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, the spindle including a plurality of gear teeth that define a spindle gear;
a collet mounted within the internal channel of the spindle and operable to receive a shank of the bit, the collet being configured to move axially with respect to the spindle;
a collet nut including internal threads in threaded engagement with the threaded external surface of the spindle, and 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 control assembly including;
a carriage slidably mounted on a support post;
a control gear rotatably connected to the carriage so as to be able to rotate with respect to the carriage; and
a biasing member that biases the carriage toward a first position,wherein the carriage is configured to move from the first position, in which the carriage is disengaged from the spindle gear, to a second position, in which the carriage engages the spindle gear, andwherein, when the carriage is in the second position, a rotary force applied to the control gear causes a corresponding rotation of the collet gear to drive the collet nut along the spindle.
1 Assignment
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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.
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Citations
13 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, the spindle including a plurality of gear teeth that define a spindle gear; a collet mounted within the internal channel of the spindle and operable to receive a shank of the bit, the collet being configured to move axially with respect to the spindle; a collet nut including internal threads in threaded engagement with the threaded external surface of the spindle, and 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 control assembly including; a carriage slidably mounted on a support post; a control gear rotatably connected to the carriage so as to be able to rotate with respect to the carriage; and a biasing member that biases the carriage toward a first position, wherein the carriage is configured to move from the first position, in which the carriage is disengaged from the spindle gear, to a second position, in which the carriage engages the spindle gear, and wherein, when the carriage is in the second position, a rotary force applied to the control gear causes a corresponding rotation of the collet gear to drive the collet nut along the spindle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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 disposed within the internal channel and operable to receive a shank of the rotary tool bit, the collet being configured to move axially with respect to the spindle; a collet nut in threaded engagement with the threaded external surface of the spindle, the collet nut restricting the axial movement of the collet with respect to the spindle, and having a plurality of gear teeth that define a collet gear; a spindle gear longitudinally spaced from the collet gear along the spindle axis and including a plurality of teeth; and a control assembly comprising; a support post including a plurality of guide notches; a displaceable member including a base and a plurality of legs extending from the base, the displaceable member being slidably and rotatably mounted on the support post allowing the plurality of legs to slide along the plurality of guide notches; and a control gear rotatably mounted to the displaceable member and supported on the plurality of legs; wherein the displaceable member is configured to move from a first gear position, in which the displaceable member is disengaged from the spindle gear, to a second gear position, in which the displaceable member is engaged with the spindle gear, and wherein, when the displaceable member is in the second position, a rotary force applied to the control gear causes a corresponding rotation in the collet gear to drive the collet nut axially along the spindle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification