Apparatus for releasably holding a tool

1. A tool holder comprising:

a carrier;

a boss movable within the carrier, the boss configured to accept the tool and having a locking tab which may be inserted into a recess on the carrier; and

a locking pin within the boss providing for the releasable engagement of the tool when the tool is placed on the boss and the tool is rotated;

wherein the boss releasably engages the tool when the tool is rotated between about 10 degrees and about 90 degrees; and

wherein the boss has one or more cam followers that engage a cam surface on the carrier, the cam followers following the cam surface and causing the boss to move axially with respect to a central axis of the boss when the boss is rotated within the carrier.

2. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the boss has a detent ball within a detent to releasably engage the tool.

3. The tool holder of claim 2 , wherein a retaining surface on the locking pin retains the detent ball generally within the detent when the detent ball is disengaged from the tool.

4. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the boss is configured to accept a ⅜″ drive socket.

5. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the boss is configured to accept a 1″ drive socket.

6. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the boss is configured to accept a ½″ drive socket.

7. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the boss is configured to accept a ¼″ drive socket.

8. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the locking pin is integral with the carrier.