Patent ID: 7562606

Claim:
A multi-bit driver comprising: a housing; a plurality of bit assemblies operatively retained within said housing, each bit assembly having a tool bit member, and wherein at least one of said plurality of bit assemblies has a base portion and a tool bit member removably and replaceably mountable on said base portion; a bit chuck disposed at one end of said housing for receiving each tool bit member singularly in torque transmitting relation, and including a bit-receiving opening for permitting each tool bit member singularly to extend therethrough; actuator means extending from each said bit assembly exteriorly to said housing for operative engagement by a user, for co-operative movement of said actuator means and said bit assembly between a retracted configuration, a forwardly extended in-use configuration whereat said bit assembly is positioned such that said tool bit member extends outwardly from said housing through said opening of said bit chuck, and back to said retracted configuration; and, means to retain said bit assemblies in said forwardly extended in-use configuration, wherein said means to retain the bit assemblies in the forwardly extended in-use configuration comprises a central column in said housing, said central column having a forwardly facing abutment surface for receiving said base portion of said bit assemblies thereagainst.