Chuck for bit

Abstract

A chuck includes a body having an engaging groove for releasably receiving a bit. A sleeve is slideably mounted around the body. The body further includes an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof. The annular groove includes a positioning portion having an opening extending into the engaging groove. A positioning member is slideably received in the positioning portion and movable between a disengaged position disengaged from the bit and an engaged position. The positioning member in the engaged position has a portion extending through the opening into the engaging groove to engage with and retain the bit in the engaging groove. A retainer ring is mounted in the annular groove and clamps the positioning member in the engaged position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chuck for a bit and, more particularly, to a chuck for releasably receiving a bit such as a screwdriver bit.

Various chucks have been developed to allow quick change of a bit such as a screwdriver bit. A typical quick-change chuck includes a body having a first end coupled to a wrench or a screwdriver handle and a second end with a groove into which a shank of a bit is removably mounted. A sleeve is mounted around the body and movable along a longitudinal axis of the body between a coupling position in which a ball is engaged with the shank of the bit and, thus, retains the shank in place and a releasing position in which the ball is disengaged from the shank to allow removal or mounting of the bit. A spring is provided to bias the sleeve to the coupling position. An example of such a chuck is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,375. However, the chuck disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,375 requires an end ring to prevent the sleeve from disengaging from the shank, leading to an increase in the total weight of the chuck as well as the costs. Furthermore, the bit is not engaged with any member and may fall freely when the sleeve is in the releasing position, leading to problems during replacement of the bit. In an approach to avoid falling of the bit, a magnet is mounted inside the body for attracting the bit. However, such a device can not be utilized in places having electronic equipment, for the magnet will interfere in operation of the electronic equipment. Further, the chucks are usually utilized in an environment with oil such that the fingers of a user often slip and, thus, can not effectively move the sleeve to the releasing position, leading to problems during mounting or replacement of bits. Furthermore, it is well known that when using a tool to tighten or loosen a fastener such as a screw, rotating the screw in a loose state through operation of the tool is troublesome and inefficient.

Thus, a need exists for a chuck that allows easy removal of the bit and that allows rapid rotating of the chuck to rapidly rotate the fastener in a loose state.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of chucks for bits by providing, in a preferred form, a chuck including a body having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the body. The second end of the body includes an engaging groove adapted for releasably receiving the bit. The second end of the body further includes an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof. The annular groove includes a positioning portion having an opening extending into the engaging groove. The first end of the body is adapted for releasably coupling with a tool such that rotational movement of the tool causes rotational movement of the bit. A sleeve is mounted around the body and movable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis between a coupling position and a releasing position. The sleeve includes a first compartment slideably receiving the second end of the body and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment along the longitudinal axis and slideably receiving the first end of the body. A retainer ring is mounted in the annular groove. A positioning member is slideably received in the positioning portion of the annular groove and surrounded by a portion of the retainer ring. The positioning member is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The positioning member in the engaged position has a portion extending into in the engaging groove of the body via the opening and engaged with the bit to retain the bit in the engaging groove. The positioning member in the disengaged position is disengaged from the bit. A spring is mounted between the body and the sleeve and biases the sleeve to the coupling position. The positioning member is in the engaged position when the sleeve is in the coupling position. The portion of the retainer ring is retained and sandwiched between the inner periphery of the first compartment and the positioning member, preventing movement of the positioning member away from the engaged position. The retainer ring imparts a clamping force to retain the positioning member in the engaged position. On the other hand, when the sleeve is in the releasing position, the positioning member is movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position with the bit removable from the engaging groove of the body.

In a most preferred form, the bit is retained in the engaging groove by the clamping force of the retainer ring when the sleeve is in the releasing position and when no force is applied to the bit. The retainer ring has resilience capable of returning the positioning member into the engaging groove to engage with the bit when applying a removing force to remove the bit while the sleeve is in the releasing position, so that the bit is retained in place by the positioning member when the removing force is released before the bit is removed out of the engaging groove.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a chuck for a bit of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the chuck of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 1 according to section line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 1 according to section line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 1 according to section line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 1 with a tool and a bit coupled to the chuck.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 1 with a tool and a bit coupled to the chuck and with a sleeve of the chuck moved to a releasing position allowing removal of the bit.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded, perspective view of a chuck of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded, perspective view of a chuck of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 10 according to section line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded, perspective view of a chuck of a fourth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 13 according to section line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 shows an exploded, perspective view of a chuck of a fifth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a cross sectional view of the chuck of FIG. 16.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “inner”, “outer”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “longitudinal”, “radial”, “circumferential”, “annular”, “outward”, “inward”, “length”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A chuck for a bit of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings. According to the preferred form shown, the chuck includes a body 10 having first and second ends 11 and 12 spaced along a longitudinal axis of body 10. Body 10 includes a longitudinal through-hole extending along the longitudinal axis and in the preferred form shown as having a coupling groove 111 and an engaging groove 121 respectively in first and second ends 11 and 12 of body 10 and an intermediate section 101 between coupling groove 111 and engaging groove 121. Coupling groove 111 releasably couples with a tool 90 in the preferred form shown as a socket wrench including a drive column 91 having a ball 92. According to the most preferred form shown, coupling groove 111 is square in cross section and includes four faces 112 each having a recess 113 for releasably engaging with ball 92 of drive column 91. It can be appreciated that drive column 91 can be of any desired form and size as conventional including but not limited to of a commercially available type and that coupling groove 111 can be modified to correspond to the form and size of drive column 91. As an example, coupling groove 111 can be hexagonal in cross section and has six faces to couple with a drive column having hexagonal cross sections. Engaging groove 121 is polygonal in cross section and, in the most preferred form, is hexagonal and includes six faces 122 at 120 degrees to one another with a corner 123 formed between two faces 122 adjacent to each other. Engaging groove 121 releasably receives a shank 82 of a bit 80 having six sides and a groove 81 in the preferred form shown as a plurality of groove sections on an outer periphery of shank 82. Rotational movement of tool 90 causes rotational movement of bit 80. According to the preferred form shown, second end 12 of body 10 further includes a coupling section 124 in the most preferred form shown as a chamfered face 128 formed on an outer periphery of second end 12 of body 10 and parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis. Second end 12 of body 10 further includes an annular groove 13 in the outer periphery thereof. Annular groove 13 includes a positioning portion 13d in the most preferred form shown as a recessed portion extending inward from a bottom wall of annular groove 13 in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An opening 14d is defined in a bottom wall of positioning portion 13d and extends through one of corners 123 of engaging groove 121. Thus, annular groove 13 is in communication with engaging groove 121 via opening 14d. Annular groove 13 further includes a retaining section 15d in the most preferred form shown as a rectilinear section extending across chamfered face 128 and diametrically opposed to positioning portion 13d. Body 10 further includes a shoulder 102 formed on an intermediate portion of the outer periphery thereof and spaced from coupling section 124 along the longitudinal axis.

According to the preferred form shown, the chuck further includes a sleeve 20 mounted around and movable relative to body 10 along the longitudinal axis between a coupling position and a releasing position. Sleeve 20 includes a first compartment 21 slideably receiving second end 12 of body 10 and a second compartment 22 spaced from first compartment 21 along the longitudinal axis and slideably receiving first end 11 of body 10. First compartment 21 further includes an inner flange 27 formed on an inner periphery thereof. Inner flange 27 includes a first end face 211 facing away from second compartment 22, a second end face 201 facing second compartment 22, and an inner periphery 28 extending between first and second end faces 211 and 201. Each of first and second end faces 211 and 201 extends transversely and, in the most preferred form shown, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. A spring 50 is mounted around body 10 between shoulder 102 and second end face 201 of inner flange 27. Spring 50 biases sleeve 20 to the coupling position. Sleeve 20 further includes an engaging section 26 coupled with coupling section 124 of the body 10 to allow joint rotation of sleeve 20 and body 10 about the longitudinal axis when sleeve 20 is manually rotated while allowing movement of sleeve 20 relative to body 10 along the longitudinal axis between the coupling position and the releasing position. According to the most preferred form shown, engaging section 26 of sleeve 20 includes an extension 23 extending from the inner periphery of first compartment 21 of sleeve 20. Extension 23 includes a flat face 29 having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction smaller than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27. Furthermore, extension 23 has a spacing to second compartment 22 along the longitudinal axis larger than inner flange 27. Flat face 29 slideably abuts chamfered face 128 along the longitudinal axis allowing sliding movement of sleeve 20 relative to body 10. However, flat face 29 is engaged with chamfered face 128 to allow joint rotation of sleeve 20 and body 10 when sleeve 20 is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis. According to the most preferred form shown, sleeve 20 further includes an arcuate extension 24 formed on the inner periphery of first compartment 21 and diametrically opposed to extension 23. Arcuate extension 24 has a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction larger than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27. Furthermore, arcuate extension 24 has a spacing to second compartment 22 along the longitudinal axis larger than inner flange 27.

According to the preferred form shown, sleeve 20 further includes a flange 204 formed on an end of an outer periphery thereof and around second compartment 22. Flange 204 has an end face 206 that can be gripped by a user for moving sleeve 20 from the coupling position to the releasing position. Flange 204 includes a frictional outer periphery 205 in the most preferred form shown as a plurality of annularly spaced ribs. Frictional outer periphery 205 provides friction when sleeve 20 is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by manually rotating frictional outer periphery 205. Sleeve 20 further includes an annular protrusion 202 formed on the other end of the outer periphery thereof and around first compartment 21. Annular protrusion 202 includes a frictional outer periphery 203 in the most preferred form shown as a plurality of annularly spaced ribs. Frictional outer periphery 203 provides friction when sleeve 20 is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by manually rotating frictional outer periphery 203.

According to the preferred form shown, the chuck further includes a positioning member 40 in the most preferred form shown as a block having crescent cross sections. Positioning member 40 is received in positioning portion 13d of annular groove 13 and slideable in the radial direction.

According to the preferred form shown, the chuck further includes a retainer ring 30d having annularly spaced first and second arcuate sections 32d each having first and second ends and a rectilinear section 31d interconnected between the first ends of first and second arcuate sections 32d. The second ends of first and second arcuate sections 32d have a gap therebetween. According to the most preferred form shown, first arcuate section 32d is longer than second arcuate section 32d and extends more than 180 degrees. Retainer ring 30d is mounted in annular groove 13 of body 10 with rectilinear section 31d received in retaining section 15d of annular groove 13 and with first and second arcuate sections 32d partially received in annular groove 13. Specifically, an outer edge of each of first and second arcuate sections 32d is outside of annular groove 13 and has a spacing to the outer periphery of sleeve 20 in the radial direction smaller than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27. Furthermore, first arcuate section 32d clamps positioning member 40 in positioning portion 13d of annular groove 13 by the resiliency of retainer ring 30d, so that positioning member 40 is moved radially inward to an engaged position. Specifically, positioning member 40 in the engaged position has a portion extended into engaging groove 121 of body 10 via opening 14d.

Now that the basic construction of the chuck of the preferred teachings of the present invention has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of the chuck can be set forth and appreciated. In particular, for the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that coupling groove 111 of body 10 is engaged with drive column 91 of tool 90 and that shank 82 of bit 80 is engaged in engaging groove 121 of body 10 with sleeve 20 in the coupling position (FIG. 6). Note that extension 23 of sleeve 20 is aligned with retaining portion 15d of annular groove 13 and covers rectilinear section 31d of retainer ring 30d (FIG. 3). Furthermore, arcuate extension 24 of sleeve 20 is aligned with positioning portion 13d of annular groove 13. Further, a portion of first arcuate section 32d of retainer ring 30d is sandwiched between arcuate extension 24 of sleeve 20 and positioning member 40 (FIG. 4). Note that arcuate extension 24 of sleeve 20 is in contact with first arcuate section 32d of retainer ring 30d and, thus, prevents outward movement of positioning member 40 in the radial direction. As a result, a portion of positioning member 40 is always extended into engaging groove 121 of body 10 via opening 14d and reliably retained in an engaged position engaged with groove 81 of bit 80 when sleeve 20 is in the coupling position. Accordingly, bit 80 is securely retained in engaging groove 121. Furthermore, since the outer edge of each of first and second arcuate sections 32d is outside of annular groove 13 and has a spacing to the outer periphery of sleeve 20 in the radial direction smaller than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27, disengagement of sleeve 20 from body 10 by moving sleeve 20 away from first end 11 of body 10 is avoided, since first end face 211 of inner flange 27 will be stopped by the outer edges of first and second arcuate sections 32d of retainer ring 30d. Thus, retainer ring 30d reliably retains and clamps bit 80 in place and reliably retains sleeve 20 on body 10.

Bit 80 is rotated when tool 90 is rotated for tightening or loosening a fastener such as a screw or the like. In a case that the fastener to be loosened or tightened is in a loose state, the user can use one of his or her thumbs to turn annular protrusion 202 and/or flange 204 by frictional outer periphery 203 and/or frictional outer periphery 205 to rapidly rotate bit 80 in the loosening or tightening direction. Since flat face 29 is engaged with chamfered face 128, sleeve 20 and body 10 rotate jointly when sleeve 20 is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis. Note that the distance between sleeve 20 and tool 90 is small, since the overall length of the chuck is small. Thus, the user can rapidly rotate sleeve 20 and body 10 to rapidly rotate the fastener. Accordingly, troublesome, inefficient operation of tool 90 for rotating the loose fastener is not required.

When it is desired to remove bit 80 from the chuck, the user holds end face 206 of flange 204 of sleeve 20 with the thumb and index finger of one hand and moves sleeve 20 along the longitudinal axis of body 10 toward coupling groove 111 to the releasing position and overcomes spring 50 (FIG. 7). Flat face 29 slides on chamfered face 128 along the longitudinal axis when sleeve 20 is moved from the coupling position to the releasing position. Note that the other three fingers of the hand moving sleeve 20 can still hold tool 90 while moving sleeve 20 from the coupling position to the releasing position. Note that bit 80 is still retained in engaging groove 121 by the clamping force of retainer ring 30d through positioning member 40. Retainer ring 30d is no longer covered by sleeve 20 in the releasing position such that outward expansion of retainer ring 30d is possible. The user can remove bit 80 from engaging groove 121 with the other hand. Positioning member 40 is moved radially outward from the engaged position to a disengaged position out of groove 81 of bit 80, and first arcuate section 32d expands radially outward. At the same time, positioning member 40 is moved radially inward by the resilience of retainer ring 30d, so that the portion of positioning member 40 extends into engaging groove 121 of body 10 and in frictional contact with an edge between two sides of shank 82 of bit 80. Thus, when the other hand of the user leaves bit 80 before bit 80 is completely removed out of engaging groove 121, bit 80 will be retained in engaging groove 121 by the friction between positioning member 40 and bit 80 instead of falling out under the action of gravitational force. However, bit 80 can easily be removed if the user applies a force larger than the frictional force between positioning member 40 and bit 80. Thus, troublesome removal of the bit 80 encountered in conventional chucks is avoided. Furthermore, the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be utilized in places having electronic equipment, as no magnet is used. It can be appreciated that the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention provides synergistic results when utilized with a socket wrench. When coupling of bit 80 into engaging groove 121 is required, the user moves sleeve 20 to the releasing position and inserts shank 82 of bit 80 into engaging groove 121. Sleeve 20, when released by the user, is moved to the coupling position under the action of spring 50, and bit 80 is retained in engaging groove 121 by retainer ring 30d through positioning member 40.

In a modified embodiment of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8-9, positioning portion 13d of annular groove 13 includes a circumferential section 133 extending inward from a bottom wall of annular groove 13 in the radial direction. Positioning portion 13d further includes a radial section 132 extending inward from a bottom wall of circumferential section 133 in the radial direction. An inner end of radial section 132 in the radial direction forms opening 14d extending into one of corners 123 and in communication with engaging groove 121. Furthermore, positioning member (now designated by 41) has E-shaped cross sections. Specifically, positioning member 41 includes an arcuate section 41a slideably received in circumferential section 133 and a projection 41b extending from an inner face 41c of arcuate section 41a and slideably received in radial section 132. Projection 41b is extended through opening 14d into engaging groove 121 and engaged with groove 81 of bit 80 when sleeve 20 is in the coupling position. On the other hand, positioning member 41 is movable in the radial direction from the engaged position to the disengaged position by removing bit 80 from engaging groove 121 when sleeve 20 is in the releasing position. Operation of the chuck of FIGS. 8-9 is substantially the same as that of the chuck of FIGS. 1-7.

In another modified embodiment of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10-12, positioning portion (now designated by 13e) of annular groove 13 includes a rectilinear section 131 extending inward from a bottom wall of annular groove 13 in the radial direction. Rectilinear section 131 is parallel to and diametrically opposed to retaining portion (now designated by 15e) of annular groove 13. Positioning portion 13e further includes a radial section 132 extending inward from a bottom wall of rectilinear section 131 in the radial direction. An inner end of radial section 132 in the radial direction forms opening (now designed by 14e) extending into one of corners 123 and in communication with engaging groove 121. Furthermore, positioning member (now designated by 42) is in the form of a ball slideably received in radial section 132. Furthermore, coupling section 124 of body 10 includes a second chamfered face 128 formed on the outer periphery of second end 12 of body 10 and diametrically opposed and parallel to first chamfered face 128. Second chamfered face 128 is parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis. Further, arcuate extension 24 is omitted. Further, engaging section 26 of sleeve 20 includes a second extension 23 extending from the inner periphery of first compartment 21 of sleeve 20 and diametrically opposed to first extension 23. Second extension 23 includes a flat face 29 parallel to and spaced from flat face 29 of first extension 23. Flat face 29 of second extension 23 has a spacing to the longitudinal axis smaller than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27. Furthermore, second extension 23 has a spacing to the second compartment 22 along the longitudinal axis larger than inner flange 27. Flat face 29 of second extension 23 slideably abuts second chamfered face 128 along the longitudinal axis allowing sliding movement of sleeve 20 relative to body 10. However, flat face 29 of second extension 23 is engaged with second chamfered face 128 to allow joint rotation of sleeve 20 and body 10 when sleeve 20 is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, retainer ring (now designated by 30e) includes annularly spaced first, second, and third arcuate sections 32e. Retainer ring 30e further includes a first rectilinear section 31e interconnected between first and second arcuate sections 32e and a second rectilinear section 31e interconnected between second and third arcuate sections 32e and parallel to and spaced from first rectilinear section 31e. Second arcuate sections 32e are longer than and intermediate first and third arcuate sections 32e in a circumferential direction. Distal ends of first and third arcuate sections 32e are spaced by a gap. Retainer ring 30e is mounted in annular groove 13 of body 10 with first rectilinear section 31d received in retaining portion 15e of annular groove 13 and with second rectilinear section 31d received in rectilinear section 131 of annular groove 13.

When coupling groove 111 of body 10 is engaged with drive column 91 of tool 90 and shank 82 of bit 80 is engaged in engaging groove 121 of body 10 with sleeve 20 in the coupling position, first extension 23 of sleeve 20 is aligned with retaining portion 15e of annular groove 13 and covers first rectilinear section 31e of retainer ring 30e, and second extension 23 of sleeve 20 is aligned with positioning portion 13d of annular groove 13 and covers second rectilinear section 31e of retainer ring 30e. Further, second rectilinear section 31e of retainer ring 30e is sandwiched between second extension 23 of sleeve 20 and positioning member 42. Note that second extension 23 of sleeve 20 is in contact with second rectilinear section 31e of retainer ring 30e and, thus, prevents outward movement of positioning member 42 in the radial direction. As a result, a portion of positioning member 42 is always extended into engaging groove 121 of body 10 via opening 14e and reliably retained in the engaged position engaged with groove 81 of bit 80 when sleeve 20 is in the coupling position. Accordingly, bit 80 is securely retained in engaging groove 121. Furthermore, since the outer edge of each arcuate section 32e is outside of annular groove 13 and has a spacing to the outer periphery of sleeve 20 in the radial direction smaller than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27, disengagement of sleeve 20 from body 10 is avoided, since first end face 211 of inner flange 27 will be stopped by the outer edges of arcuate sections 32e of retainer ring 30e. Thus, retainer ring 30e reliably retains and clamps bit 80 in place and reliably retains sleeve 20 on body 10.

When it is desired to remove bit 80 from the chuck, the user moves sleeve 20 along the longitudinal axis of body 10 to the releasing position and overcomes spring 50. Flat faces 29 slide on chamfered faces 128 along the longitudinal axis when sleeve 20 is moved from the coupling position to the releasing position. Note that bit 80 is still retained in engaging groove 121 by retainer ring 30e through positioning member 42. Retainer ring 30e is no longer covered by sleeve 20 in the releasing position such that outward expansion is possible. The user can remove bit 80 from engaging groove 121 with the other hand. Positioning member 40 is moved from the engaged position radially outward to a disengaged position out of groove 81 of bit 80, and second rectilinear section 31e expands radially outward. At the same time, positioning member 42 is moved radially inward by the resilience of retainer ring 30e, so that a portion of positioning member 42 extends into engaging groove 121 of body 10 and in frictional contact with an edge between two sides of shank 82 of bit 80. Thus, when the other hand of the user leaves bit 80 before bit 80 is completely removed out of engaging groove 121, bit 80 will be retained in engaging groove 121 by the friction between positioning member 42 and bit 80 instead of falling out under the action of gravitational force. However, bit 80 can easily be removed if the user applies a force larger than the frictional force between positioning member 42 and bit 80. Thus, troublesome removal of the bit encountered in conventional chucks is avoided. Other operational details are substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7.

FIGS. 13-15 show an embodiment of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention modified from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. According to the preferred form shown, coupling section 124 of body 10 and engaging section 26 of sleeve 20 are omitted. Furthermore, arcuate extension 24 of sleeve 20 is omitted. Further, retainer ring (now designed by 30g) is a C-clip having a single arcuate section 32g. Further, annular groove 13 has no rectilinear retaining portion 15d. Further, first compartment 21 of sleeve 20 includes an annular flange 25 to compensate the distance between retainer ring 30g and the inner periphery of first compartment 21 after omission of extension 23 and arcuate extension 24. Specifically, an inner periphery of annular flange 25 has a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction larger than inner periphery 28 of inner flange 27. Furthermore, annular flange 25 has a spacing to second compartment 22 of sleeve 20 along the longitudinal axis larger than inner flange 27. Thus, a portion of retainer ring 30g is retained and sandwiched between the inner periphery of first compartment 21 and positioning member 40 when sleeve 20 is in the coupling position, preventing movement of positioning member 40 away from the engaged position. Further, the remaining portion of retainer ring 30g is sandwiched and retained between the inner periphery of annular flange 25 and a bottom wall of annular groove 13 when the sleeve 20 is in the coupling position. Further, retainer ring 30g imparts a clamping force to retain positioning member 40 in the engaged position. Further, retainer ring 30g has another portion having an outer edge outside of annular groove 13 to stop end face 211, preventing disengagement of sleeve 20 from body 10. Operation of the chuck of FIGS. 13-15 is substantially the same as that of the chuck of FIGS. 1-7 except that sleeve 20 can rotate relative to body 10.

FIGS. 16-17 show an embodiment of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention modified from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-15. According to the preferred form shown, positioning member 40 of FIGS. 13-15 is replaced with E-shaped positioning member 41 of FIGS. 8 and 9. Furthermore, recessed portion 13d of FIGS. 13-15 is replaced with recessed portion 13d of FIGS. 8 and 9. Operation of the chuck of FIGS. 16-17 is substantially the same as that of the chuck of FIGS. 13-15.

Conclusively, a portion of retainer ring 30d, 30e, 30g according to the teachings of the present invention is retained and sandwiched between the inner periphery of first compartment 21 and positioning member 40, 41, 42 when sleeve 20 is in the coupling position, preventing movement of positioning member 40, 41, 42 away from the engaged position. Furthermore, retainer ring 30d, 30e, 30g imparts a clamping force to retain positioning member 40, 41, 42 in the engaged position. Further, retainer ring 30d, 30e, 30g has another portion having an outer edge outside of annular groove 13 to prevent disengagement of sleeve 20 from body 10.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, tool 90 can be in the form of a simple screwdriver handle having a drive column or shank for releasably coupling with coupling groove 111 of body 10 of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. Positioning portion 13d, 13e and positioning member 40, 41, 42 of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can have other forms and shapes while providing the same positioning effects. Frictional outer peripheries 203 and 205 of sleeve 20 of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be in other forms such as a knurled structure or such as having regular or irregular embossed patterns. Coupling groove 111 and engaging groove 121 of body 10 of the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be spaced from each other by a solid wall. The shape and size of engaging groove 121 can be varied according to those of bit 80 to be coupled with the chuck according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. Inner flange 27 can be continuous or discontinuous along the longitudinal axis. Likewise, inner flange 27 can be continuous or discontinuous in the radial direction. First and second end faces 211 and 201 of inner flange 27 can be at an acute or obtuse angle with inner periphery 28.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A chuck for a bit comprising: a body including a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the body, with the second end of the body including an engaging groove adapted for releasably receiving the bit, with the second end of the body further including an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof, with the annular groove including a positioning portion having an opening extending into the engaging groove, with the first end of the body adapted for releasably coupling with a tool, wherein rotational movement of the tool causes rotational movement of the bit;a sleeve mounted around the body and movable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis between a coupling position and a releasing position, with the sleeve including a first compartment slideably receiving the second end of the body and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment along the longitudinal axis and slideably receiving the first end of the body;a retainer ring mounted in the annular groove;a positioning member slideably received in the positioning portion of the annular groove and surrounded by a portion of the retainer ring, with the positioning member movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the positioning member in the engaged position having a portion extending into the engaging groove of the body via the opening and engaged with the bit to retain the bit in the engaging groove, with the positioning member in the disengaged position being disengaged from the bit; anda spring mounted between the body and the sleeve, with the spring biasing the sleeve to the coupling position,with the positioning member being in the engaged position when the sleeve is in the coupling position, with the portion of the retainer ring sandwiched and retained between an inner periphery of the first compartment and the positioning member, preventing movement of the positioning member away from the engaged position, with the retainer ring imparting a clamping force to retain the positioning member in the engaged position,with the positioning member movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position with the bit removable from the engaging groove of the body when the sleeve is in the releasing position,with the bit retained in the engaging groove by the clamping force of the retainer ring when the sleeve is in the releasing position and when no force is applied to the bit, with the retainer ring having resilience capable of returning the positioning member into the engaging groove to engage with the bit when applying a removing force to remove the bit while the sleeve is in the releasing position, wherein the bit is retained in place by the positioning member when the removing force is released before the bit is removed out of the engaging groove, with the first compartment including an inner flange formed on an inner periphery thereof, with the inner flange including a first end face facing away from the second compartment and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis, with the retainer ring having another portion outside of the positioning portion, with the other portion of the retainer ring partially received in the annular groove and including an outer edge outside of the annular groove, with the outer edge having a spacing to an outer periphery of the sleeve in the radial direction smaller than an inner periphery of the inner flange, with the first end face of the inner flange stopped by the outer edge of the other portion of the retainer ring when the sleeve is moved in a direction away from the first end of the body, preventing the sleeve from disengaging from the body.

2. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 1, with the inner flange further including a second end face facing the second compartment, with the body further including a shoulder on an outer periphery thereof, and with the spring mounted around the body between the shoulder and the second end face.

3. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 1, with the annular groove further including a rectilinear retaining portion diametrically opposed to the positioning portion, with the retainer ring further including a rectilinear section opposite to the portion surrounding the positioning member, and with the rectilinear section of the retainer ring received in the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove.

4. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 1, with the annular groove including a rectilinear retaining portion diametrically opposed to the positioning portion, with the positioning portion of the annular groove including a rectilinear section parallel to and spaced from the rectilinear retaining portion and a radial section extending inward from a bottom wall of the rectilinear section in the radial direction, with the radial section having an inner end forming the opening, with the other portion of the retainer ring including first, second, and third arcuate sections, with the retainer ring further including a first rectilinear section interconnected between the first and second arcuate sections and a second rectilinear section interconnected between the second and third arcuate sections, with the first rectilinear section received in the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove, with the second rectilinear section received in the rectilinear section of the positioning portion of the annular groove, and with each of the first, second, and third arcuate sections partially received in the annular groove and including the outer edge outside of the annular groove, with the outer edge of each of the first, second, and third arcuate sections having a spacing to an outer periphery of the sleeve in the radial direction smaller than an inner periphery of the inner flange, with the first end face of the inner flange being stopped by the outer edges of the first, second, and third arcuate sections of the retainer ring when the sleeve is moved in the direction away from the first end of the body, preventing the sleeve from disengaging from the body.

5. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 4, with the second end of the body including diametrically opposed first and second chamfered faces on an outer periphery thereof, with the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove extending across the first chamfered face, with the rectilinear section of the positioning portion of the annular groove extending across the second chamfered face, with the first compartment of the sleeve further including first and second extensions extending inward from the inner periphery thereof in the radial direction, with each of the first and second extensions having a spacing to the second compartment along the longitudinal axis larger than the inner flange, with the first extension including a first flat face having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction smaller than an inner periphery of the inner flange, with the second extension including a second flat face parallel to and spaced from the first flat face, with the second flat face having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction smaller than the inner periphery of the inner flange, with the first extension of the sleeve aligned with the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove and covering the first rectilinear section of the retainer ring when the sleeve is in the coupling position, with the second extension of the sleeve aligned with the positioning portion of the annular groove and with the second rectilinear section of the retainer ring sandwiched between the second extension and the positioning member when the sleeve is in the coupling position, preventing movement of the positioning member in the radial direction away from the engaged position.

6. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 5, with the first and second flat faces slideably abutting the first and second chamfered faces along the longitudinal axis allowing sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the body between the coupling position and the releasing position, with the first and second flat faces engaging with the first and second chamfered faces to allow joint rotation of the sleeve and the body when the sleeve is manually rotated.

7. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 6, with the engaging groove of the body including a plurality of faces adapted for receiving a plurality of sides of the bit, with a corner formed between two of the plurality of faces adjacent to each other, with the opening extending through one of the corners and in communication with the engaging groove, with the positioning member including a ball slideably received in the radial section and movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position, with the ball partially extended into one of the corners and engaged with the bit when in the engaged position, and with the ball disengaged from the bit when in the disengaged position.

8. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 6, with the sleeve further including a flange on an outer periphery thereof, with the flange adapted to be gripped by a user for moving the sleeve from the coupling position to the releasing position, with the flange including a first frictional outer periphery for providing friction when the sleeve is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by rotating the first frictional outer periphery.

9. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 8, with the flange formed on an end of the outer periphery of the sleeve and around the second compartment, with the sleeve further including an annular protrusion formed on another end of the outer periphery thereof and around the first compartment, with the flange including an end face facing the annular protrusion, with the end face adapted to be gripped by the user for moving the sleeve from the coupling position to the releasing position, and with the annular protrusion including a second frictional outer periphery for providing friction when the sleeve is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by manually rotating the second frictional outer periphery.

10. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 1, with the first compartment of the sleeve further including an annular flange formed on the inner periphery thereof, with the annular flange including an inner periphery having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction larger than the inner periphery of the inner flange, with the annular flange having a spacing to the second compartment of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis larger than the inner flange, with the retainer ring being substantially C-shaped, with the remaining other portion of the retainer ring sandwiched and retained between the inner periphery of the annular flange and a bottom wall of the annular groove when the sleeve is in the coupling position.

11. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 1, with the sleeve further including a flange on an outer periphery thereof, with the flange adapted to be gripped by a user for moving the sleeve from the coupling position to the releasing position, with the flange including a first frictional outer periphery for providing friction when the sleeve is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by rotating the first frictional outer periphery.

12. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 11, with the first end of the body including a coupling groove, with the coupling groove being square in cross section and including four faces each having a recess adapted for releasably engaging with a ball of a drive column of a socket wrench.

13. A chuck for a bit comprising: a body including a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the body, with the second end of the body including an engaging groove adapted for releasably receiving the bit, with the second end of the body further including an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof, with the annular groove including a positioning portion having an opening extending into the engaging groove, with the first end of the body adapted for releasably coupling with a tool, wherein rotational movement of the tool causes rotational movement of the bit;a sleeve mounted around the body and movable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis between a coupling position and a releasing position, with the sleeve including a first compartment slideably receiving the second end of the body and a second compartment spaced from the first compartment along the longitudinal axis and slideably receiving the first end of the body;a retainer ring mounted in the annular groove;a positioning member slideably received in the positioning portion of the annular groove and surrounded by a portion of the retainer ring, with the positioning member movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the positioning member in the engaged position having a portion extending into the engaging groove of the body via the opening and engaged with the bit to retain the bit in the engaging groove, with the positioning member in the disengaged position being disengaged from the bit; anda spring mounted between the body and the sleeve, with the spring biasing the sleeve to the coupling position,with the positioning member being in the engaged position when the sleeve is in the coupling position, with the portion of the retainer ring sandwiched and retained between an inner periphery of the first compartment and the positioning member, preventing movement of the positioning member away from the engaged position, with the retainer ring imparting a clamping force to retain the positioning member in the engaged position,with the positioning member movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position with the bit removable from the engaging groove of the body when the sleeve is in the releasing position,with the bit retained in the engaging groove by the clamping force of the retainer ring when the sleeve is in the releasing position and when no force is applied to the bit, with the retainer ring having resilience capable of returning the positioning member into the engaging groove to engage with the bit when applying a removing force to remove the bit while the sleeve is in the releasing position, wherein the bit is retained in place by the positioning member when the removing force is released before the bit is removed out of the engaging groove, with the first compartment including an inner flange formed on an inner periphery thereof, with the inner flange including an end face facing away from the second compartment and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis, with the annular groove including a rectilinear retaining portion diametrically opposed to the positioning portion, with the retainer ring including first and second arcuate sections and a rectilinear section interconnected between the first and second arcuate sections, with the rectilinear section received in the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove, with the first arcuate section including the portion surrounding the positioning member, with each of the first and second arcuate sections partially received in the annular groove and including an outer edge outside of the annular groove, with the outer edge having a spacing to an outer periphery of the sleeve in the radial direction smaller than an inner periphery of the inner flange, with the end face of the inner flange stopped by the outer edges of the first and second arcuate sections of the retainer ring when the sleeve is moved in a direction away from the first end of the body, preventing the sleeve from disengaging from the body.

14. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 13, with the second end of the body including a chamfered face on an outer periphery thereof, with the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove extending across the chamfered face, with the first compartment of the sleeve further including an extension extending inward from the inner periphery thereof in the radial direction, with the extension having a spacing to the second compartment along the longitudinal axis larger than the inner flange, with the extension including a flat face having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction smaller than an inner periphery of the inner flange, with the first compartment of the sleeve further including an arcuate extension extending inward from the inner periphery thereof in the radial direction, with the arcuate extension diametrically opposed to the extension and having a spacing to the second compartment along the longitudinal axis larger than the inner flange, with the arcuate extension having a spacing to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction larger than the inner periphery of the inner flange, with the extension of the sleeve aligned with the rectilinear retaining portion of the annular groove and covering the rectilinear section of the retainer ring when the sleeve is in the coupling position, with the arcuate extension of the sleeve aligned with the positioning portion of the annular groove and with a portion of the first arcuate section sandwiched between the positioning member and the arcuate extension when the sleeve is in the coupling position, preventing movement of the positioning member in the radial direction away from the engaged position.

15. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 14, with the flat face slideably abutting the chamfered face along the longitudinal axis allowing sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the body between the coupling position and the releasing position, with the flat face engaging with the chamfered face to allow joint rotation of the sleeve and the body when the sleeve is manually rotated.

16. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 15, with the positioning portion of the annular groove including a circumferential section extending inward from a bottom wall of the annular groove in the radial direction, with the positioning portion further including a radial section extending inward from a bottom wall of the circumferential section in the radial direction, with the radial section including an inner end forming the opening, with the engaging groove of the body including a plurality of faces adapted for receiving a plurality of sides of the bit, with a corner formed between two of the plurality of faces adjacent to each other, with the opening extending through one of the corners and in communication with the engaging groove, with the positioning member including an arcuate section slideably received in the circumferential section, with the positioning member further including a projection extending from the arcuate section and slideably received in the radial section, with the projection extended through the opening into the engaging groove and engaged with the bit when the positioning member is in the engaged position, with the positioning member movable from the engaged position to the disengaged position by removing the bit from the engaging groove when the sleeve is in the releasing position.

17. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 15, with the sleeve further including a flange on an outer periphery thereof, with the flange adapted to be gripped by a user for moving the sleeve from the coupling position to the releasing position, with the flange including a first frictional outer periphery for providing friction when the sleeve is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by rotating the first frictional outer periphery.

18. The chuck for the bit as claimed in claim 17, with the flange formed on an end of the outer periphery of the body and around the second compartment, with the sleeve further including an annular protrusion formed on another end of the outer periphery thereof and around the first compartment, with the flange including an end face facing the annular protrusion, with the end face adapted to be gripped by the user for moving the sleeve from the coupling position to the releasing position, and with the annular protrusion including a second frictional outer periphery for providing friction when the sleeve is manually rotated about the longitudinal axis by manually rotating the second frictional outer periphery.