Collet type work driver
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorConrad C. Treff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collet type work driver for holding and driving a workpiece which is located between work centers upon a grinder, lathe or similar machinery, is disclosed. The work driver includes a unique free-floating collet package which rotates essentially free from contact with the remaining components of the work driver. Radial positioning forces are thus eliminated and existing workpiece eccentricities are automatically accommodated. The work driver can be rapidly loaded and unloaded and can have a significant effect upon production rates. The collet package portion is loosely retained within the work driver during idle periods and will not be lost or damaged. Uniform gripping action by means of the work driver eliminates workpiece deflection and surface marking and enables the device to be used with very fragile and brittle workpieces.
Claims20
A chuck for holding a workpiece, comprising:
- a housing;
- radially expansible/collapsible collet means disposed within said housing for respectively releasing/holding an end portion of said workpiece;
- means, having a first surface facing into said housing and toward a housing side of said chuck and a second, opposite surface facing outwardly from said housing and toward a workpiece side of said chuck, movably mounted within said housing for permitting said collet means to move radially outwardly so as to release said workpiece and for causing said collet means to move radially inwardly so as to hold said workpiece;
- first actuating means disposed within said housing and acting upon said first surface of said movably mounted means for moving said movably mounted means in a first direction as a result of which said movably mounted means causes said collet means to move radially inwardly so as to hold said workpiece;
- and
- second actuating means disposed within said housing and extending from said housing side of said chuck to said workpiece side of said chuck and acting upon said second opposite surface of said movably mounted means for moving said movably mounted means in a second direction opposite to said first direction as a result of which said movably mounted means releases said collet means so as to permit said collet means to move radially outwardly to its workpiece release position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.