阅读说明：本技术 具有锁定离合器的夹头 (Chuck with locking clutch ) 是由 周季春 于 2019-06-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种夹头(10),其包括多个夹爪(20)和配置成与动力驱动器的驱动主轴一起旋转的主体(30)。夹头(10)还可包括螺母(80),该螺母(80)包括螺母齿(82)。螺母(80)可以可操作地联接到夹爪(20),并且被配置成使夹爪(20)相对于主体(30)在打开或闭合方向上移动。夹头(10)还可以包括离合器(100),该离合器(100)包括离合器齿(102)。离合器(100)可以配置成在工作位置和夹爪致动位置之间移动。在工作位置,离合器齿(102)可以与螺母齿(82)接合以防止螺母(80)相对于主体(30)移动,并且在夹爪致动位置,离合器齿(102)不需要与螺母齿(82)接合并且螺母(80)可以相对于主体(30)自由移动。(A chuck (10) is provided that includes a plurality of jaws (20) and a body (30) configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver. The chuck (10) may also include a nut (80), the nut (80) including nut teeth (82). The nut (80) may be operably coupled to the jaw (20) and configured to move the jaw (20) relative to the body (30) in an opening or closing direction. The chuck (10) may also include a clutch (100), the clutch (100) including clutch teeth (102). The clutch (100) may be configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position. In the operative position, the clutch teeth (102) may engage the nut teeth (82) to prevent movement of the nut (80) relative to the body (30), and in the jaw actuated position, the clutch teeth (102) need not engage the nut teeth (82) and the nut (80) may be free to move relative to the body (30).)

1. A chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatably driven spindle, said chuck comprising:

a plurality of jaws, each jaw including a jaw thread;

a body configured to rotate with the drive spindle, wherein the plurality of jaws are configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, wherein the plurality of jaws are further configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body;

a nut operatively coupled with the jaw threads of the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws relative to the body in the opening direction or the closing direction, the nut further including nut teeth; and

a clutch including clutch teeth, the clutch being operably connected to the body such that the clutch rotates with the body, wherein the clutch is configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuated position;

wherein in the working position the clutch teeth engage the nut teeth to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the body, an

Wherein, in the jaw actuated position, the clutch teeth are not engaged with the nut teeth and the nut is rotatable about the body.

2. The chuck of claim 1, wherein the clutch is configured to move between the operating position and the jaw actuated position by axially sliding relative to the body.

3. The chuck of claim 1, wherein the nut teeth are disposed on a forward facing surface of the nut and the clutch teeth are disposed on a rearward facing surface of the clutch.

4. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising:

a protrusion;

a jaw actuation position recess; and

a working position recess;

wherein the clutch is configured to slide into the working position in which the protrusion engages the working recess to retain the clutch in the working position; and

wherein the clutch is configured to slide into the jaw actuated position in which the protrusion engages the jaw actuated position recess to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position.

5. The chuck of claim 4, wherein the projection extends radially away from a central axis of the chuck and is biased toward the jaw actuated position recess or the working position recess.

6. The chuck of claim 5, further comprising a positioning spring, wherein the positioning spring comprises the protrusion.

7. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a compression spring biasing the clutch toward the operating position.

8. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a pull ring secured to the clutch such that the pull ring slides axially with the clutch relative to the central axis, wherein the pull ring is configured to provide a user interface to allow manual movement of the pull ring and the clutch between the operating position and the jaw-actuated position by a user.

9. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a connection socket;

wherein the connection socket includes an outer forward connection interface that engages an inner surface of a rear cavity of the body such that the connection socket rotates with the body;

wherein the connection socket includes a rear connection interface configured to engage with the drive spindle such that the connection socket rotates with the drive spindle.

10. The collet of claim 9, wherein the connection socket further comprises a forward socket cavity comprising an inner connection interface configured to receive a rear portion of the working bit and retain the working bit in a centered position during collet actuation.

11. A chuck, comprising:

a plurality of jaws;

a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver, wherein the plurality of jaws are configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, wherein the plurality of jaws are further configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body;

a nut including nut teeth, the nut being operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws relative to the body in the opening direction or the closing direction; and

a clutch including clutch teeth, the clutch configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position;

wherein in the working position the clutch teeth engage the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body, an

Wherein, in the jaw actuated position, the clutch teeth are not engaged with the nut teeth and the nut is free to move relative to the body.

12. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the clutch is configured to move between the operating position and the jaw actuated position by axially sliding relative to the body.

13. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the nut teeth are disposed on a forward facing surface of the nut and the clutch teeth are disposed on a rearward facing surface of the clutch.

14. The chuck of claim 11, further comprising:

a protrusion;

a jaw actuation position recess; and

a working position recess;

wherein the clutch is configured to slide into the working position in which the protrusion engages the working recess to retain the clutch in the working position; and

wherein the clutch is configured to slide into the jaw actuated position in which the protrusion engages the jaw actuated position recess to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position.

15. The chuck of claim 4, wherein the projection is radially movable relative to the central axis of the chuck and is biased toward the jaw actuated position recess or the working position recess.

16. The chuck of claim 15, further comprising a positioning spring, wherein the positioning spring comprises the protrusion.

17. The chuck of claim 11, further comprising a connection socket;

wherein the connection socket includes an outer forward connection interface that engages an inner surface of a rear cavity of the body such that the connection socket rotates with the body;

wherein the connection socket includes a rear connection interface configured to engage with the drive spindle such that the connection socket rotates with the drive spindle.

18. The collet of claim 17, wherein the connection socket further comprises a forward socket cavity comprising an inner connection interface configured to receive a rear portion of the working bit and retain the working bit in a centered position during collet actuation.

19. A chuck, comprising:

a plurality of jaws;

a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver, wherein the plurality of jaws are configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, wherein the plurality of jaws are further configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body;

a nut including nut teeth, the nut being operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws relative to the body in the opening direction or the closing direction; and

a clutch including clutch teeth, the clutch being movable by a user between a working position and a jaw actuation position, the clutch including a working position recess and a jaw actuation recess;

a protrusion extending in a radial direction away from the central axis of the collet and biased;

wherein the clutch is configured to engage the clutch teeth with the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body and to move the working position recess into engagement with the protrusion to retain the clutch in the working position in response to a user sliding the clutch to the working position, and

wherein the clutch is further configured to disengage the clutch teeth from the nut teeth to allow movement of the nut relative to the body and move the plurality of jaws in the opening direction or the closing direction in response to a user sliding the clutch to the jaw actuated position such that the jaw actuated position recesses move into engagement with the protrusions to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position.

20. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the clutch is configured to move between the operating position and the jaw actuated position by axially sliding relative to the body.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to chucks for use with power drivers including power drills and, more particularly, to lockable clutches.

Background

A power driver having a rotary drive spindle is typically operatively coupled to a chuck that is adjustable in size to be attachable to various working bits, such as a drill bit or other tool that rotates with the chuck via the drive spindle of the power driver. Conventional chucks typically employ movable jaws that are operable to adjust the diameter of an opening in the chuck for receiving a working bit. In many cases, when the power driver is in an operational mode (e.g., drilling, driving fasteners, etc.), the jaws are held in place by nuts threadedly engaged with the jaws. In some cases, due to inertia from rotation and vibration, particularly where the power driver is an impact power driver, the nut may move relative to the body of the chuck while performing machining operations, such as drilling, driving fasteners, and the like. Movement of the nut can result in accidental and undesirable over tightening of the jaws onto the working bit, or loosening of the jaws, allowing the working bit to slide or release from the jaws. Accordingly, there is a need for innovations in the field of preventing accidental and undesired movement of nuts in order to maintain the clamping force acting on the working bit even in the presence of inertial forces and vibrations affecting the nut.

Disclosure of Invention

According to some exemplary embodiments, an exemplary chuck is provided that may be configured for use with a power driver (e.g., an impact driver) having a rotatable drive spindle. An exemplary chuck may include a plurality of jaws, each jaw including a jaw thread. The example chuck may also include a body configured to rotate with the drive spindle. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the example collet. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The example chuck may also include a nut operatively coupled with the jaw threads of the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The nut may also include nut teeth. The exemplary collet may also include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch may be operatively connected to the body such that the clutch rotates with the body. The clutch may be configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position. In the operative position, the clutch teeth may engage the nut teeth to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the body, and in the jaw-actuated position, the clutch teeth need not engage the nut teeth and the nut may rotate about the body.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another exemplary chuck is provided that includes a plurality of jaws and a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, and the plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The exemplary collet may also include a nut having nut teeth. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The chuck may further include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch may be configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position. In the operative position, the clutch teeth may engage the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body, and in the jaw actuated position, the clutch teeth need not engage the nut teeth and the nut may be free to move relative to the body.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another exemplary collet is provided. In this regard, an exemplary chuck may include a plurality of jaws and a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, and the plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The exemplary collet may also include a nut having nut teeth. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The chuck may further include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch is movable by a user between a working position and a jaw actuating position. The clutch may include a working position recess and a jaw actuation recess. The example collet may also include a protrusion extending and offset in a radial direction away from a central axis of the collet. The clutch may be configured to engage the clutch teeth with the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body in response to a user sliding the clutch to the working position, and to move the working position recess into engagement with the projection to retain the clutch in the working position. The clutch may also be configured to disengage the clutch teeth from the nut teeth in response to a user sliding the clutch to the jaw actuated position to allow the nut to move relative to the body to move the plurality of jaws in the opening or closing direction and to move the jaw actuated position recesses into engagement with the protrusions to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position.

Drawings

Having thus described some exemplary embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment, which defines a cross-section A-A;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment taken at a plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a body of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of a clutch of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of a clutch with a pull ring according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective side view of a nut of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of selected components of a chuck in accordance with an exemplary embodiment with a clutch in a jaw actuated position;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of selected components of a chuck with a clutch in an operating position according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment showing positive engagement between a body and a nut;

FIG. 10B shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 10A, again showing the positive engagement between the body and the nut according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11A shows a perspective side view of a body with a positioning spring according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11B illustrates a perspective side view of a positioning spring according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the clutch showing the jaw actuation position recess and the working position recess according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the chuck taken at the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2 with the clutch in a jaw actuated position, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13B shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 13A with the clutch in a jaw actuated position, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment taken at the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2 with the clutch in an operating position;

FIG. 14B shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 14A with the clutch in an operating position, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective front view of a connection jack according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 16 shows a perspective rear view of a connection jack according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of selected components of the collet taken at a plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2, including a body with a connection socket installed, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Some exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all exemplary embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, operably coupled should be understood to refer to a direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components operably coupled to one another.

As discussed above, when performing machining operations (e.g., drilling, tightening fasteners, etc.), inertia stored in, for example, the sleeve of the chuck, which is generated by the rotation of the power driver, can cause the chuck to over tighten and inadvertently loosen. Accidental and undesired movement of a nut operatively connected to a sleeve can cause movement of jaws of a chuck, particularly when the chuck is used with a power driver that is an impact driver. In some cases, the rotational force provided by an impact driver may be quite large relative to other types of power drivers, and is commonly used, for example, to tighten screws or bolts, to drill holes in wood, and the like.

However, the oscillating action from the rotational shock, especially when combined with the inertia caused by the rotation, can cause the nut to vibrate, loosen, and begin to move. Such vibration can also cause the nut to move from a properly tightened position, in which the jaws are held in a fixed position, to a loosened position, which allows the jaws to open and the working bit to slide within the jaws, or even to be loosened from the chuck and fall.

Some conventional solutions for overcoming the effects of vibration caused by impact drivers include mounting an adapter between the collet and the drive spindle of the impact driver. Such adapters are connected to the collet by a threaded connection, at least in some cases. Due to the threaded engagement, the adapter may be susceptible to loosening inertia when the impact driver is operated in the reverse rotational direction, or to over-tightening inertia when the impact driver is operated in the forward rotational direction. In addition, such adapters add length (i.e., the length of the collet plus the adapter), which can make the solution bulky and, for example, limit the usability of such solutions in certain space-constrained environments.

To overcome these challenges, various exemplary embodiments of chucks are provided that integrate a locking mechanism into the chuck that operates to lock the nut in a fixed position when the chuck is in a working mode (e.g., drilling a threaded hole, driving a fastener, etc.), but also allows the nut to move to allow opening and closing of the jaws to remove or install a working bit in a jaw-actuated mode. To this end, according to some exemplary embodiments, a locking clutch may be included that is slidable on the body of the chuck to engage and lock the nut in place when the clutch is in the operating position, and to release the nut to allow movement of the nut and jaws when the clutch is in the jaw-actuating position. According to some exemplary embodiments, the clutch may include or be coupled with a user interface member that allows a user to move the clutch between the operating position and the jaw actuation position.

In this regard, fig. 1 and 2 illustrate an example collet 10 according to some example embodiments. Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of the chuck 10, and fig. 2 is a front view of the chuck 10. Generally, when the chuck 10 and a power driver secured to the chuck 10 are operated, the chuck 10 is operable to secure a working bit (not shown) in the jaws 20 of the chuck 10. The chuck 10 may also allow for the installation and removal of different sized (e.g., diameter) working bits by moving the jaws 20 in either an opening or closing direction. Further, the chuck 10 can be operably coupled with any type of powered driver including, for example, a pneumatic or power tool (e.g., a drill) configured to rotate a drive spindle operably coupled to the chuck 10 in an opening on a rear side of the chuck 10.

The chuck 10 may define a central axis 11 about which the chuck 10 may rotate due to rotation of a drive spindle of an attached power driver, when in operation. The chuck 10 may have a front end 13 and a rear end 14 for orientation purposes. The chuck 10 may include jaws 20, a body 30, a nose 40, a sleeve 60, and a rear sleeve 70, among other components. As further described herein, the jaws 20 may be configured to move or translate in a closing or opening direction to change the size of the jaw opening between the front ends of the jaws 20. According to some exemplary embodiments, rotation of sleeve 60 in direction 12 may translate jaws 20 in an opening direction via a nut to expand the jaw openings to receive a working bit. Further, rotation of the sleeve 60 in a direction opposite to direction 12 may translate the jaws 20 in a closing direction via the nut to reduce jaw opening and clamp onto the working bit.

For a better understanding of the components and operation of the chuck 10, FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional side view of the chuck 10 taken along the plane defined by A-A in FIG. 2. Chuck 10 may include jaws 20, body 30, nut 80, sleeve 60, bearing assembly 90, and connection socket 110, among other components as will be further described herein. The body 30 may be a central component of the chuck 10 that is operatively connected to a drive spindle of a powered driver, either directly or through a connection socket 110, as further described below. The body 30 is operable to transmit rotation of the drive spindle to the jaws 20 to drive a working bit. The jaws 20 may be operatively connected to the body 30 through jaw passages 31 in the body 30 as shown in fig. 4, and the jaws 20 may be disposed at the front end of the chuck 10. Because the jaws 20 are rotationally constrained in the jaw channels 31 of the body 30, the jaws may rotate with the body 30. However, the jaws 20 may be configured to move or translate within the jaw channels 31 relative to the body 30.

Nut 80 may include nut threads 81 configured to engage jaw threads 21 on each jaw 20. Due to the threaded engagement between jaws 20 and nut 80, jaws 20 may move in either an opening (loosening) or closing (tightening) direction depending on the direction in which nut 80 is rotated (clockwise or counterclockwise) relative to body 30. The nut 80 may be operatively coupled (e.g., interference fit or physically fixed) to the sleeve 60, and the user may rotate the sleeve 60, and thus the nut 80. In this way, rotation of nut 80 can either close the jaw openings, thereby clamping jaws 20 to the working bit, or open the jaw openings to allow removal or installation of the working bit. The nut 80 may be operatively coupled (e.g., physically fixed) to the sleeve 60, which is external to the collet 10. Thus, to rotate nut 80, a user may rotate sleeve 60, and thus nut 80. To provide smooth and low friction rotation of the nut 80, the nut 80 may be operatively connected to a bearing assembly 90, which may include a washer and a plurality of bearing balls.

As described above, the chuck 10 may include a mechanism for locking the nut 80 in its position when the chuck 10 is in the operating mode to prevent accidental and undesired movement, such as rotation, of the nut 80. Chuck 10 can thus include a clutch assembly that engages nut 80 to shift chuck 10 between an operating mode, in which nut 80 is locked in place, and a jaw-actuated mode, in which nut 80 is allowed to rotate to open and close jaws 20. Accordingly, chuck 10 can include a clutch 100 that can slide axially relative to body 30 between an operative position, in which clutch 100 engages nut 80, thereby locking nut 80 in its position (i.e., preventing nut 80 from moving, e.g., rotating, relative to body 30, in other words, nut 80 is locked on body 30), and a jaw-actuated position, in which clutch 100 does not engage nut 80, thereby allowing nut 80 to move freely, e.g., rotate. As described further below, the clutch 100 may be held in place by a biasing protrusion, which may be a component such as a positioning spring 140. Additionally, the clutch 100 may be axially biased in a rearward direction by a pressure spring 130 to maintain pressure on the clutch 100 and facilitate smooth movement of the clutch 100 during user operation of the clutch 100. Additionally, the clutch 100 may be operatively coupled (e.g., physically secured) to a pull ring 50 that operates as a user interface for the clutch 100.

As described further below, the collet 10 may also include a connection socket 110, which may be formed of, for example, heat treated steel. The connection socket 110 may be press-fitted into the body 30 such that the connection socket 110 rotates together with the body 30. The connection socket 110 may include a forward socket cavity 111, which may be configured to receive the rear end or shank of a working bit through the jaw openings and the forward opening of the body central bore 36. According to some exemplary embodiments, the forward socket cavity 111 (see fig. 15) of the connection socket 110 may be configured to secure the rear end or shank of the working bit in its position for working operation with the working bit. In this regard, for example, after drilling with a working bit (which is a drill bit), the drill bit may be removed from the chuck 10 and the user may wish to drive a screw into the drilled hole. To this end, the user may install the screwdriver bit by, for example, press-fitting or slip-fitting the screwdriver bit into the forward socket cavity 111 of the connection socket 110, and then driving the screw, wherein the slip-fit requires less force to install the bit relative to the press-fit due to the increased clearance between the bit and the forward socket cavity 111. As such, according to some exemplary embodiments, a screwdriver bit or any other working bit shaped to engage with the forward socket cavity 111 may be used for working operations when secured in the forward socket cavity 111 without having to clamp the jaws 20 to the screwdriver bit or other working bit. Additionally, the connection socket 110 may have a rear connection interface 114 (see fig. 16) that may be shaped to engage with a drive spindle of a power driver. According to some exemplary embodiments, because the powered driver spindle is not uniform, the connection socket 110 may be configured to be removable and replaceable with a replaceable connection socket 110 having a different shape to engage with a different shaped driver spindle. In this regard, the connection socket 110 may be secured within the rear cavity 33 of the body 30 by, for example, a snap ring 120. According to some exemplary embodiments, the connection socket 110 need not include threads for engagement with the drive spindle, such that problems of threaded engagement between the collet and the drive spindle, such as over-tightening of the collet 10 on the drive spindle or accidental loosening of the collet 10 from the drive spindle, may be overcome.

Referring again to the clutch assembly of the chuck 10, FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of the body 30. The body 30 may be formed from steel, hardened steel, aluminum alloys, other hardened non-metals, and the like. As described above, the body 30 may be disposed in the center of the chuck 10 and may serve as a base member for supporting some or all of the other components of the chuck 10. The body 30 may include one or more axially extending slots 32 on the outer surface of the body 30. These slots 32 may be positioned to align with the nubs 101 on the inner surface of the clutch 100, as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in the perspective view of fig. 5, the clutch 100 may be annular and may be disposed around an outer surface of the body 30. Similar to the body 30, the clutch 100 may be formed, for example, from steel, hardened steel, aluminum alloys, other hardened non-metallic, powder metal components, and the like. Further, the tab 101 of the clutch 100 may be positioned on an inner surface of the clutch 100 and extend inwardly toward the central axis 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 5, the clutch 100 includes three tabs 101 to engage with the three slots 32 shown on the body 30 in fig. 4. However, any number of tabs 101 and slots 32 may be used. The tab 101 may be sized to have a width that is smaller or slightly smaller than the width of the slot 32 of the body 30 to facilitate the axial sliding of the tab 101 within the slot 32. However, the engagement between the tab 101 and the slot 32 may operate to prevent the clutch 100 from rotating relative to the body 30, but allow the clutch 100 to slide axially relative to the body 30. It should be understood that the positioning of the tab 101 and slot 32 may be reversed such that the tab 101 is disposed on the body 30 and the slot is disposed on the clutch 100 to support similar axial sliding operation.

As described further below, the clutch 100 may include clutch teeth 102. The clutch teeth 102 may be formed on a rearward surface of the clutch 100 such that the tips of the teeth 102 extend in a rearward direction. According to some exemplary embodiments, the teeth 102 may be arranged around the circumference of the rearward edge of the clutch 100, for example, in a uniformly spaced manner.

Referring to fig. 6, the clutch 100 may be operatively connected (e.g., physically fixed) or integrated with a user interface element, such as in the form of a pull ring 50. The pull ring 50 may be disposed outside of the clutch 100 relative to the central axis 11 of the collet 10. The pull ring 50 may serve as a user interface for the clutch 100. In this regard, a user may grasp pull ring 50 and axially slide pull ring 50 (as limited by tab 101 and slot 32) using a push or pull motion, so that clutch 100 may be axially moved between the operating position and the jaw-actuated position by the user's interaction with pull ring 50, as further described below. According to some exemplary embodiments, the pull ring 50 may comprise a grip portion 51, for example in the form of a grip groove. Additionally, the tab 50 may have a curved, concave exterior shape to increase the grippability of the tab 50. Pull ring 50 is one example of a user interface element for controlling the movement of clutch 100 by a user. Other examples of user interface elements may, for example, take the form of a ring shape other than the pull ring 50, such as a tab or the like.

Referring now to fig. 7, a perspective view of a nut 80 according to some exemplary embodiments is provided. As shown in fig. 7, nut 80 may include nut threads 81 and nut teeth 82. The nut 80 may be formed in a ring shape and may be disposed outside the body 30 as shown in fig. 3. The nut 80 may be formed from, for example, steel, hardened steel, aluminum alloys, other hardened non-metallic, powder metal components, and the like. Nut threads 81 may be disposed on an interior surface of nut 80 to facilitate engagement with jaw threads 21. The nut teeth 82 may be formed on a forward surface of the nut 80 such that the tips of the teeth 82 extend in a forward direction. According to some exemplary embodiments, the teeth 82 may be disposed about the circumference of the forward edge of the nut 80, for example, in a uniformly spaced manner. The configuration of the nut teeth 82 may be such that the nut teeth 82 may engage the clutch teeth 102.

As described above, the clutch 100 can slide axially between the jaw actuated position and the operating position. Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate the positioning of the clutch 100 relative to the nut 80 and body 30 with other external components removed for clarity. In this regard, an exemplary view of the clutch 100 in the jaw actuated position is provided in fig. 8. As indicated by arrow 200, clutch 100 has moved or slipped axially forward such that a gap is formed between clutch teeth 102 and nut teeth 82. Since nut 80 is not engaged with clutch 100, nut 80 is free to rotate relative to body 30 to move jaws 20 in either the opening or closing direction. Fig. 9, on the other hand, shows the clutch 100 in an operating position. As indicated by arrow 201, clutch 100 has moved or slipped axially rearward such that clutch teeth 102 are moved into engagement with nut teeth 82 such that no gap is formed between clutch teeth 102 and nut teeth 82. The clutch teeth 102 and nut teeth 82 may have rounded or beveled tips to facilitate smooth engagement as the teeth contact and engage. Since nut 80 is engaged with clutch 100 by the teeth, nut 80 is prevented from moving axially rearward by bearing assembly 90 and from moving axially forward by body 30, as shown in fig. 10A and 10B, which will be described further below. In addition, the nut 80 is prevented from rotating relative to the body 30 due to engagement with the clutch 100, and is prevented from rotating relative to the body 30 due to engagement between the tab 101 of the clutch 100 and the slot 32 of the body 30. Thus, when the clutch 100 is in the working position, the nut 80 is locked with the body 30 in its position and prevented from moving, which in turn prevents the jaws 20 from moving and maintains clamping pressure on the working bit by the jaws 20.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional side view of the collet 10 illustrating the interaction between the nut 80 and the body 30 to prevent forward axial movement of the nut 80 regardless of the axial position of the clutch 100. In this regard, as best shown in fig. 10B (which is an enlarged view of region 205 in fig. 10A), according to some exemplary embodiments, the nut 80 may include a lip 83 that aligns with the extension 37 of the body 30 such that the nut 80 is prevented from moving axially forward due to the physical engagement between the lip 83 and the extension 37.

The clutch assembly may also include features to hold the clutch 100 in its position when the clutch 100 is moved to the working position or jaw actuated position. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the collet 10 may include a biasing protrusion 141 that engages a recess in the clutch 100 to maintain the clutch 100 in a desired position. The biasing protrusion 141 can be implemented in various ways, such as with a detent mechanism or the like. Referring to fig. 11A and 11B, according to some exemplary embodiments, the biasing protrusion 141 may be formed of a positioning spring 140. The positioning spring 140 may have, for example, a circular or elliptical cross-section. The positioning spring 140 may be formed as a ring having an open portion that allows the positioning spring 140 to be compressed, thereby providing a radially directed bias away from the central axis 11. The positioning spring 140 may be disposed on an outer surface of the body 30 such that the positioning spring 140 is axially fixed (i.e., cannot move in an axial direction). According to some exemplary embodiments, the positioning spring 140 may be held in a fixed axial position within a recess formed between a portion of the body 30 and the nose 40, may be interference fit or physically secured to the body 30. Due to the cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular, oval, etc.) of the positioning spring 140, a portion of the positioning spring 140 may extend radially outward to form a biasing protrusion 141.

Referring now to fig. 12, a cross-sectional view of the clutch 100 is provided. As shown in fig. 12, the clutch 100 may include two recesses configured to engage with protrusions 141 that may exert pressure on the aligned recesses to hold the clutch 100 in the jaw actuated or working position. In this regard, the clutch 100 may include a jaw actuation position recess 103 and a working position recess 104 on an inner surface of the clutch 100 configured to receive the biasing protrusion 141. In this regard, the clutch 100 may be axially slidable (as described above) to move to a position to engage the jaw actuation position recess 103 with the biasing projection 141 or to engage the operating position recess 104 with the biasing projection 141. The jaw actuation position recess 103 may be positioned such that when the biasing projection 141 of the locking spring 140 engages the jaw actuation position recess 103, the clutch teeth 102 do not engage the nut teeth 82. Similarly, the working position recess 104 may be positioned such that when the biasing protrusion 141 of the locking spring 140 engages the working position recess 104, the clutch teeth 102 engage the nut teeth 82. Due to the bias of the protrusion 141, which is part of the positioning spring 140 for example, the protrusion 141 may be compressed, allowing the clutch 100 to slip when the clutch 100 is in a position between the jaw actuation position and the working position.

In this regard, fig. 13A and 13B show details of the chuck 10 and component positions when the clutch 100 is in the jaw actuated position. FIG. 13A is a cross-section of the chuck 10 taken along the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2, with selected components shown. Fig. 13B is an enlarged view of region 203 to show the clutch recess engagement. Referring to fig. 13A, it can be seen that the user has slid clutch 100 in an axially forward direction 200, such as by interaction with pull ring 50, to place clutch 100 in a jaw-actuated position in which clutch teeth 102 are disengaged from nut teeth 82. As shown in fig. 13B, the biasing protrusion 141 of the positioning spring 140 is disposed within the jaw actuation position recess 103 of the clutch 100. Due to the engagement between the biasing protrusions 141 and the jaw actuation position recesses 103, the clutch 100 may be held in the jaw actuation position, requiring an axially directed force to move the clutch 100 out of the jaw actuation position.

Similarly, fig. 14A and 14B show details of the chuck 10 and component positions when the clutch 100 is in the operating position. FIG. 14A is a cross-section of the chuck 10 taken along the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2, showing selected components. Fig. 14B is an enlarged view of region 204 to show clutch recess engagement. Referring to fig. 14A, it can be seen that the user has slid clutch 100 in an axially rearward direction 201, such as by interaction with pull ring 50, to place clutch 100 in an operative position with clutch teeth 102 engaged with nut teeth 82. As shown in fig. 14B, the biasing protrusion 141 of the positioning spring 140 is disposed within the working position recess 104 of the clutch 100. Due to the engagement between the biasing protrusion 141 and the working position recess 104, the clutch 100 may be held in the working position, requiring an axially directed force to move the clutch 100 out of the working position. In this manner, engagement between biasing projection 141 and operating position recess 104 functions to retain nut 80 in a fixed or rest position to prevent movement of jaws 20.

Fig. 15 to 17 relate to the connection socket 110 and the operation of the connection socket 110. In this regard, fig. 15 shows a perspective front view of the connection jack 110. As shown in fig. 15, the connection jack 110 may include an external forward connection interface 112. The external forward connection interface 112 may have a forward socket cavity 111. The outer surface of the outer forward connection interface 112 may be shaped to engage a corresponding inner surface of the body 30. In this regard, as shown in fig. 13, the body 30 may include a rear cavity 33 that opens on the rear side of the body 30. The rear cavity 33 may include a connection socket receiving cavity 35 defining a forward inner surface of the rear cavity 33 that is shaped to receive the outer forward connection interface 112 of the connection socket 110. The connection socket receiving cavity 35 and the external forward connection interface 112 can be fitted together in a manner that prevents rotational slippage between the surfaces, such that the body 30 rotates with the connection socket 110. In this regard, for example, the external forward connection interface 112 may have a hexagonal outer surface sized to fit closely into the hexagonal inner surface of the connection socket receiving cavity 35 in the body 30. In this manner, the connection hub 110 may be installed into the rear cavity 33 such that the external forward connection interface 112 is inserted into the connection hub receiving cavity 35, as shown in fig. 17, which is a cross-sectional view of the body 30 and connection hub 110 taken at a plane defined by a-a as shown in fig. 2. The connection socket 110 may be secured in the rear cavity 33 by a snap ring 120 disposed in a groove 34 on the inner surface of the rear cavity 33.

As described above, the forward socket cavity 111 of the connection socket 110 may be configured to receive the shank, i.e., the rear end, of a working bit when the working bit is mounted in the chuck 10 through the body central bore 36 in the body 30. In this regard, the forward socket cavity 111 may take any shape, such as a hexagonal shape (e.g., a quarter-inch hexagonal shape) configured to receive a working bit having a particular shank (e.g., a quarter-inch hexagonal shank). The forward socket cavity 111 can be centered about the central axis 11 when the connection socket 110 is installed in the body 30. In this way, the forward socket cavity 111 is operable to secure a working bit even without closing the jaws 20 onto the working bit, for example, simply by press-fitting or slip-fitting the shank of the working bit into the forward socket cavity 111. By retaining the shank of the working bit in this manner, a working bit that is engageable with the forward socket cavity 111 can be quickly installed, used and removed without having to clamp the jaws 20 to the working bit. Thus, for example, the use of the connection socket 110 may also serve to limit or eliminate the occurrence of deformation of the body 30 due to the material strength of the connection socket 110 being higher than that of the body 30.

The connection jack 110 may also include a rear portion 113. According to some exemplary embodiments, the rear portion 113 may be shaped differently than an outer surface of the external forward connection interface 112. For example, the rear portion 113 may have a cylindrical outer shape. The rear portion 113 may also include a rear socket cavity that implements the rear connection interface 114. The rear connection interface 114 may be shaped to receive a drive spindle of a powered driver. As mentioned above, different power drivers may have differently shaped spindles. In this way, the rear connection interface 114 may be shaped to receive a desired spindle. For example, the rear connection interface 114 may be shaped to receive a three-eighths inch square drive spindle. According to some exemplary embodiments, the rear connection interface 114 may be shaped (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) such that no threads are required to engage with a desired drive spindle, thereby avoiding problems of over-tightening or accidental and undesired loosening of a collet on the spindle associated with the threaded engagement.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the connection socket 110 is advantageous in that different connection sockets may be used with the same cartridge 10. Thus, during assembly of the chuck 10, a particular connection socket 110 may be selected for a particular application (i.e., a particular drive spindle) and installed in the body 30 with the snap ring 120. Thus, the use of a connection socket 110 in this manner allows for manufacturing flexibility without having to design a specific collet for a specific drive spindle as a whole. Further, by using the snap ring 120, a user may make changes to the connection socket 110, such as at a job site, allowing the chuck 10 to be used with different power drivers having different drive spindles by simply replacing the connection socket 110.

Further, as shown in fig. 10A, the collet 10 may also be used with an adapter 210 according to some exemplary embodiments. The adapter 210 may be installed into the chuck 10 to allow the chuck 10 to be used with certain powered drivers that require the use of the adapter 210 to connect the chuck 10 to a spindle of a powered driver, for example. In this regard, the spindle of the powered driver may include a receiving cavity for receiving and securing the stem 211 of the adapter 210. Further, the forward position 212 of the adapter 210 may fit into the rear cavity 33 of the body 30. In this regard, the connection socket 110 may be removed and the adapter 210 may be installed directly into the rear cavity 33 of the body 30. According to some exemplary embodiments, the rear cavity 33 and the front portion 212 of the adapter 210 may include parallel axially extending grooves that engage between the body 30 and the adapter 210 when the adapter is installed to facilitate a rotational coupling between the body 30 and the adapter 210.

In view of the foregoing, an example collet is provided that may be configured for use with a power driver (e.g., an impact driver) having a rotatable drive spindle. An exemplary chuck may include a plurality of jaws, each jaw including a jaw thread. The example chuck may also include a body configured to rotate with the drive spindle. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the example collet. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The example chuck may also include a nut operatively coupled with the jaw threads of the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The nut may also include nut teeth. The exemplary collet may also include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch may be operatively connected to the body such that the clutch rotates with the body. The clutch may be configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position. In the operative position, the clutch teeth may engage the nut teeth to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the body, and in the jaw-actuated position, the clutch teeth need not engage the nut teeth and the nut may rotate about the body.

According to some example form embodiments, the clutch may be configured to move between the working position and the jaw actuation position by axially sliding relative to the body. Additionally or alternatively, the nut teeth may be disposed on a forward facing surface of the nut and the clutch teeth may be disposed on a rearward facing surface of the clutch. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a protrusion, a jaw actuation position recess, and a working position recess. In this regard, the clutch may be configured to slide into an operating position in which the protrusion engages the operating recess to retain the clutch in the operating position. Further, the clutch may be configured to slide into a jaw actuated position in which the protrusion engages with the jaw actuated position recess to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position. Additionally or alternatively, the protrusion may extend radially away from a central axis of the chuck and may be biased toward the jaw actuation position recess or the working position recess. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a positioning spring. In this regard, the positioning spring may include a protrusion. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a pressure spring biasing the clutch toward the operating position. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a pull ring secured to the clutch such that the pull ring slides axially with the clutch relative to the central axis. In this regard, the pull ring may be configured to provide a user interface to allow a user to manually move the pull ring and clutch between the operating position and the jaw actuated position. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a connection socket. The connection socket may include an outer forward connection interface that engages an inner surface of the rear cavity of the body such that the connection socket rotates with the body. The connection socket may include a rear connection interface configured to engage with the drive spindle such that the connection socket rotates with the drive spindle. Additionally or alternatively, the connection socket may further comprise a forward socket cavity comprising the internal connection interface. The internal connection interface may be configured to receive a rear portion of the working bit and to hold the working bit in a centered position during jaw actuation.

In view of the foregoing, according to some exemplary embodiments, another exemplary chuck is provided that includes a plurality of jaws and a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, and the plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The exemplary collet may also include a nut having nut teeth. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The chuck may further include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch may be configured to move between an operating position and a jaw actuation position. In the operative position, the clutch teeth may engage the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body, and in the jaw actuated position, the clutch teeth need not engage the nut teeth and the nut may be free to move relative to the body.

Additionally or alternatively, the clutch may be configured to move between the working position and the jaw actuated position by sliding axially relative to the body. Additionally or alternatively, the nut teeth may be disposed on a forward facing surface of the nut and the clutch teeth may be disposed on a rearward facing surface of the clutch. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a protrusion, a jaw actuation position recess, and a working position recess. The clutch may be configured to slide into an operating position in which the protrusion engages the operating recess to retain the clutch in the operating position. The clutch may also be configured to slide into a jaw actuated position in which the protrusion engages the jaw actuated position recess to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position. Additionally or alternatively, the protrusion may be radially movable relative to a central axis of the chuck and may be biased toward the jaw actuation position recess or the working position recess. Additionally or alternatively, the example collet may further include a positioning spring that includes a protrusion. Additionally or alternatively, an exemplary collet may include a connection socket. The connection socket may include an outer forward connection interface that engages an inner surface of the rear cavity of the body such that the connection socket rotates with the body. The connection socket may also include a rear connection interface configured to engage with the drive spindle such that the connection socket rotates with the drive spindle. Additionally or alternatively, the connection socket may further comprise a forward socket cavity comprising an internal connection interface configured to receive a rear portion of the working bit and retain the working bit in a central position during actuation of the jaws.

In view of the foregoing, another exemplary collet is provided. In this regard, an exemplary chuck may include a plurality of jaws and a body configured to rotate with a drive spindle of a power driver. The plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck, and the plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The exemplary collet may also include a nut having nut teeth. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws and configured to move the jaws in an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the body. The chuck may further include a clutch including clutch teeth. The clutch is movable by a user between a working position and a jaw actuating position. The clutch may include a working position recess and a jaw actuation recess. The example collet may also include a protrusion extending and biased in a radial direction away from a central axis of the collet. The clutch may be configured to engage the clutch teeth with the nut teeth to prevent movement of the nut relative to the body in response to a user sliding the clutch to the working position, and to move the working position recess into engagement with the projection to retain the clutch in the working position. The clutch may also be configured to disengage the clutch teeth from the nut teeth in response to a user sliding the clutch to the jaw actuated position to allow the nut to move relative to the body to move the plurality of jaws in the opening or closing direction and to move the jaw actuated position recesses into engagement with the protrusions to retain the clutch in the jaw actuated position. Additionally or alternatively, the clutch may be configured to move between the working position and the jaw actuated position by sliding axially relative to the body.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the chuck set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the chuck is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be understood that these advantages, benefits, and/or solutions may apply to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be considered critical, required, or essential to all embodiments or embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.