Multibit hand tool with improved chuck arrangement

• US 4,716,796 A
• Filed: 03/28/1986
• Issued: 01/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WMH Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Antonio Corona, Franco O. Corona
• Inventors: Corona, Antonio, Corona, Franco O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schmidt, Frederick R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACHUBA, MAURINA T
• Application Number:
  US06/845,931
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 81/177.4, 81/437, 81/438, 81/439, 81/490, 7/167, 7/165, 7/170
• US Class Current: 81/177.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners

Abstract

A multibit hand tool has a plurality of bits provided in a circular pattern within a handle magazine. A rotatable selector cup at the end of the handle permits selection of a desired bit from the magazine and placement in a chuck in the handle. An elongate slot is provided in the cup to permit the manipulation of the bit. The improvement in this hand tool arrangement comprises an adaptation to the chuck and bit ends so that the selected bit end is readily placed within the chuck. This feature is accomplished by providing a number of operative faces on the bit end equal to the number of bits provided in the handle. Similarly, the chuck has a bore presenting a corresponding plurality of internal operative faces for engaging the bit end.

Claims

1. A hand held multi-object implement having a handle with a central longitudinal axis, an object selector cup rotatably mounted at an end of said handle to rotate about said central axis, a plurality of elongate objects provided peripherally of said handle in a circular pattern about said handle axis, each object being provided in said handle to extend essentially parallel to said handle'"'"'s axis, a chuck provided at said end of said handle, said chuck being aligned with said handle axis for receiving an object end and securing it against rotation, said cup having a continuous side wall with an interior surface spaced radially outwardly of the radial location of said circular pattern of objects and a closed cup end, an elongate slot extending from a central portion of said cup and radially outwardly to the location of said objects in said handle, said cup being rotatable to position said slot in register with any desired object in said handle, said slot in said cup being of sufficient width and length to permit outward withdrawal of an object shaft from said handle in a direction generally parallel with said handle axis, means for retaining a selected object end in said cup, said object end being movable along said slot towards said cup center into alignment with said chuck for insertion of said object end into said chuck, said chuck having a bore formed within said handle, said bore presenting a plurality of internal operative faces for engaging corresponding external operative faces provided on said object end, the number of said operative faces being equal to or a multiple of the number of objects provided in said handle to facilitate thereby the insertion of a selected object end into said chuck bore.

2. A multi-object implement according to claim 1, wherein said object is selected from the group of objects consisting of a tool bit, a pen, a cosmetic make-up stick, and kitchen utensil.

3. A multi-object implement according to claim 1, wherein said object is a tool bit and said implement is a hand tool.

4. A multibit hand tool according to claim 3, wherein said cup has means for supporting a collar above said elongate slot, said collar having a lateral opening in the direction of said elongate slot and said collar being positioned symmetrically of said handle axis, said bit end having means for cooperating with said collar to retain said bit end operative faces within said chuck bore, said bit end cooperating means being provided beneath said bit end operative faces.

5. A multibit hand tool according to claim 4, wherein said handle includes means for releasably holding said bits in said channels.

6. A multibit hand tool according to claim 4, wherein said handle holds nine bits, said bit end of each bit having in cross-section a polygonal shape of nine equal operative external faces, said chuck bore having in cross-section a polygonal shape of nine equal operative internal faces.

7. A multibit hand tool according to claim 4, wherein said bit end cooperating means comprises a pair of diametrically aligned lugs projecting laterally from said bit end, said collar having diametrically opposing slots formed therein to receive said bit end lugs for insertion of said bit end into said chuck, said collar having an upper surface spaced sufficiently below said chuck bore to engage lower edges of said lugs when said collar and cup are rotated after said bit end is inserted in said chuck bore.

8. A multibit hand tool according to claim 7, wherein said collar lateral opening is of a width less than the diametrical overall width of said bit end lugs, thereby requiring said bit end lugs to extend generally in the direction of said cup slot when placing said bit end within said collar.

9. A multibit hand tool according to claim 8, wherein said handle includes a magnet positioned above said chuck, said bit ends being formed of steel, said magnet retaining said bit end in said chuck during use.

10. An implement according to claim 1, wherein said handle, cup and insert is injection molded from a suitable plastic material.