Abstract A coupling between the shank of a tool or other accessory and a rotatable chuck is spring biased so that the tool may be coupled and uncoupled merely by applying inward or outward force to the tool. A noncircular shank on the tool has encircling it a standard locking groove which receives a locking member having a cylindrical configuration. The neck of the chuck has an axially extending bore of noncircular shape into which the shank of the tool will axially slide. The noncircular but conforming shapes of the bore and shank prevent relative free rotation therebetween. A transversely extending slot in the outside of the neck of the chuck has a depth which is enough to form an opening into the bore of the neck. A needle roller is mounted in the slot and is pressed inwardly against the relatively large bearing surfaces at the end portions of the bottom of the slot by a retaining splitring spring so that a portion of its cylindrical surface extends into the bore in such neck. When the tool is inserted the spring gives sufficiently to allow the needle roller to move outwardly and then snap into the locking groove.
A spring biased coupling for a tool or accessory, and a chuck comprising: a. a tool with a noncircular shank, said shank having an encircling locking groove; b. a chuck having a noncircular axially extending bore which is adapted to receive said shank to prevent substantial relative rotation therebetween, said chuck having a transversely and radially extending slot with a radial depth from its outer opening in the surface of said chuck sufficient to form an opening between a portion of the bottom of said slot and said bore; c. a cylindrically shaped member carried in said slot with a portion of its outer surface extending radially inward into said bore; and d. a retaining spring engaging said chuck and said member to press said member radially inwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A spring biased coupling for a tool or accessory, and a chuck comprising: a. a tool with a noncircular shank, said shank having an encircling locking groove; b. a chuck having a noncircular axially extending bore which is adapted to receive said shank to prevent substantial relative rotation therebetween, said chuck having a transversely and radially extending slot with a radial depth from its outer opening in the surface of said chuck sufficient to form an opening between a portion of the bottom of said slot and said bore; c. a cylindrically shaped member carried in said slot with a portion of its outer surface extending radially inward into said bore; and d. a retaining spring engaging said chuck and said member to press said member radially inwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A spring biased coupling as defined in claim 1 wherein: a. said shank and said extending bore are of hexagonal cross-sectional shape; and b. said slot cuts through a vertex formed by two adjacent sides of the hexagonal bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spring biased coupling as defined in claim 2 wherein the retaining spring is of split-ring configuration and engages the outer surface of said chuck, there being an opening in said spring receiving an end of said cylindrically shaped member to keep said spring from slipping out of place during normal operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A spring biased coupling as defined in claim 3 wherein the said slot has outer bottom portions providing relatively large bearing surfaces for said cylindrically shaped member.