Patent ID: 6135462
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B23B,B25B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A chuck assembly comprising:a chuck body having an outer end portion, an outer periphery and a central bore extending at least partially through said chuck body along a central axis;said chuck body further having three, substantially equidistantly spaced, generally axially extending, jaw receiving slots which open onto said central bore mounting means for mounting said chuck assembly onto the outer end of a shaft of a drive mechanism;three axially and radially movable jaws received in respective ones of said axially extending slots;moving means for moving said jaws against the shank of a tool or tool holder received in said central bore;said chuck body having three, substantially equidistantly spaced, inwardly extending bores therein with each bore being located in said chuck body between two of said generally axially extending slots, each inwardly extending bore extending from said outer periphery of said chuck body inwardly to an opening which opens to said central bore;said opening having a diameter less than the diameter of said inwardly extending bores;at least one detent in each inwardly extending bore;resilient biasing means associated with each inwardly extending bore for resiliently biasing said ball or detent toward said central bore;and drive structure in said central bore for engaging with mating drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body;whereby said chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to the tool or tool holder;and whereby axial movement of the shank of a tool or tool holder received in the central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws or detents or both with the shank of the tool or tool holder.