Tool bit storage case

A tool bit storage case, comprising:

• a cover having a generally hollow portion defining a generally hollow storage area therein, said case including a tool bit holder for removably holding at least one tool bit, said tool bit holder being pivotably interconnected within said storage area of said cover in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively pivoted toward and away from said cover about a pivot axis extending laterally across said cover, said cover having a selectively releasable retainer thereon for releasably retaining said tool bit holder thereon for limited pivotable movement within said storage area and for selectively permitting removal of said tool bit holder therefrom when said tool bit holder is pivoted away from said cover, said tool bit holder further including at least one tool bit opening therein, a generally hollow resilient split barrel portion having an end generally aligned with and adjacent said tool bit opening, an end portion of said tool bit being receivable within said tool bit opening and said resilient split barrel portion, and a retaining rib adjacent an opposite end of said split barrel portion for engaging and deflecting said tool bit end portion against said split barrel portion when said tool bit end portion is inserted into said tool bit opening and said split barrel portion, said split barrel portion resiliently engaging said inserted tool bit end portion to resiliently bias said tool bit end portion toward said retaining rib, thus frictionally but releasably retaining said tool bit within said tool bit opening and said split barrel portion, said tool bit opening being sized and configured to releasably engage said tool bit end portion in order to allow said tool bit end to be easily inserted into said tool bit opening and said split barrel portion.

A tool bit storage case, comprising a cover having a generally hollow portion defining a generally hollow storage area therein, said case including a tool bit holder for removably holding at least one tool bit, said tool bit holder being pivotably interconnected within said storage area of said cover in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively pivoted toward and away from said cover about a pivot axis extending laterally across said cover, said cover having a selectively releasable retainer thereon for releasably capturing a first portion of said tool bit holder in order to releasably retain said tool bit holder thereon for limited pivotal movement within said storage area, said retainer including a generally channel-shaped member for removably receiving said first portion of said tool bit holder therein in a pivotable relationship therewith, and an elongated retaining finger on said cover for releasably capturing a second portion of said tool bit holder, said retaining finger being resiliently deflectable in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively retained on said cover in said limited pivotably movable relationship therewith and to be selectively released and removed therefrom, said retaining finger protruding from an inside portion of said cover and having a hook portion thereon engageable with said second portion of said tool bit holder, said hook portion having angled ramp portions on opposite sides thereof oriented generally toward and away from said cover in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively and resiliently snapped into and out of said retained relationship with said cover.

A tool bit storage case, comprising a front cover hingedly interconnected with a back cover, said covers being pivotably movable toward and away from each other about a first pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, each of said covers having a generally hollow portion defining a generally hollow storage chamber therebetween, said case including a tool bit holder for removably holding at least one tool bit, said tool bit holder being pivotably interconnected within said storage chamber with one of said covers in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively pivoted toward and away from said one of said covers about a second pivot axis transverse to said first pivot axis when said covers are in said open position, said one of said covers having a selectively releasable retainer thereon for releasably capturing a first portion of said tool bit holder in order to releasably retain said tool bit holder thereon for limited pivotable movement within said storage chamber, said retainer including a generally channel-shaped member for removably receiving said first portion of said tool bit holder therein in a pivotable relationship therewith, and an elongated retaining finger on said one of said covers for releasably capturing a second portion of said tool bit holder, said retaining finger being resiliently deflectable in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively retained on said one of said covers in said limited pivotably movable relationship therewith and to be selectively released and removed therefrom, said retaining finger protruding from an inside portion of said one of said covers and having a hook portion thereon engageable with said second portion of said tool bit holder, said hook portion having angled ramp portions on opposite sides thereof oriented generally toward and away from said cover in order to allow said tool bit holder to be selectively and resiliently snapped into and out of said retained relationship with said cover, said tool bit storage case further comprising a hinge hingedly interconnecting said front and back covers, said hinge including an elongated hinge pin, a first socket on one of said covers fully enclosing said hinge pin, and a second socket on the other of said covers having a partially-enclosed hinge pin opening therethrough, said second socket being longitudinally offset relative to said first socket and having a portion thereof surrounding more than half, but less than all, of the periphery of said partially-enclosed hinge pin opening, said second socket being resiliently deflectable to allow said hinge pin to be resiliently and laterally snapped into said partially-enclosed hinge pin opening in order to hingedly interconnect said covers with each other, each of said covers including a cover flange portion thereon extending along a portion of the periphery of said hollow portions, said cover flange portions engaging each other in a generally face-to-face relationship when said covers are in said closed position, at least one of said cover flange portions has linear measuring indicia thereon and a beveled edge tapering from a thicker area thereof to a thinner area thereof in a direction away from said hollow portion, at least one of said cover flanges has a plurality of diameter gauge openings therein, and said hollow portion of at least one of said covers having a straight edge portion extending in a direction transverse to a straight edge portion of said cover flange of said one of said covers, said straight edge portion of said hollow portion being engageable with a surface of a workpiece in order to position said straight edge portion of said cover flange at a predetermined angle relative to said surface of said workpiece.