Abstract:
A chuck key tool includes a hub with a magnet positioned on the hub. Spokes project radially from the hub and include chuck keys defined at the end of each of the spokes. The magnetic hub enables storage and easy access to the chuck key tool.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a chuck key tool, and more particularly, to a chuck key tool having a number of separate chuck keys, each one being mounted on a separate spoke emanating from a central hub. 
     Chuck keys are utilized to rotate the chuck of a power drill or other similar type of tool in a manner which permits insertion and retention of a drill bit or other bit type tool. When repairing vehicles, or when working at a construction site, a worker typically requires the use of tools having various sizes of chucks, thus requiring various chuck keys in accordance with the chuck size of the tool being employed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,677 discloses a chuck key tool which includes a plurality of separate chuck keys attached together, each chuck key being a different size so that a tool operator may employ the appropriate chuck key for the appropriate chuck size of a drill or other tool. U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,167 also discloses a similar chuck key tool construction. 
     While such constructions are quite useful, one of the problems associated with the use of chuck keys is that they are often misplaced or lost. Single chuck keys are typically retained on the cord of the power tool by insertion and retention in a elastic or plastic holder. Such holders are not fool proof and often result in the accidental loss of such a chuck key. Chuck key tools of the type depicted in the referenced patents do not lend themselves to attachment or incorporation in holding devices associated with tools. 
     Thus, there has developed a need for a chuck key tool comprising multiple chuck keys and having a design which facilitates their storage, retention and accessibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises a chuck key tool which includes a hub with at least two projecting spokes from the hub. Each spoke defines an axis extending generally radially outwardly from the hub. Each spoke terminates with a separate chuck key formed at the end thereof, the teeth of the chuck key extending radially from the axis of the spoke and a guide pin for the chuck key extending axially from the spoke. The hub further includes a formed pocket therein with magnet material in the pocket. The face of the pocket is in a plane which does not intersect with the teeth of the chuck keys. In this manner, the magnetic material facilitates placement of the chuck key on a magnetizable surface including the housing of a tool, for example, or a work chest for ease of accessibility by a mechanic or other tradesman. In a preferred embodiment, four spokes equally spaced from one another are arrayed in a coplanar array with a separate chuck key formed at the end of each spoke and with a magnetic pocket, filled with magnetic material, positioned transversely to the plane of the chuck key spokes. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved chuck key tool having multiple chuck keys. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a chuck key tool having a specially formed magnetic pocket which enables placement of the tool on a flat surface for ease of storage and accessibility. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a chuck key tool which is inexpensive and can be manufactured using casting and other metal forming techniques. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the chuck key tool of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a further side elevation of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the tool of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 taken along the line  5 — 5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, the chuck key tool includes a hub  10  with four projecting spokes in the form of rods  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  projecting from the hub  10 . Each spoke  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  defines a separate longitudinal axis  13 ,  15 ,  17  and  19 , respectively. The axes  13 ,  15 ,  17 , and  19  are all coplanar, thus, making the rods  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  coplanar. 
     At the end of each rod  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  a chuck key is formed comprising a geared or tooth. section, for example, tooth section  20  associated with rod  12 . Further, there is an axially extending pin  22 . The tooth section  20  comprises a series of teeth  21  which extend generally radially outward from the axis  13 . The pin  22  is coaxial with the axis  13 . In this manner, the chuck key comprised of the teeth  21  and pin  22  may be inserted into the chuck of a tool that is appropriately sized and thus manipulate the chuck to close the chuck on a drill or other tool. Each of the spokes  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  include a similar tooth and pin construction. Each of the tooth and pin constructions, however, are differently sized in order that the chuck key tool itself may accommodate various sized chucks. In practice, more than one chuck key tool may be required inasmuch as there are more than four chuck sizes. 
     Also in practice, it may be appropriate to provide a chuck key tool having only two sets of teeth, pins and spokes thereon. The preferred embodiment comprises four chuck keys. However, two, three, four or more may be utilized depending upon the requirements and needs of the users of such tools. In the embodiment show, therefore, four spokes,  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  are depicted. The spokes  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  are spaced equally or by a 90° angle and are all coplanar. Thus, it is possible to have the spokes in a non-coplanar array, though coplanar arrangement is preferred. 
     Further, an important feature of the invention is the construction of the hub  10 . The hub  10  includes a pocket section  30  which extends outwardly or transversely from the plane defined by the axes  13 ,  15 ,  17  and  19 . The pocket  30  is centrally located at the hub  10  and includes a pocket recess  32  into which a disc shaped magnet  34  is positioned. Thus, the pocket  30  includes a counterbore  32  for receipt of a disc magnet  34 . In the preferred embodiment, the magnetic material is neodymium. The hub or pocket  30  defines a plane of a surface  36 . The surface or plane  36 , when projected from the hub  10 , extends above and does not intersect any of the teeth  21  of the separate chuck tools. As a result, the surface  33  of the pocket  30 , and more particularly, the plane  36  defined by that surface, results in a tool which, when attached to a flat surface, will not interfere with, or engage with the teeth  21  of the separate chuck keys. The tool may, thus, be stored on a flat metal surface which is magnetizable and the teeth  21  of the separate chuck keys will not engage with or otherwise prevent placement of the tool on such a surface. 
     In the figures, the surface  33  and plane  36  defined thereby are parallel to the plane defined by the intersecting axes  13 ,  15 ,  17  and  19 . That is, the preferred embodiment, however, the plane  36  need not be parallel thereto. Rather, the plane may be at some angle with respect thereto. Importantly, however, the plane  36  does not intersect with or conflict with the radial extent of teeth  21  associated with any spoke, e.g. spoke  12 . 
     In the embodiment depicted, a single pocket arranged on one side of the hub  10  is depicted. It is possible to provide for pockets extending in opposite directions so that the worker would be able to attach the tool to a magnetizable surface using the magnet and the magnet pocket extending in either direction. This would provide for further convenience of construction inasmuch as the worker would not have to reorient the chuck key tool if he were placing the wrong side against the flat surface of magnetizable material. Additionally, if the spokes, such as spokes  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 , were not coplanar, the direction and extent of the pocket  30  could be adjusted to accommodate the angular disposition of the spokes and the chuck keys. 
     When manufacturing the chuck key tool depicted, it is noted that the tool can be made by a casting process wherein a gate  40  is defined in the side of one of the spokes, such as spoke  12 . Thus, there are many variations with respect to the construction of such a tool. Placement of the magnetic material and the pocket which retains the magnetic material at the hub, however, constitutes an important part of the invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.