Tool holder for lathe

A tool holder for a lathe comprising

• a clamping block having means disposed beneath same for engaging a lathe for adjustable attachment thereto and including a vertically disposed undercut key extending along a first side of said block,
• a mounting element having a longitudinal tool-receiving depression with
• means for gripping a toll disposed therein and having an undercut keyway across a side thereof opposite said depression and adapted to slidably engage the vertical undercut key of said clampling block,
• said clamping block having a slot vertically therethrough in extension through said key to define a minor pivotal portion of said block and locking means in said block for adjustably engaging said pivotal portion of said block through said slot for pivoting said block portion to expand said key laterally and lock same in the keyway of said mounting element, and
• said locking means comprising
• an array of contiguous steel balls disposed in a lateral bore in said block extending to one side of said slot in said block,
• a bolt theaded to a vertical bore in said block intersecting said lateral bore and having a further steel ball disposed in said vertical bore for engaging the lower end of said bolt of said bolt and engaging the outer side of the outermost ball of said array of balls above the center thereof for retaining said array in said lateral bore,
• whereby threading of said locking bolt into said block forces an end ball of said arry of balls across said slot to deflect said pivotal block portion for laterally expanding said key,
• forces an end ball of said array of balls across said slot to deflect said pivotal block portion for laterally expanding said key.