the case may be) are stored. The interaction and a coaction will be seen to realize, among other advantages, that a drill or driver bit may be both mounted to, and de-mounted from an electric drill totally by the use of but one hand, which hand remains grasping the handle of the electric drill. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention contemplates a system (i) where each of a number of interchangeable drills and/or driver bits [“d—d bits”] suitable for use in a handheld rotary tool—preferably a power tool and more preferably an electric drill—are conveniently held, normally in a waist-level belt-held reservoir, when not in use. Meanwhile, (ii) a selected one drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”] is held within the handheld rotary tool. Finally, (iii) an interchange of a d—d bit between the reservoir and the rotary tool—a de-selected d—d bit previously mounted to the rotary tool entering the reservoir while a newly-selected d—d bit becomes mounted to the rotary tool—is not only realizable totally without touching any of the d—d bit, or the reservoir, or the chuck of the rotary tool, but is, indeed, realizable with the use of but one single hand which hand remains upon the handle of the rotary tool. The system of the present invention is thus a “one-handed” automatic drill and/or driver bit [“d—d bit”] loading and unloading system. 
   More precisely, the drill and driver bit [“d—d bit”] dispensing system for a rotary power drill in accordance with the present invention permits a d—d bit to be at a first time selected and mounted to, and an a later time removed from, a rotary tool—more precisely to and from a d—d bit holder that is secured within a chuck of the rotary power drill—totally without manual contact with any of the d—d bit the holder of the d—d bit, or the chuck of the rotary power drill. Indeed, a selected d—d bit can be (i) picked up, (ii) used with the drill for drilling or screwing or the like, and (iii) subsequently discharged (for re-use in a repeated procedure at a later time) entirely by a driller using but one hand, which hand constantly remains grasping the handle of the rotary power drill. 
   The obvious advantage of the present invention is not primarily for one-handed drillers, but in permitting that a d—d bit may be easily and quickly interchanged within a rotary power drill by mere one-handed manipulation of the rotary power drill, thereby freeing the driller&#39;s remaining hand for actions such as holding a work piece. 
   A drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”] dispensing system in accordance with the present invention is normally used with (i) a rotary power drill having a chuck. The system preferably includes (1) various numbers of drill and driver bits [“d—d bits”] specially configured in their proximal (i.e., non-workpiece-engaging) end regions, (2) (typically) one (only) holder of the d—d bits tightened within the chuck of the drill, and (3) a (typically single) d—d bit dispenser where those d—d bits not presently in use in and by the rotary power drill are stored, and where an interchange from one d—d bit to another takes place. 
   Operation of the system is straightforward. The substantially rectilinear d—d bit dispenser—normally made of hard nylon or the like and suitable to mount to a workman&#39;s belt—has a number of elongate substantially vertical cavities that are completely relieved, top to bottom, in regions from a central bore to a same exterior side of the holder. The relieved volume between each cavity&#39;s bore and the accessible side-surface exterior of the d—d bit dispenser presents a complex pattern of wider and narrower regions that are intended to serve as and define a “side entrance and extraction channel”. 
   Consider for a moment that a drill, or driver, bit (it matters not which) is already mounted in and at a distal end of the holder of d—d bits. The proximal end of the same d—d bit holder is secured within the chuck of the rotary power drill. (In other words, the d—d bit holder is conventionally mounted but once to the chuck of a rotary power drill, and thereafter used, in conjunction with the d—d bit dispenser component, in realizing the “quick release, quick mounting” of the present invention.) (Suspend, for a moment, inquiry as to how the d—d bit got mounted upon the d—d bit holder, which will momentarily become clear.) At the completion of a drilling or driving task, and being desirous of changing to a new d—d bit that is within a selected cavity of the d—d bit dispenser, a user of the rotary power drill first enters the d—d bit holder (and its connected d—d bit) downwards into an empty bore of the d—d bit holder. 
   One the d—d bit holder, and its affixed d—d bit, have been plunged to the bottom of the (previously empty) cavity of the d—d bit dispenser by pushing the rotary power drill downwards, the d—d bit is released. Mainly, coaction of both the d—d bit holder and the d—d bit with internal contours of the bore of the d—d bit dispenser causes each of (i) release of the d—d bit from the d—d bit holder, and (ii) a positive retention of the released d—d bit at the bottom of the bore of the d—d bit dispenser. When the d—d holder is lifted upwards in the cavity it leaves the d—d bit at the bottom of the cavity, while the d—d bit holder (which is attached to the rotary power drill) is enabled to receive (at a subsequent time, to be explained) another d—d bit. 
   The rotary power drill with its distal end d—d bit holder—which d—d bit holder is now empty and devoid of any d—d bit—is next again entered downwards into a cavity of the d—d bit dispenser—only this time into a cavity where exists a d—d bit next desired to be mounted. This d—d bit is at this time located and retained at the bottom of the selected cavity. It does not interfere with the downward entrance of the d—d bit holder into the cavity. The drill and its d—d bit holder are now poised to pick up and mount the selected d—d bit. To do so, the rotary power drill and its d—d bit holder are plunged downwards, causing the d—d bit holder to “pick up” and to engage the d—d bit that is contained within, and at the bottom of, the cavity. The rotary power drill and its d—d bit holder are then slid sideways out of the d—d bit dispenser through the side entrance and extraction Thus the d—d bit holder, which (i) entered the cavity empty downwards from the top of the cavity without a d—d bit attached now (ii) exits the same cavity through the side entrance and extraction channel with a selected d—d bit attached. 
   D-d bits are thus switched in their mounting to the d—d bit holder and, ultimately, the rotary power drill, totally by gross, and easily realized (i) up-down motions, and (ii) sideways, motions. The entire process takes much longer to describe than to do. By performance of this loading and unloading process, d—d bits will normally always remain in the same receptacle (save during periods of use in the rotary power drill) for life. Users thus become familiar with “where to go” to “discharge” and to “pick up” a particular d—d bit, and readily become capable of performing all desired manipulations at waist level, and without looking. Even a person who is unfamiliar with the system and poorly coordinated can after some moments of familiarization easily come to change a d—d bit within five seconds. Nothing can be “dropped” or spilled or jammed or broken by misapplication of mechanical forces and force vectors to the system. A d—d bit is either discharged to a proper (empty) dispenser location or it is not, thus either remaining (i) mounted to the chuck of the rotary power drill or (ii) within its designated cavity. To repeat, a d—d bit is either totally successfully mounted to the heretofore empty d—d bit holder semi-permanently affixed to the rotary power drill or else it is not, in which case it remains retained within a cavity of the dispenser. 
   Every mechanical action is positive: there is no shaking nor twisting nor slanting nor any motion ever required that may be perceived of as trying to get something or some part of the process to “take”, or to “happen”. The simple motions being simply performed, a d—d bit delivered into service at the distal end of the rotary drill is fully as securely, strongly, straightly, tightly and accurately mounted as if it was to be conventionally so mounted with all due skill and attention. 
   It will be understood by a practitioner of the mechanical arts that the preferred manner in which the system of the present invention is preferably divided into parts of the (i) d—d bit holder, and the (ii) d—d bit dispenser, is neither rigorous nor inviolate. For example, the drill bit holder is commonly semi-permanently affixed to the chuck a rotary power drill, but a rotary power drill of special construction need not have a chuck at all, but can have as its sole and only operative distal-end rotary drive region the actual distal end region of what was described above as a chuck-mounted d—d bit holder. Effectively the d—d bit holder is thus “integrated” into the rotary power drill. 
   As a further example, the drill and driver bits can be of entirely conventional construction. In this case the d—d bit holder becomes a d—d bit “carrier”, semi-permanently mounting and retaining a conventional drill or driver bit at its proximal end region. To do so the d—d bit holder/carrier will have at its distal, or driving/drilling, end (i.e., oppositely directed to the rotary power tool) a particular structure suitable to, at times, engage a drill of a driver bit (so as to mount the drill or driver bit). This structure may be, for example, a simple shaft with a hollow bore having a side set screw. Either a replaceable driver bit, or, even more commonly, a drill bit subject to wear, is locked by the set screw into to the bore. 
   Likewise, mere variation in the contours of the d—d bit holder and the complimentary cavities of the d—d bit dispenser are not outside the purview of the present invention which, once understood, will be seen to permit of many variations. 
   These variations mean that the system of the present invention can be sold into the market both 1) “tightly integrated” to work only with specially adapted rotary power tools and/or d—d bits of the seller, or 2) “loosely integrated” so as to use totally conventional (i) rotary power tools (commonly handheld electric drills) and/or (ii) drills, and driver bits. In the later case 2) the system is clear retrofittable to existing equipments, drills and bits to permit them to become “quick release, quick attach”. 
   1. A d—d Bit Dispensing System 
   Therefore in one of its aspects the present invention is embodied in a d—d bit dispensing system for use with (i) a rotary tool and (ii) a plurality of drills/driver bits [“d—d bits”] suitable to engage a workpiece. 
   The system includes an elongate d—d bit holder (i) releasibly mounting at its distal end region one of the plurality of d—d bits, and (ii) mounting at its proximal end region to the rotary tool. 
   The system further includes a d—d bit dispenser having and defining within its body a number of substantially cylindrical substantially co-parallel elongate cavities each with a partially relieved side regions of complex contour defining a side entrance and extraction channel, each cavity holding at its bottom an associated one of the plurality of d—d bits. 
   By this structure a d—d bit mounted at the distal end region of the d—d bit holder that is itself mounted at its proximal end region to the rotary tool (1) is first slid downward into an empty cavity of the d—d bit dispenser until, (2) being pushed full downwards to the bottom of the cavity, the (3) d—d bit is released, at which time the (3) d—d bit holder is next pulled full upwards and out of the d—d bit dispenser, leaving the released d—d bit within the cavity. The d—d bit is by these steps thus released from the d—d bit holder into an associated cavity of the d—d bit dispenser. 
   Alternatively, and oppositely, when the d—d bit holder mounted at its proximal end region to the rotary tool mounts no (null) d—d bit at its distal end region then it may be (1) first entered downward into a cavity of the d—d bit dispenser in which cavity is already present a d—d bit, until (2) pushing the d—d bit holder full downwards in the cavity, a sleeve moves on a collar of the d—d bit holder (and thus upon the d—d bit holder itself), permitting a d—d bit that is within the bottom of the cavity to be received at the distal end region of the d—d bit holder. The d—d bit holder is (3) then slid laterally sideways out of the cavity through the side entrance and extraction channel (as defined by the partially relieved side region of the cavity) with the d—d bit attached to the d—d bit holder. The d—d bit is thus picked up from a selected cavity of the d—d bit dispenser, and is received into the d—d bit holder for use with the rotary tool. 
   In greater detail, the preferred d—d bit holder has (i) a distal end region receiving a d—d bit suitable to engage a workpiece, only one of the plurality of drills/driver bits being so received at any one time, (ii) a sliding sleeve on a collar at a distal end region, this sleeve sliding between a first position retaining a received d—d bit and a second position releasing the d—d bit, (iii) a spring-loaded catch for holding the sliding sleeve in a position retaining the d—d bit in the d—d bit holder, and (iv) a proximal end region suitably mounted within or to the rotary tool, normally to a chuck of the tool. 
   The preferred d—d bit dispenser has and defines within its body a plurality of substantially cylindrical substantially co-parallel elongate cavities, disposed substantially vertically in operation, with partially relieved side regions of complex contour defining as a side entrance and extraction channel. Each cavity holds at its bottom an associated one of the plurality of drills/driver bits at such times as the associated d—d bit is not received by, and mounted to, the distal end region of the d—d bit holder. 
   With these preferred structures a d—d bit—received by the distal end region of the d—d bit holder that is itself mounted at its proximal end region to a chuck of a rotary tool—(1) is first slid downward into an empty cavity of the d—d bit dispenser, this downward motion being so that (1) the d—d bit is pushed downwards until its sleeve slides upon its collar, (2) releasing the d—d bit, and (3) permitting the d—d bit holder to be pulled fully upwards and out of the d—d bit dispenser, (4) leaving the released d—d bit within the cavity. The d—d bit is thus released from the d—d bit holder into an associated cavity of the d—d bit dispenser. 
   Alternatively with these preferred structures, the d—d bit holder, itself mounted at its proximal end region to a chuck of a rotary drill and having no d—d bit received at its distal end region (1) is first slid downward into a cavity of the d—d bit dispenser in which is already present a d—d bit, until (2) the d—d bit that is within the cavity being received at the distal end region of the d—d bit holder, (3) the d—d bit holder is next slid sideways out the side entrance and extraction channel with the d—d bit firmly attached. The d—d bit is thus picked up from a selected cavity of the d—d bit dispenser, and is received into the d—d bit holder for use with the rotary tool. 
   2. A Method of Releasing a Drill or Driver Bit [“d—d Bit”] 
   In another of its aspects, the present invention is embodied in a method of releasing a drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”] mounted at the distal end region of the d—d bit holder that is itself mounted at its proximal end region to a chuck of a rotary drill 
   The method consists of first sliding both d—d bit holder and its mounted d—d bit together downward into a generally vertical empty cavity of the d—d bit dispenser. This cavity is relieved at one side so as to define a side entrance and extraction channel—although the relieved region has to this point not been involved in any operation. 
   Both the d—d bit holder and the mounted d—d bit are then pushed bit full downwards, permitting coaction of interior contours of the empty cavity and the d—d bit holder to release the d—d bit into the bottom of the cavity. 
   The d—d bit holder is then pulled full upwards and extracted from the d—d bit dispenser, leaving the released d—d bit within the cavity. 
   This method is, in accordance with the present invention, expanded and extended to mounting a new d—d bit to the now empty d—d bit holder that is still mounted at its proximal end region to the chuck of the rotary tool. 
   The extended method further includes again sliding the d—d bit holder downward into a selected cavity of the d—d bit dispenser in which is already present a d—d bit. This sliding is again until the d—d bit holder is pushed full downward in the cavity, realizing the same coaction between the interior contours of the cavity of the d—d bit dispenser and the d—d bit holder as transpired before. 
   However, the d—d bit holder, with d—d bit in contact, is then slid laterally sideways out the side entrance and extraction channel. By this action—as opposed to pulling the b-b bit dispenser full upwards—the d—d bit that is at the bottom of the cavity is engaged. 
   In this extension of the method the a d—d bit is thus picked up from a selected cavity of the d—d bit dispenser by, and to, he d—d bit holder, becoming (temporarily) mounted to the d—d bit holder for use with the rotary drill. 
   These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will become increasingly clear upon reference to the following drawings and accompanying specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way, these illustrations follow: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a diagrammatic perspective view, and  FIG. 1   b  is an x-ray side plan view, showing a preferred drill and driver bit [“d—d bit”] holder part of the d—d bit dispensing system of the present invention with its exterior collar up. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a diagrammatic perspective view, and  FIG. 2   b  is an x-ray side plan view, showing the preferred drill and driver bit [“d—d bit”] holder part of the d—d bit dispensing system of the present invention previously seen in  FIG. 1  now with its exterior collar down. 
       FIG. 3  is a an x-ray side plan view showing the preferred drill and driver bit [“d—d bit”] holder part of the d—d bit dispensing system of the present invention previously seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  now with a conventional driver bit attached. 
       FIG. 4  is a front side plan view, 
       FIG. 5  is a back side plan view, 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view, 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view, 
       FIG. 8  is a right side plan view, and 
       FIG. 9  is a left side plan view of a preferred d—d bit dispenser part of the d—d bit dispensing system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view showing the contours of a side plate to the cavities of the preferred d—d bit dispenser previously seen in  FIGS. 4–9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing the contours of a rubber side plate to the cavities of the preferred d—d bit dispenser previously seen in  FIGS. 4–10 . 
       FIG. 12 , consisting of  FIGS. 12   a  through  12   b , are detail views of the a cylindrical chamber with a “cut-out” on its interior surface wall of the preferred d—d bit holder previously seen in  FIGS. 1–3 . 
       FIG. 13 , consisting of  FIGS. 13   a – 13   e , are various plan views illustrating the attachment of the preferred d—d bit dispenser previously seen in  FIGS. 4–12  to a belt holster. 
       FIGS. 14 ,  15  and  16  are diagrammatic illustration of the interchange of a d—d bit between the d—d bit holder shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and a cavity of the d—d bit dispenser shown in  FIGS. 4–13  within the d—d bit dispensing system of the present invention,  FIGS. 14 and 15  and  16  in sequence showing three steps in a discharge, or unloading, of a d—d bit from the d—d bit holder to the d—d bit dispenser. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for the carrying out of the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
   Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and are merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments to which the principles of the invention may be applied. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
   Making reference to  FIGS. 1–3 , the drill bit holder  11  releasibly holds a drill or driver bit [“d—d bit”]  2 , most preferably a d—d bit of a particular form to be explained. The drill bit holder  11  has a distal end shaft  111 , preferably hexagonal in cross-section as illustrated, that is semi-permanently engaged within the chuck  31  of a power drill  3  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , shown in  FIGS. 14–16 ) by action of a conventional tightening of the chuck  3  onto the shaft  111 , the shaft  111  and entire d—d bit holder  11  undergoing powered rotation by the drill  3 . A distal end region of the drill bit holder  11  has a collar  112  (i) defining a generally cylindrical interior chamber  1121  into which may be received a d—d bit  2 , with the chamber  1121  of the collar  112  of the drill bit holder  11  having between its midpoint and distal end at least one ball bearing  113  or equivalent sliding element. This ball bearing  113  slides radially inward and outward with respect to a side wall of the chamber  1121  in respect of the longitudinal up-down (in the orientation of  FIGS. 1–3 ) movement of a ribbed cylindrical sleeve  114  about the collar  112  of the drill bit holder  11 . The ball bearing  113  moves radially inward in the chamber  1121  to engage the circumferential groove  21  of d—d bit  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 , also visible in  FIGS. 14–16 ) so as to retain the d—d bit  2 , and radially outward in the chamber  1121  to release the same d—d bit  2 . 
   The preferred d—d bit  2  may have a tip of almost any type or nature. For example, drills of all diameters (suitable for the size of the system  1 ), and driver bits with standard flat blades Phillips, Torx, Reed and Prince and analogous structures are all supported. However, each d—d bit  2  has a straight-top, tapered-bottom, mandrel  22  that is of the same diameter. This mandrel  22  will later be seen to interact with the d—d bit dispenser  12  (shown in  FIGS. 4–16 ) to realize the loading (and unloading) of a d—d bit  2  to (and from) the d—d bit holder  11 , and out of (and into) the d—d bit dispenser  12 . 
   The mandrel  22  to the d—d bit  2  is either (i) pre-assembled either at the factory or (ii) affixed by the user, so that the middle of the bottom end of the mandrel, and the shaft, mandrel and bit, are all of the same axis. By this assembly various drills and/or driver bits—such as Phillips head, flat head, Allen head, socket wrench, drill bit, Torx head, Reed and Prince, etc.—can variously be used on and with one mandrel  22 . A particular drill or bit may be affixed to a mandrel  22  (such as until it is worn out) by well-known mechanisms such as set screw. 
   Notably, structures similar to the drill bit holder  11 , and operating to hold drill and driver bits  2 , already exist in the market circa 2002 sold by Black &amp; Decker, Skill, Sears and like tool manufacturers under terms like “EZ release” and the like as denote the function of these devices. However, these devices do not contemplate such interaction with an external structure—the d—d bit retainer  12  next to be seen—as is realized by the present invention, are intended to be manipulated by the fingers. Moreover, they do not in general interact with a d—d bit  2  having the constant external diameter mandrel  22  which will prove to be important to the operation of the present invention. Finally, the prior art holders do not exhibit the internal tapered bore features as will be shown in conjunction with  FIG. 12 . 
   When the ribbed cylindrical sleeve  114  is axially slid on the collar  112  to one longitudinal position upon the drill bit holder  11  than it forces the at least one ball bearing  113  (or other sliding element(s)) radially inward and into contact with at least a (shoulder) portion of an circumferential groove, or channel,  21  within any d—d bit  2  then within the interior chamber  1121  of the collar  112  of the d—d bit holder  11 , holding by contact with this groove  21  the d—d bit  2  within the d—d bit holder  11 . Conversely, when the ribbed cylindrical sleeve  114  is axially slid to another, more distal, position upon the d—d bit holder  11  then it permits the at least one ball bearing  113  (or other sliding element(s)) to retract radially outward under spring force from the groove (or channel)  21  of the d—d bit  2 , making that the ball bearing no longer contacts any portion of the groove  21  of the d—d bit  2 , and that the d—d bit  2  may be axially slid out of the chamber  1121  of the d-bit holder  11 . 
   The d—d bit holder  11  thus permits easy removal and installation of a d—d bit  2  by action of (i) a simple longitudinal sliding of the cylindrical sleeve  114  along the cylindrical collar  112  of the d—d bit holder  11 . The preferred d—d holder  11  preferably consists of shaft  111  integral with, or permanently attached as by welding, to the cylindrical collar  112  containing the cylindrical chamber  1121  as shown in the drawings. All elements are of the same axial relationship. The shaft  111  is preferably hexagonal in shape, as illustrated, for better grip by the chuck  31  of a power drill  3  (as shown in  FIGS. 14–16 ). 
   Momentarily referring to  FIG. 12 , the interior cavity at the base of the d—d bit holder  11  is as illustrated therein. These  FIGS. 12   a  through  12   b , are detail views of the cylindrical chamber of the preferred d—d bit holder  11  having a “cut-out” on its interior surface wall. The chamber is beveled to facilitate such slight rotation as may be necessary to engage the preferably hexagonal upper shaft portion of the d—d bit  2 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Why there might be some slight rotational mis-alignment between the d—d bit holder  11  and a d—d bit  2  that it serves to mount will become clearer upon further explanation of the invention. 
   Continuing in the drawings,  FIG. 4  is a front side plan view,  FIG. 5  is a back side plan view,  FIG. 6  is a top plan view,  FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view,  FIG. 8  is a right side plan view, and  FIG. 9  is a left side plan view of a preferred d—d bit dispenser  12  part of the d—d bit dispensing system  1  of the present invention. The preferred d—d bit dispenser  12  has and defines a number of bores  121  each of which is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape (i.e., a cylindrical bore) with relieved side wall to the front of the b—b bit dispenser  12 . Each and any d—d bit  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) will slide longitudinally into a bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser until it assumes the same axis as the bore. The interior bores  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  have in general complex contours that are interactive with the exterior of the d—d bit holder  11 , and also with the d—d bit  2 , in the manner next described, which interaction is also supported by the showing of  FIGS. 14–16 . 
   Each bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  is complimentary in size to the d—d bit holder  11  and to the same-diameter mandrel  22  of each and any d—d bit  2 . A locking means, and more preferably a ball bearing locking means,  122  is preferably located within each cylindrical bore  121 . The locking means  122  serves to catch the square shoulder of the upper surface of the mandrel  2  (best seen in  FIG. 14 ) of the d—d bit  2 , thus locking the d—d bit  2  in place and preventing the egress of this d—d bit  2  from inside a bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12 . 
   When a d—d bit  2  is caught, or mounted, within the d—d bit dispenser  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , then the preferred ball bearing locking means  122  extends from the inside surface wall of bore  121  by nearly half the diameter of the ball bearing of this ball bearing locking means  122 . This ball bearing is subject to a limiter preventing it from coming out of its chamber within the ball bearing locking means  122 . 
   There is no “un-locking” of this ball bearing of the ball bearing locking means  122 , and of the d—d bit  2  that is serves to retain: once locked by action of the ball bearing locking means  122  within the chamber  121 , the d—d bit cannot thereafter rise in the chamber  121 . It will later be explained, however, that the d—d bit  2 , and also the d—d bit holder  11 , can, however, slide sideways out of the chamber  121  through the lower side entrance channel. 
   During vertical insertion of the d—d bit holder  11  and the d—d bit  2  into a chamber  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12 , the sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder  11  becomes stopped in the bore  121  while the rest of the d—d bit holder  11 , including its collar  112 , proceed further downward in the bore  121 . Thus the interior contours of the bore  121  serve to activate the catch (via the ball bearing means  113  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ) of the d—d bit  2  within the d—d bit holder  11 . The sleeve  114  is preferably spring biased towards the “locking” position (as illustrated drawings  FIG. 2   b ), which position is preferably in the “down” direction (in  FIGS. 1–3 ), or farthest from the distal end region of the d—d bit holder  11 . The sleeve  114  has two travel limits; an “up” or the “un-lock” and the down or “lock” position. As spring-biased in its down or “lock” position, the sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder  11  is first inserted vertically into the bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  from the top. 
   However when the d—d bit holder  11  is inserted sufficiently far downward into the bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12 , the sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder  11  will commence to touch a shoulder of the bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12 , and will catch, precluding any further downward movement. However, the rest of the d—d bit holder  11  and the d—d bit  2  itself will still be move further downward (as pushed by the user) until the point where the d—d bit holder  11  reaches its bottom limit both in relation to (i) the bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12 , and (ii) the sliding limit of the sleeve  114  (as illustrated in the drawing). 
   At this bottom limit of the chamber  121 , the sleeve  114  is its “up” or “unlock” position. The d—d bit holder  11  is then pulled vertically upwards out of the bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  by an upward, or pulling, or lifting, movement by the user. As the bit holder  11  moves upwards, its sleeve  114  also moves upward from its “up” or “unlock” position, gradually returning to its “down” or “lock” position because of spring bias. 
   The d—d bit dispenser  12  is preferably made of rigid or semi-rigid type material such as metal, rubber or plastic or the like. It has, as illustrated, a number of bores  121  to accommodate and house various drills and driver bits [“d—d bits”] simultaneously, one drill or driver bit being stored in each fore  121 . 
   Each bore  121  consists of upper and lower bore portions. The upper bore portion has a slightly bigger top opening than the diameter of the d—d bit holder  11  and its sleeve  114 , thereby allowing this d—d bit holder  11  and its sleeve  114  means to pass longitudinally (up and down) through the bore/channel. The bore  121  also permits the longitudinal passage of the d—d bit. However, the top surface of the lower bore is not big enough to permit longitudinal passage of the sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder  11 . In between the upper and the lower bore portions the mandrel  22  of the d—d bit  2  is caught by the one way catch realized by the ball bearing catch means  122 . Longitudinal downward passage (from top to bottom of said bore/channel) of the mandrel  22  and the d—d bit  2  is thus permitted. However, this one way catch (the ball bearing catch means  122 ) will not permit the upward longitudinal passage once the mandrel  22  one it has passed going downward. This one way catch, or ball bearing catch means  122 , is most preferably made as a ball bearing and a spring, clip, hook, latch, bar or the like mechanical catch. The mandrel  22 , and/or any other contacted portion(s) of the d—d bit  2  are preferably shaped substantially as shown in the drawings. The beveled, or tapered, bottom edge to the mandrel  22  in particular permits of a one way passage past the catch means, or ball bearing catch means,  122 , and an easy catching of the mandrel  22  by these catch means  111 . 
   Two alternative structures, or panels,  123 ,  124  that fit the front of the d—d bit dispenser  12 , and which define and a side entrance channel (including both a “lower side entrance and extraction channel” and an “upper side entrance and extraction channel”) to each of the bores  121 , are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The panel  123  is affixed, normally screws (not shown) fitting in holes  1231  (shown in  FIG. 10) and 1211  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), or by welding, or by gluing or other permanent affixation means. Likewise, the  124  is similarly affixed, including by screws (not shown) fitting in holes  1241  (shown in  FIG. 10) and 1211  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
   The panel  123  is rigid, and is commonly made of sheet metal or the like. When affixed it defines and presents a side cavity to each bore  121  which cavity is of exacting dimensions. Mainly, the cavity will exactly match the contours the d—d bit holder  11  with a d—d bit  2  attached. The cavity permits a d—d bit holder  11  and d—d bit  2 , when properly vertically positioned to slide sideways through the cavity when properly vertically positioned. 
   The alternative panel  124  is flexible, having mounting holes  1241  and a gate  1242  which is commonly made of sheet rubber, flexible plastic, or the like. When affixed the panel  124  defines and presents a side cavity to each bore  121  which cavity is of dimensions that, while not precisely matching the contours the d—d bit holder  11  with a d—d bit  2  attached, permit such a d—d bit holder  11  and d—d bit  2 , when properly vertically positioned, to slide sideways through the cavity and against the retaining force of the gate  1242 . 
   A gate  1242  mechanism on and to the alternative panel  124  may be realized a mechanical spring, elastic plastic, rubber, any combination thereof, and/or like mechanisms. The gate  1242  is preferably of made of metal, rubber or plastic or the like materials or any combination thereof. The retaining force of the gate  1242  helps to prevent that d—d bits  2  held within bores  121  of d—d bit dispenser  12  should undesirably spill out of these bores. 
   The panels  123 ,  124  in the front side of the b–d dispenser  12  permit the removal of a loaded d—d bit holder  11  (i.e., with its associated d—d bit  2  mounted) from a bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  only when this loaded d—d bit holder  11  is in a particular vertical placement position inside the bore  121 . Mainly, the loaded d—d bit holder  12  (along with its associated mounted d—d bit) must be opposite the “lower side entrance and extraction channel”. (There is no such restriction on an unloaded d—d bit holder  11 .) 
   The “lower side entrance and extraction channel” is located upward in the side of a bore  121  just after the mandrel  22  of the d—d bit  2  has been caught in the bore  121  by the catching means (the ball bearing catching means)  122 . This is, or course, where the d—d bit holder  11 , and d—d bit  2 , are so positioned when plunged full down in the bore  121  by user manipulation of the tool to which they are attached. 
   Thus the panels  123 ,  124  control lateral passage, and removal, of the loaded d—d bit holder  11 , not permitting this until, and unless, the mandrel  22  is catch buy the catch means  122 . The distance and dimensional relationship of the components of the d—d bit holder  11  and the d—d dispenser  12  are thus such that when the sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder  11  is fully retracted upward into its un-lock position—which happens only when the loaded d—d bit holder  11  once entered into the top of bore  121  of the d—d dispenser is plunged fully downward within this bore  121 , and when the mandrel  22  will have already passed downward past the catch means  122 —is the loaded bit holder  11  ready to be extracted sideways through the “lower side entrance and extraction channel” of the bore  121 . 
   Each bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  preferably has as an upper surface to a lowermost shoulder, or shelf, an elastomeric compound, or spring mechanism,  125 . Since the bore  121 , and its lower shoulder or shelf, are both round, this surface providing an upward force may be realized by, for example, a split leaf washer or spring. The use of this force is to keep any b—b bit  2  retained in the cavity  121  tight against the catch means  122  so that it will not hazard to fall sideways out of the bore  121  (through the relieved side surface of the bore  121 , and the gate  123  or  124 ) when the d—d bit dispenser  12  is tilted. 
   Thus only a particular placement position of the loaded d—d bit holder  11  permits lateral passage through the side cavity to the bore  121 , and the lateral removal of both the d—d bit holder  11  and it mounted d—d bit from the b—b bit dispenser  12 . Any position other than full downward will not permit lateral removal of the loaded d—d bit holder  11 , through the “lower side entrance and extraction channel” of the bore  121  or anywhere else. Most particularly, a d—d bit  2  cannot be withdrawn out the top the bore  121 . 
   Thus the present invention contemplates a d—d bit dispensing and storage system whereby lateral passages established by silhouette cutout panels on a front side of d—d bit dispenser  1   d  are spring-biased to the closed position, retaining any d—d bit  2  within the dispenser  12 , but where any held d—d bit  2  may be engaged with and to a d—d bit holder  11  mounted to a tool by action of a user manipulation of the tool performed with but one hand. 
   The d—d bit holder may optionally be have a small magnet (not shown) (or equivalent, such as a small friction device such as yet another ball bearing) at the top of its cavity where mounts a ferrous, or magnetically attractable, d—d bit  2 . This magnet may come into play, especially for very heavy d—d bits  2 , during the short moment during sideways extraction of a loaded d—d bit holder  11  and its mounted d—d bit  2  from a bore  121 . The sleeve  114  of the d—d bit holder takes a fraction of a second to slide downwards, and re-seat locking in the d—d bit  2 , during the extraction operation. The small magnet helps to retain the d—d bit  2  to the d—d bit holder  11  during this short period, preventing that it should fall away. 
   A front side plan view illustrating the attachment of the preferred d—d bit dispenser  12  attached to a belt holster  4  is shown in  FIG. 13 . The holster  4  may particularly be made of leather or plastic. The belt holster  4  to which the d—d bit dispenser  12  is physically attached is most commonly mounted on a belt by apertures  41 , thus permitting the user to carry the d—d bit dispenser  12  around a work-site conveniently within hand reach. The user normally uses a cordless power drill  3  having tightened within its chuck  31  with the d—d bit holder  12 , thus realizing the quick easy and efficient changing of d—d bits that is the hallmark of the present invention. 
   A diagrammatic illustration of the interchange of a d—d bit  2  between the d—d bit holder  11  (shown in  FIGS. 1–3 ) and a bore  121  of the d—d bit dispenser  12  (shown in  FIGS. 4–13 ) is shown in sequence in  FIGS. 14–16 . 
   In accordance with the preceding explanation, variations and adaptations of the drill and driver bit dispensing system in accordance with the present invention will suggest themselves to a practitioner of the mechanical arts. 
   In accordance with these and other possible variations and adaptations of the present invention, the scope of the invention should be determined in accordance with the following claims, only, and not solely in accordance with that embodiment within which the invention has been taught.