Tool bit retaining assembly

A tool having a tool bit receptacle, comprising:

• (a) a spring receiving region on said tool having a hole opening into the receptacle;
• (b) a tool bit insertable into the tool bit receptacle and having a substantially transverse groove near an insertion end thereof;
• (c) a ball bearing having a diameter only slightly larger than the hole such that upon being pressed against the hole the ball bearing extends through the hole into the receptacle and engages the transverse groove in said tool bit;
• (d) a split ring spring having a split extending from one end to the other with a portion transverse to the axis thereof and positionable around said spring receiving region such that the transverse portion of the split is opposite the ball bearing, said spring also having a spring hole on a side opposite the split of a diameter smaller than that of the ball bearing, such that with the spring hole in the spring against the ball bearing, the latter is pressed against the hole in the tool and engages a tool bit groove of a tool bit positioned in the receptacle.

A tool having a handle, a nosepiece inserted into said handle and a tool bit receptacle in an end of said nosepiece, comprising:

• (a) a spring receiving region on said nosepiece having a nosepiece hole opening into the receptacle;
• (b) a tool bit insertable into the tool bit receptacle and having a transverse groove near an insertion end thereof;
• (c) a ball bearing having a diameter only slightly larger than the nosepiece hole such that upon being pressed against the nosepiece hole the ball bearing extends through the nosepiece hole into the receptacle and engages the transverse groove in said tool bit;
• (d) a split ring spring having a split extending from one end to the other with a portion substantially transverse to the axis thereof and positionable around said spring receiving region such that the transverse portion of the split is opposite the ball bearing, said spring also having a spring hole on a side opposite the split of a diameter smaller than that of the ball bearing, such that with the spring hole against the ball bearing, the latter is pressed against the nosepiece hole in the tool and engages a tool bit groove of a tool bit positioned in the receptacle.