# US 8,739,661 B2 · Device for tightening and releasing clamping tools > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,661 B2 - Document ID: US8739661B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/447,231 - Filed: 2007-10-25 - Published: 2010-01-21 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-26 - Assignees: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG - Applicants: Franz Haimer; Wolfgang Kugle - Inventors: Franz Haimer; Wolfgang Kugle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739661B2 ## CPC - B25B 13/48: for special purposes - B23B 31/20125: {Axially fixed cam, moving jaws} - B25B 23/1427: {by mechanical means} - B23B 2260/078: Hand tools used to operate chucks or to assemble, adjust or disassemble tools or equipment used for turning, boring or drilling - Y10T 279/3431: Chuck key - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B23B: TURNING; BORING (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a device (1) for tightening and releasing clamping tools (16), such as draw-in collet chucks, mandrels and the like which allows a torque to be concentrically transferred onto a clamping device, such as a locknut (17), clamping screw or the like without radial stress and without the threaded sections of the clamping device (17) and the collet chuck base (31) or the like being subjected to an unbalanced load. In a preferred embodiment, the device (1) is universally applicable, has an especially simple design and can be rapidly adapted to the respective clamping tools (16). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for tightening and releasing clamping tools, where the clamping tool comprises a clamping device, such as a locknut, a clamping screw or the like, and a base with a thread, which is complementary to the thread of the clamping device, wherein the device comprises a housing having two handles, symmetrically disposed with reference to a plane including a rotation axis of the device configured to symmetrically provide a torque for tightening or releasing the clamping device relative to the base of the clamping tool upon a rotation of the clamping device; a key insert pivotally supported relative to the housing configured for transferring said torque to said clamping device, wherein the key insert is connected by one of a screw in connector or a plug in connector within the housing and is removable from the housing, wherein the key insert comprises a lateral opening, and wherein the key insert is disposed eccentric to a rotation axis of the key insert relative to the housing that is defined by the screw in connector or the plug in connector passing through the key insert; an elastically supported element providing a torque compensating force acting between the base and the key insert; and one of a mechanical or an electronic dial indicator configured for determining the torque. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the handles are disposed in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the key insert is disposed in a ring groove type indentation in the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein the key insert is fixated in the housing by a screw-in connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein the screw-in-connection passes at least partially through the key insert and through the groove type indentation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the elastically supported element is supported by a cylindrical spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the key insert has a ring segment shaped configuration including the lateral opening, wherein the key insert comprises a bore hole being eccentric relative to the rotation axis of the device, and wherein the bore hole is adapted for receiving an element for the screw-in connection or the plug-in connection with the device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the key insert comprises protrusions, which are configured to engage indentations provided on an outer surface of clamping devices. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the key insert comprises a contact surface in contact with the elastically supported element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein the ring groove type indentation is configured around a circular segment shaped recess. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in connection comprises a clip type element with a plug-in connection member which can be plugged into a hole, wherein the clip type element is removably disposed in an indentation of the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device according to claim 11, wherein between the clip type element and the housing, an interlocking connection is provided by a spring supported ball element or a rubber member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein a feeler of the dial indicator contacts a surface of the key insert.