Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A spindle powered adjustable chuck for forcefully gripping a workpiece capable of automatically adjusting gripping diameter comprising a support frame having a plurality of radially oriented jaw receiving compartments, jaws displaceable within the jaw receiving compartments, and worm gears for radially displacing the jaws, clamps for simultaneously displacing the jaws to a clamping position preparatory to rotating the chuck for operation, a spindle for rotatively driving the support frame, a planetary gear train including an internally splined sun gear and a plurality of planetary gears, splined shaft for coupling the planetary gears to the worm gears, and a two position splined key for operatively engaging and disengaging the planetary gear train, including a compression spring for biasing the splined key to a first position whereat the planetary gear train is fixed relative to the support frame, whereby rotation of the spindle can rotate a workpiece clamped to the support frame, the splined key being displaceable from the first position to second position acting against the compression spring, thereby rotationally fixing the sun gear of the planetary gear train whereby the support frame is rotatively free of the sun gear, so that rotation of the support frame rotatively drives the planetary gear train, thereby adjusting the gripping diameter through the worm gears.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim