Abstract: A power tool chuck and bit shank system for attaching changeable tool bits to a power tool such as a router. The chuck includes a body having a bore which is sized to accept a tool bit shank. At least two movable gripping jaws are included for gripping the tool bit shank, which are moved with a tightening mechanism. At least one flat surface is provided in at least a section of the bore for mating with at least one corresponding flat surface provided on a tool bit shank to prevent rotational movement of the tool bit shank within the bore. A tool bit shank having a flat surface can be gripped in the chuck with hand tightening of the tightening mechanism, and a tool bit shank without a flat surface can be gripped in the chuck with assisted tightening of the tightening mechanism.

Abstract: A tool holding device for holding a tool bit to a drive spindle includes a body member having an axially extending bore defined therein for receipt of a tool shank. The body member includes a plurality of axially extending segments defining the bore. The segments are defined by axially extending slits in the body member. The slits extend from a front face of the body member rearward. The segments are radially compressible to grip upon a tool shank inserted into the bore when a radially compressive force is applied to the segments in the area of the slits. The bore defined by the segments has a tapered diameter that is greater at the front face of the body member and tapers to a lesser diameter in the axially rearward direction.

Abstract: A quick release chuck device has a body member defining an axially extending bore for receipt of a tool shank. At least a portion of the bore is defined by a plurality of radially compressible and axially extending gripping segments. The gripping segments are equally spaced and defined by axial slots extending from a front face of the body member. At least two axially extending and aligned recesses are defined on each of the gripping segments. An operating member is coaxial with and surrounds at least the gripping segments of the body member. The operating member defines a varying radial width channel with the recesses formed on the outside of the gripping segments. The operating member is axially movable relative to the body member. Actuating elements, such as balls, are disposed within the varying radial width channels.

Abstract: A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a drive shaft is provided. A generally cylindrical body member has a tail section and a nose section extending axially forward of a nut. The tail section is adapted to mate with the drive shaft of the driver to rotate therewith, and the nose section has an axial bore formed therein. A plurality of angularly disposed passageways are formed through the nose section and intersect the nose section axial bore. A plurality of jaws are positioned in the angularly disposed passageways, each jaw having a jaw face formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof. The nut is rotatably mounted relative to the body member and has threads engaging the threads on the jaws. A generally cylindrical sleeve member is in operative communication with the nut so that the sleeve member rotationally drives the nut and so that force in the axial direction toward the nose section is transferred from the nut to the sleeve member.

Abstract: A quick release chuck device includes a body member having a frusto-conical chamber defined therein for receipt of a conventional collet. A plurality of weighted cam members are disposed around the circumference of the body member and include a first end which is pivotally mounted to the body member. The cam members have a center of gravity longitudinally spaced from the pivot point wherein upon rotation of the body member in an operational mode, the cam members are caused to pivot relative to the body member and swing radially outward from the body member. A collet engaging member is disposed at a first end of the cam members and is configured to engage and move the collet into the frusto-conical chamber as the cam members swing radially outward.

Abstract: This invention has as its purpose the provision of a clamp screw in which the loss of clamping force is greatly reduced, a powerful clamping force can be obtained with a small rotational input, a sufficient clamping force can be obtained by a manual operation, and moreover, a sufficient clamping force can be obtained without excessive clamping by making effective use of the reverse thrust of the rotating tool.With the clamp screw of the invention, when the flange ring is in contact with the object to be attached, the rotation of the threaded member stops and a clamping state is entered, the rotation of the operating ring is screw fed by the balls moving around the thread grooves, and as a result of this movement of the operating ring due to the screw feed, pressure is exerted on the flange ring through the restraining ring thus clamping the tool to be attached.

Abstract: A quick release chuck device includes a body member having a frustoconical chamber defined therein with a collet device operably housed in the chamber. At least two longitudinally extending members are disposed equally spaced around the circumference of the body member and are pivotally mounted relative to the body member at pivot points near a front or first end of the longitudinal members. The longitudinal members have a second end opposite the first end wherein the second ends are moveable radially outward from the body member as the body member is rotated in an operational mode of the device. The first ends of the longitudinal members engage the collet device and force the collet device longitudinally into the frustoconical chamber when the second ends are moved radially outward by centrifugal force as the body member is rotated.

Abstract: The chuck includes a slitted body with an axial bore that holds the tool shank during rotation of the chuck. A gripping sleeve applies compressive pressure via cam elements to reduce the diameter of the axial bore. A spring biased locking sleeve can activate locking elements to lock the gripping sleeve to the body member in the locked position.An engagement mechanism connects the chuck to a drive spindle and also has a mounting mechanism for facilitating automated mounting of the chuck to a drive spindle.