Multiple driver tool

Claim 1

A multiple driver tool comprising a housing, a chamber connected to an inner end of the housing, a passage in and extending longitudinally of the housing and having one end opening out from an outer end thereof and an opposite end communicating with the chamber, a guide unit aligned with and extending away from the opposite end of the chamber, a plurality of driver tools in the chamber normally extending generally towards said passage, said tools being arranged around a centerline extending longitudinally of the passage and the chamber, a plurality of guide channels in and extending longitudinally of said guide unit and opening out laterally throughout the lengths thereof in slots, said channels communicating with the chamber, a slide mounted in each of said channels for reciprocal movement therealong there being a slide for each tool, a handle on each slide and projecting through the adjacent channel slot, comparatively stiff but bendable connecting means slidably mounted within and surrounded by each guide channel and connected at one end to the slide of the latter channel and at an opposite end to one of the tools in the chamber, each channel preventing the connecting means therein from bending, an annular wall in the chamber at one end thereof extending towards and tapering inwardly to said opposite end of the passage communicating with the chamber, said annular wall directing each tool towards and into the passage when the slide connected to said each tool through one of said connecting means is moved towards the outer end of the housing, each tool being long enough when in the passage to project beyond the housing outer end, latching means for releasably securing each tool in the passage, holding means for preventing each tool in the passage from rotating relative to the housing, and means for biasing each tool out of the passage when said each tool is released by said securing means.