Universal coupling for machine tool

A coupling for releasably attaching a tool to a spindle of a machine for rotation about an axis thereof comprising:

• a first U-shaped element attached to a drive member connected to said spindle, said first U-shaped element having a pair of arms extending outward therefrom in an axial direction, said pair of arms spaced apart radially on said first element to define a first receptacle between said arms, said first receptacle being defined by opposing surfaces of said arms, said surfaces having a first common curvature about a first axis transverse to the spindle axis;
• a second U-shaped element attached to a tool supporting member, said U-shaped element having a pair of arms extending outward therefrom in an axial direction, opposing the arms of said first U-shaped element, said pair of arms spaced apart radially on said second element to define a second receptacle between said arms, said second receptacle being defined by opposing surfaces of said arms, said surfaces having a second common curvature about a second axis transverse to the spindle axis and said first axis;
• a bearing element being shaped to fit in said first and second receptacles having external surfaces which mate with said first and second curvatures;
• wherein said first and second U-shaped elements are assembled to form a seat by the cooperation of said first and second receptacles and said bearing element is secured in said seat and further wherein said first and second elements are locked from axial movement by engagement with said bearing element and said first and second U-shaped elements are allowed to rotate relatively about said first and second axes and further comprising a sleeve mounted on said first U-shaped element for axial movement thereon between at least a first and second position, wherein, in said first position said sleeve covers the assembled first and second U-shaped elements and in said second position said sleeve allows the assembled first and second U-shaped elements to be uncoupled.

A coupling for releasably attaching a tool to a spindle of a machine for rotation about an axis thereof comprising:

• a first U-shaped element attached to a drive member connected to said spindle, said first U-shaped element having a pair of arms extending outward therefrom in an axial direction, said pair of arms spaced apart radially on said first element to define a first receptacle between said arms, said first receptacle being defined by opposing surfaces of said arms, said surfaces having a first common curvature about a first axis transverse to the spindle axis;
• a second U-shaped element attached to a tool supporting member, said U-shaped element having a pair of arms extending outward therefrom in an axial direction, opposing the arms of said first U-shaped element, said pair of arms spaced apart radially on said second element to define a second receptacle between said arms, said second receptacle being defined by opposing surfaces of said arms, said surfaces having a second common curvature about a second axis transverse to the spindle axis and said first axis;
• a bearing element being shaped to fit in said first and second receptacles having external surfaces which mate with said first and second curvatures;
• wherein said first and second U-shaped elements are assembled to form a seat by the cooperation of said first and second receptacles and said bearing element is secured in said seat and further wherein said first and second elements are locked from axial movement by engagement with said bearing element and said first and second U-shaped elements are allowed to rotate relatively about said first and second axes;
• and further comprising:
• abrasive elements mounted on the tool supporting member for radial movement to adjust the position thereof;
• an adjustment mechanism engaging said abrasive elements to convert an axial motion to a radial motion of said abrasive elements;
• and
• an adjusting rod connected to said adjustment mechanism to cause axial movement thereof;
• and wherein said adjusting rod extends through a bore formed in said coupling by aligned bore portions constructed in said first and second U-shaped elements and said bearing element.