SNAP-IN CHUCK ASSEMBLY, SNAP-IN TOOL AND TOOL DRIVE SYSTEM

Abstract: The tool (180) comprises a shank (182), a tool formation (186) on an outer end of the shank (182), and a spline formation (184) at an inner end of the shank (182). In some embodiments the shank (182) also has a polygonal formation (188) and/or an annular groove (190) in the shank (182) which can be in the area of the polygonal formation (188). The chuck assembly (10) comprises: a chuck body (12) having a central bore (16), three axially and radially movable jaws (14), at least one inwardly extending passageway (24) containing at least one detent (28) between two of the jaws (14), and a nose collar (34) for actuating the detent (28). Drive structure (24), which may be in the form of an insert (12), is provided in the central bore (16) for engaging mating drive structure (26, 184) on the shank of a tool (180) or tool holder (16), whereby axial movement of the tool (180) or tool holder (16) is inhibited or prevented by engagement of the jaws (14) or the detent (28) with the shank.

Description: SNAP-IN CHUCK ASSEMBLY, SNAP-IN TOOL AND TOOL DRIVE SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to a snap-in chuck assembly and a snap-in tool or tool holder for use in the snap-in chuck assembly. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a snap-in chuck assembly having an axially movable or rotatable nose for initiating or releasing gripping of a tool or tool holder received in the chuck assembly and is directed to a tool having a shank, a drill bit, a screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver or other tool or implement formation at an outer end and a spline formation at an inner end of the shank. The invention also relates to a tool drive system for use with the chuck comprising an insert received in the inner bore portion; structure for preventing rotation of the insert relative to the chuck; structure on the insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and a mechanism for holding the tool or tool holder against axial movement relative to the insert. 2. Description of the Prior Art. Heretofore many tools for mounting in a chuck assembly have been proposed. Examples of previously proposed analogous and non-analogous chuck assemblies and tools and tool holders are disclosed in the following analogous and non-analogous U.S. patents: U.S. Patent No. Patentee 2,728,365 Austin 2,807,473 Kiehne 3,945,653 Falche 4,188,041 Soderberg 4,199,160 Bent 4,209,182 Sheldon 4,692,073 Martindell 4,900,202 Wienhold 5,013,194 Wienhold 5,193,824 Salpaka 5,417,527 Wienhold 5,458,445 Bader et al. 5,464,229 Salpaka 5,465,983 Owens et al. 5,470,180 Jore 5,674,031 Bilz et al. 5,921 ,562 Robison 5,951 ,026 Harman,Jr. et al. 5,984,596 Fehrle et al. 5,975,815 Zierpka et al. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a chuck assembly comprising: a chuck body having an outer end portion, an outer periphery and a central axial bore extending at least part way therethrough; 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 or other accessory received in said central bore; a nose collar mounted on the outer end portion of the chuck body; and structure in the central bore for engaging the shank and preventing rotation of the shank relative to the chuck body. Preferably, the outer end portion of the chuck body has at least one radially extending bore therein which extends from the outer periphery of the chuck body inwardly to an opening which opens to the central bore and which has a diameter less than the diameter of the radial bore; at least one ball or detent in the at least one radial bore; urging mechanism for urging the ball or detent into the radial bore and part way through the opening; and releasing mechanism for allowing the ball or detent to move radially outwardly in the radial bore and away from the opening; Additionally according to the present invention there is provided a tool comprising a smooth shank, a tool or implement formation at an outer end of the shank and a spline formation at an inner end of the shank. In some embodiments the shank also has a polygonal, e.g., hexagonal, formation thereon and an annular groove in the shank which can be in the area of the polygonal formation. Also, according to the present invention there is provided 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. The chuck body further has three, substantially equidistantly spaced, generally axially extending, jaw receiving slots which open onto the central bore and has mounting structure for mounting the chuck assembly onto the outer end of a shaft of a drive mechanism. Three axially and radially movable jaws are received in respective ones of the axially extending slots. A mechanism for moving the jaws against the shank of a tool or tool holder received in the central bore is provided. The chuck body has at least one inwardly extending passageway located in the chuck body between two of the axially extending slots and the passageway extends from the outer periphery of the chuck body inwardly to an opening which opens to the central bore. The opening has a diameter less than the diameter of the passageway and at least one detent is provided in the passageway. Structure for urging the at least one detent toward the central bore is provided together with a mechanism for releasing the engagement of the at least one detent against a shaft or shank received in the central bore. A nose collar is mounted on the outer end portion of the chuck body. Drive structure is provided in the central bore for engaging mating drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder received in the central bore of the chuck body, whereby the chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to the tool or tool holder by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures, and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in the central bore of the chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of the jaws with the shank or by the engagement of the at least one detent with the shank received in the central bore or by both engagements. In one embodiment, the nose collar is mounted for rotation and the urging structure comprises a cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in the nose collar and the releasing mechanism comprises one or more cavities or pockets in the cylindrical wall portion which are constructed and arranged to be aligned with the at least one passageway containing the at least one detent so that, upon rotation of the nose collar, the at least one detent in the at least one passageway is allowed to move away from the opening and into one of the pockets. In another embodiment, the nose collar is mounted for axial movement relative to the outer end portion of the chuck body and the urging structure comprises a first cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in the nose collar having a diameter approximately the same diameter as the outer periphery of the outer end portion of the chuck body and the releasing mechanism comprises a second cylindrical wall portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outer periphery of the outer end portion, whereby axial movement of the nose collar will position the second cylindrical wall portion in the area of the at least one passageway to allow the at least one detent therein to move laterally outwardly away from the opening of the at least one passageway and into the central bore. Further according to the present invention, there is provided a tool drive system for use with a chuck having a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool. The system comprises: an insert received in the inner bore portion; structure for preventing rotation of the insert relative to the chuck; structure on the insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and a mechanism for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder or other accessory from axial movement relative to the insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view with portions broken away of one embodiment of a chuck assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the chuck shown in FIG. 1 and is taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal plan view of the chuck similar to the view shown in FIG. 1 but with an outer end portion or nose collar rotated 90°. FIG.4 is a sectional view of the nose collar shown in FIG. 3 and is taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal plan view of one embodiment of a drill type tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal plan view of another embodiment of a screwdriver type tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal plan view of one embodiment of a tool holder constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified chuck body of a second embodiment of a chuck assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, and of half of a nose collar of the chuck assembly, which is used to move a locking detent (ball) radially inwardly and outwardly of a central hex bore of the chuck assembly and shows the collar holding the detent/ball in an inwardly locking position. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chuck body shown in FIG. 9 and shows the nose collar moved axially outwardly for placing the detent/ball in a non- restrained position where the detent/ball can move radially outwardly from a central hex bore. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal partially sectional view of a chuck body of a third embodiment of a chuck assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and shows a detent/ball in a radially extending bore and an annular groove in the area of the radially extending bore and having a split collar spring based therein for biasing the detent/ball toward the central chuck bore. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal side view of a chuck body for one of the embodiments of the chuck assembly disclosed herein with an inner or lower portion broken away to show a spline area of the central chuck bore and a threaded area of the chuck bore. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the chuck assembly of the present invention and shows a nose collar on a chuck body similar to the chuck body shown in FIG. 10 with lateral bores in the nose collar adapted to be aligned with radially extending bores in the chuck body. FIG. 13 is an end view of the chuck body of each of the four embodiments and shows three jaws at three corners of the hex bore and three detents/balls at the other three corners of the hex bore between the jaws. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention which has a smooth shank with a spline formation at an inner end thereof. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention which has a smooth shank with an annular groove therein and a spline formation at an inner end thereof. FIG. 16 is a plan view of another tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention which has a shank with a hexagonal portion, an annular groove in the shank in the area of the hexagonal portion and a spline formation at an inner end thereof. FIG. 17 is a exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the tool drive system of the present invention associated with a chuck and including an insert, the chuck, a tool holder and a tool. FIG. 18 is a bottom end view of the tool shown in FIG. 17 and is taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is an outer end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 17 and is taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is an inner end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 17 and is taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17. FIG. 21 is an inner end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 17 and is taken along line 21 -21 of FIG. 17. FIG. 22 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a tool drive system of the present invention and includes an insert, a chuck, a tool holder and a tool. FIG. 23 is a bottom end view of the tool shown in FIG. 22 and is taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is an outer end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 22 and is taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 22. FIG. 25 is an inner end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 22 and is taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 22. FIG. 26 is an inner end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 22 and is taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 22. FIG.27 is an upper end view of the insert shown in FIG. 22 and is taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 22. FIG. 28 is an upper end view of the insert shown in FIG. 17 and is taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 17. FIG. 29 is an outer end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 28 and shows no intermediate spline portion at the upper end of the inner bore portion. FIG. 30 is an outer end view of the chuck shown in FIG's. 17 and 22 with a spline configuration at the upper end of the inner bore portion and is taken along line 30-30 of FIG's. 17 and 22. FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of a chuck with portions broken away to show the threaded inner bore portion and an intermediate spline portion at the upper end of the inner bore portion. FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the tool drive system of the present invention with a threaded insert. FIG. 33 is a bottom end view of the tool shown in FIG. 32 and is taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 32. FIG. 34 is an outer end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 32 and is taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 32. FIG. 35 is an inner end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 32 and is taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 32. FIG. 36 is an outer end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 32 without an intermediate spline portion and is taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 32. FIG. 37 is an inner end view of the insert shown in FIG. 32 and is taken along line 37-37 of FIG. 32. FIG. 38 is an outer end view of the insert shown in FIG. 32 and is taken along line 38-38 of FIG. 32. FIG. 39 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the tool drive system of the present invention including an insert, a chuck, a tool holder and a tool. FIG. 40 is a vertical sectional view through the insert shown in FIG. 39. FIG. 41 is a inner end view of the tool stem shown in FIG. 39 and is taken along line 41 -41 of FIG. 39. FIG. 42 is an outer end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 39 and is taken along line 42-42 of FIG. 39. FIG. 43 is an inner end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 39 and is taken along line 43-43 of FIG. 39. FIG. 44 is an inner end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 39 and is taken along line 4-43 of FIG. 39. FIG. 45 is an exploded view of a still further embodiment of the drive system of the present invention including an insert, a chuck, a tool holder and a tool of the present invention. FIG. 46 is an outer end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 46-46 of FIG. 45. FIG. 47 is an end view of a screw having an Allen head shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 47-47 of FIG. 45. FIG. 48 is an inner end view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 48-48 of FIG. 45. FIG. 49 is a lower end view of the insert shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 49-49 of FIG. 45. FIG. 50 is an upper end view of the insert shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 50-50 of FIG. 45. FIG. 51 is a lower end view of the chuck shown in FIG. 45 and is taken along line 51 -51 of FIG. 45. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a longitudinal side view of one embodiment of the chuck assembly 10 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. The chuck assembly 10 includes a chuck body 12 and at least three jaws 14, one of which is shown in FIG. 1 , which are movable axially and radially relative to the chuck body 12 into and out of a central chuck hex bore 16. Mounted on the chuck body 12 is a sleeve 18 which is rotatable on the chuck body 12 for moving the jaws 14 in and out of the central bore 16. The chuck body 12 includes an outer end portion 22 having at least one, and preferably three, transverse radial bores 24 therein which extend through the outer end portion 22 and opening onto the central bore 16 with a. ,. ; ; .. alter opening 26 than the diameter of the radial bore 24. A ball 28, similar to a ball bearing, is received in each radial bore 24 and bears against an inner wall 30 of a cylindrical cavity 32 in a nose collar 34. To achieve this function, the outer end portion 22 most likely will have a reduced outer diameter such that the length of the radial bores 24 is less than the diameter of the ball 28 or a second ball or other spacing element is provided in each bore 24. The hex cross-section of the central bore 16 can be limited to the area of the radial bores 24, as shown. As shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4, the nose collar 34 has two spaced apart finger engaging concave pockets or dimples 36 to enable a user to grip the collar 34 and rotate it 90°. The inner wall 30 of the cavity 32 in the nose collar 34, FIGS. 3 and 4, has three concave pockets 38 which are located rotationally 120° from each other and one is located 90° from one of the outer pockets 36 or in line with one of the outer pockets 36. The outer end portion 22 further has a C-ring 39 mounted on an outer periphery 40 thereof for axially engaging an inwardly extending flange 41 of the nose collar 34, thereby to hold the nose collar 34 to the chuck body 12. In use, one inserts the stem or shaft of a conventional tool or a specially constructed tool 42 (FIG. 5) into the central bore 16 and rotates the sleeve 18 to move the jaws 14 into engagement with the stem of the tool 42. Alternatively, and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, one can insert the specially configured tool 42 (FIG. 5) into the bore 16. Then a stem 44 of the tool 42 has a hex cross-section for mating with the central hex bore 16. The tool 42 has a Phillips head 46 and an annular groove 48 which can be moved into alignment with the balls 28 when the nose collar 34 is in the position shown in FIG. 3 where each ball 28 is in line radially within one the radial bores 24 between the opening 26 to the central hex bore 16 and the pocket 38 in the wall 30. This allows a tool, such as the tool 42, to be axially inserted into the central bore 16 past the balls 28 until the balls 28 are in radial alignment with the annular groove 48. At this point, a user can rotate the nose collar 34 to move the pockets 38 away from the balls 28, thereby to move the surface of the cylindrical wall 30 against the balls 28 urging them toward and into the opening 26 to the central bore 16. Then, to remove the tool, such as a tool 42, from the central hex bore 16 of the chuck body 12, a user will grip the nose collar 34 with his/her finger and thumb received in the pockets 36 and rotate the nose collar 90° until the pockets 38 on the inner wall 30 of the cavity 32 are aligned with the radial bores 24 so that when one pulls on the tool 42 the balls 28 can move inwardly in the radial bores 28 and into the pockets 38 so that the tool 42 can be removed axially from the central chuck bore 16. The tool 42 illustrated in FIG.5 includes the hex in cross-section shank or stem 44, the Phillips head 46 and the annular groove 48 in the hex in cross-section shank or stem 44. It will be understood that other types of tool heads, such as a drill tool head or a straight screwdriver tool head can be provided on the tool 42 in place of the Phillips screwdriver head 46. In FIG. 6 is illustrated another tool 50 having a middle stem portion 52, a hex in-cross-section inner end 54 with an annular groove 56 therein, and a special drill head or spade bit 58 for drilling larger holes than the diameter of the stem portion 52. In FIG. 7 is illustrated a tool holder 60 which can be of the type disclosed in the Robison U.S. Patent No. 5,921 ,562. The tool holder 60 has a middle stem portion 5 62 which is different than the stem disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,921 ,562. In this respect, the stem portion 62 is modified to have a hex in-cross-section area 64 with an annular groove 68 in the hex in-cross-section area 64, whereby the tool holder 60 is adapted to be received in the central hex bore 16 and axially locked therein by balls 28 received in the annular groove 68 and fixed against rotation in the bore by the 10 engagement of the hex in-cross-section area 64 with the hex cross-section central bore 16. The tool holder 60 further has a mushroom head 70 with a cavity 72 for receiving a tool and a magnet 74 at the bottom of the cavity 72 for releasably holding a tool in the cavity 72. The tool holder 60 further includes an inner end 76 which has 15 a spline configuration 78 for being received in a spline section 80 of the central bore 16. The spline section 80 of the central bore 16 can be of the type disclosed in the Salpaka U.S. Patent No. 5, 193,824, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In FIGS.8 and 9 there is illustrated a second embodiment of a chuck assembly 20 90 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention wherein the construction of the chuck body 92 is identical to the construction of the chuck body 12 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with an outer end portion 93. However, in this embodiment, a nose collar 94 is constructed for axial movement as opposed to rotational movement. In this respect, as shown in FIG. 8, the nose collar 94 has at 25 least two dimple concave pockets or dimples 96 on the outer surface thereof to enable one to grip the nose collar 94 and pull it or push it to move the nose collar 94 axially of the chuck assembly 90. Then, the interior of the nose collar 94 has a stepped cavity 98 including a first cylindrical portion 100 which has a diameter which will fictionally engage the ball or balls 28 in the radial bores 24 for urging them into 30 and partially through the opening 26 of each radial bore 24 that opens to the central chuck bore 16. Then, the cavity 98 has a stepped, larger cylindrical portion 102 located inwardly of the cylindrical wall portion 100. In use, and as shown in FIG. 9, when one grips the nose collar 94 and pulls it outwardly, the larger-in-diameter cylindrical wall portion 102 of the cavity 98 is radially aligned with the ball or balls 28 in each radial bore 24 so that they can move radially outwardly from the opening 26 that opens to the central bore 16, thereby to allow a tool to be inserted or removed from the hex in-cross-section central bore 16. The nose collar 94 has a lower annular flange 106 for engaging a ring 108 mounted on the outer end portion 93 of the chuck body 92 for holding the nose collar on the outer end portion 93 and for limiting axial movement of the nose collar 94. It is to be noted that the outer portion 93 of the chuck body 92 can have a reduced-in-diameter outer surface to provide a length of each radial bore 24 which is less than the diameter of the ball 28 so that a friction engagement between the balls 28 and the cylindrical wall portion 100 of the cavity 98 can be established. In FIG. 10 there is illustrated a third embodiment of a portion of a chuck assembly 110 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. In this embodiment, the outer end portion 112 of a chuck body 1 14 has an annular groove 116 therein in the area of the radial bores 24 so that a C or split ring or band 118 can be received in the annular groove 116 for engaging the radially outwardly facing side of each of the three detents or balls 28 for urging each of them into one of the openings 26 at the inner end of each of the radial bores 24. In this embodiment, the outer end portion 112 of the chuck body 114 does not have a reduced-in-diameter relative to the rest of the chuck body 114. Further, in this embodiment, when a tool is inserted into the hex bore 16, pressure must be applied to move the balls 28 radially outwardly against the pressure of the spring band 1 18 to enable the tool to be inserted into the central hex cross-section bore 16 of the chuck body 114. Likewise, when removing the tool from the hex bore 16, one must exert a pulling force to force the balls 28 against the spring band 118 to effect removal of the tool from the hex bore 16. The outer periphery 120 of a chuck body 122 is illustrated in FIG. 11 with the bottom portion cut away to show a spline section 124 of a central hex bore 126 and an inner threaded section 128 of the chuck bore 126 for enabling the chuck body 122 to be mounted on a threaded end of a power tool as disclosed in the Salpaka U.S. Patent No. 5,193,824. In FIG. 12 there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of a chuck assembly 140 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. In this embodiment, the outer end portion 142 of the chuck body 144 does not have a reduced-in-diameter relative to the remainder of the chuck body 144 and does not have any annular slot in the chuck body 144 in the area of the balls 28. Instead, a nose collar 146 is provided with three radial bores 148 which extend inwardly from and are equally spaced around a cylindrical wall 150 of a cavity 152 in the nose collar 146. Then, a spring 154 is inserted into each one of these three bores 148 and the nose collar 146 is moved axially over the outer end portion 142 of the chuck body 144 until the bores 148 with the springs 154 therein are in alignment with the bores 24 having the balls 28 therein, at which point the compressed springs 154 will move one of the bores 148 into the radial bores 24 to engage and bear against the back side of each one of or the back one of a pair of the balls 28 in each radial bore 24. It will be understood that suitable alignment means, such as for example, matting axially extending slots in, and a key between, the outer end portion 142 of the chuck body 144 and the cylindrical wall 150 of the cavity 152 in the nose collar 146 is provided for ensuring proper alignment of the nose collar 146 with the chuck body 144 and locking of the nose collar 146 against rotation relative to the chuck body 144. FIG. 13 is an end view of one of the nose collars, e.g. nose collar 34, shown in FIGS. 1 , 3, 8, 9 and 12 showing the hex in-cross-section central bore 16 with jaws 14 located at alternate ones of the hex corners of the bore 16 and with balls 28 at the adjacent alternate corners of the hex bore 16. In FIG. 14 there is illustrated a tool 160 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. The tool 160 is a simplified tool which has a smooth shank 162, a spline configuration 164 at an inner end thereof, a tool formation 166 such as a Phillips screwdriver formation at an outer end thereof. This tool 160 is adapted to be simply and quickly inserted into one of the chuck assemblies described above and is rotatably driven by the spline formation 124 engaging with the spline formation 164 at the inner end of the shank 162 while three spring biased balls 28 in one of the chuck assemblies bears against the smooth shank 162 and the friction between the balls 28 and the smooth shank 162 provides a holding force, although minimal, against axial movement of the tool 160 in one of the chuck assembles described above. To provide a stronger restraining force against axil movement of a tool, a tool 170 can be provided, as shown in FIG. 15, which has a shank 172, a spline formation 174 at an inner end of the shank 172, a tool formation 176 at an outer end thereof and an annular groove 178 for receiving one or more balls 28. When it is desired to provide a strong rotary drive between a tool and one of the chuck assemblies described above and the tool, as well as an axial straining force against axial movement of the tool relative to one of the chuck assemblies described above, a tool 180, as shown in FIG. 16, is provided. As shown, the tool 180 includes a shank portion 182, a spline formation 184 at an inner end thereof and a tool formation 186 at an upper end thereof. In addition, formed on the shank is a polygonal, preferably hexagonal, formation 188 which engages a mating configuration, e.g. the hex bore 16 shown in FIGS. 1 , 10 and 12, and an annular groove 190 in the shank 182 in the area of the hexagonal formation 188. It will be understood that the tool 160, 170 or 180, as well as the tools 42 and 50 and the tool holder 60 can be used with any of the chuck assemblies described above and that each tool 160, 170 and 180, as well as the tools 42 and 60 and the tool holder 60 have advantages therein as described above. In particular, the tool 160 provides a very simple tool which can be pushed either in or out of one of the chuck assemblies described above and minimally held therein against axial movement in the chuck assembly. If movement of the tool 160 is encountered, the user can simply rotate an outer sleeve of the chuck assembly to bring the jaws into engagement with the shank 162, in addition to engagement of the balls or detents 28 with the shank 162. Alternatively, if a very strong retention against axial movement of the tool is desired or required, the tool 170 or 180 can be used which can be easily and simply inserted into the conventional chuck having the balls or detents 28 mounted therein, as described above, with engagement of the balls 28 in the annular groove 178 or 190 to prevent axial movement of the tool 170 180. For a stronger rotary drive the tool 180 with polygonal, hexagonal formation 188 and the spline formation 184 can be used with one of the chuck assemblies described above. Additionally, the chuck assembly 10 or 90 can be used with the rotatable nose collar 34 or the axially movable nose collar 94 for locking or unlocking one or more of the balls 28 against the shank 44, 52, 62, 162, 172, or 182. Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated therein a tool drive system 210 including a drive insert 212, a conventional chuck 214, a tool holder 216 (which can be a tool) and, where the tool holder is utilized, a tool 218 receivable in the tool holder 216. The insert 212 includes a base portion 220 and a projection 222 having structure, such as a spline configuration 224, for engaging mating structure 226 within a cavity 228 at the inner end 229 of a stem 230 of the tool holder 216 (or tool where a tool is inserted directly into the chuck 214 instead of a tool holder 216). FIGS. 18, 23, 33 and 41 are bottom end views of the tool 218 which has a base or stem 232 with a hex configuration which is received in a hex shaped cavity 233 in an outer, mushroom shaped head or end portion 234 of the tool holder 216 shown, respectively, in FIG's 17, 22, 32, 39 and 45. FIGS. 19, 24, 34, 42 and 46 are outer end views of the tool holder 216 shown in FIGS. 17, 22, 32, 39 and 45. FIGS. 20 and 35 are inner end views of the tool holder 216 shown, respectively, in FIGS. 17 and 32. Returning now to FIG's. 17 and 28, it will be seen that the base 220 of the insert 212 has three splines or keys 236, which are adapted to be slidably received in key ways or slots 238 formed in an inner bore portion 240 of the chuck 214, as shown in FIG. 21. A typical construction of the base 220 is shown in FIG. 28 where the three keys, or splines 236 on the outer periphery of the base 220, are illustrated. In use of the tool drive system 210, shown in FIG. 17, the insert 212 is inserted into the inner bore portion 240 shown in FIG. 21 where the keys or splines 236 are received in the key ways or slots 238. Then, the chuck 214 is screw threaded on a motor shaft of a power tool (not shown). This can be achieved with a tool that is received overthe spline configuration 224 on the projection 222 of the insert 218 and then rotated. Once the chuck 214 and insert 212 are mounted on a threaded outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, the tool holder 216 can be inserted into an outer bore portion 242 in the chuck 214 with the cavity 228 at the inner end 229 of the stem 230 thereof received over the spline configuration 224 on the projection 222 of the insert 212 to provide a drive connection between the insert 212 and the tool holder 216. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-21 , the tool holder 216 is held to the chuck by magnets 244 positioned on an underside 246 of the mushroom shaped head 234 of the tool holder 216. The tool 218 is held within the head 234 by a magnet 246 located at the bottom of the hex-shaped cavity 233 in an outer side 250 of the head 234 of the tool holder 216, as shown. With the tool drive system 210 shown in FIGS. 17-21 , the three key ways or slots 238 need to be cut into the inner bore portion 240 of a conventional chuck 214. Then, with this modification, the insert 212 can be inserted into the inner bore portion 240 in the chuck 214 and a threaded end of a motor shaft of a power tool is screwed into the inner bore portion 240, which is threaded, to mount the chuck 214, with the insert 212 therein, to a motor shaft of a power tool. See, for example, the chuck assemblies illustrated in the Salpaka U.S. Patents Nos. 5,193,824 and 5,464,229. Then, in use, an operator can rotate a portion of the chuck 214 to bring jaws within the chuck 214 into engagement with the shaft or stem 230 of a tool or the tool holder 216 or simply can move a specially configured inner end 229 of a stem or shaft 230 of a tool or of the tool holder 216 into mating engagement with the projection 222 of the drive insert 212. The special configuration comprises a spline or polygonal shaped cavity 228. The tool or the tool holder 216 can be held to the chuck 212 by magnets associated therewith, such as the magnets 244, thereby to hold the tool or the tool holder 216 against axial movement while the mating spline or polygonal configurations of the projection 222 of the insert 212 and in the cavity 228 of the stem 230 of the tool or tool holder 216 provide a tool drive for driving the tool from the shaft of the power tool. Referring now to FIG's.22-26, there is illustrated another embodiment of a tool drive system 260 including a tool or the tool holder 216 with the tool 218, the tool holder 216 having a mushroom shaped head 234 with a cavity 233 and a stem, shaft or shank 230 extending from the head 234 to a lower, inner free end 262 which has a spline or polygonal shape 264, a chuck 214 and a drive insert 266. The drive insert 266 includes a base portion 268 with three keys or splines 270 on the outer periphery thereof and a cavity 272 therein which has a configuration 274 (FIG. 27) that mates with the spline or polygonal configuration 264 at the inner end 262 of the stem 230 of the tool holder 216. It will be understood that a tool with a lower inner end having a spline of polygonal configuration constructed to mate with the configuration 274 in cavity 272 of the drive insert 266 can be provided in place of the tool holder 216 and tool 218. The inner bore portion 240 of the throughbore of the chuck 214 shown in FIG. 26 has the same configuration as shown in FIG.21 and is adapted to receive the insert 266 shown in FIG. 22. In this way, a drive connection from the threaded end of a motor shaft to the chuck 214 and the drive insert 266 can be transmitted to the inner end 262 of the tool holder 216 or to the inner end of a tool which is configured and shaped for being received in the cavity 272 in the insert 266. FIG. 27 is a top end view of the drive insert 266 shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 28 is a top end view of the drive insert 212 shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 29 is an end view of the lower end of the chuck 214 shown in FIG. 32 without an intermediate spline bore portion 280 and FIG. 30 is an end view of the outer end of the chuck 214 shown in FIG's. 17 and 22. FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of a conventional chuck 214 showing a throughbore 276 through the chuck 214, a jaw 278 movable into the throughbore 276, a intermediate spline bore portion 280 of the throughbore 276 for receiving a special tool for mounting the chuck 214 on the threaded end of a motor shaft of a power tool and a threaded inner bore portion 240 of the throughbore 276. Also shown is a key way 38 formed in the threaded inner bore portion 240. FIG. 32 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a tool drive system 290 of the present invention similar to the tool drive system 210 shown in FIG. 17. Here, the tool drive system 290 is shown to include a drive insert -.'A., a chuck 214, a tool holder 216 and a tool 218. The end views shown in FIG's. 33, 34 and 35 correspond to the end views shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20. In this tool drive system 290, no key ways are formed in the threaded inner bore portion 240, as shown in FIG's. 32 and 36 and in this embodiment, the drive insert 292 has a threaded cylindrical base portion 294 and a projection 296, corresponding to the projection 222 shown in FIG. 17. In this embodiment of the tool drive system 290, the insert 292 is threaded into the inner threaded bore portion 240 until it bottoms out and is locked in place after which the chuck 214 is threadably mounted on a threaded motor shaft of a power tool, such as with a socket tool (not shown) which is inserted through the throughbore 276 of the chuck 214 for engaging the projection 296. Then, the tool holder 216 can be held to the chuck 214 by the magnets 244, shown in FIG. 35. The tool holder 216 is then rotatably driven by the engagement of the splined or polygonal shaped projection 296 in the cavity 228 in the inner end 229 of the stem, shaft or shank 230 of the tool holder 214. FIG. 39 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of a tool drive system 300 of the present invention. Here, a tool holder 216 is provided which has a square- in-cross-section cavity 302 in the inner end 304 of the shank 230 of the tool holder 216 for receiving a square-in-cross section projection 306 of a drive insert 308. The insert 308 is similar to the insert 212 shown in FIG. 17, except that the square-in- cross-section projection 306 has a spring biased detent 310 mounted in a transverse slot 312 in the projection 306 as shown in FIG. 40. The insert also has a base 312 having three splines or keys 314 for being received in mating key ways 316 formed in the inner bore portion 240 of the throughbore 276 in the chuck 214. In this embodiment of the tool drive system 300, the spring biased detent 310 provides a mechanical mechanism for holding the tool holder 216, or a tool having a cavity at an inner end thereof, from moving axially relative to the chuck 214. The tool holder 216 or tool with a cavity at the inner end thereof has to be forcibly pulled away from the chuck 214 to insert another tool in the chuck 214. In this embodiment, the spring biased detent 310 is used in place of magnets 244 for holding the tool holder 216 or a similarly configured tool from moving axially relative to the chuck 214. FIG. 45 illustrates still another embodiment of a tool drive system 320 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. This tool drive system 320 utilizes the tool holder 216 shown in FIG. 22. This tool holder 216 has magnets 244 on the underside 246 of the mushroom shaped head 234 and a stem or shaft 230 with an inner end 262 having a spline or polygonal configuration 264. In this embodiment, a drive insert 322 is inserted into the throughbore 276 of the chuck 214 from the upper end of the chuck 214. The insert 322 has an upper base portion 324 with a splined or polygonal cavity 326 therein and a depending projection 328 which has a spline configuration that is received in the intermediate spline bore portion shown in FIG. 31 for establishing a drive connection from the chuck 214 to the insert 322 and then from the cavity 326 in the upper base portion 324 of the insert 322 to the splined or polygonal inner end 262 of the stem or shaft 230 of the tool holder 216. It is to be understood that such drive can be from the cavity 326 to a specially configured inner end of a tool adapted to be received in the cavity 326. In this embodiment, a throughbore 328 is provided through the depending projection 328 and opens into the cavity 326 so that a retainer screw 330 having an Allen head 332, as shown in FIG. 47, can be inserted through the insert 322 and threaded into an axially threaded bore in the threaded end of the motor shaft of the power tool. A preferred embodiment of the tool drive system of the present invention includes an insert, such as the insert 292 shown in FIG. 22, which is threadably received into the inner threaded bore portion 240 of the throughbore 276 in the chuck 214 so that the tool drive system does not require any modification to the chuck 214. Furthermore, the chuck can be of the type shown in FIG. 31 with an intermediate spline bore portion 280 above the inner threaded bore portion 240 or a chuck without an intermediate spline bore portion 280. Furthermore, such insert can utilize the projection shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 having a spring biased detent 310 for being received in a similarly shaped cavity at the inner end of a tool or a tool holder 216 for snap-fittingly locking the tool or tool holder 216 against axial movement relative to the chuck without magnets 244, except when the tool or tool holder 216 is forcibly pulled outwardly from the chuck 214. The embodiment just described has a mechanical holding structure instead of a magnetic holding structure for holding the tool or tool holder to the projection of the insert received in the chuck.

Claims: CLAIMS I Claim: 1. 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. 2. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a generally C-shaped or circular split spring band received in an annular groove located in said outer periphery of said chuck body and passing over said three inwardly extending bores for urging said detents into said inwardly extending bore and part way through said opening. 3. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a spring in each inwardly extending bore and structure for holding each spring in each inwardly extending bore. 4. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a spline configuration in said central bore of said chuck body. 5. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a polygonal configuration in said central bore of said chuck body. 6. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a polygonal configuration in said central bore of said chuck body and a spline configuration in said central bore of said chuck body at an inner end portion of said chuck body. 7. The chuck assembly of claim 4 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end thereof. 8. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 7 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 9. The chuck assembly of claim 5 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof. 10. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 9 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 1 1. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 10 wherein said annular groove is located in the area of said shank having said polygonal drive structure. 12. The chuck assembly of claim 6 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof and having a mating polygonal drive structure on said shank at an inner end of said shank. 13. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 12 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 14. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 13 wherein said annular groove is located in the area of said shank having said polygonal drive structure. 15. The chuck assembly of claim 1 combined with a tool or tool holder having an annular groove in a shank thereof for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 16. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 5 wherein a biasing force of said resilient biasing means is such as to permit said tool or tool holder to be pushed into or pulled out of said central bore by hand. 17. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said detent is a ball detent. 18. In combination, a chuck assembly and tool or tool holder, said 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one ball or detent in said passageway; resilient biasing means associated with said passageway for resiliently biasing said ball or detent toward said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging mating drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body; and, said tool or tool holder having a shank with mating drive structure thereon; whereby said chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to said tool or tool holder by reason of the mating engagement of said mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of said shank of said tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited by the engagement of said jaws with said shank or by the engagement of said ball or detent with said shank or by both engagements. 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for registering with said at least one ball or detent, whereby said tool or tool holder is releasably held against axial movement when said ball or detent is received in said annular groove except when a pulling force is applied to said tool or tool holder to pull said tool or tool holder from said central bore. 20. The combination of claim 18 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a spline configuration in said central bore and said drive structure on said shank is a mating spline configuration. 21. The combination of claim 18 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a polygonal configuration in said central bore and said drive structure on said shank is a mating polygonal configuration. 22. For use with a tool or tool holder having a shank and said shank having an annular groove therein and drive structure thereon, 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one ball or detent in said passageway; resilient biasing means associated with said passageway for resiliently biasing said ball or detent toward said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said ball or detent in the annular groove in the shank or by both engagements. 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a spline configuration in said central bore for mating with a mating spline configuration on the shank of the tool or tool holder. 24. The combination of claim 22 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a polygonal configuration for mating with a polygonal configuration on the shank of the tool or tool holder. 25. An elongate rod shaped tool comprising a smooth shank, a tool or implement formation at an outer end of said shank and a spline formation at an inner end of said shank. 26. The tool of claim 25 wherein said tool formation of said tool is selected from the group comprising: a drill bit, a screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. 27. An elongate rod shaped tool comprising a shank, a tool or implement formation at an outer end of said shank, a portion of said shank having a polygonal cross section, an annular groove in said shank and a spline formation at an inner end of said shank . 28. The tool of claim 27 wherein said annular groove is located in said portion having said polygonal cross section. 29. The tool of claim 27 wherein said tool formation of said tool is selected from the group comprising: a drill bit, a screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. 30. An elongate rod shaped tool comprising a shank, a tool or implement formation at an outer end of said shank, an annular groove in said shank which is only wide enough to receive a detent to prevent axial movement of said tool when it is received in a snap-in-chuck assembly and a spline formation at an inner end of said shank for engaging mating drive structure in the snap-in-chuck assembly. 31. 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one detent in said passageway; urging means for urging said at least one detent toward said central bore; means for releasing the engagement of said at least one detent against a shaft or shank received in said central bore; a nose collar mounted for rotation on said outer end portion of said chuck body and said urging means comprises a cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in said nose collar and said releasing means comprises one or more cavities or pockets in said cylindrical wall portion constructed and arranged to be aligned with said at least one passageway containing said at least one detent so that, upon rotation of said nose collar, said at least one detent in said at least one passageway is allowed to move away from said opening and into one of said pockets; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said at least one detent with the shank received in said central bore or by both engagements. 32. The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said means for mounting said chuck body to the outer end of a drive shaft of a powered drive mechanism comprises a threaded portion at the inner end of said central bore for mating with a threaded outer end of a drive shaft. 33. The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said outer end portion has at least equidistantly spaced passageways therein. 34. The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said central bore has a hex cross section at least in the area of said at least one passageway said outer end portion of said chuck body, said hex bore defining said means in said central bore for engaging a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 35. The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said central bore has an inner spline section defining said means in said central bore for engaging a spline configuration on a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 36. The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said nose collar has finger receiving pockets for enabling one to grasp said nose collar and rotate said nose collar about the axis of said central bore. 37. The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating drive structure on a shank thereof. 38. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 37 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said at least one detent for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 39. The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool ortool holder having a polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof for mating with a polygonal drive structure in said cental bore.. 40. The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool ortool holder having a spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end of said shank for mating with a spline drive structure in said cental bore.. 41. 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one detent in said passageway; urging means for urging said at least one detent toward said central bore; means for releasing the engagement of said at least one detent against a shaft or shank received in said central bore; a nose collar being mounted on said outer end portion of said chuck body for axial movement relative to said outer end portion of said chuck body and said urging means comprising a first cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in said nose collar having a diameter approximately the same diameter as said outer periphery of said outer end portion of said chuck body and said releasing means comprising a second cylindrical wall portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of said outer periphery of said outer end portion, whereby axial movement of said nose collar will position said second cylindrical wall portion in the area of said at least one passageway to allow said at least one detent therein to move laterally outwardly away from said opening of said at least one passageway and into said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said at least one detent with the shank received in said central bore or by both engagements. 42. The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said means for mounting said chuck body to the outer end of a drive shaft of a powered drive mechanism comprises a threaded portion at the inner end of said central bore for mating with a threaded outer end of a drive shaft. 43. The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said outer end portion has at least equidistantly spaced passageways therein. 44. The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said central bore has a hex cross section at least in the area of said at least one passageway said outer end portion of said chuck body, said hex bore defining said means in said central bore for engaging a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 45. The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said central bore has an inner spline section defining said means in said central bore for engaging a spline configuration on a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 46. The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said nose collar has finger receiving pockets for enabling one to grasp said nose collar and move said nose collar axially of sad central bore. 47. The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating drive structure on a shank thereof. 48. The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 47 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said at least one detent for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 49. The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool ortool holder having a polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof for mating with a polygonal drive structure in said cental bore.. 50. The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool ortool holder having a spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end of said shank for mating with a spline drive structure in said cental bore.. 51. A tool drive system for use with a chuck having a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; structure on said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and means for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from movement relative to said insert. 52. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said tool or tool holder has an inner stem portion with a cavity therein and said insert has a projection adapted to be received in the cavity and the cavity and said projection having mating engaging structure whereby a rotating drive force can be imparted from said projection of the insert to the tool or tool holder. 53. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said insert has a cavity and an inner end of a stem portion of the tool or tool holder has a projection adapted to be received in said cavity and said cavity and projection having mating engaging structure whereby the insert can impart a rotating drive force to the stem of the tool or tool holder. 54. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said means for locking said insert against rotation relative to said chuck includes at least one key way in the inner bore portion and at least one key or spline on said insert and receivable in said key way. 55. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said insert is generally cylindrical and has a threaded outer surface adapted to mate with and be threaded in a threaded inner bore portion of the throughbore in the chuck and the threaded connection between said insert and said inner bore portion defining said means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to the chuck. 56. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said means for holding said tool or tool holder against axial movement relative to the chuck comprises magnetic means associated with said tool or tool holder for magnetically holding the tool or tool holder to the chuck. 57. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said insert has a projection extending upwardly therefrom, said projection having a configuration adapted to mate with a mating configuration in a cavity at the inner end of the tool or tool holder, and said projection having a spring biased detent for mechanically and snap-fittingly engaging in a pocket or recess in the cavity for releasably holding the tool or tool holder against axial movement, said spring biased detent and pocket or recess defining said means for holding the tool or tool holder against axial movement relative to the chuck. 58. The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein the throughbore in the chuck has, above the inner bore portion, an intermediate bore portion having a special configuration and said insert has a depending projection having a mating configuration for being received in and locked in the intermediate portion against rotation relative to the throughbore and said insert having an upper base portion with a cavity therein and the inner end of the tool or tool holder has a downwardly extending projection which is received in said cavity and said cavity and the depending projection having a mating configuration for providing a rotational drive connection between said insert and the inner end of the tool or tool holder. 59. The tool drive system of claim 58 wherein said insert has a passageway extending from the bottom of said cavity through said depending projection, wherein the outer end of a motor shaft received in the inner bore portion of the chuck has a threaded bore and wherein said tool drive system includes a screw which is received through said passageway and threadedly received in the threaded bore in the outer end of the motor shaft. 60. 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 ortool holder received in said central bore; and polygonal drive structure in said central bore for engaging with mating polygonal drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder or other accessory received in said central bore of said chuck body; whereby said chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to the tool or tool holder or other accessory by one of engagement of said jaws with the shank of a tool or tool holder or other accessory or by engagement of said polygonal drive structure with mating drive structure on a tool or tool holder or other accessory having such mating polygonal drive structure thereon. _ i _ AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 17 October 2000 (17.10.00); original claims 25-30, 51, 56-60 amended; new claims 61-62 added; I Claim- other claims unchanged (14 pages)] 1. (Same) 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 axiai movement of the shank of a tool ortool 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. 2. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a generally C-shaped or circular split spring band received in an annular groove located in said outer periphery of said chuck body and passing over said three inwardly extending bores for urging said detents into said inwardly extending bore and part way through said opening. 3. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a spring in each inwardly extending bore and structure for holding each spring in each inwardly extending bore. 4. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a spline configuration in said central bore of said chuck body. 5. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a polygonal configuration in said central bore of said chuck body. 6. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive structure comprises a polygonal configuration in said central bore of said chuck body and a spline configuration in said central bore of said chuck body at an inner end portion of said chuck body. 7. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 4 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end thereof. 8. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 7 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 9. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 5 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof. 10. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 9 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 1 1. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 10 wherein said annular groove is located in the area of said shank having said polygonal drive structure. 12. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 6 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof and having a mating polygonal drive structure on said shank at an inner end of said shank. 13. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 12 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 14. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 13 wherein said annular groove is located in the area of said shank having said polygonal drive structure. 15. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 combined with a tool ortool holder having an annular groove in a shank thereof for receiving said detents for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 16. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 5 wherein a biasing force of said resilient biasing means is such as to permit said tool or tool holder to be pushed into or pulled out of said central bore by hand. 17. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said detent is a ball detent. 18. (Same) In combination, a chuck assembly and tool or tool holder, said 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one ball or detent in said passageway; resilient biasing means associated with said passageway for resiliently biasing said ball or detent toward said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging mating drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body; and, said tool or tool holder having a shank with mating drive structure thereon; whereby said chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to said tool or tool holder by reason of the mating engagement of said mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of said shank of said tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited by the engagement of said jaws with said shank or by the engagement of said ball or detent with said shank or by both engagements. 19. (Same) The combination of claim 18 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for registering with said at least one ball or detent, whereby said tool or tool holder is releasably held against axial movement when said ball or detent is received in said annular groove except when a pulling force is applied to said tool or tool holder to pull said tool or tool holder from said central bore. 20. (Same) The combination of claim 18 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a spline configuration in said central bore and said drive structure on said shank is a mating spline configuration. 21. (Same) The combination of claim 18 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a polygonal configuration in said central bore and said drive structure on said shank is a mating polygonal configuration. 22. (Same) For use with a tool or tool holder having a shank and said shank having an annular groove therein and drive structure thereon, 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one ball or detent in said passageway; resilient biasing means associated with said passageway for resiliently biasing said ball or detent toward said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said ball or detent in the annular groove in the shank or by both engagements. 23. (Same) The combination of claim 22 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a spline configuration in said central bore for mating with a mating spline configuration on the shank of the tool or tool holder. 24. (Same) The combination of claim 22 wherein said drive structure in said central bore includes a polygonal configuration for mating with a polygonal configuration on the shank of the tool or tool holder. 25. (New) An elongate rod shaped, non-impact and non percussion drilling, rotary tool comprising a shank, a non-impact and non-percussion drilling, rotary tool or implement formation at an outer end of said shank, a portion of said shank having a polygonal cross section at a location on said shank other than at an inner end of said shank, an annular groove in said shank which is sufficiently wide to receive a detent to prevent axial movement of said tool when it is received in a snap-in chuck assembly and a spline formation at an inner end of said shank . 26. (New) The tool of claim25 wherein said polygonal cross section is a hexagonal cross section. 27. (New) The tool of claim 25 wherein said annular groove is located in said portion having said polygonal cross section. 28. (New) The tool of claim 25 wherein said tool formation of said tool is selected from the group comprising: a drill bit, a screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. 29. (New) The tool of claim 25 wherein said inner end of said shank having said spline formation has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said shank. 30. (New) The tool of claim 25 wherein said annular groove is only wide enough to receive a detent for preventing axial movement of said tool when said tool is received in a snap-in chuck assembly. 31. (Same) 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 at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one detent in said passageway; urging means for urging said at least one detent toward said central bore; means for releasing the engagement of said at least one detent against a shaft or shank received in said central bore; a nose collar mounted for rotation on said outer end portion of said chuck body and said urging means comprises a cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in said nose collar and said releasing means comprises one or more cavities or pockets in said cylindrical wall portion constructed and arranged to be aligned with said at least one passageway containing said at least one detent so that, upon rotation of said nose collar, said at least one detent in said at least one passageway is allowed to move away from said opening and into one of said pockets; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said at least one detent with the shank received in said central bore or by both engagements. 32. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said means for mounting said chuck body to the outer end of a drive shaft of a powered drive mechanism comprises a threaded portion at the inner end of said central bore for mating with a threaded outer end of a drive shaft. 33. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said outer end portion has at least equidistantly spaced passageways therein. 34. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said central bore has a hex cross section at least in the area of said at least one passageway said outer end portion of said chuck body, said hex bore defining said means in said central bore for engaging a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 35. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said central bore has an inner spline section defining said means in said central bore for engaging a spline configuration on a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 36. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 wherein said nose collar has finger receiving pockets for enabling one to grasp said nose collar and rotate said nose collar about the axis of said central bore. 37. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating drive structure on a shank thereof. 38. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 37 wherein said shank of said tool or tool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said at least one detent for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 39. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool or tool holder having a polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof for mating with a polygonal drive structure in said cental bore.. 40. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 31 combined with a tool or tool holder having a spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end of said shank for mating with a spline drive structure in said cental bore.. 41. (Same) 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 ortool holder received in said central bore; said chuck body having at least one inwardly extending passageway located in said chuck body between two of said axially extending slots, said passageway 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 passageway; at least one detent in said passageway; urging means for urging said at least one detent toward said central bore; means for releasing the engagement of said at least one detent against a shaft or shank received in said central bore; a nose collar being mounted on said outer end portion of said chuck body for axial movement relative to said outer end portion of said chuck body and said urging means comprising a first cylindrical wall portion of a cylindrical cavity in said nose collar having a diameter approximately the same diameter as said outer periphery of said outer end portion of said chuck body and said releasing means comprising a second cylindrical wall portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of said outer periphery of said outer end portion, whereby axial movement of said nose collar will position said second cylindrical wall portion in the area of said at least one passageway to allow said at least one detent therein to move laterally outwardly away from said opening of said at least one passageway and into said central bore; and drive structure in said central bore for engaging 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 by reason of the mating engagement of the mating drive structures; and whereby axial movement of the shank of the tool or tool holder received in said central bore of said chuck body is inhibited, if not prevented, by the engagement of said jaws with the shank or by the engagement of said at least one detent with the shank received in said central bore or by both engagements. 42. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said means for mounting said chuck body to the outer end of a drive shaft of a powered drive mechanism comprises a threaded portion at the inner end of said central bore for mating with a threaded outer end of a drive shaft. 43. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said outer end portion has at least equidistantly spaced passageways therein. 44. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said central bore has a hex cross section at least in the area of said at least one passageway said outer end portion of said chuck body, said hex bore defining said meanε :n said central bore for engaging a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 45. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said central bore has an inner spline section defining said means in said central bore for engaging a spline configuration on a tool shank and preventing rotation of the tool shank relative to said chuck body. 46. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 wherein said nose collar has finger receiving pockets for enabling one to grasp said nose collar and move said nose collar axially of said central bore. 47. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool or tool holder having a mating drive structure on a shank thereof. 48. (Same) The chuck assembly and tool or tool holder of claim 47 wherein said shank of said tool ortool holder has an annular groove therein for receiving said at least one detent for holding said shank of said tool or tool holder against axial movement. 49. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool or tool holder having a polygonal drive structure on a shank thereof for mating with a polygonal drive structure in said cental bore.. 50. (Same) The chuck assembly of claim 41 combined with a tool or tool holder having a spline drive structure on a shank thereof at an inner end of said shank for mating with a spline drive structure in said cental bore.. 51. (Amended) A tool drive system for use with a chuck having jaws and a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means tor preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; drive structure, on or in said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and, means, other than the jaws, for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to said insert. 52. (Same) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said tool or tool holder has an inner stem portion with a cavity therein and said insert has a projection adapted to be received in the cavity and the cavity and said projection having mating engaging structure whereby a rotating drive force can be imparted from said projection of the insert to the tool or tool holder. 53. (Same) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said insert has a cavity and an inner end of a stem portion of the tool or tool holder has a projection adapted to be received in said cavity and said cavity and projection having mating engaging structure whereby the insert can impart a rotating drive force to the stem of the tool or tool holder. 54. (Same) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said means for locking said insert against rotation relative to said chuck includes at least one key way in the inner bore portion and at least one key or spline on said insert and receivable in said key way. 55. (Same) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein said insert is generally cylindrical and has a threaded outer surface adapted to mate with and be threaded in a threaded inner bore portion of the throughbore in the chuck and the threaded connection between said insert and said inner bore portion defining said means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to the chuck. 56. (New) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein one of the inner end of the tool or tool holder and said drive structure on or in said insert has a cavity and the other of said drive structure on or in said insert and the inner end of the tool or tool holder has a projection which is received in said cavity and said cavity and said projection having mating structure for establishing a rotary drive between said insert and the inner end of the tool or tool holder. 57. (New) The tool drive system of claim 56 wherein said means for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to said insert includes magnetic means associated with one of said projection and said cavity. 58. (New) The tool drive system of claim 56 wherein said means for inhibiting or holding the tool or holder from axial movement relative to said insert comprising a recess or pocket in a wall of said cavity and a spring biased detent mounted in a side of said projection for mechanically and snap-fittingly engaging in said pocket or recess in said side wall of said cavity. 59. (New) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein the throughbore has a transition area between the outer bore portion and the inner bore portion and the chuck has a front end and a back end, said drive structure of said insert being located in or just above the transition area with said insert being inserted from the back end of the chuck into the inner bore portion before the mounting of the outer end of a motor shaft therein and being held in the inner bore portion between the transition area and the outer end of the motor shaft, the drive structure on the inner end of the tool or tool holder being inserted into the throughbore a sufficient distance so as to engage said drive structure on or in said insert. 60. (New) The tool drive system of claim 59 wherein said inner bore portion is threaded, said insert has a base which is threaded and which is threadably received in the inner bore portion and the outer end of the motor shaft is also threaded so that the motor shaft can be threaded into the inner bore portion against said insert. 61. (New) The tool drive system of claim 59 wherein the inner bore portion has a key way and the insert has a base with a key extending laterally therefrom for being received in the key way, the key and key way defining said means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to the chuck.-- 62. (New) The tool drive system of claim 51 wherein the throughbore in the chuck has, above the inner bore portion, an intermediate bore portion having a special configuration and said insert has a depending projection having a mating configuration for being received in and locked in the intermediate portion against rotation relative to the throughbore and said insert having an upper base portion with a cavity therein and the inner end of the tool or tool holder has a downwardly extending projection which is received in said cavity and said cavity and the depending projection having a mating configuration for providing a rotational drive connection between said insert and the inner end of the tool or tool holder. 63. (New) A tool drive system for use with a chuck having a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; drive structure on said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and means for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to said insert, comprising magnetic means associated with said tool or tool holder for magnetically holding the tool or tool holder to the chuck. 64. (New) A tool drive system for use with a chuck having a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; drive structure on said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and, means for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to said insert said insert having a projection extending upwardly therefrom, said projection having a configuration adapted to mate with a mating configuration in a cavity at the inner end of the tool or tool holder, and said projection having a spring biased detent for mechanically and snap-fittingly engaging in a pocket or recess in the cavity for releasably holding or inhibiting the tool or tool holder from axial movement, said spring biased detent and pocket or recess defining said means for holding or inhibiting the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to the chuck. 65. (New) A tool drive system for use with a chuck having a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; drive structure on said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool or tool holder; and, means for inhibiting or holding the tool or tool holder from axial movement relative to said insert, the throughbore in the chuck having, above the inner bore portion, a transition area including an intermediate bore portion having a special configuration and said insert has a depending projection having a mating configuration for being received in and locked in the intermediate bore portion against rotation relative to the throughbore and said insert having an upper base portion with a cavity therein and the inner end of the tool or tool holder has a downwardly extending projection which is received in said cavity and said cavity and the depending projection having a mating configuration for providing a rotational drive connection between said insert and the inner end of the tool or tool holder, said insert having a passageway extending from the bottom of said cavity through said depending projection, the outer end of a motor shaft being received in the inner bore portion of the chuck and having a threaded bore and said tool drive system including a screw which is received through said passageway and threadedly received in the threaded bore in the outer end of the motor shaft. 66. (New) A chuck assembly comprising: a chuck body having an outer end portion, an outer periphery and a central bore extending through said chuck body along a central axis and having an outer portion an intermediate portion and an inner portion; said chuck body further having three, substantially equidistantly spaced, generally axially extending, jaw receiving slots which open onto said outer portion of said central bore; mounting means in said inner end portion of said central bore 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; and polygonal drive structure in said outer portion of said central bore for engaging with mating polygonal drive structure on the shank of a tool or tool holder or other accessory received in said outer portion of said central bore of said chuck body; whereby said chuck assembly can impart a rotary drive to the tool or tool holder or other accessory by one of engagement of said jaws with the shank of a tool or tool holder or other accessory or by engagement of said polygonal drive structure with mating drive structure on a tool ortool holder or other accessory having such mating polygonal drive structure thereon. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 Applicant is replacing claims 25-30 with amended and new claims 25-30 to define more clearly therein applicant s invention therein over the Gibson AU Sn p cificatmn No 133 S442 the Popin U S Patent No 3 333 490 the Falche U S Patent No 3,945,653 the Wanner et al U S. Patent No 4 002.347 the Robison U S. Patent No. 5,921 ,562, the Ferhle et al. WO 97/13602 and the Obermeier et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,241 ,682 and replacing claims 51-59 with amended and new claims 51 - 65 to define more clearly therein applicant's invention therein over the Sakamaki U.S Patent No. 5,540,453, the North U.S Patent No. 768,396 and the Meyer U.S. Patent No. 2,387,339 and replacing claim 60 with new claim 66 to define more clearly therein applicant's invention therein over the Salpaka U.S. Patent No. 5,193,824, the Robison U.S. Patent No. 5,921 ,562 and the North U.S. Patent No. 768,396. In particular, amended claim 25 now calls for a non-impact and non percussion drilling, rotary tool comprising a snank, a non-impact and non-percussion drilling, rotary tool or implement formation at an outer end of said shank, a portion of said shank having a polygonal cross section at a location on said shank other than at an inner end of said shank, an annular groove in said shank which is sufficiently wide to receive a detent to prevent axial movement of said tool when it is received in a snap-in chuck assembly and a spline formation at an inner end of said shank not found in the references cited. In particular, amended claim 51 now calls for a tool drive system for use with a chuck having jaws and a throughbore including an outer bore portion for receiving a tool or tool holder and an inner bore portion constructed to receive and be mounted on an outer end of a motor shaft of a power tool, said system comprising: an insert received in the inner bore portion; means for preventing rotation of said insert relative to said chuck; drive structure, on or in said insert for engaging an inner end of a tool ortool holder; and, means, other than the jaws, for inhibiting or holding the tool ortool holder from axial movement relative to said insert, not found in the references cited. And in particular, new claim 66 now calls for a central bore having an outer bore portion and a polygonal drive structure in the outer bore portion which is not found in the references cited.

Inventors: ROBISON TROY D, ROBISON, TROY, D.
Applicants: ROBISON TROY D, ROBISON, TROY, D.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B23B51
IPC codes: B23B31, B23B51, B25B23