Quick change chuck
OwnerMonte L. Schroederinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is provided a keyless chuck, a clutch assembly, and an associated method for releasably gripping a bit. The chuck includes a jaw assembly that is adjustable between open and closed positions, a threaded shaft in operable communication with the jaw assembly, and at least one clutch member. Each clutch member is adjustable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, each clutch member threadably engages the threaded shaft, such that the threaded shaft translates axially and adjusts the jaw assembly between the open and closed positions.
Claims33
A keyless chuck for releasably gripping a bit, comprising:
- a jaw assembly adjustable between open and closed positions;
- a threaded shaft in operable communication with said jaw assembly;
- at least one clutch member adjustable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein said at least one clutch member in said engaged position threadably engages said threaded shaft;
- and
- a spring configured to bias said threaded shaft toward said jaw assembly and thereby bias said jaw assembly to said closed position with said at least one clutch member in said disengaged position.
A clutch assembly for actuating a jaw assembly between open and closed positions, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a rotatable threaded shaft;
- a plurality of clutch members adjustable in a direction radial to said shaft between engaged positions and disengaged positions, wherein said clutch members in said engaged positions threadably engage said shaft such that rotation of said clutch members about said shaft causes said shaft to translate axially relative to said clutch members;
- and
- a plurality of jaws defining a slot therebetween, said jaws being radially and axially movable within a tapered housing;
- wherein said threaded shaft is biased toward said jaws by a biasing member and configured to close the slot between said jaws when said clutch members are in the disengaged position.
A method for releasably gripping a bit, comprising;
- inserting the bit into a jaw assembly;
- threadably engaging at least one clutch member with a threaded shaft in operable communication with the jaw assembly;
- rotating the at least one clutch member about the threaded shaft to axially extend the threaded shaft in communication with the jaw assembly;
- disengaging the at least one clutch member from the threaded shaft;
- and
- biasing the threaded shaft toward the jaw assembly with the at least one clutch member disengaged from the threaded shaft and thereby closing the jaw assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.