Removable chuck

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/596,762 filed Jun. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,559; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/167,305 filed on Oct. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,716 issued Jun. 27, 2000; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/989,715 filed on Dec. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,026 issued Sep. 14, 1999, the specifications and drawings are herein expressly incorporated by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to rotatable tools such as drills, hammer drill, screwdrivers, and other power tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a removable chuck for a hand-held tool.

[0004] In the consumer market, it is desirable to use rotatable tools with a drill bit to form holes in a workpiece. Also, it is desirous to insert fasteners, such as screws with a regular or Phillips head into these holes to retain multiple workpieces together. Ordinarily, one uses the tool to drill the holes in the workpiece. After drilling the holes in the workpiece, the drill bit is removed from the chuck and a tool bit is inserted into the chuck for driving the fastener. While this has been an effective method for driving fasteners into the workpiece, it is burdensome and time consuming to continually drill holes, remove the drill bit from the chuck, and insert a tool bit into the chuck to drive the fastener. Generally, this process is continued while connecting several workpieces together. Further, this process has been carried out in the professional power tool devices. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a chuck with the drill bit, which is removable from the tool to expose a spindle, with a tool bit, on the tool to drive the fasteners.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a removable chuck assembly embodying the foregoing design objectives.

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a removable chuck comprises a sleeve adapted to connect with a rotatable spindle. A chuck body is coupled with the sleeve. A locking mechanism is adapted to retain the sleeve on the rotating spindle. The locking mechanism includes a locking member to seat in a recess in the spindle. The locking member is movable from a first position, where the locking member is in a non-biased condition, coupling the sleeve with the spindle, to a second position, where the locking member is in a biased condition to enable decoupling from the spindle. The locking member is preferably an overall U-shaped spring for locking the sleeve with the spindle. Further, the locking member may include a first non-rotatable and a second rotatable member and a biasing member. The rotatable member moves the biasing member between the first and second positions to lock and enable removal of the sleeve from the spindle. The rotatable member includes a cam surface which acts on the U-shaped spring to move the U-shaped spring transverse to the axis of the spindle between the first and second positions. The non-rotatable and rotatable members include mating ledges to enable coupling with one another. Also, a latch is coupled with the non-rotatable member. The adjustable member includes a notch to receive the latch to provide a positive indication of the rotatable member in the first position. Additionally, the locking member may include a yoke member with a pin to engage the recess. A helical spring biases the yoke member to enable it to move between the first and second positions.

[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a hand tool comprises a hand tool with a rotatable spindle. The spindle includes a recess. A removable chuck is coupled with the spindle. A sleeve couples the removable chuck with the rotatable spindle. A locking mechanism retains the sleeve on the rotatable spindle. The locking mechanism includes a locking member to seat in the recess of the spindle. The locking member is movable from a first position, where the locking member is in a non-biased condition, coupling the sleeve with the spindle, to a second position, where the locking member is in a biased condition to enable decoupling from the spindle. The locking member is preferably an overall U-shaped spring to lock the sleeve with the spindle. Further, the locking member may include a first non-rotatable and a second rotatable member and a biasing member. The rotatable member moves the biasing member between the first and second position to lock and enable removal of the sleeve from the spindle. The rotatable member includes a cam surface which acts on the U-shaped spring to move the U-shaped spring transverse to the axis of the spindle between the first and second positions. The non-rotatable and rotatable members include mating ledges to enable coupling with one another. Also, a latch is coupled with the non-rotatable member. The adjustable member includes a notch to receive the latch to provide a positive indication of the rotatable member in the first position. Additionally, the locking member may include a yoke member with a pin to engage the recess. A helical spring biases the yoke member to enable it to move between the first and second positions.

[0008] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, and the appended claims and accompanying drawings, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same parts.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool with the removable chuck of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 with the chuck removed from the spindle.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of FIG. 1 along line 3—3 thereof.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a cross-section view of FIG. 1 along line 3A—3A thereof.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view like that of FIG. 3 in a removable position.

[0015] FIG. 4A is a cross-section view of FIG. 3A along line 4A—4A thereof.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of FIG. 1 along line 5—5 thereof.

[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the locking member.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective rear view of the locking member.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view like FIG. 2 of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of FIG. 8 along line 9—9 thereof in the assembled condition.

[0021] FIG. 9ais the same as FIG. 9 with the yoke depressed.

[0022] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the locking member of FIG. 8.

[0023] Turning to the figures, particularly FIGS. 1-2, a removable chuck 20 is illustrated on a tool 22. In this particular embodiment, the tool 22 is a rotary drill, however a hammer drill or power screwdriver would work equally well. The drill 22 includes a spindle 24 which, in turn, includes an aperture 28 to receive a tool bit 30. The spindle 24 includes a circumferential groove 26 as well as a plurality of raised members 32 separated by axial channels 33. Also, a retaining ring 36 is received in a notch 40 on a sharpter surface in the spindle to prohibit additional rearward movement of the chuck 20 onto the spindle 24. A magnet 38 is positioned in the spindle 24 to magnetize the tool bit 30 as well as to retain the tool bit in the bore. Likewise, the raised members 32 and channels 33 provide the drive connection with the chuck 20. Other positive locking means may be located in the spindle to hold the tool bit.

[0024] The chuck 20 includes a body 50, jaw members 52 with a locking sleeve 54, which are conventional, to retain a drill bit 56 within the chuck 20. A retaining mechanism 60 is at the rear of the chuck body 50 to enable the chuck 20 to be secured with and removed from the spindle 24.

[0025] The retention mechanism 60 includes a drive sleeve or spud 62. The spud 62 (best seen in FIGS. 5-7) has a first tubular portion 64 which may have a thread or the like 66 which is coupled with threaded bore 68 at the rear of the chuck body 50 to secure the spud 62 with the chuck body 50. The second tubular portion 70 of the spud 62 has bore 72 with corresponding raised members 74 and axial channels 75 on its interior surface to mate with the spindle 24. Arcuate slots 77 are formed through the second tubular portion to enable a biasing member to couple the spud 62 with the spindle 24.

[0026] The spud second portion 70 is followed by a flange 78. The flange 78 includes a pair of notches 80. The notches 80 are positioned 180° apart from one another.

[0027] The retention mechanism 60 also includes a first rotatable member 82, a second non-rotatable member 84 and a biasing member 86. The rotatable member 82 has an annular body 88 with an extending skirt 90. The skirt 90 includes a first diameter portion 92 which is sized to rest on the second tubular portion 70 of spud 62. A second diameter portion 94 provides a thin wall section to rotatable member 82 and therefore can be made with a plastic injection molding process. A third diameter portion 96 includes an eccentric cam surface 98. A fourth diameter portion 100 defines a mating ledge 102.

[0028] The non-rotatable member 84 includes an annular body 104. The annular body 104 has a bore 106 with a first diameter portion 108 resting on the spud second tubular portion 70 and a second diameter portion 110 to receive the spud flange 78. The second diameter portion 110 includes projecting tabs 112. The tabs 112 mate with the flange notches 80 to fix the non-rotatable member 84 with the spud 62.

[0029] At least one positioning projection 114 extends from the annular body 104. The projection 114 positions the biasing member 86. A mating ledge 116 extends from the annular body 104. The mating ledge 116 mates with receiving mating ledge 102 to enable coupling of the rotatable and non-rotatable members.

[0030] A spring latch 120 is mounted on the annular body 104. The latch 120 cooperates with a notch 122 in the fourth diameter portion 100. Thus, when the rotating member is rotated on the non-rotatable member, the latch 120 will snap into the notch 122 to indicate the first position of the locking mechanism. A rotational stop 124 also extends into the third diameter portion to prohibit over rotation.

[0031] The biasing member 86 has an overall inverted U-shape with a web 126 and legs 128 and 130. The biasing member 86 is made from a spring wire material. The web 126 includes a projection 132. The web may have a serpentine configuration as shown in FIG. 4. The legs 128 and 130 are mirror images of one another. The legs 128 and 130 include a first portion 134, a second angled portion 136 and a curved foot portion 138. The foot portion 138 fits into the slots 77 in the spud and recess in the spindle as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0032] In use, the feet 138 rest in the spud 62 and spindle recesses 26 to couple the chuck 20 with the spindle 24. Thus, the chuck 20 is locked onto the spindle. As the rotatable member 82 is rotated, the cam surface 98 presses against the web 126 of biasing member 86. As this occurs, the biasing member feet 138 ride along the arcuate surface 79 of the spud slots 77 until the feet 138 pass outside of the spindle recess 26 as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3. As this occurs, the chuck may be removed from the spindle. Rotating the rotatable member 82 in a reverse direction, removes the force to enable the biasing member 86 to return to its original position and the feet 138 return into the spud slots 77. When the rotatable member is in its first position, the latch 120 snaps into the notch 122 indicating that it is in the first position. To recouple the chuck with the spindle, the spud 62 is slid onto the spindle 24 wherein the chamfered surface of the spindle contacts the biasing member feet 138 spreading the feet 138 apart from one another and enabling them to ride along the spindle 24. As force is continued axially on the chuck 20, the feet 138 contact the spindle recess 26 recoupling the biasing member 86 which, in turn, couples the chuck 20 with the spindle 24.

[0033] Turning to FIGS. 8-10, an additional embodiment is shown. The elements which are the same will be identified with like numerals. The differences between the removable chucks are in the retention mechanism.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 8, the removable chuck 20′ includes a body 50, jaw members 52, as well as locking sleeve 54, which are all conventional to retain the drill bit within the chuck 20′. The retaining mechanism 60′ is at the rear of the chuck body 50 to enable the chuck to be secured with and removed from the spindle 24′. The spindle 24′ is the same as that previously discussed; however, the circumferential groove 26 has been replaced with a plurality of recesses 26′ on the raise members 32.

[0035] The retention mechanism 60′ includes drive spud 62 which includes first tubular portion 64 which may have a thread or the like 66 which is coupled with the threaded bore 68 at the rear of the chuck body 50 to secure the spud with the chuck body 50. The second tubular bore portion 70 of the spud 62 has a bore 72 with corresponding raised members 74 and axial channels 75 on its interior to mate with the spindle 24′. A bore 77′ is formed through the second tubular portion to enable a pin to couple the spud 62 with the spindle 24.

[0036] The retention mechanism 60′ include a pair of housing members 150 and 152 which house a movable yoke 154. The housing members 150 and 152 generally are a flat disc member as well as a cup-shaped cylindrical member including a skirt 158 which houses the yoke 154.

[0037] The yoke 154 has an overall oval shape with an activation portion 162, a pair of legs 164 and 166, as well as a bottom web 168 connecting the legs at one end. The yoke 154, which connects the legs 164, 166 at their top, includes a cut-out 170 which has an elongated extension 172. The cut-out extension 172 extends towards the tip of the activation portion 162 of the yoke.

[0038] A spring 174 is positioned in the extended cut-out portion 172. The spring biases between the spud and the yoke 154. A pin 176 is mounted in the web portion 168 of the yoke 154. The pin 176 engages the recesses 26′ to connect the removable chuck with the recess.

[0039] Once assembled, the removable chuck retention mechanism operates as follows. As seen in FIG. 9, the pin 176 passes through the spud and into one of the recesses 26′ of the spindle 24′. The activation portion 162 of the yoke 154 is pushed inward against the spring 174 as seen in FIG. 9a. As this occurs, the pin 176 exits the recess 26′. Thus, the chuck may be removed from the spindle. As the chuck is inserted back onto the spindle, the pin contacts the tapered portion of the extending member riding along the extending member 32 until it contacts the recess 26′ wherein the spring forces the pin back into the recess 26′.

[0040] Thus, the yoke 154 is moved to compress the spring which, in turn, enables the pin to be removed from the recess 26′ in the spindle enabling removal of the chuck.

[0041] While the above detailed description describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.