Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02537447 2006-02-15
FIELD OF TOR INV NTION
[0001] The present invention relates to multi-bit drivers and
more particularly relates to multi-bit drivers, wherein the tool
bits are slidably retained within the main housing, are selected
for use using a forward manual action by a user, and are
retracted by a rearward manual action by a user.
BJVCAGROVND OF TEE INVENTION
[0002] Many different types of multi-bit drivers are now
available on the market. Recent types of multi-bit drivers have
bit assemblies that are mounted in sliding relation in a housing
such that an external button is slid forwardly along the slot to
present a single bit for use, extending outwardly from a bit
chuck.
[0003] Typically, such multi-bit drivers are quite convenient
to use since it is quick and easy to change between bits;
however, they have a definite limitation in that only a fixed
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number of tool bits, typically six tool bits, can be fit into the
housing of the driver. If a user needs another size or type of
tool bit other than the ones that are included with the multi-bit
driver, another tool must be used, which is inconvenient.
[0004] U.S. Patent 6,332,384 issued December 25, 2001, to
Cluthe, discloses a multi-bit screwdriver wherein a plurality of
bit assemblies are slidably mounted within the housing of a
screwdriver. Each bit assembly has a fixed tool bit and a. bit
extension pivotally connected at a front end to the back end of
the tool bit. A disc shaped actuator button disposed at the back
end of the bit extension is disposed exteriorly to the housing
for selective manual manipulation of the bit assembly. When a
bit assembly is slid into a forwardly extended in-use position, a
locking element engages a groove in the tool bit to lock it in
place. Unfortunately, none of the tool bits are removable and
replaceable. The Cluthe multi-bit screwdriver as described above
is marketed under the name RETRACT-A-BITr,. Also, a very similar
but slightly more advanced version multi-bit screwdriver is
marketed under the name RETRACT-A-BITSõ PRO.
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[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
multi-bit driver that is not limited to a pre-determined number
of driver bits.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
multi-bit driver that is not limited to a pre-determined number
of driver bits, wherein the tool bits are removable and
replaceable.
St RY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel multi-bit driver comprising a housing
and a plurality of bit assemblies operatively retained within the
housing, each bit assembly having a tool bit member. At least
one of the plurality of bit assemblies has a base portion and a
tool bit member removably and is replaceably mountable on the
base portion. A bit chuck is disposed at one end of the housing
for receiving each tool bit member singularly in torque
transmitting relation, and includes a bit-receiving opening for
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permitting each tool bit member singularly to extend
therethrough. An actuator means extends from each the bit
assembly exteriorly to the housing for operative engagement by a
user, for co-operative movement of the actuator means and the bit
assembly between a retracted configuration, a forwardly extended
in-use configuration whereat the bit assembly is positioned such
that the tool bit member extends outwardly from the housing
through the opening of the bit chuck, and back to the retracted
configuration. There are means to retain the bit assemblies in
the forwardly extended in-use configuration.
[0008] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions
of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of
parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the multi-bit driver according to the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of
operation, together with further objectives and advantages
thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in
which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now
be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood,
however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration
and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the
limits of the invention. The invention will now be described by
way of example with reference to the following drawings in which:
[000101 Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of the
first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention, with all of the bit assemblies in a retracted
configuration;
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[00011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi-bit driver
of Figure 1, but with a selected bit assembly in a forwardly
extended in-use configuration;
[00012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the multi-bit driver
of Figure 2, but with the tool bit member removed from the base
portion of the bit assembly;
[00013] Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, but
with another tool bit member installed in the base portion of the
bit assembly;
[00014] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view
taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, showing the bit
assemblies in their retracted configuration;
[00015] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure 5, but showing one bit assembly in a forwardly
extended in-use configuration;
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[00016] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure 6, but with the tool bit member removed from
the base portion of the bit assembly;
[00017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure 6, but with another tool bit member installed
in the base portion of the bit assembly;
1000181 Figure 9 is an enlarged cut-away side elevational view
of a portion of the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver
of Figure 6;
100019] Figure 10 is an enlarged cut-away side elevational view
of a second preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to
the present invention;
[00020] Figure 11 is a cut-away side elevational view of a
third preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention;
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[00021] Figure 12 is a cut-away side elevational view of a
fourth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00022] Figure 13 is a cut-away side elevational view of a
fifth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00023] Figure 14 is a cut-away side elevational view of a
sixth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00024] Figure 15 is a cut-away side elevational view of a
seventh preferred embodiment multi-bit driver according to the
present invention; and,
[00025] Figure 16 is a cut-away side elevational view similar
to Figure 15, but with the base portion of the bit assembly shown
partially cut away.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDDIIMNTS
[00026] Referring to Figures 1 through 16 of the drawings, it
will be noted that Figures 1 through 9 illustrate the first
preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver of the present
invention, Figure 10 illustrates the second preferred embodiment
of the multi-bit driver of the present invention, Figure 11
illustrates the third preferred embodiment of the multi-bit
driver of the present invention, Figure 12 illustrates the fourth
preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver of the present
invention, Figure 13 illustrates the fifth preferred embodiment
of the multi-bit driver of the present invention, Figure 14
illustrates the sixth preferred embodiment of the multi-bit
driver of the present invention, and Figures 15 and 16 illustrate
the sixth preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver of the
present invention.
[00027] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 9,
which show a first preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver
of the present invention, as indicated by general reference
numeral 20. The multi-bit driver 20 comprises a housing 30
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defining a longitudinal axis "L", and a handle portion 40, a
central transition portion 50, and a cone portion 60. The
housing 30 tapers at the cone portion 60 from the central
transition portion 50 to a bit chuck 62 that will be described in
greater detail subsequently. Alternatively, the central
transition portion 50 and the cone portion 60 could be one
integral piece. The housing 30 also comprises a longitudinally
directed central column 32 disposed within the housing 30. A
plurality of channels 34, specifically six in the preferred
embodiment, surround and define the central column 32.
(00028] An end cap 28 is secured onto the back end of the
housing 30 by means of a threaded fastener 31 that engages a co-
operating bore hole 33 in the central column 32.
[00029] A plurality of bit assemblies, as indicated by the
general reference numeral 70, specifically six bit assemblies 70
in the preferred embodiment, are operatively retained within the
housing 30. The bit assemblies 70 each have an actuator attached
thereto. Each bit assembly 70 has a tool bit member 72 at its
front end and a bit extension 80 at its back end. The bit
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extension 80 is operatively attached in hinged relation, and
preferably pivotally attached to the tool bit member 72.
Alternatively, a living hinge arrangement could be used to
operatively attach in hinged relation the bit extension 80 to the
tool bit member 72. Alternatively, the tool bit member 72 and
the bit extension 80 could be joined to form a single unit
alternative embodiment bit assembly, such that the bit extension
portion of the bit assembly or the joint or both is sufficiently
flexible in the radial direction and rigid enough to reduce its
degree of freedom.
[000301 Another important feature of the present invention is
that the housing 30 comprises a substantially transparent forward
portion that permits viewing of the tool bit members 72. In the
first preferred embodiment as illustrated, the substantially
transparent forward portion is the cone portion 60 that extends
from the central transition portion 50 to the bit chuck 62.
[00031] Each bit extension 80 has a contact surface 82 at a
back end-86, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently,
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and is made from a suitable rigid material such as aluminum, cold
rolled steel, plastic, and so on.
[000321 Each tool bit member 72 has a first stop surface 74 and
each bit extension 80 has a second stop surface 81, and defines a
longitudinal tool bit axis "T". Further, each tool bit member 72
comprises an overmolded plastic back end portion 76. The tool
bit member 72 is pivotally attached at its overmolded plastic
back end portion 76 to the bit extension 80 for pivotal movement
about a pivot axis ..P.. oriented substantially transversely to the
longitudinal tool bit axis "T". In the forward-oriented angular
position, the first and second stop surfaces 74, 81 abut against
each other in force transmitting relation, as will be discussed
in greater detail subsequently.
[00033] At least one of the bit assemblies 70, and in the first
preferred embodiment as illustrated, all of the bit assemblies
70, have a base portion 71 and a tool bit member 72. Each tool
bit member 72 is removably and replaceably mountable in a
corresponding base portion 71 by means of a magnet 73 mounted in
the base portion 71. As can be best seen in Figures 5 and 9, a
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tool bit member 72 is mounted within the base portion 71. As can
be best seen in Figure 9, the base portion 71 of the bit assembly
70 has a hexagonal recess 74 with the magnet 73 secured in place
at the bottom of the hexagonal recess 73. The tool bit member 72
is shaped and dimensioned to slide into and out of the hexagonal
recess 74, yet fit securely in the hexagonal recess 74 such that
the tool bit member 72 is rotated by the base portion 71. As can
be seen in Figures 3 and 7, the tool bit 71 has been removed from
the base portion 71. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 8, a new
tool bit 71 has been mounted in the base portion 71,. and is
retained there in removable and replaceable relation by the
magnet 73. In this manner, the tool bit member 72 is removably
and replaceably mountable on the base portion 71. Accordingly,
the multi-bit driver 20 can present any type of tool bit member
72 for use, whether it be a screwdriver bit, a drill bit, an
alien key bit, and so on.
[00034] There is means on the housing 30 for receiving the tool
bits 72 singularly, or in other words one at a time, in torque
transmitting relation. In the preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the means for receiving the tool bit members 72
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comprises a bit chuck 62 disposed at one end of the housing 30
and integrally formed within the housing 30 specifically with the
cone portion 60, so as to be substantially solid. The bit chuck
62 includes a bit-receiving opening 64 for permitting the tool
bit members 72 singularly to extend therethrough. The bit-
receiving opening 64 is lengthy enough along the longitudinal
axis "L" and is of suitable dimension to retain a tool bit member
72 received therein substantially aligned with the longitudinal
axis "L". In the above described manner, when the handle portion
40 of the housing 30 is turned by a user, torque is transmitted
from the housing 30 to the tool bit members 72, thus causing the
tool bit members 72 to turn with the housing 30.
[00033] The housing 30 also comprises a rearward facing
abutment surface 90 disposed within said housing 30, preferably
on the cone portion 60 adjacent the bit chuck 62. The rearward
facing abutment surface 90 receives a portion of the overmolded
plastic back end portion 76 thereagainst, as will be discussed in
greater detail subsequently.
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[00036] A forward facing abutment surface 92 is disposed within
the housing 30, preferably on the central column 32. The forward
facing abutment surface 92 receives the contact surface 82 of the
bit extension 80 thereagainst, as will be discussed in greater
detail subsequently.
[00037] An actuator means, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 100, extends from each bit assembly 70
exteriorly to the housing 30 for operative engagement by a user.
In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, each actuator means
comprises a flexible actuator member 102. Each actuator member
102 comprises a unitary molded plastic piece and has an
attachment portion 110 and a mounting portion 120 connected
together by a flexible connector portion 130. The flexible
connector portion 130 may be resiliently flexible so as to return
to its original shape. The flexible actuator member 102 does
need to be sufficiently rigid to be able to push the attachment
portion 110 laterally so as to move the back end 86 of the bit
extension 80 in a lateral direction onto the abutment surface on
the central column 32.
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[00038] Each actuator member 102 is operatively attached in
hinged relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70 at the
attachment portion 110. In the preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, each actuator member 102 is operatively attached in
pivoting relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70 by means of a
small pin portion 122 projecting laterally outwardly from the
attachment portion 110. The small pin portion 122 extends
through a co-operating aperture 84 in the bit extension 80
adjacent the back end 86 thereof. Alternatively, a living hinge
arrangement could be used to operatively attach the actuator
member 102 in hinged relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70.
[00039] The mounting portion 120 comprises a stem portion 122
that extends through a slot 36 and terminates at a button portion
124 disposed exteriorly to the housing 30. In this manner, the
actuator member 102 is mounted in slidable relation within a slot
36 that is oriented longitudinally along the housing 30.
(00040] The button portion 124 is preferably slightly concavely
shaped and optionally has formed therein a representation 106 of
the shape of the attached tool bit member 72, in order to make
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possible the identification of a desired tool bit member 72 when
it is in the housing 30. It should be understood that the
representation 106 would only properly represent one type of tool
bit member 72, and that when a tool bit member 72 is changed, the
representation may be incorrect. Accordingly, the button portion
for each of the tool bit members 72 that is interchangeable,
might not include a representation 106.
[00041] Each actuator member 102 further comprises a flexible
biasing arm 116 projecting outwardly from the mounting portion
120 for biased engagement with the central column 32. in this
manner, the actuator member 102 is frictionally retained within
the slot 36 for controlled sliding movement, in order to minimize
looseness and play.
[00042] The'actuator member 102 extends from a bit assembly 70
exteriorly to the housing 30, as aforesaid, for co-operative
movement of the actuator member 102 and. the bit assembly 70
between a retracted configuration, and a forwardly extended in-
use configuration, and back to the retracted configuration.
There is also a forwardly extended intermediate configuration
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between the retracted configuration and the forwardly extended
in-use configuration.
[00043] In the retracted configuration, the bit assemblies 70
are retained within the housing 30. In the forwardly extended
intermediate configuration, the tool bit member 72 extends
partially outwardly from the housing 30. Further, the overmolded
plastic back end portion 76 on the bit assembly 70 contacts the
rearward facing abutment surface 90 on the cone portion 60, which
contact limits the forward motion of the bit assembly 70.
Further forward sliding movement of the actuator member 102, as
accommodated by the flexible actuator member 102, causes the bit
assembly 70 to move to its forwardly extended in-use
configuration. More specifically, the forward movement of the
user engageable button portion 124 on the mounting portion 120 of
the flexible actuator member 102 causes flexible connector
portion 130 to move the attachment portion 110 to the end of the
channel 34. Accordingly, the contact surface 82 of the bit
extension 80 is removed from the channel 34. At that point, the
flexible connector portion 130 pushes the attachment portion 110
laterally so as to move the back end 86 of the bit extension 80
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in a lateral direction onto the abutment surface on the central
column 32. The bit assembly 70 is then in its forwardly extended
in-use configuration whereat the bit assembly 70 is positioned
such that the tool bit member 71: extends outwardly from the
housing 30 through the bit receiving opening 64 of the bit chuck
62.
(00044] In the forwardly extended in-use configuration, the
contact surface 82 of the bit extension 80 of the bit assembly 70
is disposed in longitudinal force transmitting engagement against
the forward facing abutment surface 92 on the central column 32,
to preclude rearward movement of the bit assembly 70 due to
substantially longitudinally directed forces transmitted from the
tool bit 72. Preferably, the contact surface 82 of the bit
extension 80 moves slightly past the center of the contact
surface 82 of the bit extension 80. In this manner, the
rearwardly directed forces transmitted from the tool bit member
72 ultimately to the forward facing abutment surface 92 on the
central column 32, as will be discussed in greater detail
subsequently, cause the contact surface 82 of the bit extension
80 to pull laterally against the flexible connector portion 130
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of the flexible actuator member 102; however, the flexible
actuator member 102 has reached the front end of the slot 36,
thus keeping the contact surface 82 of the bit extension 80 in
place on the forward facing abutment surface 92. In this
manner, the forward facing abutment surface 92 and the central
column 32 provide means to retain the bit assemblies in their
forwardly extended in-use configuration.
[000451 Rearwardly directed longitudinal forces are transmitted
from the tool bit 72, through the first stop surface 74 on the
tool bit 72, to the second stop surface 81 on the bit extension
80, through the bit extension 80, to the contact surface 82 on
the bit extension 80 and to the forward facing abutment surface
92 on the central column 32.
(00046] Further, in the forwardly extended in-use
configuration, the contact surface 82 of the bit extension 80
disposed in longitudinal force transmitting engagement against
the forward facing abutment surface 92, and the bit assembly 70
in contact with the rearward facing abutment surface 90.
Accordingly, the overmolded plastic back end portion 76 is
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compressed slightly so as to ensure that the bit assembly 70 is
retained snugly between the forward facing abutment surface 92
and the rearward facing abutment surface 90.
[00047] The actuator member 102 and the bit assembly 70 then
move back to the retracted configuration in the following manner.
The contact surface 82 of the bit assembly 70 is removed in a
lateral direction from the longitudinal force transmitting
engagement with the forward facing abutment surface 92 by means
of rearward movement of the user engageable button portion 124
(mounting portion) of the flexible actuator member 102, which in
turn causes the attachment portion 110 of the flexible actuator
member 102 to move the back end 86 of the bit extension 80 in a
lateral direction off the forward facing abutment surface 92 on
the central column 32, without having to first perform a separate
unlocking function.
[00048] There is also a longitudinal channel 34 for each bit
assembly 70, and each longitudinal channel 34 has a longitudinal
guide surface 35. The longitudinal channel 34 and longitudinal
guide surface 35 each have a front end 34f, 35f, respectively,
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and a back end 34b, 35b, respectively. The forward facing
abutment surface 92 on the central column 32 is disposed at the
front end of each longitudinal channel 34 and each longitudinal
guide surface 35, and is oriented substantially transversely to
each longitudinal channel 34 and each longitudinal guide surface
35.
[000491 In use, each bit assembly 70 slides along its
longitudinal channel 34 with at least part of the bit assembly 70
sliding along the longitudinal guide surface 35, between the
retracted configuration and the forwardly extended in-use
configuration, specifically before the forwardly extended
intermediate configuration. When the back end 86 of the bit
extension 80 reaches the front end 34f of the longitudinal
channel 34 and the front end 35f of the longitudinal guide
surface 35, the back end 86 of the bit extension 80 is moved in a
lateral direction over the abutment surface on the central column
32, to essentially "lock" the bit assembly 70 in place. This
function happens automatically as the bit assembly 70 is moved
forwardly into its forwardly extended in-use configuration.
Accordingly, moving a bit assembly 70 from its retracted
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configuration to its forwardly extended in-use configuration is a
one step process.
[00050] The housing 30 further comprises a tool bit directing
portion 29. The tool bit directing portion 29 comprises a ramp
disposed between the front end of the longitudinal channel 34 and
the bit chuck 62. When a tool bit 72 slidingly contacts the ramp
29, as it moves from its retracted configuration towards its
forwardly extended in-use configuration, the tool bit 72 is
directed towards the bit-receiving opening 64 in the bit chuck
62, thus helping the tool bit 72 to subsequently enter the bit-
receiving opening 64. The tool bit 72 also typically deflects
off the cone portion 60 of the housing 30 adjacent the bit-
receiving opening 64 in the bit chuck 62, in order to help guide
the tool bit 72 into the bit-receiving opening 64.
(00051] The bit chuck 62 aligns the tool bit 72 along. the
longitudinal axis "L". The contact surface 82 of the bit
assembly 70 is disposed in longitudinal force transmitting
engagement against the abutment surface, slightly past (or 'over)
the longitudinal axis "L" with respect to the actuator means.
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Accordingly, the tool bit axis "T" would be oriented at slight
angle with respect to the longitudinal axis "L". This type of
function is commonly referred to as over-the-centre, helps ensure
that the rearwardly directed longitudinal forces do not push the
back end 86 of the bit extension 80 off the forward facing
abutment surface 92, thus providing proper operation of the
multi-bit driver against even strong rearwardly directed
longitudinal forces from the tool bit 72.
[00052] Reference will now be made to Figure 10, which shows a
second preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver according to
the present invention, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 220. The second preferred embodiment multi-bit driver
220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver
20 except that the magnet 273 is in the tool bit member 272.
[00053] Reference will now be made to Figure 11, which shows a
third preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver according to
the present invention, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 320. The third preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 320
is similar to the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 20
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except that the base portion 371 portion of each bit assembly 370
comprises a magnetic material so as to retain said tool bit
member 372 in place on said base portion 371 of the respective
bit assembly 370.
[00054] Reference will now be made to Figure 12, which shows a
fourth preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver according to
the present invention, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 420. The fourth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver
420 is similar to the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver
20 except that the tool bit member 472 comprises a magnetic
material so as to retain said tool bit member 472 in place on
said base portion 471 of the respective bit assembly 470.
[00055] Reference will now be made to Figure 13, which shows a
fifth preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver according to
the present invention, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 520. The fifth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 520
is similar to the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 20
except that there is only one of the bit assemblies 570 has a
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base portion 571 and a tool bit member 572 removably and
replaceably mountable on said base portion 571.
[00056] Reference will now be made to Figure 14, which shows a
sixth preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver according to
the present invention, as indicated by the general reference
numeral 620. The sixth preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 620
is similar to the first preferred embodiment multi-bit driver 20
except that the tool bit member 672 is removably and replaceably
mountable on the base portion 671 of the respective bit assembly
670 by means of a ball bearing 690 biased by a spring member 692
retained within a recess 693, into an annular channel 673 on the
tool bit member 672.
[000571 Reference will now be made to Figures 15 and 16, which
show a seventh preferred embodiment of the multi-bit driver
according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 720. The seventh preferred embodiment multi-
bit driver 720 is similar to the first preferred embodiment
multi-bit driver 20 except that the base portion 771 of the bit
assembly 770 is shaped and dimensioned to receive a standard size
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tool bit member 772. More specifically, as can be best seen in
Figure 16, the base portion 771 of the bit assembly 770 has a
hexagonal recess 774 with a thin magnet 773 secured in place at
the bottom of the hexagonal recess 774. The tool bit member 772
is shaped and dimensioned to slide into and out of the hexagonal
recess 774, yet fit securely in the hexagonal recess 774 such
that the tool bit member 772 is rotated by the base portion 771.
In this manner, the tool bit member 772 is removably and
replaceably mountable on the base portion 771. Accordingly,
conventional size tool bits can be used with the multi-bit driver
of the present invention.
[00058] As can be understood from the above description and
from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a
multi-bit driver that is not limited as to the number of driver
bits it can present for use, which feature is unknown in the
prior art.
[00059] Other variations of the above principles will be
apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the
invention, and such variations are considered to be within the
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stops of the prement invention.
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