Quick change power tool chuck

A power tool chuck comprising:

• a claw assembly including at least one claw portion radially movable with respect to a centerline of the chuck;
• a collar assembly operably contacting the at least one claw portion and axially movable along the centerline;
• and
• a locking assembly having a first configuration wherein the collar assembly is locked at a first location and a second configuration whereat the collar assembly is not locked at the first location, the locking assembly including an actuation member positioned within and accessible through the claw assembly and configured to at least partially receive a locking member, and a locking member holder configured to maintain the locking assembly in the second configuration by constraining movement of the locking member within the actuation member, wherein:
• the locking member is arranged to contact the collar assembly when the locking assembly is in the first configuration and to contact the locking member holder when the locking assembly is in the second configuration.

A power tool chuck comprising:

• at least one claw portion including an inner surface generally parallel to a centerline of the chuck and movable from a first position spaced apart from the centerline toward a second position located closer to the centerline;
• a collar configured to move such that as the collar moves from a third position to a fourth position, the at least one claw portion is forced from the first position toward the second position such that the inner surface is forced against a shank positioned within the chuck;
• a locking member movable between a fifth position whereat the locking member locks the collar in the third position and a sixth position whereat the locking member does not lock the collar in the third position;
• and
• a button axially aligned with the centerline and movable between a seventh position whereat the locking member is forced into the fifth position and an eighth position whereat the locking member is free to move into the sixth position, wherein:
• the at least one claw portion is configured to clamp the shank toward the centerline via pressure applied by the inner surface to a surface of the shank that is substantially parallel to the inner surface,
• the at least one claw portion includes an outer surface extending upwardly and away from the centerline, and
• the collar further comprises at least one ball retaining area configured to retain at least one ball therein such that the at least one ball is aligned with the outer surface.