Chuck actuator with wedge-type locking

A holder for a tool or workpiece to be rotated about an axis, the holder comprising:

• a tubular working spindle centered on and rotatable about the axis;
• an elongated pulling element axially displaceable in the spindle and having a front end provided with at least one holder jaw and a rear end with a forwardly directed face substantially perpendicular to the axis;
• an actuating body axially displaceable on the pulling element in the spindle forward of the element face and having an outwardly directed and rearwardly inwardly inclined face;
• spring means braced between the spindle and the body for urging the body continuously backward toward the element face;
• at least one wedge in the spindle between the body and the element face and having a rear end face flatly abuttable with the element face, an inclined inner face flatly abuttable with the body face, and a forwardly outwardly inclined front end face, the wedge being movable between
• an outer position with its end faces respectively flatly abutting the element and body faces and
• an inner position with its rear end face flatly abutting the element face and its front end face inward of and out of contact with the body face;
• a support sleeve fixed in the spindle forward of the element face and having a rearwardly directed and rearwardly outwardly inclined face flatly abuttable with the front face of the wedge;
• and
• means for pushing the body axially forward relative to the element and thereby moving the wedge into its inner position and for thereafter pushing the element forward with the wedge moving axially forward within the support sleeve.