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US4954026A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Screwdriver bit and chuck key retainer

Assignee: Black and Decker Inc
•
Filing: 1990-02-02
•
Granted: 1990-09-04
•
Expires: 2010-02-02
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Abstract

Abstract An accessory storage retainer (11) is used for alternatively storing a screwdriver bit (13, 15) or a chuck key (17) having a handle (21) and a spindle (23). Retainer (11) comprises first and second parallel spaced cavities (33, 35) in base (25) for receiving either a screwdriver bit (13, 15) or a chuck key handle (21). A third cavity (49), which is disposed in base (25) perpendicular to and intersecting with cavities (33, 35), is for receiving chuck key spindle (23). A fourth cavity (81) may also be provided intermediate the first and second cavities for receiving another screwdriver bit (79). Retainer (11) is preferably embodied in a power screwdriver/drill (12), is used to store only screwdriver bits (13, 15, 79) when the power tool is equipped with a keyless chuck and is used to store a screwdriver bit (79) and a chuck key (17) when the tool (12) is equipped with a keyed chuck (29).

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald W. Zurwelle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 22:18
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25F; B25F5/00; B25F5/02; B25F5/029; B23; B23B; B23B45/00; B23B45/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/34; Y10T279/3431; Y10T279/3443; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/96

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 63 words
A retainer for alternatively storing a screwdriver bit or a chuck key having two portions, said retainer comprising: a base; first and second parallel spaced cavities in the base for receiving either a screwdriver bit or one chuck key portion; and a third cavity perpendicular to and intersecting the first and second cavities, said third cavity for receiving the other chuck key portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 63 words
A retainer for alternatively storing a screwdriver bit or a chuck key having two portions, said retainer comprising: a base; first and second parallel spaced cavities in the base for receiving either a screwdriver bit or one chuck key portion; and a third cavity perpendicular to and intersecting the first and second cavities, said third cavity for receiving the other chuck key portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 95 words
A power tool for drilling and screwdriving comprising: a main body having a top wall; a handle extending from the main body; and a retainer inset in the top wall of the main body for alternatively storing a screwdriver bit or a chuck key having two portions, said retainer comprising: a base; first and second parallel spaced cavities in the base for receiving either a screwdriver bit or one chuck key portion; and a third cavity perpendicular to and intersecting the first and second cavities, said third cavity for receiving the other chuck key portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 95 words
A power tool for drilling and screwdriving comprising: a main body having a top wall; a handle extending from the main body; and a retainer inset in the top wall of the main body for alternatively storing a screwdriver bit or a chuck key having two portions, said retainer comprising: a base; first and second parallel spaced cavities in the base for receiving either a screwdriver bit or one chuck key portion; and a third cavity perpendicular to and intersecting the first and second cavities, said third cavity for receiving the other chuck key portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The retainer of claims 1 or 2 wherein the one chuck key portion is a handle and the other chuck key portion is the spindle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 87 words
The retainer of claim 3 wherein the third cavity has: a first central segment with an opening defined by a pair of opposed sidewalls; a second segment adjacent to one end of the first segment and having an opening defined by opposed sidewalls, said second segment opening substantially larger than the first segment opening; and a third segment adjacent to the other end of the first segment and having an opening defined by opposed side walls, the third segment opening substantially wider than the first segment opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
The retainer of claim 4 wherein the opposed sidewalls of the central segment are spaced apart a smaller distance at the opening than near the bottom of the third cavity to partially enclose and provide a snap fit for a chuck key spindle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
The retainer of claims 1 or 2 further comprising a fourth cavity in the base intermediate the first and second cavities, said fourth cavity for receiving a screwdriver bit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The retainer of claim 3 wherein the first and second cavities extend on each side of the third cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The retainer of claim 5 wherein the second and third segment openings are, respectively, external to the region between the first and second cavities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
The retainer of claims 1 or 2 further comprising means for retaining a chuck key in the third cavity and in either the first or second cavities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 38 words
The retainer of claim 3 wherein the third cavity has a central segment with an opening, and a first outer segment on one side of the central segment with an opening substantially wider than the central segment opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
The retainer of claim 10 wherein the third cavity has a second outer segment on the other side of the central segment with an opening substantially wider than the central segment opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The retainer of claim 10 wherein the first outer segment is external to the region between the first and second cavities.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 42 words
The retainer of claim 3 wherein the third cavity begins at a location spaced from the first cavity, extends from said location across intermediate portions of the first and second cavities and ends at a second location spaced from the second cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 27 words
The tool of claim 2 wherein the top wall is elongated and the first and second cavities extend in the direction of elongation of the top wall.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1821436A Cited
DE7727325U1 Cited
DE2849871A1 Cited
US4240771A Cited
US4449559A Cited
US4508221A Cited
US4747733A Cited
US4797040A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-09-03 1994-03-05 1994-09-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-09-03 1998-03-05 1998-09-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-09-03 2002-03-05 2002-09-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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