Tool assembly for mounting bits

Claim 1

A tool assembly for releasably retaining interchangeable tool bits comprising a handle member having a cavity of polygonal cross section, a tubular shank having a cavity extending therethrough with one end portion having a polygonal cross section complementary with said cross section of said handle member cavity and snugly seated therewithin, the other end portion of said shank of greater width than the adjacent body portion to provide an enlarged end portion defining an internal peripheral shoulder at the juncture thereof generally facing the open end of said enlarged end portion; a tool bit receiving socket having a body portion seated in the cavity of said other end portion of said shank and having an external collar at its outer end seated against said open end of said shank, said socket having its inner end abutting said internal shoulder of said shank, said socket having a tool bit receiving cavity opening at its outer end and releasable tool bit retaining means and an outwardly facing shoulder in said cavity both spaced inwardly from the open end thereof; and a tool bit having a body portion seated in said socket cavity and a work engaging portion outwardly thereof, said body portion abutting said socket shoulder to limit movement inwardly of said socket cavity, said releasable retaining means releasably engaging said body portion of said tool bit to retain it within said cavity.