Clamping device for connecting a tool head to a tool holder of a machine tool

A tool-clamping assembly for a machine tool comprising:

• a machining tool having a tool carrier formed with a tool head having a pin of the configuration of a body of revolution;
• a tool holder formed with a socket of a configuration complementary to that of said pin and adapted to receive said pin and form a force-fitting and form-fitting connection therewith;
• two clamping elements in the form of balls on said holder displaceable outwardly into respective recesses formed in said tool carrier and actuatable to displace said tool carrier into said connection with said holder, thereby locking said tool carrier to said holder;
• and
• an actuator on said tool holder in the form of a rotatable clamping shaft provided with two spiral camming guides in the form of spiral grooves receiving said balls and respectively bearing outwardly upon said balls and having regions of engagement therewith at distances from an axis of said shaft varying with angular displacement thereof, said spiral camming guides being defined by continuous smooth space curves of second or higher order and whose rise continously and smoothly decreases with angular position around said axis, said balls being guided in respective bores in said tool carrier inclined to an axis of said tool holder.