Patent ID: 6457243
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B23B,B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
In a punching machine for use with a tool having a shank with an annular groove cut in its surface, a chuck for detachably mounting the tool to the punching machine, comprising:(a) a reciprocating plunger having an axis; (b) there being a tool socket formed in one end of the plunger for receiving the shank of the tool; (c) there being a plurality of ball guideways formed in the plunger and extending radially outwardly from the tool socket; (d) a plurality of locking balls slidably received one in each ball guideway in the plunger for movement into and out of locking engagement in the annular groove in the shank of the tool received in the tool socket in the plunger, each locking ball being elongated radially of the plunger; and (e) a cam ring concentrically mounted on the plunger and movable axially thereof for urging the locking balls into locking engagement in the annular groove in the shank of the tool, wherein the plunger has formed therein a plurality of escape passageways disposed radially outwardly of the tool socket and extending one between each ball guideway and said one end of the plunger for ease of withdrawal of the tool shank from the tool socket.