Adjustable universal coupling

Claim 1

In a tool holder including a shank member and a holder member each defining ana axis of rotation, a hollow housing axially threaded on the exterior of the shank and including a portion extending axially away from the shank member, said holder member axially terminating in the housing portion spaced from said shank member, coupler drive means within said housing, said coupler means including lug portions engageable with cooperating means on each of said members to transfer torque and to allow lateral misalignment between said members, said holder member having an elongated arcuate groove along the end face received within the housing, said coupler means having an elongated slotted portion transverse to the groove in said holder member, ball means received in said slotted portion and engageable with the arcuate groove in said holder member and an end face of said shank member to transmit axial forces and to allow angular and lateral misalignment between said members, circular retaining means within said housing, a radial shoulder including an inner radial surface on said housing opposing said circular retaining means, said housing adjustable retaining said holder against said ball means according to its axial position on said shank, a stop collar on the exterior of the holder, said stop collar including a conical outer surface concentric with the axis of the holder, said radial shoulder including a conical stop surface concentric with the axis of the shank, said stop collar being axially adjustable on said holder such that said collar aligns the axes of said members when it is set at a first position where it is uniformly circumferentially seated against said conical stop surface and it allows misalignment between said members in an increasing manner as its axial distance from said conical stop surface is increased, and locking means to retain said collar at a desired axial position on said holder.