Quick-acting tool bit holder

Abstract

A 'snap-in' bit chuck assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end, a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body, and an outer retaining collar fixed to the forward end of the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A slot is formed in the body, between the outer surface of the body and the internal hex socket. A coil spring surrounds the body, inside the retraction collar, and normally biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of the angular slot. The retaining clip slides outwardly in the angular slot, against the bias of the coil spring, as the tool bit is inserted, where recess on the shank of the bit is engaged and retained by the clip. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. The clip is directly engaged by the coil spring and has two legs extending about the body so that the clip is self-retaining. The clip legs extend around the body such that the retraction force on the coil spring is directed through the center of the coil spring to keep it coaxially aligned with the body. Corners of the clip serve as 'stops' for the retraction collar to prevent over-retraction and consequent jamming. The coil spring can be provided with 'dead coils' at its ends so it flatly abuts the clip, thus keeping the coil spring and the retraction collar properly aligned. A polymeric cover, preferably formed by a two-step process, is retained on the periphery of the retraction collar.