Retractible tool holder

Claim 2

A retractible tool holder comprising: a. a tubular barrel member having a front end and a rear end and a bore with a front section and rear section, said rear section of a reduced diameter relative to said front section to form an annular stop shoulder. b. a tool carrying member having a front end and a rear end, c. a working tool extended forwardly from the front end of the tool carrying member, d. said tool carrying member slidably movable within said bore between an inoperative position wherein the working tool is retracted inwardly from the front end of said barrel member and an operative position wherein the working tool projects outwardly from the front end of said barrel member, e. a manually operable actuating member located within and movable longitudinally of the bore rear section, f. a lost motion means connecting together the forward end of said actuating member with the rear end of the tool carrying member, g. means within the bore front section yieldably urging the tool carrying member rearwardly toward said actuating member, and h. means coacting with said lost motion means and movable in response to a forward movement of said actuating member into releasable locking engagement with said Stop shoulder to lock the tool carrying member in the operating position therefor, and movable in response to a rearward movement of said actuating member to release said tool carrying member for movement to the inoperative position therefor.

Claim 3

The retractible tool holder according to claim 1 wherein: a. the rear end section of said tool carrying member is of a tubular construction having a terminal inwardly extended annular flange with a front side surface and b. said lost motion means includes a forward extension on said actuating member having bearing sections of varying cross sectional areas and movable within said rear end section of the tool carrying member, said extension having a terminal head member within said rear end section of the tool carrying member for locking engagement with the front side surface of said flange whereby to limit rearward axial movement of said actuating member relative to said tool carrying member, and c. said coacting means comprised of ball bearings disposed about said forward extension, said ball bearings, when positioned about one of said bearing sections providing for the slidable movement of said actuating member within said rear bore section, and when positioned about another one of said bearing sections providing for the releasable locking of the tool carrying member in the operating position therefor.

Claim 4

The retractible tool holder according to claim 1 wherein: a. the rear end of said barrel member is closed and the bore rear section has a side wall formed with a longitudinal opening, and b. a pocket clip adjacent the rear end of said barrel member having a pocket clamping portion extended longitudinally of and adjacent the outer surface of said barrel member and a mounting portion secured to said actuating member and movable within said opening, said pocket clip constituting a finger grip for moving said tool carrying member to the operating and inoperative positions therefor.

Claim 5

A retractible tool holder comprising: a. a tubular barrel member having a bore with a rear section of a reduced diameter relative to a forward section to form a shoulder at the junction of said two sections, b. an enlongated tool support member having a front end and a rear end, c. a tool member projected forwardly from the front end of said support member, d. a bearing portion on said support member movable within said foward bore section to a rearmost position in engagement with said shoulder to define a retracted inoperative position of the tool member rearwardly from the front end of said barrel member, e. an actuating member slidably movable in said rear bore section having a front extension comprised of a rear portion of a reduced size relative to said actuating member and a forward portion of a reduced size relative to said rear portion, f. lost motion means connecting said forward portion with the rear end of said supporting member, g. ball bearings movable to positions about and spaced longitudinally of said front extension, said ball bearings movable within said rear bore section when postioned about said forward portion, and within said forward bore section when n positioned about said rear portion, and h. means for yieldably urging the tool member and support member to the retracted position of said tool member, said ball bearings, in the extended operating position of said tool member, being held in bearing engagement against said shoulder by said yieldable means to lock said tool member in the operating position therefor.

Claim 6

A retractible tool holder comprising: a. a tubular barrel member having a bore with a rear section of a reduced diameter relative to a forward section to form a shoulder at the junction of said two sections, b. an enlongated tool support member having a front end and a rear end, c. a tool member projected forwardly from the front end of said support member, d. a bearing portion on said support member movable within said foward bore section to a rearmost position in engagement with said shoulder to define a retracted inoperative position of the tool member rearwardly from the front end of said barrel member, e. an actuating member slidably movable in said rear bore section having a front extension comprised of a rear portion of a reduced size relative to said actuating member and a forward portion of a reduced size relative to said rear portion, f. lost motion means connecting said forward portion with the rear end of said supporting member, g. ball bearings movable to positions about and spaced longitudinally of said front extension, said ball bearings movable within said rear bore section when postioned about said forward portion, and within said forward bore section when n positioned about said rear portion, and h. means for yieldably urging the tool member and support member to the retracted position of said tool member, said ball bearings, in the extended operating position of said tool member, being held in bearing engagement against said shoulder by said yieldable means to lock said tool member in the operating position therefor.