Rotary impact tool having bit holding device

A rotary impact tool comprising:

• a drive assembly including an anvil having
• a longitudinal bore for selectively receiving one of a plurality of interchangeable tool bits, and
• a plurality of radial slots extending from the longitudinal bore through the anvil;
• and
• a bit holding device for selectively receiving one of the plurality of interchangeable tool bits, the bit holding device including
• a plurality of ball detents received in the respective radial slots,
• a helical detent spring surrounding the anvil having
• a continuous helical structure with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first and second ends are located outside the radial slots, and
• a plurality of protrusions located between the first and second ends and extending into the respective radial slots, wherein the protrusions are configured to bias the respective ball detents toward an open end of the longitudinal bore.

A rotary impact tool comprising:

• a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece, the drive assembly including an anvil having
• a longitudinal bore for selectively receiving one of a plurality of interchangeable tool bits, and
• a plurality of radial slots extending from the longitudinal bore through the anvil, the plurality of radial slots formed opposite each other on the anvil;
• and
• a bit holding device for selectively receiving one of the plurality of interchangeable tool bits, the bit holding device including
• a plurality of ball detents received in the respective radial slots,
• a collar slidably disposed on the anvil, the collar having an interior surface configured to maintain at least a portion of the ball detents within the longitudinal bore,
• a collar spring configured to bias the collar rearward to a first collar position, and
• a helical detent spring surrounding the anvil having
• a continuous helical structure with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the first and second ends are located outside the radial slots, and
• a plurality of protrusions located between the first and second ends and extending into the respective radial slots, wherein the protrusions are configured to bias the respective ball detents into engagement with one of the plurality of interchangeable tool bits to form multiple contact points between one of the tool bits and the holding device to retain one of the tool bits within the longitudinal bore.