Patent attributes
The hand tool (1) has a body (7), and a chuck (4) with an axial opening (3) on an axis of the tool. A tool element (2) is movable between a retracted position generally within the body, and an extended operative position wherein the tool element extends through the axial opening and chuck, the chuck having a stop (15) for blocking further extension of the tool element once in its operative position. A movable means (16) blocks the tool element against retraction when in the operative position, the movable means being dislodgeable when retraction is desired, to a position where the movable means no longer blocks the tool element against retraction. In the preferred embodiment, the hand tool has multiple tool elements (six for example), spaced around the axis of the tool. Each tool element, when extended, has a proximal end which abuts the distal end (14) of an axial post in the handle of the tool. The actuation mechanism (5, 8, 9, 10), in addition to moving the tool elements axially, preferably provides means (9, 10) for moving the distal end of the axial post radially, i.e. Away from axis and the tool element, for retraction of the tool element.multiple-bit hand tool with locking axial post.
