Chuck having one-step lock and release

A chuck device for a tool bit having a shank and a circumferentially-extending groove about said shank, said chuck device comprising:

• (a) a body having a first shank section having a forward surface, a longitudinal bore centrally positioned through said forward surface, said body further having an inclined cam channel having an aperture communicating with said longitudinal bore, said first shank section further having a first shoulder and a longitudinally-extending slot aligned to and communicating with said inclined cam channel;
• (b) a detent ball disposed in said inclined cam channel, a portion of said detent ball extendable through said aperture into said longitudinal bore for engagement to said circumferentially-extending groove about said tool bit shank;
• (c) a ring affixed to and encircling said first shank section and said slot, said ring positioned between said inclined cam channel and said forward surface;
• (d) a sleeve having an interior encircling said first shank section, a portion of said inclined cam channel, said detent ball, said ring, and a portion of said body, said sleeve having a forward face and a rear retaining member encircling said body and partially covering said inclined cam surface, said rear retaining member engaging said detent ball for forward and downward positioning of said detent ball within said inclined cam channel for engagement of said detent ball to said aperture and to said circumferentially-extending groove of said shank during forward positioning of said sleeve for locking of said shank and said tool bit within said longitudinal bore;
• and
• (e) a spring means for biasing said sleeve, said spring means encircling said first shank section between said ring and said forward face, said spring means having an end positioned and extending longitudinally rearwardly within said slot toward said detent ball, said end being slidably positioned within said slot for engagement and biasing of said detent ball rearwardly along said inclined cam channel and for disengaging said detent ball from said circumferentially-extending groove of said tool bit shank during rearward retraction of said sleeve along said body for unlocking and removal of said tool bit shank from said chuck device, whereby the rearward retraction of said sleeve contracts said spring means and the expansion of said spring means forwardly positions said sleeve for engagement of said rear retaining member to said detent ball for forward and downward positioning of said detent ball within said inclined cam channel for locking of said tool bit shank and said tool bit within said longitudinal bore.