Abstract: A chuck for releasably holding a tool such as a drill bit has a torque limiting coupling in the mechanism which is rotated manually to close the jaws of the chuck on the tool. When the chuck has been tightened on the tool by a certain amount, the torque limiting coupling releases. Thereafter, continued manual rotation of the component which provides the input to the coupling operates a cam and cam follower mechanism which forces the jaws of the chuck into even tighter engagement with the tool. When the chuck is subsequently loosened to release the tool, the cam and cam follower mechanism automatically resets to ready the chuck for reuse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and process for manufacturing an improved machine tool collet. The invention further relates to an improved machine tool collet having design parameters optimized to maximize the gripping strength of the collet. The collet according to the invention is of the type having a plurality of gripping jaws spaced around a common longitudinal axis with resilient material between the gripping jaws. The method includes calculating the total torque generated on a bar passing through the collet for a given collet configuration having predetermined design parameters. The total torque includes the torque generated just prior to a toggle condition occurring between the gripping jaws and the bar and the maximum moment force generated between the gripping jaws and the bar at a toggle condition.

Abstract: A removable nosepiece for a chuck includes a plastic and/or metal ring which is removably mounted on a distal portion of either the main body or a sleeve of the chuck so that the ring is concentric with the central longitudinal axis of the chuck. The removable nosepiece may include a washer-shaped member of rubber extending radially inwardly from the plastic and/or metal ring. If provided, the rubber washer resiliently engages and centers a tool inserted into the chuck through the central aperture of the washer.

Abstract: A non-impact keyless chuck suitable for use with manual or powered drivers is disclosed. The chuck comprises a body which carries a rotatable split nut having a relatively fine thread and a plurality of slidable jaws, which may be identical, driven by the rotatable nut. An anti-friction bearing is disposed between the rotatable nut and a bearing thrust ring mounted on the body. A clutch or torque limiting mechanism is provided to limit the tightening torque to a predetermined value while the loosening torque may be limited or unlimited. The front sleeve, and rear sleeve, if used, may be formed from a structural plastic to reduce manufacturing costs. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may be placed on the front sleeve to improve the grip and temporarily restrain and center the tool during chuck tightening or loosening operations. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may also be placed on the rear sleeve, if used.

Abstract: A non-impact keyless chuck suitable for use with manual or powered drivers is disclosed. The chuck comprises a body which carries a rotatable split nut having a relatively fine thread and a plurality of slidable jaws, which may be identical, driven by the rotatable nut. An anti-friction bearing is disposed between the rotatable nut and a bearing thrust ring mounted on the body. A clutch or torque limiting mechanism is provided to limit the tightening torque to a predetermined value while the loosening torque may be limited or unlimited. The front sleeve, and rear sleeve, if used, may be formed from a structural plastic to reduce manufacturing costs. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may be placed on the front sleeve to improve the grip and temporarily restrain and center the tool during chuck tightening or loosening operations. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may also be placed on the rear sleeve, if used.

Abstract: A chuck for releasably holding a tool such as a drill bit has a torque limiting coupling in the mechanism which is rotated manually to close the jaws of the chuck on the tool. When the chuck has been tightened on the tool by a certain amount, the torque limiting coupling releases. Thereafter, continued manual rotation of the component which provides the input to the coupling operates a cam and cam follower mechanism which forces the jaws of the chuck into even tighter engagement with the tool. When the chuck is subsequently loosened to release the tool, the cam and cam follower mechanism automatically resets to ready the chuck for reuse.

Abstract: A removable nosepiece for a chuck or other similar tool holder has an outer ring of relatively hard and inflexible material such as plastic and/or metal and an inner ring of relatively soft and flexible material such as rubber. The outer ring releasably holds the nosepiece on the distal end of the chuck or other tool holder. A tool is inserted into the chuck or tool holder through a central aperture in the inner ring. The inner ring engages the sides of the tool to help keep dust and debris out of the chuck or tool holder. The nosepiece can be removed and replaced when it becomes worn (e.g., when the inner ring is no longer functional).

Abstract: A chuck for use with a manual or power driver having a rotatable drive shaft. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical body member with a nose section and a tail section. The tail section has an axial bore formed therein to mate with the drive shaft of the driver, and the nose section has an axial bore therein and a plurality of annularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore for receipt of a plurality of jaws slidably positioned therein. The chuck further includes a generally cylindrical front sleeve member overlaying the nose section of the body member and rotatable with respect thereto. The front sleeve member includes a threaded nut portion integral therewith and in engagement with the threads on the jaws such that when the front sleeve member is rotated with respect to the body member, the jaws will be advanced or retracted, depending on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: Chuck for use with manual or powered driver having rotatable shaft, the chuck including a bearing thrust ring fixed on the body and a self-contained anti-friction bearing assembly disposed adjacent the thrust ring. The chuck further includes a nut rotatably mounted on the bearing assembly in engagement with the threads on the jaws, and a generally cylindrical front sleeve in driving engagement with the nut and overlying the nose section of the body so that when the front sleeve member is rotated with respect to the body, the jaws will be moved thereby.

Abstract: Chuck for use with a manual or powered driver including a nut rotatably mounted on the chuck body and in engagement with the threads of the chuck jaws. The chuck includes a self-contained anti-friction bearing assembly disposed between the nut and a thrust ring, as well as a generally cylindrical front sleeve member in driving engagement with the nut and overlying a nose section of the body of the chuck so that when the front sleeve member is rotated with respect to the body member, the jaws will be moved thereby. The chuck also includes a rust resistant decorative nosepiece.

Abstract: A non-impact keyless chuck suitable for use with manual or powered drivers is disclosed. The chuck comprises a body which carries a rotatable split nut having a relatively fine thread and a plurality of slidable jaws, which may be identical, driven by the rotatable nut. An anti-friction bearing is disposed between the rotatable nut and a bearing thrust ring mounted on the body. A clutch or torque limiting mechanism is provided to limit the tightening torque to a predetermined value while the loosening torque may be limited or unlimited. The front sleeve, and rear sleeve, if used, may be formed from a structural plastic to reduce manufacturing costs. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may be placed on the front sleeve to improve the grip and temporarily restrain and center the tool during chuck tightening or loosening operations. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may also be placed on the rear sleeve, if used.

Abstract: A tool chuck is provided for rotary power tools that includes a dust seal for reducing the quantity of dust and cuttings entering the chuck mechanism. The tool chuck features an endcap affixed to the chuck body and a circular brush may be either permanently or removably engaged to the endcap. The circular brush comprises a multiplicity of either metallic or plastic bristles that contact the shank of a tool bit engaged in the tool chuck.

Abstract: A non-impact keyless chuck suitable for use with manual or powered drivers is disclosed. The chuck comprises a body which carries a rotatable split nut having a relatively fine thread and a plurality of slidable jaws, which may be identical, driven by the rotatable nut. An anti-friction bearing is disposed between the rotatable nut and a bearing thrust ring mounted on the body. A clutch or torque limiting mechanism is provided to limit the tightening torque to a predetermined value while the loosening torque may be limited or unlimited. The front sleeve, and rear sleeve, if used, may be formed from a structural plastic to reduce manufacturing costs. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may be placed on the front sleeve to improve the grip and temporarily restrain and center the tool during chuck tightening or loosening operations. A relatively soft elastomeric grip boot may also be placed on the rear sleeve, if used.

Abstract: The center of a collet having a plurality of individual gripper members resiliently spaced apart in an annular array and operated on by a frustoconical surface can be adjusted by displacing some of the gripper members more than others of the gripper members parallel to the axis with which both the annular array and the frustoconical surface are nominally concentric. This causes the frustoconical surface to produce greater radial displacement of some of the gripper members, thereby shifting the center of the collet transverse to the above-mentioned axis. An element transversely moveable relative to the axis causes displacement of some of the gripper members more than others.

Abstract: A tool chuck suitable for use with manual or powered impact drivers is described. The chuck comprises a body which carries a rotatable nut and a plurality of slidable jaws, driven by the rotatable nut. An anti-friction bearing is disposed between the rotatable nut and a bearing thrust ring mounted on the body. The bearing thrust ring has a plurality of detents and may cooperate with a compression spring to prevent the chuck from loosening during operation.

Abstract: The profiles of the threads on the jaws of a chuck, such as a three-jawed chuck, are modified so that at least one end of the jaw thread segments curve in away from the threads on the nut which operate the jaws. This prevents the end edges of the jaw thread segments from digging into the nut threads when the nut is rotated to operate the jaws.