Patent ID: 8806991

Claim:
A multi-bit tool comprising: a substantially annular housing having a central interior cavity and a bit chuck with a bit-receiving opening, and defining a longitudinal axis; a substantially rigid main frame member having a front end and a back end, wherein said housing and said substantially rigid main frame member are structurally interconnected one to the other such that said substantially rigid main frame member precludes significant torsional deformation of said housing; a plurality of spring loaded actuator mechanisms disposed within the interior cavity of said housing; wherein each said spring loaded actuator mechanism has a carriage member movable between a rearward position and a forward position, and a trigger member movable between a rest position, a forward triggering position and a rearward triggering position, and wherein said carriage member is moved to its rearward position by movement of said trigger member to its rearward triggering position and said carriage member is moved to its forward position by movement of said trigger member to its forward triggering position; and, a plurality of bit assemblies, wherein each bit assembly has a tool bit at a front end and is operatively mounted within said housing for movement by said actuator mechanism between a retracted configuration corresponding to the rearward position of the carriage member, and a forwardly extended in-use configuration corresponding to the forward position of the carriage member and whereat said bit assembly is positioned such that said tool bit extends outwardly from said housing through said opening of said bit chuck; wherein each bit assembly is operatively connected to the carriage member on a corresponding spring loaded mechanism for co-operative movement therewith; and, wherein, in use, as each carriage member moves between its rearward position and its forward position, the corresponding spring loaded actuator mechanism is retained substantially in its correct form by said substantially rigid main frame member. wherein said substantially rigid main frame member has a front end and a back end wherein said substantially rigid main frame member comprises a plurality of actuator separators extending outwardly from said longitudinal axis; wherein said plurality of actuator separators extend radially outwardly from said longitudinal axis; wherein said substantially rigid main frame member further comprises a central core and wherein said plurality of actuator separators extend radially outwardly from said central core; wherein each said actuator separator comprises a proximal wall portion connected to said central core and a distal wall portion connected to said proximal wall portion; wherein each said proximal wall portion terminates prior to said distal wall portion forwardly along said longitudinal axis, thereby defining an open space immediately forward of said proximal wall portion.