A tool bit holder for connecting a tool bit to a tool includes a tool body having a first end portion configured to connect to the tool, a second end portion, and a hollow interior configured to receive the tool bit. The second end portion defines an end of the tool body. The hollow interior extends through the end. The tool bit holder also includes a non-circular profile formed in the tool body and partially defining the hollow interior. The tool bit holder further includes an alignment region positioned between the end of the tool body and the non-circular profile. The alignment region partially defines the hollow interior to facilitate alignment of the tool bit with the non-circular profile.

The present invention provides a new drill chuck that resolves the problem that the excessive clamping force of the existing drill chuck makes it inconvenient to open the drill chuck and easily damages the cutters. The new drill chuck comprises a front-body, an after-body, and clamping jaws, wherein a thread is provided on the clamping jaw, the after-body is provided with master gears, slave gears are provided between the clamping jaws and the after-body, the master gear fits with the slave gear, a thread is provided inside the slave gear, and the thread of the slave gear fits with the thread of the clamping jaw.

A chuck assembly includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws each received within a slot of the chuck body for co-rotation with the chuck body about the axis, a wedge engageable with an outer surface of each jaw, a pusher coupled to the plurality of jaws to bias the plurality of jaws in a forward direction into engagement with the wedge, and a tightening sleeve threadably coupled to the chuck body for relative rotation with the chuck body. The tightening sleeve includes a clamping surface engageable with the wedge for inwardly displacing the plurality of jaws in a radial direction, causing the plurality of jaws to secure a tool bit received within the chuck assembly, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.

A method of operating a power tool chuck assembly includes inserting a tool bit within a central bore of a chuck body, displacing a plurality of jaws with the tool bit from an extended position to a retracted position, displacing the jaws from the retracted position toward the extended position with a spring, rotating a tightening sleeve about a rotational axis in a tightening direction, thereby imparting an axial displacement to the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body, inwardly displacing a plurality of clamping nuts in a radial direction in response to engagement between a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve and the clamping nuts, causing respective threads on the clamping nuts and the jaws to engage, and applying a clamping force on the tool bit with the jaws in response to continued rotation of the tightening sleeve in the tightening direction.

A method of operating a power tool chuck assembly includes inserting a tool bit within a central bore of a chuck body, displacing a plurality of jaws with the tool bit from an extended position to a retracted position, displacing the jaws from the retracted position toward the extended position with a spring, rotating a tightening sleeve about a rotational axis in a tightening direction, thereby imparting an axial displacement to the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body, inwardly displacing a plurality of clamping nuts in a radial direction in response to engagement between a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve and the clamping nuts, causing respective threads on the clamping nuts and the jaws to engage, and applying a clamping force on the tool bit with the jaws in response to continued rotation of the tightening sleeve in the tightening direction.

A jaw for use in a drill chuck having a longitudinal center axis, comprising a chuck body which includes a jaw face formed on an inner surface of the chuck body and a plurality of teeth formed on an outer surface of the chuck body, the jaw face being substantially parallel to the longitudinal center axis. A ridge depends inwardly from the jaw face toward the longitudinal center axis. The ridge includes a tool engaging surface that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal center axis and has a width of between 0.020 to 0.060 inches.

A chuck assembly, for use with a rotary power tool, includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws supported by the chuck body for relative movement therewith between a retracted position for permitting insertion of a tool bit within the chuck body and an extended position for clamping the tool bit, a plurality of clamping nuts surrounding the chuck body and having interior threads engageable with corresponding threads on the respective jaws, a tightening sleeve surrounding and threadably engaged with the chuck body for relative rotation therewith, and a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve for selective engagement with the clamping nuts for inwardly displacing the clamping nuts, causing the respective threads on the clamping nuts and jaws to engage, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.

A chuck assembly for a rotary power tool includes a chuck body rotatable about a central axis. The chuck body has a plurality of slots, each oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central axis. The chuck assembly also includes a plurality of jaws, each movable along a respective one of the slots. The chuck assembly also includes a collar coupled to the plurality of jaws. The collar is selectively engageable with the chuck body such that, when engaged, the plurality of jaws are movable along the plurality of slots in response to rotation of the collar.

A chuck (10) includes a jaw guide (64), interleaving jaws (66), and an inclined engagement surface (84). The jaw guide defines a longitudinal axis (24) and includes jaw channels (65) circumferentially distributed about the axis. The jaws are slidably disposed in the jaw channels Each jaw has a clamping surface (88) facing the axis and a driving surface (90) substantially opposite the clamping surface and a protrusion (92) on a first lateral side and a cavity (96) on a second lateral side. The protrusion of each jaw is disposed at least in part in the cavity of an adjacent jaw. The engagement surface is on one of an inner surface of the jaw guide and an engagement sleeve (80), and is substantially centered about the axis and substantially parallel to the driving surface. Displacement of the jaws relative to the engagement surface in a clamping direction displaces the clamping surfaces toward the axis.

A chuck assembly for a rotary power tool includes a chuck body rotatable about a central axis. The chuck body has a plurality of slots, each oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central axis. The chuck assembly also includes a plurality of jaws, each movable along a respective one of the slots. The chuck assembly also includes a collar coupled to the plurality of jaws. The collar is selectively engageable with the chuck body such that, when engaged, the plurality of jaws are movable along the plurality of slots in response to rotation of the collar.