Drill bit adapter tool

Abstract

An adapter tool with a drill bit is provided that selectively connects to a driver to provide added versatility to the driver. The adapter tool includes a spring with an engagement end that extends through a body to selectively engage a recess in the driver. A user can actuate the spring to quickly engage and disengage the adapter from the driver. In practice, a user can use the adapter-driver combination to drill a pilot hole using the drill bit on the adapter, selectively remove the adapter from the driver, and then put a screw into the pilot hole using the driver.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter tool for selectively engaging and releasing a second tool, comprising:
 a body having a first end, an opposing second end, a longitudinal axis, and an inner surface that defines an interior volume configured to receive a second tool;   a slot that extends from a first point at an outer surface of said body to a second point at said inner surface, wherein a distance from said first point to said first end is larger than a distance from said second point to said first end;   a spring positioned about said outer surface of said body, said spring having an engagement end configured to be positioned at least partially within said slot; and   a retractable cap positioned about said outer surface proximate to said first end of said body and translatable along said longitudinal axis of said body between a first position and a second position, wherein, in said first position, said engagement end of said spring extends at least partially into said interior volume to engage said second tool, and wherein, in said second position, said retractable cap deflects said engagement end of said spring in said slot to move said engagement end away from said interior volume and to disengage said second tool.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least half of a cross-sectional area of said engagement end of said spring is configured to be positioned in a recess volume of said second tool when said retractable cap is in said first position. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter tool of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of said cross-sectional area of said engagement end of said spring is configured to be positioned outside of said recess volume of said second tool when said retractable cap is in said first position. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter tool of  claim 1 , wherein, in said second position, said retractable cap deflects said engagement end of said spring into a portion of said second tool that defines said recess volume to move said engagement end away from said interior volume and to disengage said second tool. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter tool of  claim 1 , wherein said retractable cap has an inner surface that defines an inner cavity, and said spring is at least partially positioned in said inner cavity such that said engagement end of said spring contacts a portion of said inner surface of said retractable cap. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a bushing positioned about said outer surface of said body, wherein said inner surface of said retractable cap is at least partially positioned about an outer surface of said bushing. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter tool of  claim 1 , wherein said slot forms an angle with said longitudinal axis to translate longitudinal movement of said retractable cap to lateral movement of said engagement end of said spring, and said angle is between approximately 25 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . A combined drill and driver system, comprising:
 an adapter tool having:
 a body having a longitudinal axis and an aperture forming an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein said angled aperture extends from an outer surface to an inner surface of said body, and said inner surface defines a partially enclosed volume; 
 a retractable cap disposed around said outer surface of said body and having an inner surface defining an inner cavity; 
 a spring disposed around said outer surface of said body and at least partially positioned in said inner cavity, said spring having an engagement end at least partially positioned in said angled aperture of said body; 
   a second tool removably interconnected and positioned in said partially enclosed volume, a second tool including a recess on a forward end, wherein said retractable cap is configured to move said engagement end of said spring into said recess of said second tool to retain said second tool to said adapter tool until said retractable cap is moved downward and away from said second tool to release said second tool from said adapter tool.   
     
     
         9 . The combined drill and driver system of  claim 8 , wherein said angle of said aperture is between approximately 25 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The combined drill and driver system of  claim 8 , wherein said recess of said second tool has a radiused cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         11 . The combined drill and driver system of  claim 8 , wherein said retractable cap has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter, wherein said first inner diameter is substantially the same as an outer diameter of a bushing of said adapter tool and said second inner diameter is smaller than said first inner diameter to limit longitudinal travel of said retractable cap relative to said bushing. 
     
     
         12 . The combined drill and driver system of  claim 8 , wherein in said first distance from said longitudinal axis, at least half a cross-sectional area of said engagement end of said spring is positioned within said recess volume of said second tool. 
     
     
         13 . The combined drill and driver system of  claim 12 , wherein in said first distance from said longitudinal axis, at least a portion of said cross-sectional area of said engagement end of said spring is positioned outside of said recess volume of said second tool. 
     
     
         14 . A holster adapted for selectively holding and releasing a tool, comprising:
 a substantially planar body having an upper end, a lower end, and two sidewalls extending therebetween, said body having a front surface and a rear surface;   a cap bar positioned proximate to said upper end and extending outwardly from said front surface of said body, said cap bar having an engagement surface;   a pocket positioned below said cap bar, said pocket having a receiver adapted to receive a lower end of a tool; and   a U-shaped retainer positioned between said cap bar and said receiver of said pocket, said U-shaped retainer adapted to secure a mid-portion of said tool, wherein said pocket and said U-shaped retainer are configured to removably secure an upper portion of said tool proximate to said engagement surface of said cap bar.   
     
     
         15 . The holster of  claim 14 , wherein said cap bar has at least one recess that has an inner diameter, wherein said inner diameter of said recess is larger than an outer diameter of a body of said tool and smaller than an outer diameter of a retractable cap of said tool. 
     
     
         16 . The holster of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one arm extending from said rear surface and substantially parallel to said body, wherein said at least one arm is configured to selectively interconnect to a belt. 
     
     
         17 . The holster of  claim 14 , wherein said pocket is configured to receive a drill bit of said tool. 
     
     
         18 . The holster of  claim 14 , wherein said U-shaped retainer has two arms that define an inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter of a body of a tool. 
     
     
         19 . The holster of  claim 18 , wherein a distance between two ends of said arms is less than an outer diameter of said body of said tool such that said body is configured to deflect at least one of said arms to be positioned in said inner diameter defined by said two arms. 
     
     
         20 . The holster of  claim 14 , further comprising a second pocket and a second U-shaped retainer, wherein a distance between said second pocket and said second U-shaped retainer is larger than a distance between said pocket and said U-shaped retainer.