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 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 coupling device and coupling method for the self-securing mechanical connection of two parts of a holding system for medical instruments, including a bolt element insertable into a bushing; wherein the bushing has a main body and, connected fixedly to the latter, a cone sleeve which tapers conically at its free end, wherein a cage sleeve acted upon by a spring and guiding clamping bodies is inserted axially movably into the cone sleeve and can be moved between an uncoupled position, a release position and a locking position. The clamping bodies in the locking position can be latched into a coupling groove of the bolt element by means of the spring force. The inclined coupling groove flank, at the front in the insertion direction, of the bolt element encloses an angle with the longitudinal axis of the bolt element, and the cone inner face of the cone sleeve encloses an angle with the central sleeve axis. The coupling device is characterized in that, for self-securing connection, the angle is greater than the angle such that clamping bodies partially or completely latched into the coupling groove can be pressed into the locking position counter to the insertion direction by application of a tensile force to the bolt element.

In an inherently safe robotic tool changer, a master unit couples to a tool unit via a first power source, and decouples from the tool unit using a separate, second power source. The second power source is only available when an attached tool is safely disposed in a tool stand. In embodiments where the first power source is not selectively applied, such as the constant bias provided by a spring, a detent mechanism maintains the master unit in a decoupled state when the master unit is removed from the tool unit. The detent mechanism allows the master unit to couple to a different tool unit upon physically abutting the new tool unit.

A coupling device and coupling method for the self-securing mechanical connection of two parts of a holding system for medical instruments, including a bolt element insertable into a bushing; wherein the bushing has a main body and, connected fixedly to the latter, a cone sleeve which tapers conically at its free end, wherein a cage sleeve acted upon by a spring and guiding clamping bodies is inserted axially movably into the cone sleeve and can be moved between an uncoupled position, a release position and a locking position. The clamping bodies in the locking position can be latched into a coupling groove of the bolt element by means of the spring force. The inclined coupling groove flank, at the front in the insertion direction, of the bolt element encloses an angle with the longitudinal axis of the bolt element, and the cone inner face of the cone sleeve encloses an angle with the central sleeve axis. The coupling device is characterized in that, for self-securing connection, the angle is greater than the angle such that clamping bodies partially or completely latched into the coupling groove can be pressed into the locking position counter to the insertion direction by application of a tensile force to the bolt element.

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 drill chuck assembly. The drill chuck assembly includes a rapid change mechanism configured to retain a drill bit shank inserted therein. The drill chuck assembly includes a body having a bore with a trilobe cross-section that is configured to receive a triangular and hexagonally shaped drill bit shank, interchangeably. The bore includes a slot positioned in each lobe that slidably contains a detent ball therein. A collar is affixed annularly around the body and defines a channel extending around the body. A sleeve is slidably mounted around the body. The sleeve includes a tapered end that is slidably disposed within the channel and has circular apertures that are in communication with the slots of the bore for reception of the detent balls. The sleeve is spring biased towards the collar, which forces the detent balls against an angular wall within the channel. The angular wall in turn forces the detent balls laterally towards a center of the bore, thereby exerting a force on a drill bit shank inserted into the bore and preventing the withdrawal of the shank from the bore. When the bias force of the sleeve is counteracted by sliding the sleeve about its longitudinal axis, the detent balls move outwardly along the angular wall, thereby relieving the force exerted onto the shank by the wall and allowing the shank to be withdrawn.

A drill chuck assembly. The drill chuck assembly includes a rapid change mechanism configured to retain a drill bit shank inserted therein. The drill chuck assembly includes a body having a bore with a trilobe cross-section that is configured to receive a triangular and hexagonally shaped drill bit shank, interchangeably. The bore includes a slot positioned in each lobe that slidably contains a detent ball therein. A collar is affixed annularly around the body and defines a channel extending around the body. A sleeve is slidably mounted around the body. The sleeve includes a tapered end that is slidably disposed within the channel and has circular apertures that are in communication with the slots of the bore for reception of the detent balls. The sleeve is spring biased towards the collar, which forces the detent balls against an angular wall within the channel. The angular wall in turn forces the detent balls laterally towards a center of the bore, thereby exerting a force on a drill bit shank inserted into the bore and preventing the withdrawal of the shank from the bore. When the bias force of the sleeve is counteracted by sliding the sleeve about its longitudinal axis, the detent balls move outwardly along the angular wall, thereby relieving the force exerted onto the shank by the wall and allowing the shank to be withdrawn.

An apparatus is disclosed for holding the shaft of an object, wherein the shaft rotates in a first working direction. The apparatus includes a bore, a first ball slot in communication with the bore, a first ball disposed within the first ball slot, and a spring. The bore has a longitudinal axis, and the shaft is inserted into the bore in an insertion direction. The first ball slot is in communication with the bore and includes a ramp. The first ball slot has a first axis that is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis at an acute angle between the insertion direction and the first working direction. Upon insertion of the shaft into the bore, the shaft contacts the ball and causes it to move along the ramp within the ball slot, thereby compressing the spring by a first amount.

A drill chuck assembly. The drill chuck assembly includes a rapid change mechanism configured to retain a drill bit shank inserted therein. The drill chuck assembly includes a body having a bore with a trilobe cross-section that is configured to receive a triangular and hexagonally shaped drill bit shank, interchangeably. The bore includes a slot positioned in each lobe that slidably contains a detent ball therein. A collar is affixed annularly around the body and defines a channel extending around the body. A sleeve is slidably mounted around the body. The sleeve includes a tapered end that is slidably disposed within the channel and has circular apertures that are in communication with the slots of the bore for reception of the detent balls. The sleeve is spring biased towards the collar, which forces the detent balls against an angular wall within the channel. The angular wall in turn forces the detent balls laterally towards a center of the bore, thereby exerting a force on a drill bit shank inserted into the bore and preventing the withdrawal of the shank from the bore. When the bias force of the sleeve is counteracted by sliding the sleeve about its longitudinal axis, the detent balls move outwardly along the angular wall, thereby relieving the force exerted onto the shank by the wall and allowing the shank to be withdrawn.