Tool chuck with sliding sleeve and chuck mechanism

Abstract

A tool chuck may include a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis. A sleeve may be mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable together with the sleeve, and a second axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable relative to the sleeve to actuate to the tool chuck. The chuck body may be rotatable in a first direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a first torque threshold, and rotatable in a second direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a second, different torque threshold.

1 . A tool chuck, comprising: 
 a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis; and    a sleeve mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable together with the sleeve, and a second axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable relative to the sleeve to actuate to the tool chuck,    the chuck body rotatable in a first direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a first torque threshold, and rotatable in a second direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a second, different torque threshold.    
   
   
       2 . The tool chuck of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a clutch mechanism configured to engage and disengage the chuck body    
   
   
       3 . The tool chuck of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch mechanism is actuatable by a sliding button or rotating sleeve with cam surface.  
   
   
       4 . The tool chuck of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes a clutch part on the sleeve for engaging a cooperating clutch part as the sleeve is in the second axial position, the clutch part having a working surface facing a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The tool chuck of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes a clutch housing which is keyed using one or more splines to a cooperating portion of a tool housing encompassing the tool chuck, so as to enable axial movement of the cooperating clutch part to engage a latch ring of the tool chuck while preventing rotation of the clutch housing relative to the tool housing.  
   
   
       6 . The tool chuck of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a bias spring and a pawl spring provided between the cooperating clutch part and the chuck body    wherein, as the cooperating clutch part is moved axially forward against the bias spring to engage the chuck body, the cooperating clutch part is pushed radially inward against the pawl spring into the clutch housing    
   
   
       7 . The tool chuck of  claim 6 , wherein 
 the latch ring includes a plurality of recesses, and    as the clutch housing moves axially toward the clutch body, the cooperating clutch part springs outward radially to engage the recesses.    
   
   
       8 . The tool chuck of  claim 1 , wherein the chuck body has a rear end fixedly mounted on a spindle of a power driver and a forward end including a plurality of passageways that slidably support a plurality of chuck jaws.  
   
   
       9 . The tool chuck of  claim 8 , wherein the chuck jaws are inclined so that forward ends thereof converge toward the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       10 . The tool chuck of  claim 8 , wherein 
 the sleeve carries a nut, and    the chuck jaws include radially outward facing threads interacting with radially inward facing threads of the nut for advancement or retraction of the chuck jaws.    
   
   
       11 . The tool chuck of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the sleeve carries a nut, and    a bearing is interposed between the nut and chuck body to facilitate relative rotation between the nut and chuck body.    
   
   
       12 . A tool chuck, comprising: 
 a chuck body,    a sleeve mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position, the sleeve including a first clutch part engagable to a second clutch part when the sleeve is in the second axial position, the first clutch part configured to slip relative to the second clutch part in a first direction upon application of a first torque threshold, and in a second direction upon application of a second torque threshold.    
   
   
       13 . The tool chuck of  claim 12 , wherein the first torque threshold and the second torque threshold have different magnitudes.  
   
   
       14 . A tool chuck, comprising: 
 a chuck body,    a first sleeve,    a second sleeve,    a first clutch part on the first sleeve, and    a second clutch part on the second sleeve, the first clutch part disengaging the second clutch part upon tightening of the tool chuck so that the first sleeve is urged forward toward a rear of the chuck body.    
   
   
       15 . The tool chuck of  claim 14 , wherein the chuck body includes one or more recesses at a rear end thereof for receiving one or more detent portions of the first chuck part, so as to engage the detent portions to prevent relative motion between the first sleeve and the chuck body.  
   
   
       16 . A tool chuck of a tool having a tool motor, comprising: 
 a chuck body,    a plurality of chuck jaws selectively securing an accessory of a power driver therein, and    a sleeve mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position based on actuation of an axially spring-loaded actuator.    
   
   
       17 . The tool chuck of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator actuates under user control so as to operate the tool motor to loosen or tighten the chuck jaws.  
   
   
       18 . A tool chuck, comprising: 
 a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis,    a plurality of chuck jaws selectively securing an accessory of a power driver therein,    a sleeve mounted on the chuck body, and    a clutch mechanism adapted to move axially forward to engage the fixed sleeve to prevent inadvertent loosening or tightening of the chuck jaws.    
   
   
       19 . A tool chuck, comprising: 
 a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis,    a sleeve mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position, the sleeve including a clutch part that engages with a cooperating clutch part when the sleeve is in the second axial position, the clutch part having a working surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       20 . A tool chuck of a power driver having a motor, comprising: 
 a chuck body, and    a clutch ring actuatable by a user of the power driver for engaging or disengaging the motor to provide accessory retention and/or disengagement.