A tool connector generally includes a tool receiving portion configured for reciprocating between first and second work tool seating positions, wherein the tool receiving portion is normally biased to the first work tool seating position, and actuatable to the second work tool seating position. The tool connector further includes a magnetic mechanism in the tool receiving portion for providing magnetic force to engage a work tool in either of the first and second work tool seating positions, and a locking mechanism for lockingly engaging a work tool in the second work tool seating position.

A hand-held power tool includes a tool receiver that includes a tubular tool holder configured to lock an insert tool therein by an assigned locking device via at least one locking element. The locking device includes a pressure sleeve that is spring-loaded via an assigned spring element, and a stop sleeve, the stop sleeve having a contact surface on its inner circumference, and the spring-loaded pressure sleeve pressing the at least one locking element in a locking position against the contact surface. The tubular tool holder has at least one recess in which the at least one locking element in the locking position is located, at least portionally, the at least one recess having a ramp-type guideway. The at least one locking element is displaceable along the ramp-type guideway from the locking position to an unlocking position.

A hand-held power tool includes a tool receiver with a tubular tool holder and an assigned locking device. The assigned locking device includes a locking element configured to lock an insert tool in the tubular tool holder, a pressure sleeve that is spring-loaded via an assigned spring element, and a stop sleeve, the spring-loaded pressure sleeve configured to press the locking element in a locking position against the stop sleeve. The tubular tool holder includes at least one recess in which the locking element in the locking position is located, at least portionally. The stop sleeve has, on its inner circumference, at least one contact surface that is matched to an outer contour of the locking element such that a first surface contact between the at least one contact surface and the locking element is established in the locking position.

A tool holder system with first and second spindles, a locking ring slideably mounted on the first spindle, a first biasing mechanism biasing the locking ring towards an indentation position where the locking ring surrounds an indentation on the first spindle, and a moveable locking element mounted on the second spindle, the locking element being engageable to the indentation. The first spindle can be unlocked from the second spindle by sliding the locking ring away from the indentation position against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism and towards the second spindle. Such action moves the locking element to disengage from the indentation.

A workpiece clamping device able to perform a set-up changing operation for clamping members depending on the kind of a workpiece to be processed, at a low cost, by a simple method. The workpiece clamping device includes a bracket, a movable part which is movable with respect to the bracket, a clamping member to be attached to and detached from the bracket or the movable part, to clamp a workpiece, and a detachable device for detachably coupling the bracket or the movable part to the clamping member.

In a handheld machine tool having a tool holding fixture, which has a multi-faced inner receptacle and a multi-faced outer receptacle, the multi-faced inner receptacle being configured for the connection to a first tool insert, which is able to be locked in the multi-faced inner receptacle using a locking device assigned to the tool holding fixture, and the multi-faced outer receptacle being configured for the connection to a second tool insert, which has an inner multi-faced coupling that is able to be slid onto the multi-faced outer receptacle. The locking device has an actuating element, which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tool holding fixture for unlocking the first tool insert from a specified locking position into a specified unlocking position.

A device for connecting a tool to an arm of a robot, comprising: —a body (2; 32) having an annular wall provided with openings (6; 36), received within which are one or more balls (8; 38), which are mobile within said openings between an inoperative position and an operative position, in said operative position said balls projecting from said wall to engage corresponding portions of said tool and clamping the latter on said arm; and —a piston (4; 34), configured for co-operating with said balls and governed fluid-dynamically between a first position and a second position, wherein, in said second position, —said piston forces said-balls into said operative position, and, in said first position, said piston releases said balls so that they can move into said inoperative position. The device is characterized in that it comprises safety means (15, 55, 65, 75), which, in an active condition thereof, engage said piston (4; 34) in said second position so as to block it in said second position in order to prevent displacement of said balls into said inoperative position.

A quick-change system includes an exchange tool with a ball receiving opening, a receiving part with a receiving opening for receiving the exchange tool, and a ball catch for temporarily fixing the exchange tool on the receiving part. The ball catch includes a sleeve that is closed on one side and a spring-mounted press-ball arranged in the sleeve for manually engaging and disengaging with the ball-receiving opening. In an example embodiment, the sleeve has an axis of symmetry, the spring-mounted press-ball is movable along the axis of symmetry, and the ball-receiving opening has a central axis extending parallel to the axis of symmetry when the receiving part is engaged with the exchange tool.

To substantially eliminate torsional freeplay in a robotic tool changer having a ball-lock coupling mechanism, scallop-like features in the form of cross-contact recesses are formed in at least one of, and preferably both of, a bearing race in a tool assembly at the points of contact of rolling members, and in the opposing inner surfaces of bores containing the rolling members in a master assembly. The cross-contact recesses are sized and shaped to receive a rolling member, but have a central void, or channel, perpendicular to the rolling member's motion in torsional freeplay, which does not contact the rolling member. The cross-contact recess contacts the rolling member at contact areas on either side of the central void. These contact areas impart two separate contact forces on the rolling member, both angled toward the center of the rolling member and hence operative to prevent side-to-side movement, or rocking, of the rolling member within the cross-contact recess, and hence substantially eliminating torsional freeplay of the robotic tool changer.

A toolholder assembly includes a toolholder having a rearwardly facing toolholder shank, a base member having a bore configured for receiving the toolholder shank, a lock rod with an axial forward and an axial rearward end, at least one locking member in communication with the axial forward end of the lock rod, and a flexible canister configured for receipt in the bore of the base member. The flexible canister includes at least one flexible feature that reduces a stiffness (i.e., increases flexibility) of the flexible canister. In one aspect, the flexible feature is a slot proximate a locking passageway of the canister.