Hand tool with multiple bit storage and a method for using the same

• US 8,011,277 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Colton, Eric M., Hudson, Anders Scot, Wilson, Howard Allen, Gallegos, Robert J., Escobar, Steven Simas, Lockhart, Yugen Patrick, Ruiz, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik, Johnson, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEISLIN, DEBRA S
• Application Number:
  US11/803,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20080276765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 811/774, 814/90, 81437-439, 206373-379, D8/85
• US Class Current: 81/177.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/005 with cross- or star-shaped cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/008 Allen-type keys
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/003 Holders for drill bits or the like

Abstract

A hand tool and bit storage device configured to allow easy storage and access to a wide variety of bits. The hand tool comprises a body portion, a stem portion and a bit interface. The hand tool couples with the storage device. The storage device holds one or more tool frames or bit inserts each comprising a plurality of bits. The bit inserts are deformable to allow easy access to the bits contained therein. In some embodiments, the bit inserts may be locked in the storage device.

Claims

1. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion, and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture; and

a bit storage tool comprising a tool frame, wherein the tool frame has at least one hole therethrough holding at least one bit, wherein the at least one bit is removed by pushing the bit through and out one side of the at least one hole or pulling the bit from a second opposite side of the at least one hole, and wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture.

2. The tool set according to claim 1, wherein the tool frame comprises at least one node extending into the tool frame.

3. The tool set according to claim 2, wherein the tool frame comprises a plurality of holes and a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of holes each houses a bit, and wherein squeezing the plurality of nodes aids in removing a bit.

4. The tool set according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of holes are situated on multiple sides of the tool frame.

5. The tool set according to claim 1, wherein the bit storage tool further comprises a frame cap coupled to the tool frame and a cap node coupled to the frame cap, wherein squeezing the cap node aids in removing a bit.

6. The tool set according to claim 5, the frame cap further comprising a finger grip, wherein the finger grip is textured to provide a secure grip on the frame cap.

7. The tool set according to claim 1, wherein the at least one bit is selected from among slotted bits, Phillips-Head bits, pozidrive bits, torx bits, allen wrench bits, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, and sockets of various shapes and sizes.

8. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion; and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture; and

a bit storage tool comprising

at least one bit;

a tool frame, the tool frame comprising;

at least one hole therethrough holding the at least one bit, wherein the at least one bit is removed by pushing the bit through and out one side of the at least one hole or pulling the bit from a second opposite side of the at least one hole; and

at least one node extending into the tool frame, wherein squeezing the at least one node aids in removing the at least one bit;

wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture;

a frame cap coupled to the tool frame; and

a cap node coupled to the frame cap, wherein squeezing the cap node aids in removing a bit.

9. The tool set according to claim 8, wherein the tool frame comprises a plurality of holes and a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of holes each houses a bit, and wherein squeezing the plurality of nodes aids in removing a bit.

10. The tool set according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of holes are situated on multiple sides of the tool frame.

11. The tool set according to claim 10, wherein the tool frame is centered about a Y-Y axis, wherein the plurality of holes are successively positioned down a length of the tool frame, wherein the successively positioned plurality of holes are alternatively positioned on lines parallel to an X-X axis and a Z-Z axis, and further wherein the lines pass through the Y-Y axis.

12. The tool set according to claim 8, the frame cap further comprising a finger grip, wherein the finger grip is textured to provide a secure grip on the frame cap.

13. The tool set according to claim 8, wherein the at least one bit is selected from among slotted bits, Phillips-Head bits, pozidrive bits, torx bits, allen wrench bits, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, and sockets of various shapes and sizes.

14. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion; and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture; and

a bit storage tool comprising

a plurality of bits; and

a tool frame, the tool frame comprising;

a plurality of holes; and

a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of holes each houses one of the plurality of bits, and wherein squeezing the plurality of nodes aids in removing a bit, and further wherein the plurality of holes are situated on multiple sides of the tool frame;

wherein the tool frame is centered about a Y-Y axis, wherein the plurality of holes are successively positioned down a length of the tool frame, wherein the successively positioned plurality of holes are alternately positioned on lines parallel to an X-X axis and a Z-Z axis, and further wherein the lines pass through the Y-Y axis and further wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture.

15. The tool set according to claim 14, the frame cap further comprising a finger grip, wherein the finger grip is textured to provide a secure grip on the frame cap.

16. The tool set according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of bits are selected from among slotted bits, Phillips-Head bits, pozidrive bits, torx bits, allen wrench bits, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, and sockets of various shapes and sizes.

17. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion; and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture; and

a bit storage tool comprising

a plurality of bits;

a tool frame, the tool frame comprising;

a plurality of holes; and

a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of holes each houses one of the plurality of bits, and wherein squeezing the plurality of nodes aids in removing a bit, and further wherein the plurality of holes are situated on multiple sides of the tool frame;

wherein the tool frame is centered about a Y-Y axis, wherein the plurality of holes are successively positioned down a length of the tool frame, wherein the successively positioned plurality of holes are alternately positioned on lines parallel to an X-X axis and a Z-Z axis, and further wherein the lines pass through the Y-Y axis and further wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture;

a frame cap coupled to the tool frame, the frame cap comprising a finger grip textured to provide a secure grip on the frame cap; and

a cap node coupled to the frame cap, wherein squeezing the cap node aids in removing a bit.

18. The tool set according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of bits are selected from among slotted bits, Phillips-Head bits, pozidrive bits, torx bits, allen wrench bits, hex key bits, Robertson bits, tri-wing bits, torq-sets, spanner bits, drill bits, and sockets of various shapes and sizes.

19. A hand tool comprising:

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion;

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture that removably couples to the stem portion; and

a bit storage apparatus that fits within the bit storage holder assembly comprising

a plurality of bits;

a frame, the frame comprising;

a plurality of holes; and

a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of holes each houses one of the plurality of bits, and wherein squeezing the plurality of nodes aids in removing a bit, and further wherein the plurality of holes are situated on multiple sides of the tool frame.

20. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion, and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly removably coupled to the hand tool with at least one extra bit storage aperture; and

a bit storage tool comprising a tool frame, wherein the tool frame has at least one hole therethrough holding at least one bit, and wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture.

21. A tool set comprising:

a hand tool comprising;

a body portion having at least one aperture;

a stem portion coupled to the body portion, and

a bit interface coupled to the stem portion;

a bit storage tool holder assembly with at least one extra bit storage aperture for removably holding a bit storage tool; and

the bit storage tool comprising a tool frame, wherein the tool frame has at least one hole therethrough holding at least one bit, wherein the at least one bit is removed by pushing the bit through and out one side of the at least one hole or pulling the bit from a second opposite side of the at least one hole, and wherein the tool frame is configured to be removably coupled with either the at least one aperture and the at least one extra bit storage aperture.