Quick-change chuck device

A chuck device for receipt of an axially extending tool shank, comprising:

• a body member defining a central longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore defined therein for receipt of a tool shank, at least a portion of said bore defined by a plurality of radially compressible axially extending gripping segments separated by equally spaced axial slots extending from a front face of said body member towards a back end thereof;
• at least two axially extending and axially aligned recesses defined on each of said segments;
• an operating member coaxial with and surrounding at least said gripping segments of said body member, said operating member cooperating with said recesses to define axially extending and axially aligned channels with varying radial widths, said operating member axially movable relative to said body member;
• actuating elements disposed within said channels, said actuating elements axially movable within said channels by axial movement of said operating member from a gripping position wherein said actuating elements are in a reduced radial width section of said channels causing said gripping segments to compress radially inward, and a release position wherein said actuating elements move into a greater radial width section of said channels causing radial expansion of said gripping segments.

A chuck device for receipt of an axially extending tool shank, comprising:

• a body member defining a central longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore defined therein for receipt of a tool shank, at least a portion of said bore defined by a plurality of radially compressible axially extending gripping segments separated by equally spaced axial slots extending from a front face of said body member towards a back end thereof;
• an axially extending recess defined on each of said segments;
• an operating member coaxial with and surrounding at least said gripping segments of said body member, said operating member cooperating with said recesses to define axially extending and axially aligned channels with varying radial widths, said operating member axially movable relative to said body member;
• actuating elements disposed within said channels, said actuating elements axially movable within said channels by axial movement of said operating member from a gripping position wherein said actuating elements are in a reduced radial width section of said channels, and a release position wherein said actuating elements move into a greater radial width section of said channels;
• and
• an actuable outer sleeve member configured with said operating member, said outer sleeve member comprising a front cap section having a bore therethrough generally aligned with said bore in said body member, said cap section further comprising a tool bit retaining member disposed within said bore to engage and retain said tool shank at a desired height upon moving said operating member between said gripping and release positions.