Ball lock apparatus for small diameter toolholders

A cutting toolholder assembly comprising:

• a locking component having a central longitudinal axis;
• said locking component containing a generally cylindrical bore substantially defined by a bore wall, said bore having an opening at one end thereof, the bore having a central longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the locking component so that a portion of the bore wall is thicker than the average thickness of the bore wall;
• said bore wall containing at least one recess in the portion thereof that is thicker than the average thickness of the bore wall;
• a holding component including a generally cylindrical shank being received within the bore;
• said shank containing a compartment with a locking assembly including at least one locking member and means for moving the locking member into engagement with its corresponding recess;
• said means for moving being contained by the shank compartment and accessible from a surface of the tool holding component not obstructed by the locking component;
• and
• said recess being of a configuration corresponding to the shape of the locking member and adapted to restrict all movement within the bore of that locking member such that when the locking member engages the recess, the recess restrains the locking member so that there is essentially no movement between the holder component and the locking component during a material removal operation.

A cutting toolholder assembly for holding a cutting tool used in a material removal operation, the assembly comprising:

• a locking component having a central longitudinal axis;
• said locking component containing a bore substantially defined by a bore wall, said bore having an opening at one end thereof, and the bore having a central longitudinal axis that is not coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the locking component;
• said bore wall containing at least one recess therein;
• a holding component including a shank whereby the bore receives the shank, said shank containing a compartment,
• a locking assembly being contained within said compartment, said locking assembly including at least one locking member and positioning means for positioning the locking member into engagement with its corresponding recess;
• and
• said recess being of a configuration corresponding to the shape of the locking member and adapted to restrict all movement within the bore of that locking member such that when the locking member engages the recess, the recess restrains the locking member so that there is essentially no movement between the holder component and the locking component during a material removal operation.