Back to results
US 2008/0164662 A1Published application
Keyless chuck with automatic and manual locking
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsThomas L. Luckenbaugh, Timothy J. 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.
Claims30
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, said first locking feature being separate from said jaws;
- and
- a second locking feature operable to inhibit said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws, said second locking feature moving to an inhibiting position when a force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and a component of said second locking feature, said second locking feature inhibiting loosening of said jaws when in said inhibiting position.
2 more elements
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 move between an inhibiting position and a non-inhibiting position, said second locking feature inhibiting said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws when in said inhibiting position, said second locking feature moving from said non-inhibiting position to said inhibiting position when a force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and a component of said second locking feature, and said second locking feature including a radially moveable member that moves radially when said second locking feature moves from said inhibiting position to said non-inhibiting position.
2 more elements
A chuck comprising:
- moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece;
- a body around which said jaws are disposed, said body and said jaws being substantially rotationally fixed relative to one another;
- a nut disposed on said body and capable of rotation relative to said body, said nut engaged with said jaws such that rotation of said nut relative to said jaws causes movement of said jaws;
- an actuating member coupled to said nut and 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 comprising a first locking element associated with said actuating member and a second locking element associated with said body, said first locking feature operable to prevent said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws when said first and second locking elements are engaged with one another, and at least one of said first and second locking elements being an integral component of said respective actuating member and said body;
- and
- a second locking feature comprising a first inhibiting element associated with said actuating member and a second inhibiting element associated with said nut, said second locking feature operable to inhibit said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws, said second locking feature inhibiting loosening of said jaws until a force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said first and second inhibiting elements.
4 more elements
A method of securing a work piece in a chuck that can be attached to a power tool, 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, said second locking member being one or more components of the chuck and operable to be engaged independent of a status of the chuck being attached to a power tool.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.