US-20260124683-A1 - CHUCK WITH QUICK CONNECT SPINDLE INTERFACE

US20260124683A1US 20260124683 A1US20260124683 A1US 20260124683A1US-20260124683-A1

Abstract

A chuck includes a detent member ( 54 ) and a collar ( 50 ). The detent member ( 54 ) is movable to secure the drive spindle. The collar ( 50 ) is axially movable into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position. A collar spring ( 55 ) may apply a collar spring bias on the collar ( 50 ). A separation spring assembly ( 60 ) may apply a separation bias on the drive spindle. When the collar ( 50 ) is in the spindle disengaged position, the detent member ( 54 ) may be at least partially disposed within a collar recess and both the collar ( 50 ) and the separation spring assembly ( 60 ) may apply bias forces on the detent member ( 54 ). When the collar ( 50 ) is in the spindle engaged position, the detent member ( 54 ) is moved out of the collar recess and onto an engaging surface of the collar ( 50 ) to inhibit radial movement of the detent member ( 54 ). The chuck can reduce the time to remove and install the chuck onto a rotating power tool.

Inventors

Jichun Zhou
Tingwei Zeng
Michael Goodson

Assignees

APEX BRANDS, INC.
JACOBS CHUCK MANUFACTURING (SUZHOU) COMPANY LTD.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20230515

Claims (20)

1 . A chuck for use with a rotating power tool having a drive spindle, the chuck comprising: a plurality of jaws configured to open or close to install or remove a bit; a body assembly comprising a spindle cavity configured to receive the drive spindle, the body assembly also being configured to translate rotation of the drive spindle about a center axis of the chuck to the plurality of jaws to rotate the bit; a detent member moveable relative to the body assembly, the detent member being movable to engage with the drive spindle to secure the drive spindle to the chuck and disengage from the drive spindle to permit removal of the drive spindle from the chuck; a collar comprising a collar recess and a collar engaging surface, the collar being axially movable relative to the body assembly and the detent member into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position; a collar spring operably coupled to the collar to apply a collar spring bias on the collar; and a separation spring assembly disposed within the spindle cavity and configured to apply a separation bias on the drive spindle when the separation spring assembly is engaged with the drive spindle within the spindle cavity; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle disengaged position and the detent member is not engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member is at least partially disposed within the collar recess and both the collar and the separation spring assembly apply bias forces on the detent member; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle engaged position and detent member is engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member is moved out of the collar recess and onto the collar engaging surface to inhibit radial movement of the detent member.
2 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the collar is configured to be moved relative to the body assembly, by a user, in a direction against the collar spring bias on the collar, from the spindle engaged position to a spindle transition position to remove the drive spindle from the chuck; wherein, in the spindle transition position, the collar is positioned such that the detent member aligns with the collar recess to disengage the detent member from the drive spindle and permit the separation bias to force the drive spindle towards an opening of the spindle cavity.
3 . The chuck of claim 2 , wherein the body assembly comprises a collar stop surface, wherein the collar stop surface contacts the collar to stop movement of the collar beyond the spindle transition position.
4 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the collar is configured to be moved relative to the body assembly in a direction against the collar spring bias, from the spindle disengaged position to a spindle transition position to install the chuck onto the drive spindle; wherein, in the spindle transition position, the collar is positioned such that the detent member aligns with the collar recess to permit the detent member to move radially out of the spindle cavity and permit continued entry of the drive spindle into the spindle cavity.
5 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the collar spring bias urges the collar in an opposite direction than the separation spring assembly urges the drive spindle.
6 . The chuck of claim 1 further comprising a detent spring disposed in the collar recess and configured to urge the detent member into contact with the separation spring assembly or the drive spindle.
7 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the body assembly comprises a spindle pin disposed within the spindle cavity and configured to operably couple with the drive spindle; wherein the separation spring assembly comprises a separation spring and a separation ring with a ring opening; wherein the spindle pin is disposed within the ring opening.
8 . The chuck of claim 7 , wherein the separation spring is a coil spring that coils around the spindle pin.
9 . The chuck of claim 7 , wherein the spindle pin comprises a stop ridge configured to stop movement of the separation ring towards an opening of the spindle cavity due to the separation bias.
10 . The chuck of claim 7 , wherein the separation ring comprises a ring ridge configured to contact the detent member to stop movement of the separation ring towards an opening of the spindle cavity due to the separation bias.
11 . The chuck of claim 1 further comprising a snap ring coupled to the body assembly; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle engaged position and detent member is engaged with the drive spindle, movement of the collar in a direction towards an opening of the spindle cavity due to urging by the collar spring is stopped by the snap ring to maintain the collar in the spindle engaged position.
12 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the body assembly comprises a detent passageway in a sidewall of the spindle cavity; wherein the detent member is disposed within the detent passageway.
13 . The chuck of claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises a sidewall of the collar recess; wherein the sidewall comprises a chamfer surface; wherein the detent member is urged against the chamfer surface of the sidewall when the collar is in the spindle disengaged position.
14 . The chuck of claim 13 , wherein the detent member is a ball; wherein the chamfer surface of the sidewall operates as a ramp to move the ball out of the collar recess and onto the collar engaging surface when the collar moves from the spindle disengaged position to the spindle engaged position.
15 . A chuck for use with a rotating power tool having a drive spindle, the chuck comprising: a plurality of jaws configured to open or close to install or remove a bit; a body assembly being configured to translate rotation of the drive spindle about a center axis of the chuck to the plurality of jaws; a detent member movable to engage with the drive spindle to secure the drive spindle to the chuck and disengage from the drive spindle to permit removal of the drive spindle from the chuck; a collar comprising a collar recess, the collar being axially movable relative to the body assembly into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position; a collar spring operably coupled to the collar to apply a collar spring bias on the collar; and a separation spring assembly operably coupled to the body assembly and configured to apply a separation bias on the drive spindle when the separation spring assembly is engaged with the drive spindle; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle disengaged position and the detent member is not engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member is at least partially disposed within the collar recess and both the collar and the separation spring assembly apply bias forces on the detent member; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle engaged position and detent member is engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member is moved out of the collar recess.
16 . The chuck of claim 15 , wherein the collar is configured to be moved relative to the body assembly, by a user, in a direction against the collar spring bias, from the spindle engaged position to a spindle transition position to remove the drive spindle from the chuck; wherein, in the spindle transition position, the collar is positioned such that the detent member aligns with the collar recess to disengage the detent member from the drive spindle and permit the separation bias to move the drive spindle.
17 . The chuck of claim 15 , wherein the collar is configured to be moved relative to the body assembly in a direction against the collar spring bias, from the spindle disengaged position to a spindle transition position to install the chuck onto the drive spindle; wherein, in the spindle transition position, the collar is positioned such that the detent member aligns with the collar recess to permit the detent member to move radially outward to permit continued entry of the drive spindle into a spindle cavity of the body assembly.
18 . A chuck for use with a rotating power driver having a drive spindle, the chuck comprising: a plurality of jaws configured to open or close to install or remove a bit, the jaws being disposed at a forward end of the chuck; a body assembly comprising a spindle cavity to receive the drive spindle at a rearward end of the chuck, the body assembly being configured to translate rotation of the drive spindle about a center axis of the chuck to the plurality of jaws; a detent member moveable relative to the body assembly, the detent member being movable to engage with the drive spindle to secure the drive spindle to the chuck and disengage from the drive spindle to permit removal of the drive spindle from the chuck; a collar comprising a collar recess and a collar engaging surface, the collar being axially movable relative to the body assembly and the detent member into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position; a collar spring operably coupled to the collar to apply a collar spring bias on the collar; and a separation spring assembly disposed within the spindle cavity and configured to apply a separation bias on the drive spindle when the separation spring assembly is engaged with the drive spindle within the spindle cavity; wherein, when the collar is in the spindle disengaged position and the detent member is not engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member is at least partially disposed within the collar recess and the detent member extends into the spindle cavity to operate as a stop for the separation spring assembly.
19 . The chuck of claim 18 , wherein the collar spring is disposed forward of the collar.
20 . The chuck of claim 18 , wherein the collar spring is disposed rearward of the collar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Example embodiments generally relate to chucks for use with power drivers including power drills, and more particularly, relate to technology for a chuck coupling interface. BACKGROUND A rotating power tools have been developed that offer the flexibility of attaching different working ends to the power tool based on the task to be performed. A chuck for securing a drill bit or fastener bit to the rotating power tool may be one example of a working end that may be attached to a rotating tool. In this regard, due to the wide variety of sizes and types of bits, in some working environments it may be necessary to use different chucks (e.g., chucks for large diameter bits, chuck for small diameter bit, chucks with specific bit interface features for specialized bits, etc.) with the same rotating power tool. For example, in a manufacturing assembly line environment, an assembler may need to change working ends on a rotating power tool during a same stage of product assembly. The removal and replacement of a working end, such as a chuck, can be a time consuming process. In situations such as assembly line manufacturing, the delays associated with working end replace can slow assembly and negatively impact product assembly times and manufacturing yields. As such, it would be beneficial to develop improve chucks that minimize the time associated with removing and installing the chuck onto a rotating power tool, but are also securely coupled when performing a task. SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES According to some example embodiments, a chuck for use with a rotating power tool having a drive spindle is provided. The chuck may comprise a plurality of jaws configured to open or close to install or remove a bit, and a body assembly comprising a spindle cavity configured to receive the drive spindle. The body assembly may also be configured to translate rotation of the drive spindle about a center axis of the chuck to the plurality of jaws to rotate the bit. The chuck may also comprise a detent member that may be moveable relative to the body assembly. The detent member may be movable to engage with the drive spindle to secure the drive spindle to the chuck and disengage from the drive spindle to permit removal of the drive spindle from the chuck. The chuck may also comprise a collar comprising a collar recess and a collar engaging surface. The collar may be axially movable relative to the body assembly and the detent member into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position. Further, the chuck may comprise a collar spring operably coupled to the collar to apply a collar spring bias on the collar, and a separation spring assembly disposed within the spindle cavity and configured to apply a separation bias on the drive spindle when the separation spring assembly is engaged with the drive spindle within the spindle cavity. When the collar is in the spindle disengaged position and the detent member is not engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member may be at least partially disposed within the collar recess and both the collar and the separation spring assembly may apply bias forces on the detent member. When the collar is in the spindle engaged position and detent member is engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member may move out of the collar recess and onto the collar engaging surface to inhibit radial movement of the detent member. According to some example embodiments, another chuck for use with a rotating power tool having a drive spindle is provided. The chuck may comprise a plurality of jaws configured to open or close to install or remove a bit, a body assembly being configured to translate rotation of the drive spindle about a center axis of the chuck to the plurality of jaws, a detent member movable to engage with the drive spindle to secure the drive spindle to the chuck and disengage from the drive spindle to permit removal of the drive spindle from the chuck, and a collar comprising a collar recess. The collar may be axially movable relative to the body assembly into a spindle disengaged position and a spindle engaged position. The chuck may also comprise a collar spring operably coupled to the collar to apply a collar spring bias on the collar, and a separation spring assembly operably coupled to the body assembly and configured to apply a separation bias on the drive spindle when the separation spring assembly is engaged with the drive spindle. When the collar is in the spindle disengaged position and the detent member is not engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member may be at least partially disposed within the collar recess and both the collar and the separation spring assembly may apply bias forces on the detent member. When the collar is in the spindle engaged position and detent member is engaged with the drive spindle, the detent member may be moved out of the collar recess. According to some example embodiments, another chuck for use with a rotating power dr