Keyless chuck with automatic and manual locking
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsThomas Luckenbaugh, Timothy Bowman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keyless chuck having both an automatic locking feature and a manual locking feature. The automatic locking feature provides for automatic locking of the chuck in a tightened state when a predetermined tightening torque has been exceeded. The chuck can be utilized with only the automatic locking feature engaged. If desired, a manual locking feature can also be engaged wherein rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the body is prevented. A retaining feature can be employed to inhibit the movement of the manual locking feature between a locked and unlocked position. The retaining feature thereby avoids accidental engaging or disengaging of the manual locking feature.
Claims28
A chuck comprising:
- moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece;
- an actuating member operable to cause said jaws to move when said actuating member rotates relative to said jaws, movement of said jaws corresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws;
- a first locking feature operable to selectively prevent said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws;
- and
- a second locking feature operable to inhibit said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws, said second locking feature inhibiting loosening of said jaws after a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and a component of said second locking feature.
A chuck comprising:
- a body having an outer surface with a projection thereon;
- a plurality of moveable jaws operable to retain a work piece, said jaws disposed around said body;
- and
- a sleeve radially surrounding a portion of said body and capable of both axial and rotational movement relative to said body, said sleeve having an inner surface with a recess therein facing said body, and rotation of said sleeve relative to said body causing movement of said jaws,
- wherein engagement between said projection on said body with said recess on said sleeve inhibits axial movement of said sleeve relative to said body.
A chuck comprising:
- a body;
- a plurality of moveable jaws operable to retain a work piece, said jaws disposed around said body;
- a nut disposed on said body and engaged with said jaws, rotation of said nut relative to said body causing said jaws to move;
- a sleeve radially surrounding a portion of said body and operable to transmit a rotational force to said nut such that rotation of said sleeve relative to said body causes said nut to drive movement of said jaws,
- wherein said sleeve is capable of axial movement relative to said nut.
A chuck comprising:
- a plurality of moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece, movement of said jaws corresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws;
- a locking member operable cause said jaws to move when said locking member rotates relative to said jaws;
- and
- an actuating member engaged with said locking member and capable of rotation relative to said jaws, said actuating member operable to rotate said locking member and drive movement of said jaws, and said actuating member being capable of axial movement relative to said locking member while maintaining engagement with said locking member,
- wherein said locking member is operable between a first engaged position and a second engaged position with said actuating member, said first position not inhibiting loosening of said jaws, said second position inhibiting loosening of said jaws, and said locking member moves from said first position to said second position when a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and said locking member.
A method of securing a work piece in a chuck, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning the work piece between jaws of the chuck;
- (b) rotating an actuating member relative to said jaws to tighten said jaws to the work piece;
- (c) automatically inhibiting loosening rotation of said actuating member with a first locking member after a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value is imparted between said actuating member and said first locking member;
- and
- (d) rotationally locking said actuating member relative to said jaws with a second locking member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.