Abstract:
A hand tool and bit storage device configured to allow easy storage and access to a wide variety of bits. The hand tool comprises a body portion, a stem portion and a bit interface. The hand tool couples with the storage device. The storage device holds one or more tool frames or bit inserts each comprising a plurality of bits. The bit inserts are deformable to allow easy access to the bits contained therein. In some embodiments, the bit inserts may be locked in the storage device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/803,032, filed on May 10, 2007 and entitled “HAND TOOL WITH MULTIPLE BIT STORAGE AND A METHOD FOR USING THE SAME,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hand tools capable of being used with multiple bits. More specifically, the present invention relates to a screwdriver removably coupled with a storage device which holds multiple driver bits, allows easy access to the bits and provides a method of using the screwdriver for projects requiring multiple bits. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Carpenters, electricians, mechanics, other skilled workers and even lay people rely on a wide variety of tools to complete their work. Various tools and bits are frequently needed by these workers including screwdrivers, slotted screws, Phillips-Head screws and connections, pozidriv bits, torx bits, alien wrenches and screws, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, sockets of various shapes and sizes and the like. 
     Furthermore, the above-listed tools are needed in various sizes. For example, an automobile mechanic might need to loosen a large slotted screw. To achieve enough torque to loosen a large slotted screw, a large slot screwdriver is needed. However, this screwdriver would be useless to the same mechanic who wanted to loosen the tiny screws of a car audio system. 
     Tools requiring bits typically utilize a “loose bit” solution. According to this solution, a hand tool or similar tool is separate from the bit holder containing bits. Workers face several problems with this configuration due to the many components and the hassle corresponding to the methods of accessing them. 
     According to the “loose bit” solution, the user must set down the hand tool, pick up the bit holder with one hand, use the other hand to choose and access a desired bit from the bit holder, set down the bit holder and finally couple the selected bit to the hand tool. This traditional method of changing bits requires many parts, many steps and many motions. 
     Alternatively, a user of a “loose bit” tool system might attempt to hold the numerous tools simultaneously, for example, the driver, the bit holder, the current bit, the replacement bit, etc, as well as holding work pieces. This practice often times results in a load that is too heavy or awkward for the user to work dexterously and in a constant potential to drop one of these components. Finally, it is particularly difficult to perform the tasks required according to the “loose bit” solution while on a ladder or in other positions requiring great precision or balance. 
     Next, when utilizing a “loose bit” method, a user cannot conveniently test a bit for the proper fit with a screw or other work piece. Rather, the user must guess what size is appropriate, and then access bit after bit from a “loose bit” bit holder until the correct bit is found without a convenient way to “test fit” a bit. 
     Also, organizing all these tools is time consuming and takes up space. Furthermore, many tools come in both American and metric sizes. For example a ¼ inch allen wrench is very close in size to a 6 mm alien wrench. However, the two cannot be used interchangeably, requiring two sets of nearly identical wrenches. Next, tools are expensive and a carpenter can spend a lot of money buying the multiple screwdrivers, allen wrenches and other tools which are needed to do even a single job. Furthermore, traditional tool boxes and shelving can store many screwdrivers, wrenches and bits, but they do not provide an easy way to locate particular bits within the box. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A hand tool with a storage device is disclosed. In some embodiments of the invention, a ratchet is included on the hand tool. The ratchet alternatively allows either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. In some embodiments of the present invention, a magnet is included on the hand tool&#39;s bit interface to provide strength to the interface. The hand tool is removably coupled to a bit storage device. The bit storage device holds bit inserts, which hold individual bits. In some aspects of the present invention, the hand tool itself accommodates bit inserts. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bit storage device holds multiple bit inserts. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bit storage device or the bit inserts are labeled according to the contents therein. The bit inserts are configured to bend and distort to more easily access the stored bits contained therein. The hand tool and bit insert are configured such that a user is able to access the bit insert, remove bits from the hand tool with the bit insert, access and couple a new bit from the bit insert to the hand tool, all without setting any pieces aside, allowing for fewer steps and motions and reducing the potential for dropping or losing bits. In some embodiments of the present invention, a locking system is utilized to keep the bit inserts in place. A finger grip allows a user easier access to the bit inserts in the storage device and allows a user to squeeze the grip 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for the purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following figures. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of the hand tool and bit storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of the hand tool and bit storage device with hand tool interacting with a removed bit insert. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the hand tool and bit storage device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a close up view of the bit insert and bit interface according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the hand tool and bit storage device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the locking system used with the hand tool and bit storage device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of this disclosure, the word bit shall refer to any tool, device, accessory or the like which is normally associated with hand tools, wrenches, drills or the like, including, but not limited to, slotted screws, Phillips-Head screws and connections, pozidriv bits, torx bits, alien wrenches and screws, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, sockets of various shapes and sizes or the like. 
       FIG. 1A  provides a perspective view of a hand tool  101  and a bit storage device  102  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The hand tool  101  has a body portion  103 , a stem portion  104  and a bit interface  105 . 
     The body portion  103  is designed to comfortably fit in a user&#39;s hand and also to provide torque on the bit interface in an amount needed for common applications in carpentry, electronics, mechanics and the like. The stern portion  104  is coupled to the body portion  103  and to the bit interface  105 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the stem portion  104  is thinner than the body portion  103  to allow the stem portion  104  and the bit interface  105  to fit into smaller spaces than the body portion  103  in order to access work pieces, while still allowing the user to exert adequate torque on the work pieces from a distance. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the hand tool also includes a ratchet device (not shown) and a ratchet housing  110 . The ratchet housing  110  rotates around the axis of the stem portion  104  by some arc to toggle between clockwise and counterclockwise driving. When the ratchet housing  110  is positioned at one end of the arc, the ratchet allows the stem portion  104  the bit interface  105  to rotate in the clockwise direction, thus driving standard screws or tightening standard bolts. In such a position, a counter-clockwise rotation does not turn the stem portion  104 . When the ratchet housing  110  is positioned at the other end of the arc, the ratchet allows the stem portion  104  and the bit interface  105  to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction, thus retracting standard screws or loosening standard bolts. In such a position, a clockwise rotation does not turn the stem portion  104 . 
     The bit storage device  102  includes a fixture  108 . The stem portion  104  of the hand tool  101  couples with a bit storage device with a fixture  108 . As shown, the fixture  108  is a pressure fixture comprised of two flanges  112 ,  113  extending from the base  109  of the fixture  108 . However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other means for coupling the hand tool to the bit storage devices are contemplated including, but not limited to straps, slots, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and tongue and groove configurations. In other embodiments, the hand tool  101  and bit storage device  102  are not coupled, but are each designed to fit into an especially designed carrying case, box or pouch. 
     The bit storage device  102  is a substantially hollow structure with two removable storage tools  106 ,  107  inserted within the structure. The removable storage tools hold bits (not shown) which couple with the bit interface  105 . The hand tool with accessory storage according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  allows the user to access a hand tool  101  and easily access and change bits (not shown) as dictated by the project being worked on. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the hand tool  101  and bit storage device  102  with the removable bit storage tool  106  removed. The removable bit storage tool  106  contains a number of bits  111 . As shown, the bits  111  each have hexagonal interfaces for interfacing with the bit interface  105 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other shapes for interfacing between the bits and bit interface is contemplated. In some embodiments of the present invention, a 6.6 mm hex bit interface is used. In other embodiments, a 0.25 inch hex bit interface is used. Although specific sizes and shapes for the bit interface have been disclosed, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that any other sizes and shapes for the bit interface are contemplated. 
       FIG. 1B  also shows the storage tool frame cap  114  on the bit storage tool  106 . The storage tool frame cap  114  is slightly larger than the circumference of the bit storage tool  106  so that a user can easily grip the frame cap  114 . The storage tool frame cap  114  also has protrusions  119  situated on its surface to provide friction to a user accessing the storage tool frame cap  114 . Furthermore, the storage tool frame cap  114  is coupled to a cap node  117 . The cap node  117  aides in retaining the bits  111  within the bit storage tool  106 , as will be explained in more detail when referring to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 2A  provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention with a hand tool  201  which accommodates a removable bit storage tool  208  and a bit storage device  202 . In this embodiment, the body  203  of the hand tool  201  is substantially hollow and accommodates a removable bit storage tool  208 . As shown, the bit storage device  202  holds the removable bit storage tools  206  and  207 . However, the removable bit storage tools  206 ,  207  and  208  are interchangeable and are able to be held within either the storage device  202  and the body  203 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows details of the removable bit storage tool  208 . The basic structure of the bit storage tool  208  is a semi-rigid polymer, which forms the frame  215  of the storage tool  208 . The frame  215  is connected in spots by nodes  216 . In some embodiments, the nodes  216  are more flexible than the frame  215 . In the preferred embodiment, the nodes  216  are comprised of a resilient polymer. The frame  215  is connected by the nodes  216  to form a number of holes to accommodate the bits  211 . The bits  211  are inserted into the holes and are held in place through friction exerted on the bits by the frame  215  and the nodes  216 . It is preferred that a certain threshold of force be applied to the bits  211  to remove them from the bit storage tool  206 . This threshold is preferably greater than the bits&#39;  211  force due to gravity and also small forces created by normal jostling of the bit storage tool  208 . 
     To remove the bits  211  from the bit storage tool  208 , a user is able to manually push the bit from the side of the frame  215 . Alternatively, a user is able to use the hand tool  201  itself as a bit insertion and extraction means. Using the hand tool  201  as a bit insertion and extraction means simply requires a user to hold the bit storage tool  208  with one hand and insert the bit interface  205  coupled with a bit into an empty portion of the frame  215  with the other. The user is then able to pull the hand tool out of the frame  215  while leaving the bit coupled to the frame  215 . Additionally, to couple the hand tool  201  with a bit, a user is able to access a bit  211  from the frame  215  by coupling the bit interface  205  with a bit  211  and pulling the bit  211  from the frame  215 . 
     These features give the user the ability to install and remove bits  211  directly from the bit insert frame  215  without ever putting down the hand tool  201  and without having to reach for a bit holder. This features allows the interchanging of bits in fewer steps, with fewer motions and with less of a risk of losing or dropping bits. As such, this configuration is superior to “loose bit” systems which require additional steps and present additional challenges, as described above. 
     In some embodiments, a user is able to squeeze one or more nodes  216  adjacent to a particular bit to aid in removing the bit from the frame  215 . Squeezing the nodes  216  causes the shape of the frame  215  and the shape of the holes to distort. Such distortion allows easier access to the bits  211 . 
     Another flexible polymer node comprises a cap node  217  coupled to a finger grip  218  at the top of the bit storage tool  206 . The surface of the finger grip  218  contains a number of protrusions  219  to ensure friction between the user&#39;s finger and the finger grip  218 . Squeezing the cap node  217  distorts the shape of the top of the bit storage tool  208 , allowing easier removal of the bit storage tool  208  from the bit storage device  202 . The bit storage tools  206  and  207  ( FIG. 2A ) is also removable from the bit storage device  202 , and bits are likewise removable from bit storage tools  206  and  207  in a similar manner. 
       FIG. 2B  also illustrates how the hand tool  201  with the bit interface  205  interfaces with the bit storage tool  208  and the bits  211 . The bit interface  205  is designed to fit tightly over the bit  211 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the bit interface  205  contains a magnetic core. The magnetic core creates a stronger bond between the bit  211  and the bit interface  205 . The magnets chosen for the magnetic core may be selected from among: Ferrite Magnets, Neodymium Magnets, Samarium-cobalt Magnets, Ceramic Magnets and Alnico Magnets, among others. The user is able to push the bit  211  from the other side of the frame  215  to remove the bit  211  or can put pressure on a node  216  adjacent to the bit, as described above. 
     Furthermore, both ends of the bits  211  are able to be seen accessed from the sides of the bit storage tool  208 . As such, a user can “test fit” the bit  211  with a particular screw or other work piece without first removing the bit  211  from the frame  215 . This feature further saves the user the time required to fit a screw or other work piece of an unidentifiable size with the correct bit. 
     In some embodiments, each bit storage tool houses a different type of bit such as: slotted bits, phillips bits, pozidriv bits, torx bits, hex key bits, robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits or star bits. According to this embodiment, three different types of bits are stored and immediately accessible to the user of one tool. 
       FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. Here, a hand tool  301  with a removable bit storage tool  308  couples with a bit storage device  302 . The bit storage device  302  holds four bit storage tools  306 ,  307 ,  309 ,  310 . As such, the embodiment shown is able to store five bit storage tools allowing a user to have a very wide variety of tools immediately accessible. In some embodiments, pictures, words, symbols, colors or similar identifying markings are marked on the body of the bit storage device and depict the contents of each of the bit storage tools.  FIG. 3  depicts symbols on the body of the bit storage device which depicts the contents therein. Symbol  399  shows that bit storage tool  306  contains slotted screw bits. Symbol  398  shows that bit storage tool  307  contains Phillip&#39;s head screw bits. Symbol  397  shows that bit storage tool  309  contains alien bits. Symbol  396  shows that bit storage tool  310  contains star bits. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, markings on the body of the bit storage device or on the body portion of the hand tool indicate whether the bits contained therein are either American sized or metric. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the removable bit storage tools lock into the bit storage device or the hand tool. In  FIG. 4 , a close up of a removable bit storage tool  407  is shown entering a bit storage device  402 . The bit storage tool  407  has a frame portion  412  and a frame cap  401  with finger grip protrusions  403 . The frame cap  401  which protrudes further out than the rest of the frame portion  412 . Adjacent to frame cap  401  are cap nodes  411 . 
     The bit storage device  402  has an opening to hold the bit storage tool  407 . The opening in the bit storage device  402  contains spaces  405  to accommodate the nodes  411  of the frame cap  401 . Further, the opening features two semi-flexible and resilient clips  406 . When the bit storage tool  407  is inserted into the bit storage device, the bit storage tool  407  passes over the rounded ends of the clips  406 , causing the clips  406  to bend out. When positioned correctly, the clips  406  fit into the grooves  404  when the bit  407  is fully inserted, thereby locking the bit storage tool  407  into the bit storage device  402 . 
     In some embodiments, the cap nodes  411  help a user insert bits into the frame  415  and remove bits  412  from the frame  415 . According to these embodiments, the cap nodes  411  are composed of a more flexible material than the rest of the upper portion  401 . In the preferred embodiment, the cap nodes  411  are comprised of a resilient polymer. When pressure is applied to the cap nodes  411 , the shape of frame  415  and the shape of the nodes  413  distort, causing the holes to change shape. As pressure is applied or removed from the cap nodes  411 , the holes are either tightened or loosened. When the holes are tightened, a user is able to exert enough force on the bits  412  from the bit interface (not shown) to couple the bit  412  to the bit interface from one side of the frame without forcing the bit  412  to come out the other side of the frame  415 . A user is then able to release some pressure from the cap node  411 , causing the holes to loosen. When the holes are loose enough, the user is able to remove the bit  411  from the frame  415  by pulling the bit interface away from the hole. As such, the cap nodes allow a user to change bits without requiring them to set down the hand tool and use two hands as they do in a “loose bit” application. 
     The present invention, as disclosed, provides significant advantages over traditional tools and tool storage systems. First, unlike “loose bit” tools, the present invention allows a user to change bits without ever having to put their tool or work pieces aside. Furthermore, the present invention allows a user to change bits with fewer steps and motions and limits the potential for dropping or losing bits. 
     Furthermore, the present invention cuts down the cost of buying tools. Using the hand tool and bit storage tools and holders of the present invention eliminates the need to purchase individual hand tools with each particular fitting. For example, the present invention eliminates the need for multiple sized flat head hand tools and the need to buy both a flathead and a phillips head hand tool because the present invention is able to hold all of them. For instance, the bit storage tools are able to hold various sized slotted screws, Phillips-Head screws and connections, pozidriv bits, torx bits, allen wrenches and screws, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, sockets of various shapes and sizes or the like. Also, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the removable bit storage tools are able to hold a wide variety of other tools. 
     The present invention also serves to conserve space and simplify organizing. The need to organize multiple hand tools of various sizes and shapes, alien wrenches, sockets, and the like on a tool bench or in a tool box is eliminated. With the present invention, all the bits required are able to be stored easily and are easily organized in a user friendly fashion. For example, one removable bit storage tool might hold metric sized alien bits and another bit storage tool might hold American sized allen bits. Furthermore, a third removable bit storage tool might hold star bits. The storage tools are able to be labeled with printed words, color-coated, labeled with pictures of the bits they contain, or otherwise identified. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the device and method of the present invention could be implemented in several different ways and have several different appearances.