Drill for smooth- and hex-shank bits

• US 6,851,678 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Mack, Hans-Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Application Number:
  US10/189,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20030155722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 279/22, 279/30, 279/60, 279/61, 279/62, 279/79, 279/125, 279/127, 279/137, 279/141, 279/143, 279/145, 279/155, 408/239.R, 408/240
• US Class Current: 279/62
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2231/52 Chucks with means to loosely retain the tool or workpiece in the unclamped position
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/06 Features relating to the removal of tools; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/1238 Jaws movement actuated by a nut with conical screw-thread
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17196 Ball or roller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/17632 Conical sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/29 More than one set of gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/3481 Tool or workpiece ejector

Abstract

A drill has a drive unit having a spindle rotatable about an axis and having an axially forwardly directed front end formed centered on the axis with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section socket dimensioned to fit with a standard-size bit shank, a chuck body mounted on the spindle, rotatable about the axis at the front end, and having an axially forwardly open tool recess, and a plurality of jaws displaceable in the body to grip a bit in the recess.

Claims

1. A drill comprising:

a drive unit having a spindle rotatable about an axis and having an axially forwardly directed front end formed centered on the axis with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section socket dimensioned to fit with a bit shank formed with a radially outwardly open groove;

a chuck body mounted on the spindle, rotatable about the axis at the front end, and having an axially forwardly open tool recess;

a plurality of jaws displaceable in the body to grip the bit shank in the recess;

a retaining element radially displaceable in the spindle; and

means for urging the retaining element radially inward into the groove of the shank in the socket, whereby the retaining element holds the shank in the socket.

2. A drill comprising:

a drive unit having a spindle rotatable about an axis and having an axially forwardly directed front end formed centered on the axis with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section socket dimensioned to fit with a bit shank;

a chuck body mounted on the spindle, rotatable about the axis at the front end, and having an axially forwardly open tool recess;

a plurality of jaws displaceable in the body to grip a bit in the recess;

a radially displaceable retaining element, the bit shank being formed with a radially outwardly open groove;

means for urging the retaining element radially inward into the groove of the shank in the socket, whereby the retaining element holds the shank in the socket;

an annular retainer engageable with the retaining element, centered on the axis, movable axially between the actuated and unactuated positions, and displaceable between an unactuated position pressing the retaining element into the groove and an actuated position allowing the retaining element to move out of the groove; and

spring means urging the retainer into the unactuated position.

3. A drill comprising:

a drive unit having a spindle rotatable about an axis and having an axially forwardly directed front end formed centered on the axis with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section socket dimensioned to fit with a bit shank;

a chuck body mounted on the spindle, rotatable about the axis at the front end, and having an axially forwardly open tool recess;

a plurality of jaws displaceable in the body to grip a bit in the recess, one of the jaws being formed with a transversely open recess;

an element radially movable in the chuck body and engageable in the recess; and

a spring urging the element toward the one jaw, the recess and jaw being so positioned that the element can only engage in the recess when the jaw is retracted enough to allow a bit shank to pass the jaws and engage in the socket.

4. A drill comprising:

a drive unit having a spindle rotatable about an axis and having an axially forwardly directed front end formed centered on the axis with an axially forwardly open polygonal-section socket dimensioned to fit with a bit shank;

a chuck body mounted on the spindle, rotatable about the axis at the front end, and having an axially forwardly open tool recess;

a plurality of jaws displaceable in the body to grip a bit in the recess;

a radially displaceable retaining ball, the bit shank being formed with a radially outwardly open groove; and

means for urging the retaining ball radially inward into the groove of the shank in the socket, whereby the retaining ball holds the shank in the socket.

5. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the spindle end is externally threaded and the chuck body has a rearwardly open threaded bore complementarily fitted to the spindle end, the chuck body being formed between the recess and the bore with an axially throughgoing passage of a diameter sufficient to pass the bit shank.

6. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the spindle includes an ejector body forming the socket and axially displaceable between an axially outer position and an axially inner position, the drill further comprising

spring means urging the ejector body into the outer position.

7. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the retainer is an axially displaceable sleeve having a cam formation engageable with the retaining element.

8. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the retaining element is a ball.

9. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the urging means is a spring.

10. The drill defined in claim 4 wherein the spindle includes a main part having an externally threaded end and a sleeve having an internally threaded rear portion fitting with the main-part end and a front portion forming the socket.