Linear roller tap driver assembly

Abstract

A rotary tool connecting assembly is provided for use as a tap driver for transmitting torque to a tap. The assembly comprises an adapter receiver for receiving and securing a tap, a chuck body having one end which is detachably connectable to the spindle, and an opposing end having an axially aligned recess for slidably receiving the adapter receiver, and a mechanism for transmitting torque from the chuck body to the adapter receiver while allowing the receiver to freely axially slide within the recess of the chuck body that includes a plurality of linear roller bearings disposed between a single flat wall present on the side of the receiver and a flat bearing wall that defines a portion of the recess in the chuck body. The flat bearing wall of the chuck body is provided by a bearing insert which is compliantly seated within a slot in the chuck in order to keep its bearing wall parallel with the flat bearing wall of the adapter receiver when substantial amounts of torque are applied to the assembly. The resulting parallelism maintains a uniform rolling contact between the linear rollers and the two flat bearing surfaces completely along the length of each of the roller bearings during high torque conditions, which not only reduces friction in the axial direction but also decreases tool wear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.