Bit retaining system for rotary tool
First Claim
1. A bit retaining system for retaining a bit in a rotary tool, the system comprising:
- a collet assembly including;
a spindle operable to rotate about a spindle axis, the spindle comprising an internal channel and having a threaded external surface,a collet operable to receive a shank of the rotary tool bit disposed within the internal channel, the collet configured to move axially with respect to the spindle,a collet nut in threaded engagement with the external thread of the spindle, the collet nut restricting the axial movement of the collet with respect to the spindle, the collet nut having a plurality of gear teeth that define a collet gear; and
a spindle gear longitudinally spaced from the collet gear along the spindle axis, the spindle gear and collet gear being coaxial with the spindle, the spindle gear having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference of the spindle; and
a control assembly including;
a control gear having a control gear axis oriented orthogonal to the spindle axis, the control gear adapted to selectively engage the spindle gear and the collet gear by moving laterally along the control gear axis from a first, disengaged position, in which the control gear is disengaged from the spindle gear and the collet gear, to a second, engaged position, in which the control gear is engaged with the spindle gear and the collet gear,wherein, when the control gear is in its second position, a rotary force applied to the control gear causes a corresponding rotation of the collet gear and spindle gear to drive the collet nut axially along the spindle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bit retaining system for a rotary tool or device such as a router is disclosed. The bit retaining system may include a collet assembly and a control assembly. The collet assembly may include a spindle, a collet adapted to receive the bit, and a collet nut. The collet assembly may further include a collet gear mounted on the collet nut and/or a spindle gear mounted on the spindle. The control assembly selectively engages the collet assembly to drive the collet nut and/or secure the spindle in a fixed position, preventing its rotation. In operation, a hand tool is utilized to engage the control assembly. This configuration enables a user to capture and release the rotary tool bit using one hand.
20 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A bit retaining system for retaining a bit in a rotary tool, the system comprising:
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a collet assembly including; a spindle operable to rotate about a spindle axis, the spindle comprising an internal channel and having a threaded external surface, a collet operable to receive a shank of the rotary tool bit disposed within the internal channel, the collet configured to move axially with respect to the spindle, a collet nut in threaded engagement with the external thread of the spindle, the collet nut restricting the axial movement of the collet with respect to the spindle, the collet nut having a plurality of gear teeth that define a collet gear; and a spindle gear longitudinally spaced from the collet gear along the spindle axis, the spindle gear and collet gear being coaxial with the spindle, the spindle gear having a plurality of teeth disposed about a circumference of the spindle; and a control assembly including; a control gear having a control gear axis oriented orthogonal to the spindle axis, the control gear adapted to selectively engage the spindle gear and the collet gear by moving laterally along the control gear axis from a first, disengaged position, in which the control gear is disengaged from the spindle gear and the collet gear, to a second, engaged position, in which the control gear is engaged with the spindle gear and the collet gear, wherein, when the control gear is in its second position, a rotary force applied to the control gear causes a corresponding rotation of the collet gear and spindle gear to drive the collet nut axially along the spindle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification