Abstract: A self-centering chuck includes a plurality of centering and clamping slides disposed for slide movement to or from a common center, drive slides are associated with the centering and clamping slides, the latter having parallel or slightly oblique orientation to the drive slides means so as to slidingly move at least essentially parallel to the slide movement of at least one of the centering and clamping slides, the centering slides and the drive slides have wedge surfaces; a plurality of shift pins extend transversely to the centering and clamping slides and to the drive slides and cooperate with the wedge surfaces to couple the drive slides to the centering and clamping slides to obtain movement to or from the center of all centering slides; the shift pins each movein one direction in relation to the respective centering and clamping slide when the drive slides moves in one direction, and the shift pins move in an opposite direction when the drive slides move in the respective opposite direction, the moveme

Abstract: A centering and clamping device is provided which comprises a plurality of rod elements, a plurality of clamping slides and reversing and non-reversing transmission elements between the rod elements and clamping slides to convert motion of the rod elements into centering and clamping motion of the clamping slides. Each of the rod elements are in engagement with some of the other rod elements whereby movement of one rod element can transmit motion to at least one other rod element. Various arrangements of the rod elements, slides and transmission elements are disclosed to achieve centering and clamping.