Importance

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Abstract

A collet assembly is provided that securely holds tool bit shafts therein while allowing them to be readily and easily interchanged. The collet assembly herein has a very few number of parts and is easily assembled without the need for any special tools or machines therefor. In a preferred form, the collet assembly provides for release of the tool shaft by a forward sliding action of a collet sleeve. In this manner, rearward forces acting on the sleeve in an axial direction such as can occur during tool operations will not cause the tool shaft to be accidentally released. Another advantage is the use of a retaining member for releasably holding the shaft. The retaining member avoids the use of detent balls as in prior collets which can require ramp surfaces formed to very precise tolerances to engage and shift the balls into and out of a holding position on the shaft.

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First Claim