Patent ID: 6929266

Claim:
A tool bit holder for receiving a tool bit having a shank with a circumferential recess therein, comprising: a body member having a cylindrical portion defining a longitudinal bore for receiving the tool bit therein, said body member further including a shank portion extending from said cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion including an opening extending radially from said longitudinal bore and through an outer surface of said cylindrical portion; a locking member associated with said opening in said cylindrical portion and adapted to reasonably engage a tool bit in said longitudinal bore; a plunger disposed in said longitudinal bore, said longitudinal bore being free from any additional tool bit engaging components other than said locking member and said plunger; and a coil spring member having a first end disposed against an end of said longitudinal bore and a second end engaging said plunger, said plunger being engageable by a tool bit inserted in said longitudinal bore so as to cause said coil spring to compress, said coil spring having a spring force sufficient to press a tool bit forward to prevent re-engagement of the locking member with the circumferential recess in the tool shank when the locking member is released from engagement with the tool bit, said spring force being insufficient to eject the tool bit from the longitudinal bore with a centerline of the bit being disposed between 0 and −10 degrees from horizontal.