US 12,251,799 B2
Multiple-bit hand tool including power nut/bit driver
Christopher Mangini, Arlington, TX (US)
Assigned to Klein Tools, Inc., Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed by Klein Tools, Inc., Lincolnshire, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/721,006.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/233,186, filed on Aug. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0046586 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B25B 23/00 (2006.01); B25B 15/00 (2006.01); B25G 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 23/0035 (2013.01) [B25G 1/085 (2013.01); B25B 15/005 (2013.01); B25B 15/007 (2013.01); B25B 15/008 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reversible, multiple-bit, hand tool, comprising:
a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion;
a reversible tool holder assembly insertable into the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder assembly comprising:
a reversible adaptor barrel extending longitudinally from a first adapter end to a second adaptor end, the adaptor barrel including:
a first adaptor socket formed in the first adaptor end, and
a second adaptor socket formed in the second adapter end, the reversible adaptor barrel releasably engaged in the hollow bore in either of a first orientation and a second orientation, in the first orientation the first adapter end extends out from the handle and the second adaptor end extends into the handle, in the second orientation the second adapter end extends from the handle and the first adaptor end extends into the handle;
a first tool holder extending longitudinally from a first shank end to a first socket end, the first tool holder including:
a first shank extending from the first shank end toward the first socket end, and
a first tool socket extending from the first socket end toward the first shank end, the first shank releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to rotatably couple the first tool holder to the reversible adaptor barrel;
a second tool holder extending longitudinally from a second shank end to a second socket end, the second tool holder including;
a second shank extending from the second shank end toward the second socket end, and
a second tool socket extending from the second socket end toward the second shank end, the second shank releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to rotatably couple the second tool holder to the reversible adaptor barrel;
a first reversible bit holder having a pair of oppositely opening first bit cavities, each first bit cavity adapted to releasably receive a tool bit, the first reversible bit holder releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second tool sockets to rotatably couple the first reversible bit holder to the at least one of the first and second tool sockets in one orientation with one of the oppositely opening first bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets and in another orientation with the other of the oppositely opening first bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets; and
a second reversible bit holder having a pair of oppositely opening second bit cavities, each second bit cavity adapted to releasably receive a tool bit, the second reversible bit holder releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second tool sockets to rotatably couple the second reversible bit holder to the at least one of the first and second tool sockets in one orientation with one of the oppositely opening second bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets and in another orientation with the other of the oppositely opening second bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets.