CN218363534U - Chuck for use with power driver having rotatable drive spindle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle, which may include a plurality of jaws, a body, a nut, a first sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. When the locking sleeve is in the locked position, the locking pawl control member of the locking ring may position the locking pawls of the locking ring in engagement with the ratchet teeth of the toothed ring to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in the first rotational direction but to allow rotation of the ratchet teeth of the first sleeve and the nut in the second rotational direction. The locking pawl control member may position the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth when the locking sleeve is in the unlocked position to allow rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

Description

Chuck for use with power driver having rotatable drive spindle

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to chucks for use with power drivers including power drills and, more particularly, to chucks having features that counteract the effects of inertial forces generated by rotation and sudden stops of the chuck.

Background

A power driver having a rotary drive spindle is typically operatively coupled to a chuck that includes an adjustable opening that can be clamped onto various working bits, such as drill bits or other tools that are rotated with the chuck by the drive spindle of the power driver. Chucks typically employ movable jaws that are operable to adjust the size of an opening in the chuck in order to accommodate a working bit. In many cases, when the power driver is in an operational mode (e.g., drilling, driving or removing fasteners, etc.), the jaws are held in place by a threadedly engaged nut. The frictional engagement of the threads on the nut may be such that the threads hold the jaws firmly engaged with the working bit. However, in some cases, due to inertia generated by the rotation of the collet, the nut may be forced to move unintentionally while performing a machining operation such as drilling, driving, or removing a fastener. In this regard, for example, considerable inertial forces in the collet sleeve cause the nut to rotate due to the sudden stop of the spindle. Such movement of the nut can result in unintended and undesirable movement of the nut, which in some cases can cause the jaws to loosen the clamping force on the working bit. In some cases, such loosening of the jaws may result in the work bit no longer being secured to the chuck, and the work bit may slip out of the opening of the chuck and fall out. Accordingly, there is a need for innovations in the area of preventing accidental and undesired movement of nuts in order to maintain and control the clamping force on the working bit even in the presence of inertial forces that may affect the nut.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to some exemplary embodiments, a chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck may include a plurality of jaws, a body, a nut, a first sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The body may be 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 chuck. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The nut may be operably coupled with the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated, and the lock ring may be operably coupled to the first sleeve. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The ring gear may be operatively connected to the body such that the ring gear rotates with the body. The toothed ring may comprise a plurality of ratchet teeth. The locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, a locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction but allow rotation of the ratchet of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawl out of engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck may include a plurality of jaws, a nut, a first sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws such that rotation of the nut moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The toothed ring may include a plurality of ratchet teeth, and the locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is arranged in the locking position, the locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first rotational direction but allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth and to permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The chuck may include a plurality of jaws, a body, a nut, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The body may be configured to rotate with the drive spindle, and the plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the chuck. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The nut may be operably coupled with the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated. The second sleeve may be disposed adjacent the spindle opening in the body at the rearward end of the collet. The locking ring may be operably coupled to the second sleeve. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The toothed ring may be operably coupled to the first sleeve such that the toothed ring rotates with the first sleeve. The toothed ring may comprise a plurality of ratchet teeth. The locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, a locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction but allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth to allow rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

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 illustratesbase:Sub>A front view ofbase:Sub>A collet according to an exemplary embodiment that definesbase:Sub>A cross-section A-A;

FIG. 3 showsbase:Sub>A cross-sectional side view ofbase:Sub>A collet according to an exemplary embodiment, taken at the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2 and defining sections B-B, C-C and D-D;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate front and rear perspective views of a ball retainer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of a coupling ring and a guide ring according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear perspective view of a locking sleeve according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective side view of a lock ring, ball bearing, toothed ring, and toothed ring coupling according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional back view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment taken at a plane defined by B-B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional rear view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment taken at the plane defined by C-C of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional back view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment taken at a plane defined by D-D of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12A shows an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional rear view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional rear view taken at the plane defined by C-C of FIG. 3 with a locking sleeve in a locked position;

FIG. 12B shows an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional rear view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment, taken at the plane defined by D-D of FIG. 3, with the locking sleeve in a locked position;

FIG. 13A shows an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional rear view of a collet according to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional rear view being taken at the plane defined by C-C of FIG. 3 with a locking sleeve in an unlocked position;

FIG. 13B shows an enlarged portion of a cross-sectional rear view of the collet according to an exemplary embodiment, taken at the plane defined by D-D of FIG. 3, with the locking sleeve in an unlocked position; and

FIG. 14 illustratesbase:Sub>A cross-sectional side view ofbase:Sub>A collet with an alternative bearing and locking assembly, taken at the plane defined by A-A of FIG. 2, 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 mentioned above, loosening of the collet may be caused by high potential energy stored in the form of inertia, for example, in a sleeve of the collet. This inertia may be generated by the rotation of the power driver while performing a work operation (e.g., drilling, tightening a fastener, etc.), which also rotates the sleeve. Particularly where the sleeve is formed of a heavy material such as metal (e.g., steel), the inertia of the sleeve can be substantial. Moreover, a sudden stop of the power driver may result in the inertia being translated into a large force exerted by the sleeve on other components of the chuck. In this regard, since the sleeve is typically connected to a nut that engages corresponding threads on the jaws or chuck body, the force exerted by the sleeve may be transmitted to the nut, which may result in inadvertent loosening (or in some cases tightening, depending on the direction of rotation) of the nut and jaws. As mentioned above, accidental release may result in accidental release of the working bit and the working bit may fall off the power driver.

To overcome these challenges, various exemplary embodiments of collets are provided that allow a user to lock a sleeve into a fixed position during operation to prevent the inertia of the sleeve from being transferred to a nut. According to some exemplary embodiments, a locking pawl operably coupled to the nut can engage the ratchet to hold the nut in a fixed position relative to the body of the collet when inertial forces generated by rotation of the collet would otherwise tend to cause the nut to loosen. Further, the sleeve may be operably coupled to the locking pawl to also retain the sleeve in a fixed position relative to the body of the collet. In this way, for example when the main shaft of the power driver is stopped, the inertia of the sleeve is not only transferred to the nut, since the sleeve and the nut are in locking engagement with the main body and the main shaft, for example by means of locking pawls and ratchet teeth.

However, to operate the chuck to allow opening and closing of the jaws for insertion and removal of a working bit, exemplary embodiments include a control or locking sleeve that allows a user to switch the chuck between a locked mode (i.e., not allowing loosening, but allowing tightening) and an unlocked mode (i.e., allowing loosening and tightening). The locking sleeve may include an internal feature operative to control engagement of the locking pawl with a ratchet tooth of a toothed ring rotationally coupled to the body. In an alternative embodiment, the locking pawl may be rotationally coupled to the body and the ratchet teeth of the toothed ring may be rotationally coupled to the nut. In either case, the locking sleeve may be rotated to a first position (e.g., a locked position) that allows the locking pawl to engage a plurality of ratchet teeth that are angled to allow rotation of the ratchet wheel in the tightening direction and prevent rotation in the loosening direction. The locking sleeve is also rotatable to a second position (e.g., an unlocked position) that allows free rotational movement in the tightening and loosening rotational directions.

As such, according to some example embodiments, a mechanism may be incorporated into the collet to integrate a locking feature that operates to lock the sleeve to prevent inadvertent loosening when the collet is in an operational mode (e.g., drilling, driving a fastener, etc.). However, as further described herein, the mechanism also allows the sleeve to be transitioned into an unlocked mode to allow rotational movement of the nut and sleeve relative to the body in either a tightening direction or a loosening direction.

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 in operation, the chuck 10 may be operated 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 collet 10 may have a front end 13 and a rear end 14 for orientation purposes. Chuck 10 may include jaws 20, front sleeve 30, locking sleeve 31, rear sleeve 32, and nose 21, among other components. According to some exemplary embodiments, the front sleeve 30 may be disposed near the front end 13, the rear sleeve 32 may be disposed near the rear end 14, and the locking sleeve 31 may be disposed between the front sleeve 30 and the rear sleeve 32. As further described herein, the jaws 20 may be configured to move or translate within a channel in the nose 21 in a closing or opening direction to change the size of a jaw opening formed by the front ends of the jaws 20.

The front sleeve 30 is operable as a user interface for opening and closing the jaws 20. According to some exemplary embodiments, front sleeve 30 is rotatably coupled to nose 21. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, front sleeve 30 may also be operably coupled to nut 40, e.g., via nose 21, such that rotation of front sleeve 30 also rotates nut 40 to move jaws 20. In this way, rotation of front sleeve 30 may cause nut 40 to move jaws 20 such that jaws 20 clamp onto a working bit or open to allow removal or installation of a working bit.

According to some exemplary embodiments, rotation of front sleeve 30 in direction 12 may translate jaws 20 in an opening (loosening) direction via rotation of the nut to expand the jaw openings to receive a working bit. Further, rotation of front sleeve 30 in a direction opposite direction 12 may translate jaws 20 in a closing (tightening) direction via rotation of the nut in the opposite direction to reduce jaw opening and clamp onto the working bit. According to some exemplary embodiments, the rear sleeve 32 of the chuck 10 may be secured to the body 41 such that the rear sleeve 32 and the body 41 rotate together, and the rear sleeve 32 may operate as a dust shield to prevent debris from entering the internal component cavity of the chuck 10. The rear sleeve 32 may be secured to the body 41 by a snap ring 44 (fig. 4).

To better understand the components and operation of the chuck 10, FIG. 3 providesbase:Sub>A cross-sectional side view of the chuck 10 taken along the plane defined by A-A in FIG. 2. Additionally, FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of the various components of the chuck 10.

Referring to the sequence shown in FIG. 4, the chuck 10 may include a front sleeve 30, jaws 20, a nose 21, a nut 40, a body 41, a ball retainer 50, balls 55, a locking sleeve 31, a coupling ring 51, a guide ring 52, a locking ring 70, ball bearings 73, a toothed ring 72, a toothed ring coupler 74, a rear sleeve 32, and a snap ring 44.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the body 41, nose 21, and nut 40 may be components of the collet 10 that may be operatively coupled to a drive spindle of a power driver through a spindle cavity 43. The body 41 is operable to transmit rotation of the drive spindle directly or indirectly to the jaws 20 to drive a working bit held within the jaws 20. According to some exemplary embodiments, the jaws 20 may be movable relative to the body 41 by threads on the jaws 20 that directly engage the nut, and the body may include a passage through which the jaws 20 pass when the jaws 20 are opened or closed. However, in the exemplary embodiment of chuck 10, jaws 20 engage jaw plate 140 of nut 40, and jaws 20 pass through jaw passages 121 in nose 21. Nose 21 may be secured to front sleeve 30 such that nose 21 and front sleeve 30 rotate together. Jaws 20 may be rotationally and translationally connected by complementary engagement features of jaws 20 and jaw plate 140 of nut 40. Since jaws 20 may be rotationally constrained within jaw passages 121 in nose 21, jaws 20, and thus nut 40, may rotate with nose 21 and front sleeve 30 relative to body 41. However, the nut 40 may also translate relative to the nose 21 within the central opening of the nose 21. Chuck 10 may also include a threaded engagement 42 between nut 40 and body 41 such that when nut 40 is rotated relative to body 41, nut 40 also translates within nose 21 and body 41 in a direction parallel to axis 11. In this regard, when the nut 40 is rotated relative to the body 41 in a closing or tightening direction, the nut 40 translates in a forward direction (i.e., toward the front end 13 of the chuck 10), and when the nut 40 is rotated relative to the body 41 in an opening or rearward direction, the nut 40 translates in a loosening direction (i.e., toward the front end 14 of the chuck 10). Thus, as nut 40 translates forward, jaws 20 may close, and as nut 40 translates rearward, jaws 20 may open due to the angled engagement of the complementary sliding features between jaws 20 and nose 21 and the translating engagement between jaws 20 and jaw plate 121 of nut 40.

Chuck 10 can further include a bearing and locking assembly 170 that can provide smooth, low-friction rotation of nut 40 relative to body 41 through bearing engagement and/or can provide locking of nut 40 into fixed rotational coupling with body 41 in at least one direction through locking engagement, depending on the mode of operation. The bearing and locking assembly 170 may include a ball retainer 50, a locking sleeve 31, a coupling ring 51, a guide ring 52, a locking ring 70, a ball bearing 73, a toothed ring 72, and a toothed ring coupling 74. A first portion of the bearing and lock assembly 170 may be configured to rotate with the front sleeve 30 and a second portion of the bearing and lock assembly 170 may be configured to rotate with the body 41. According to some exemplary embodiments, these components may operate as subsystems of chuck 10 to perform the low friction relative rotation and locking functions described above and herein, among others.

In this regard, the ball retainer 50, the coupling ring 51, the guide ring 52, and the lock ring 70 may be rotationally coupled with the front sleeve 30. In this regard, the ball retainer 50 may be secured to the front sleeve 30, for example, and the ball retainer 50 may be operatively coupled to the coupling ring 51, the guide ring 52, and the locking ring 70, as further described below. The balls 55 may be disposed between the stop lip 141 and the inner flange 152 of the body 41 (fig. 5A) to reduce friction with the body 41 as the ball retainer 50 rotates. Similarly, the ring gear 72 and ring gear coupling 74 may be rotationally coupled to the body 41. In this regard, the ring gear coupling 74 may be rotationally engaged between the ring gear 72 and the body 41 such that the ring gear 72 rotates with the body 41.

Referring now to fig. 5A and 5B, an exemplary embodiment of a ball retainer 50 is shown. More specifically, fig. 5A shows a front perspective view of the ball retainer 50, and fig. 5B shows a rear perspective view of the ball retainer 50. In this regard, the ball retainer 50 may include an interior opening in which the body 41 may be disposed. The front portion of the ball retainer 50 may be secured to the front sleeve 30 or may be secured to the nose 21 (which may be secured to the front sleeve 30). In either case, the ball retainer 50 may be rotationally coupled to the front sleeve 30, either directly or indirectly. The ball retainer 50 may include an inner flange 152 that holds the balls 55 in engagement with the stop lip 141 of the body 41 to prevent the ball retainer 50 from sliding forward and to allow the ball retainer 50 to rotate relative to the body 41 with low friction due to the coupling via the balls 55. The engagement between the stop lip 141, the ball 55, and the inner flange 152 forms a forward engagement point for components coupled to the main body 41 rearward of the ball retainer 50. Similarly, the snap ring 44 may engage with a recess 143 on the body 41, which may form a rear engagement point for components coupled to the body 41 forward of the snap ring 44 and rearward of the ball retainer 50. The ball retainer 50 may include a cutout 151 on a back side of the ball retainer 50.

Referring now to fig. 6, a coupling ring 51 and a guide ring 52 are shown, according to some exemplary embodiments. The coupling ring 51 comprises a protrusion 153 which is complementary to and fits in the cut-out 151 of the ball retainer 50. By such engagement between the protrusions 153 and the cutouts 151, the coupling ring 51 may rotate together with the ball retainer 50, and thus may be rotatably coupled to the front sleeve 30 and the nut 40. According to some exemplary embodiments, the protrusion 153 may be provided on the coupling ring drive pawl 163. In this regard, the coupling ring 51 may include a plurality of coupling ring drive pawls 163 that extend in a forward direction from the ring portion 161 of the coupling ring 51 as projections from the ring portion 161. The coupling ring drive pawls 163 may be disposed at spaced intervals around the circumference of the coupling ring 51 to provide a gap between the coupling ring drive pawls 163. These voids may be referred to as coupling ring drive pawl voids 154 that are configured to receive locking sleeve drive pawls 131 (fig. 7), as described further below. The coupling ring drive dog 163 may include drive surfaces 156 and 157 on the side of the coupling ring drive dog 163, and the drive surfaces 156 and 157 may form the boundaries of the coupling ring drive dog gap 154.

In addition, the coupling ring 51 may include one or more coupling ring grooves 155. According to some exemplary embodiments, the coupling ring drive pawls 163 may each include a respective coupling ring groove 155. The coupling ring slot 155 may be configured to receive a lock ring drive tab 171 (FIG. 8) of the lock ring 70, as described further below. The coupling ring 51 may be rotatably coupled to the locking ring 70 by engagement between the coupling ring groove 155 and the locking ring drive tab 171.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a guide ring 52 may be included to improve locking performance. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the guide ring may be omitted and the locking function maintained. The guide ring 52 may be configured to slide or otherwise couple to a rear portion (e.g., ring portion 161) of the coupling ring 51. In this manner, the inner surface 162 of the guide ring 52 may engage the outer surface of the ring portion 161. The guide ring may be rotatably coupled to the coupling ring 51, or the guide ring 52 may be freely rotatable with respect to the coupling ring 51. The guide ring 52 may include a plurality of protruding features for engaging features of the locking ring 70. In this regard, the guide ring 52 may include features that engage features of the locking ring 70 on the inside (i.e., closer to the axis 11) of the components of the locking ring 70. In this regard, the guide ring 52 can include a locking pawl control projection 158, a latch control projection 159, and a locking pawl ramp 160. According to some exemplary embodiments, the lock pawl control projection 158 may limit the inward (i.e., toward the axis 11) deflection distance of the lock pawl control member 173 and, thus, limit fatigue (e.g., metal fatigue) on the lock pawl control member 173 and the lock pawl arms 180 of the lock ring 70 (FIG. 8). According to some exemplary embodiments, the latch control protrusion 159 may limit the inward (i.e., toward the axis 11) deflection distance of the latch control member 172, thereby limiting fatigue (e.g., metal fatigue) on the latch control member 172 and the latch arm 181 (fig. 8) of the check ring 70. Finally, according to some exemplary embodiments, the locking pawl ramps 160 may limit the inward (i.e., toward the axis 11) deflection distance of the locking pawls 174 and thus limit fatigue (e.g., metal fatigue) on the locking pawls 174 and the locking pawl arms 180 of the locking ring 70 (fig. 8).

Referring now to fig. 7, the locking sleeve 31 is shown in a perspective front view, showing the internal control features of the locking sleeve 31. In this regard, the locking sleeve 31 may be generally cylindrical with an inner bore forming an opening and an inner surface. The inner surface may include a plurality of control features that engage features of the coupling ring 51 and the locking ring 70 to control the chuck 10 in the locked state when the locking sleeve 31 is rotated to the locked position and in the unlocked state when the locking sleeve 31 is rotated to the unlocked position.

In this regard, the locking sleeve 31 may include a plurality of locking sleeve drive dogs 131. The locking sleeve drive dogs 131 may be arcuate projections that extend inwardly and are spaced around the inner circumference of the locking sleeve 31. The locking sleeve drive pawl 131 may be positioned in alignment with the coupling ring drive pawl void 154. The locking sleeve drive pawl 131 may include drive surfaces 136 and 137 on opposite sides of the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 that are configured to engage drive surfaces that may be configured to engage drive surfaces 156 and 157 of a coupling ring drive pawl 163.

Behind the locking sleeve drive pawl 131, the locking sleeve 31 may also include a plurality of locking ring engagement features disposed on an inner surface of the locking sleeve 31. In this regard, the locking sleeve 31 may include an unlocking flange 138, a latch flange 132, and a latch void wall 133. Unlocking flange 138, latching flange 132, and latching void wall 133 may be protrusions extending from the inner surface of locking sleeve 31 toward axis 11, and may be aligned along a common circumferential line of the inner surface of locking sleeve 31. The unlocking flange 138 may be configured to engage the locking pawl control member 173 when the locking sleeve 31 is in the unlocked position, thereby moving the locking pawl control member 173 inward and moving the locking pawls 174 out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72 (fig. 8). In this regard, since the locking pawl control member 173 can slide upward onto the unlocking flange 138, the unlocking flange 138 can include a sloped portion 139 that leads to a platform portion of the unlocking flange 138. According to some exemplary embodiments, when the locking sleeve 31 is in the unlocked position and the locking pawls 174 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72, the recesses 144 may be disposed on a platform portion that may receive the locking pawl control members 173. According to some exemplary embodiments, the locking pawl control member 173 may be positioned on the platform portion when the locking sleeve 31 is in the unlocked position.

The locking sleeve 31 may also include a locking void 135 adjacent the unlocking flange 138. According to some exemplary embodiments, a locking void 135 may be provided between the unlocking flange 138 and the latching flange 132. The locking void 135 may be recessed relative to the unlocking flange 138. When the locking sleeve 31 is rotated to the locked position, the locking pawl control member 173 may be disposed in the locking void 135, which allows the locking pawls 174 to engage with the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72, as described further below.

The latch flange 132 and the latch void wall 133 may be configured to engage with the latch control member 172 of the locking ring 70. In this regard, the latch flange 132 and the latch void wall 133 may form a void space, namely a latch void 134, therebetween. The latch control member 172 may be disposed in the latch void 134 when the locking sleeve 31 is in the locked position, the latch void 134 being recessed relative to the latch flange 132. The latch flange 132 may include an angled portion adjacent the latch void 134 and an angled portion adjacent the locking void 135. According to some exemplary embodiments, the sloped portion adjacent the latch void 134 is operable to create a mechanical resistance to the latch control member 172 that must be overcome, for example, to rotate the locking sleeve 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position. According to some exemplary embodiments, the latch control member 172 may be disposed in the locking void 135 when the locking sleeve 31 is in the unlocked position. In this regard, the angled portion of the latch flange 132 adjacent the locking void 135 is operable to create a mechanical resistance with the latch control member 172 that must be overcome, for example, for rotating the locking sleeve 31 from the unlocked position to the locked position.

Referring now to FIG. 8, details of the lock ring 70, ball bearings 73, toothed ring 72, and toothed ring coupling 74 are shown, according to some exemplary embodiments. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the locking ring 70 includes a ring portion 175. A plurality of locking ring drive tabs 171 may extend in a forward direction from ring portion 175. In this regard, the lock ring drive tab 171 may be configured to engage the coupling ring groove 155, as described above. According to some exemplary embodiments, the locking ring 70 may further include a locking arm 180. The locking arm 180 may have a locking pawl 174 provided at an end of the locking arm 180 and a locking pawl control member 173 provided at an end of the locking arm 180. The locking arm 180 may be mechanically biased (e.g., spring biased) to be urged outward (i.e., away from the axis 11), and thus the locking pawl control member 173 and the locking pawl 174 may also be biased in an outward direction. Locking arm 180 may be fixed to ring portion 175 or locking arm 180 may extend from one side of lock ring drive tab 171. The locking pawl control member 173 may be operatively coupled to the locking pawl 174 such that movement of the locking pawl control member 173 causes the same movement of the locking pawl 174. The locking pawl control member 173 may have a curved or arcuate shape to facilitate sliding engagement with the unlocking flange 138, the angled position 139, or the locking void 135. The locking pawls 174 may be extended tabs (e.g., metal tabs) that are specifically angled to engage the locking surfaces of the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72. According to some exemplary embodiments, the bias of the locking arm 180 may operate to facilitate ratcheting engagement between the locking pawl 174 and the ratchet teeth 176.

Similarly, according to some exemplary embodiments, the shackle 70 may also include a latch arm 181. The latch arm 181 may have a latch control member 172 disposed at an end of the latch arm 181. The latch arm 181 may also be mechanically biased to be pushed outward (i.e., away from the axis 11), and thus, the latch control member 172 may also be biased in an outward direction. Latch arm 181 may be fixed to loop portion 175 or latch arm 181 may extend from one side of shackle drive tab 171. The latch control member 172 may have a curved or arcuate shape to facilitate sliding engagement with the latch voids 134, the latch flanges 132, and the locking voids 135. According to some exemplary embodiments, the latch control member 172 is operable to generate a mechanical resistance in cooperation with the latch void 134, the latch flange 132, and the locking void 135 to hold the locking sleeve 31 in either the locked or unlocked position.

The ball bearing 73 may be a plurality of balls engaged between the lock ring 70 and the toothed ring 72. As described above, the lock ring 70 may be operatively coupled to the nut 40, and the toothed ring 72 may be operatively coupled to the body 41. As such, the ball bearings 73 may operate to reduce friction between the nut 40 and the body 41 as the nut 40 moves relative to the body 41. In this regard, the locking ring 70 may include an arcuate rearward side of the ring portion 175 to receive a forward portion of the ball bearing 73. Similarly, the ring gear 72 may include an arcuate surface 182 on the forward side of a ring gear flange 183 to receive the rear of the ball bearings 73.

The ring gear 72 may include a ring gear flange 183 and a ring gear sidewall 184. The ring gear flange 183 may be a generally annular member that includes engagement features for engaging the ring gear coupling 74 and an arcuate surface 182 for engaging the ball bearings 73. The ring gear side wall 184 may extend in a forward direction from the ring gear flange 183. The inner diameter of the ring side wall 184 may be greater than the diameter of the ring portion 175 of the lock ring 70 to allow the lock ring 70 to be inserted into the ring side wall 184. The lock ring 70 may be inserted into the toothed ring 72 to a depth at which the locking pawls 174 may engage the inner surface of the toothed ring side wall 184, but the locking pawl control member 173 and the latch control member 172 may be positioned forward of the front rim of the toothed ring side wall 184 to allow the locking pawl control member 173 and the latch control member 172 to engage the locking sleeve 31.

The inner surface of the ring gear side wall 184 may include a plurality of ratchet teeth 176 disposed about the circumference of the ring gear side wall 184. According to some exemplary embodiments, each ratchet tooth 176 may extend inwardly (i.e., toward axis 11) and may include two angled surfaces that intersect at a point of maximum inward extension. The two angled surfaces may include a ratchet surface and a locking surface. The ratchet surface may have a smaller slope (amplitude) than the locking surface. As described above, the locking pawl 174 may be configured to engage with the ratchet 176. When the locking sleeve 31 is in the locked position, the locking pawls 174 may be positioned to ratchet up and slide over the ratchet surfaces of the ratchet teeth 176 as the front sleeve 30 is rotated in the tightening direction. However, with the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position, the locking pawls 174 may engage the locking surface in such a manner that the engagement prevents movement of the locking pawls 174 in a direction toward the locking surface (i.e., in the nut loosening direction).

As described above, the ring gear 72 may be rotationally connected to the body 41 by the ring gear coupling 74. In this regard, the ring gear 72 may include a protrusion 177 that may engage a complementary groove 178 in the ring gear coupling 74. By engagement between the protrusions 177 and the grooves 178, the ring gear 72 can be rotationally coupled to the ring gear coupling 74 such that the ring gear 72 and the ring gear coupling 74 rotate together. Additionally, the ring gear coupling 74 can include a body engagement surface 179. In this regard, the ring gear coupling 74 may include a central opening through which the body 41 may pass. As shown in fig. 4, the body 41 may have a substantially cylindrical rear portion. However, the rear portion of the body 41 may also include a flat region 142. These flat regions 142 of the body 41 may be complementary to the linear body engagement surfaces 179 of the ring gear coupling 74. Due to the engagement between the body engagement surface 179 and the flat region 142, the gear ring coupling 74 and the gear ring 72 can be rotationally coupled such that when the body 41 is rotated, the gear ring coupling 74 and the gear ring 72 are also rotated.

Having described various structural features of the chuck 10 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to fig. 9-13B, which illustrate the operation of the chuck 10. Figures 9-11 show a rearward-looking cross-section of the chuck 10 with the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position, and figures 12A and 12B show enlarged views of the engagement between the locking ring 70, the locking sleeve 31 and the toothed ring 72 in the locked position. Fig. 13A and 13B show enlarged views of the engagement between the lock ring 70, the locking sleeve 31 and the toothed ring 72 in the unlocked position.

In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a cross-section of the chuck 10 taken along B-B in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 9, the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 is disposed within the coupling ring drive pawl void 154 between the coupling ring drive pawls 163. The coupling ring drive pawl 163 is shown with the locking ring drive tab 171 engaged in the coupling ring groove 155. Also, the coupling ring drive pawl void 154 has an arcuate length that is greater than the length of the locking sleeve drive pawl 131, and thus the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 can move a distance within the coupling ring drive pawl void 154 without rotating the coupling ring drive pawl 163. When the locking sleeve 31 is in the locked position, the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 has rotated such that the drive surface 137 of the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 abuts the drive surface 157 of the coupling ring drive pawl 163. According to some exemplary embodiments, due to friction within chuck 10, a user may hold front sleeve 30 stationary while locking sleeve 31 rotates to cause relative rotation between front sleeve 30 and locking sleeve 31, thereby moving locking sleeve 31 to the locked position. In this way, the engagement between the locking sleeve drive dogs 131 and the coupling ring drive dogs 163 can act as a stop because relative rotation between the front sleeve 30 and the locking sleeve 31 cannot continue due to the engagement, thereby informing the user that the locking sleeve 31 is in the locked position while the chuck 10 is in the locked mode. To move the locking sleeve 31 to an unlocked position where the drive surface 136 of the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 abuts the drive surface 156 of the coupling ring drive pawl 163, the user may again hold the front sleeve 30 stationary and rotate the locking sleeve 31 such that the locking sleeve drive pawl 131 moves within the coupling ring drive pawl void 154 to engage the drive surface 136 with the drive surface 156. Due to the engagement of the drive face 136 with the drive face 156, the user will again be prevented from further rotating the locking sleeve 31, thereby informing the user that the locking sleeve 31 is in the unlocked position.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a cross-section of the chuck 10 taken along C-C in FIG. 3 is shown. Additionally, referring to fig. 12A, an enlarged view of the engagement between the control member of the locking ring 70 and the engagement feature of the locking sleeve 31 is shown, with the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position. With the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position, the locking pawl control member 173 is disposed in the locking void 135 so that the mechanical bias in the locking arm 180 is not urged outward (i.e., away from the axis 11) by the mechanical bias. When the locking sleeve 31 is in the locked position, the latch control member 172 is disposed within the latch void 134, and the mechanical bias on the latch arm 181 urges the latch control member 172 outward and into the latch void 134. In this way, the latch control member 172 can operate to hold the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position unless a threshold rotational force is applied to the locking sleeve 31 to allow the latch control member 172 to slide up the ramp of the latch flange 132 and to the flat portion of the latch flange 132.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-section of the chuck 10 taken along D-D in FIG. 3 is shown. Additionally, referring to fig. 12B, an enlarged view of the engagement between the locking pawls 174 and the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72 is shown with the locking sleeve 31 in the locked position. In this regard, because the locking pawl control member 173 is disposed in the locking void 135 and the mechanical bias in the locking arm 180 is permitted to urge the locking pawls 174 outwardly, the locking pawls 174 engage the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72. As can be seen, the slope of the ratchet surface of the ratchet teeth 176 will allow the locking pawl 174 to rotate in the tightening direction (counterclockwise in fig. 11). In this regard, the user may rotate the front sleeve 30 to further tighten the nut 40 and the locking pawl 174 will ratchet over the ratchet surface of the ratchet teeth 176. However, since the large inclination of the locking surface causes the locking pawls 174 to catch and prevent rotation relative to the ring gear 72 and the main body 41, the front sleeve 30 is not allowed to rotate in the loosening direction (an attempt is made to move the locking pawls 174 in the clockwise direction in fig. 11).

Referring now to fig. 13A and 13B, there are shown enlarged views of cross-sections C-C and D-D of fig. 3 with the collet 10 in the unlocked position. In this regard, the user has held the front sleeve 30 stationary and rotated the locking sleeve 31 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in fig. 9-12B. Sufficient force is applied to overcome the mechanical resistance of the ramp portion of the latch flange 132 and the locking sleeve 31 has caused the latch control member 172 to rotate on the latch flange 132 and into the locking gap 135. In this position, movement of the locking sleeve 31 back to the locked position will require forcing the latch control member 172 up the ramp portion of the latch flange 132, which operates as a mechanical resistance to hold the locking sleeve 31 in the unlocked position. This rotational movement in the unlocked position has also caused the locking pawl control member 173 to rise up the ramp portion 139 of the unlocking flange 138 and move onto the platform portion of the unlocking flange 138 and into the recess 144. In this way, the locking pawl control member 173 has deflected the height of the unlocking flange 138 inwardly against the mechanical bias in the locking arm 180.

Referring now to fig. 13B, the deflection of the locking pawl control member 173 due to engagement with the unlocking flange 138 has also deflected the locking pawls 174 inwardly. Thus, the distance of deflection (i.e., the height of the unlocking flange 138) is such that the locking pawls 174 no longer engage the ratchet teeth 176 of the toothed ring 72. In this way, the locking ring 70 is free to rotate relative to the toothed ring 72 in either a tightening or loosening direction. Thus, the front sleeve 30 and the nut 40 are also free to rotate in the tightening or loosening direction relative to the body 41.

Figure 14 showsbase:Sub>A cross-sectional view of the chuck 10 with an alternative bearing and locking assembly 270 taken alongbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of figure 2. Generally, the configuration of the bearing and locking assembly 270 swaps the location and operative coupling of the locking ring and the toothed ring. In this regard, the ball retainer 250 may be rotationally coupled to the front sleeve 30, and the ring gear 272 may be rotationally coupled to the ball retainer 250. The bearing and locking assembly 270 may include a shackle coupling 274 (as opposed to the tooth ring coupling 74 described above). The lock ring coupling 274 may be rotatably coupled to the body 41, for example, in the same manner as the ring gear coupling 74 is rotatably coupled to the body 41. The shackle coupling 274 may also be rotatably coupled to the shackle 270. As such, the lock ring 270 may include features complementary to the lock ring coupling 274 that engage to rotate the lock ring 270 when the lock ring coupling 274 and the body 41 are rotated.

Similar to the locking ring 70 and the toothed ring 72, the locking ring 270 and the toothed ring 272 may be engaged via the ball bearings 73 and the controlled engagement of the locking pawls 274 of the locking ring 270 with the ratchet teeth 276 of the toothed ring 272. Also similar to the above, the locking pawl 274 may be movably controlled by movement of a locking pawl control member 273 that is operatively coupled to the locking pawl 274 due to, for example, coupling to a common locking arm that is mechanically biased in an outward direction.

Similar to the locking sleeve 31, the locking sleeve 231 may include an engagement feature on an inner surface of the locking sleeve 231 to move the locking pawl control member 273 inward a threshold distance to disengage the locking pawls 274 from the ratchet teeth 276 in the unlocked position or outward a threshold distance to engage the locking pawls 274 with the ratchet teeth 276 in the locked position for ratcheting in the tightening direction and preventing rotation in the loosening direction. According to some exemplary embodiments, to rotate the locking sleeve 231, a user may hold the rear sleeve 32 stationary and rotate the locking sleeve 31 relative to the rear sleeve 32 to transition the locking sleeve 231 between the locked and unlocked positions. Additionally, according to some exemplary embodiments, wherein the chuck 10 is coupled to a power driver having a spindle lock, the spindle lock may operate to hold the body 41 (and thus the rear sleeve 32) stationary. In this way, the user does not need to hold the rear sleeve 32 stationary, since the spindle lock will hold the main body 41 stationary, so the user can simply rotate the locking sleeve 231 without also holding the rear sleeve 32 stationary.

Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, a first chuck embodiment for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The first chuck embodiment can include a plurality of jaws, a body, a nut, a first sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The body may be 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 first chuck embodiment. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The nut may be operably coupled with the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated, and the lock ring may be operably coupled to the first sleeve. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The ring gear may be operatively connected to the body such that the ring gear rotates with the body. The toothed ring may comprise a plurality of ratchet teeth. The locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is arranged in the locking position, the locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction but allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawl out of engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first collet embodiment may comprise a locking ring, the locking ring further comprising a latch control member. The locking sleeve may also include a latch void. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the locked position, the latch control member is disposed in the latch void to form a releasable rotational coupling between the locking sleeve and the locking ring such that the locking sleeve rotates with the first sleeve.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the first collet embodiment, the latch control member may be subject to a second mechanical bias that urges the latch control member into the latch void. The locking ring may be configured to rotate relative to the locking ring away from the locked position by overcoming the second mechanical bias to move the latch control member out of the latch void.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first collet embodiment may further comprise a coupling ring operably coupled to the first sleeve for rotation with the first sleeve and the locking ring. The coupling ring may include a coupling ring drive pawl void that receives the locking sleeve drive pawl of the locking sleeve. According to some exemplary embodiments, the locking sleeve drive pawl may be movable within the coupling ring drive pawl void between the locked position and the unlocked position without rotating the coupling ring. According to some example embodiments, the first sleeve may be operably coupled to the locking ring via a coupling ring.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the first chuck embodiment, the first sleeve may be a front sleeve disposed at an end of the chuck adjacent the jaws, and the locking sleeve may be disposed adjacent to and rearward of the first sleeve.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the first collet embodiment, the first sleeve may be a rear sleeve disposed at an end of the collet adjacent the socket in the body, and the locking sleeve may be disposed adjacent to and forward of the first sleeve.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the first chuck embodiment, the locking sleeve may be configured to be movable relative to the first sleeve by rotating the locking sleeve while the user holds the first sleeve stationary.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the first collet embodiment may further comprise a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the locking ring and the toothed ring.

Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, a second chuck embodiment for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The second chuck embodiment can include a plurality of jaws, a nut, a first sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The nut may be operably coupled to the jaws such that rotation of the nut moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The toothed ring may include a plurality of ratchet teeth, and the locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is arranged in the locking position, the locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first rotational direction but to allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth and allow the first sleeve and the nut to rotate in the first and second rotational directions.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the second collet embodiment, the locking ring may further comprise a latch control member, and the locking sleeve may further comprise a latch void. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the locked position, the latch control member may be disposed in the latch void to form a releasable rotational coupling between the locking sleeve and the locking ring such that the locking sleeve rotates with the first sleeve. According to some exemplary embodiments, the latch control member may be subject to a second mechanical bias that urges the latch control member into the latch void. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the locking ring may be configured to rotate relative to the locking ring away from the locked position by overcoming the second mechanical bias to move the latch control member out of the latch void.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the second collet embodiment may further comprise a coupling ring operably coupled to the first sleeve for rotation with the first sleeve and the locking ring. The coupling ring may include a coupling ring drive pawl void that receives a locking sleeve drive pawl of the locking sleeve. According to some exemplary embodiments, the locking sleeve drive pawl may be movable within the coupling ring drive pawl void between the locked position and the unlocked position without rotating the coupling ring. According to some example embodiments, the first sleeve may be operably coupled to the locking ring via a coupling ring.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the second chuck embodiment, the first sleeve may be a front sleeve disposed at an end of the chuck adjacent the jaws, and the locking sleeve may be disposed adjacent to and rearward of the first sleeve.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the second collet embodiment, the first sleeve may be a rear sleeve disposed at an end of the collet adjacent the socket in the collet, and the locking sleeve may be disposed adjacent to and forward of the first sleeve.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the second chuck embodiment, the locking sleeve may be configured to be movable relative to the first sleeve by rotating the locking sleeve while the user holds the first sleeve stationary.

Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, a third chuck embodiment for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle is provided. The third chuck embodiment can include a plurality of jaws, a body, a nut, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a locking ring, a toothed ring, and a locking sleeve. The body may be configured to rotate with the drive spindle and the plurality of jaws may be configured to rotate with the body about a central axis of the third chuck embodiment. The plurality of jaws may also be configured to move in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The nut may be operably coupled with the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws in an opening or closing direction relative to the body. The first sleeve may be operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated. The second sleeve may be disposed adjacent the spindle opening in the body at the rear end of the third collet embodiment. The locking ring may be operably coupled to the second sleeve. The locking ring may include a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member. The locking pawl is operatively coupled to the locking pawl control member. The toothed ring may be operably coupled to the first sleeve such that the toothed ring rotates with the first sleeve. The toothed ring may comprise a plurality of ratchet teeth. The locking sleeve may include an unlocking flange and a locking void. The locking sleeve is rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, a locking pawl control member may be disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction but allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction may be opposite to the second rotational direction. When the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member is engageable with the unlocking flange against a force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth to allow rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

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 will 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.

Claims (20)

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

a plurality of jaws;

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

a nut operably coupled to the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws relative to the body in the opening or closing direction;

a first sleeve operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated;

a lock ring operably coupled to the first sleeve, the lock ring including a lock pawl and a lock pawl control member, the lock pawl operably coupled to the lock pawl control member;

a toothed ring operably coupled to the body such that the toothed ring rotates with the body, the toothed ring comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth; and

a locking sleeve including an unlocking flange and a locking void, the locking sleeve being rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position;

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, the locking pawl control member is disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with a ratchet tooth of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction, but to allow ratchet rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction, the first rotational direction being opposite the second rotational direction; and

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member engages the unlocking flange against the force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth to permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

2. The chuck of claim 1, wherein the lock ring further comprises a latch control member;

wherein the locking sleeve further comprises a latch void;

wherein the latch control member is disposed in the latch void when the lock sleeve is disposed in the locked position to form a releasable rotational coupling between the lock sleeve and the lock ring such that the lock sleeve rotates with the first sleeve.

3. The chuck of claim 2, wherein the latch control member is subjected to a second mechanical bias that urges the latch control member into the latch void;

wherein the locking ring is configured to rotate relative to the locking ring away from the locking position by overcoming the second mechanical bias to move the latch control part out of the latch void.

4. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a coupling ring operatively coupled to the first sleeve for rotation with the first sleeve and the locking ring, the coupling ring including a coupling ring drive pawl void that receives a locking sleeve drive pawl of the locking sleeve.

5. The chuck of claim 4, wherein the locking sleeve drive jaws are movable within the coupling ring drive jaw gap between the locked position and the unlocked position without rotating the coupling ring.

6. The chuck of claim 5, wherein the first sleeve is operatively coupled to the lock ring by the coupling ring.

7. The chuck of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve is a front sleeve disposed at an end of the chuck adjacent the jaws;

wherein the locking sleeve is disposed adjacent to and rearward of the first sleeve.

8. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a rear sleeve disposed at an end of the chuck adjacent the socket in the body;

wherein the locking sleeve is disposed adjacent to and forward of the rear sleeve.

9. The chuck of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve is configured to be movable relative to the first sleeve by rotating the locking sleeve while a user holds the first sleeve stationary.

10. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ball bearings;

wherein the plurality of ball bearings are disposed between the lock ring and the ring gear.

11. A chuck for use with a power driver having a rotatable drive spindle, said chuck comprising:

a plurality of jaws;

a nut operably coupled to the jaws such that rotation of the nut moves the jaws in the opening or closing direction;

a first sleeve operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated;

a locking ring including a locking pawl and a locking pawl control member, the locking pawl being operably coupled to the locking pawl control member;

a toothed ring comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth; and

a locking sleeve comprising an unlocking flange and a locking void, the locking sleeve being rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position;

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, the locking pawl control member is disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with a ratchet tooth of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a first rotational direction, but to allow rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction, the first rotational direction being opposite the second rotational direction; and

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member engages the unlocking flange against the force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth and permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

12. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the lock ring further comprises a latch control member;

wherein the locking sleeve further comprises a latch void;

wherein the latch control member is disposed in the latch void when the lock sleeve is disposed in the locked position to form a releasable rotational coupling between the lock sleeve and the lock ring such that the lock sleeve rotates with the first sleeve.

13. The chuck of claim 12, wherein the latch control member is subjected to a second mechanical bias that urges the latch control member into the latch void;

wherein the locking ring is configured to rotate relative to the locking ring away from the locking position by overcoming the second mechanical bias to move the latch control component out of the latch void.

14. The chuck of claim 11, further comprising a coupling ring operatively coupled to the first sleeve for rotation with the first sleeve and the locking ring, the coupling ring including a coupling ring drive pawl void that receives a locking sleeve drive pawl of the locking sleeve.

15. The chuck of claim 14, wherein the locking sleeve drive jaws are movable within the coupling ring drive jaw voids between the locked and unlocked positions without rotating the coupling ring.

16. The chuck of claim 15, wherein the first sleeve is operatively coupled to the locking ring by the coupling ring.

17. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the first sleeve is a front sleeve disposed at an end of the chuck adjacent the jaws;

wherein the locking sleeve is disposed adjacent to and rearward of the first sleeve.

18. The collet of claim 11 further comprising a rear sleeve disposed at an end of the collet adjacent a socket in the collet;

wherein the locking sleeve is disposed adjacent to and forward of the rear sleeve.

19. The chuck of claim 11, wherein the locking sleeve is configured to be movable relative to the first sleeve by rotating the locking sleeve while a user holds the first sleeve stationary.

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

a plurality of jaws;

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

a nut operably coupled to the jaws such that rotation of the nut relative to the body moves the jaws relative to the body in the opening or closing direction;

a first sleeve operably coupled to the nut to rotate the nut when the first sleeve is rotated;

a second sleeve disposed adjacent a spindle opening in the body at a rear end of the collet;

a lock ring operably coupled to the second sleeve, the lock ring including a lock pawl and a lock pawl control member, the lock pawl operably coupled to the lock pawl control member;

a toothed ring operably coupled to a first sleeve such that the toothed ring rotates with the first sleeve, the toothed ring comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth; and

a locking sleeve comprising an unlocking flange and a locking void, the locking sleeve being rotatable relative to the locking ring to a locked position and an unlocked position;

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the locking position, the locking pawl control member is disposed in the locking void to allow a first mechanical bias on the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl into engagement with a ratchet tooth of the plurality of ratchet teeth to prevent rotation of the first sleeve and the nut relative to the body in a first rotational direction, but to allow rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in a second rotational direction, the first rotational direction being opposite the second rotational direction; and

wherein when the locking sleeve is disposed in the unlocked position, the locking pawl control member engages the unlocking flange against the force of the first mechanical bias to move the locking pawls out of engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth to permit rotation of the first sleeve and the nut in the first and second rotational directions.

Images