The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 1986
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1985
M Richard Tennerstedt, Wilmette, IL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A tool retention mechanism is disclosed for clamping a tool holder knob. An elongate rod member is supported lengthwise in a compartment formed within the center of an elongate housing. A knob clamping assembly is mounted on the outer end of the rod member and is constructed of a circular array of claw fingers that are spring biased to urge them to move radially inward. A first piston is slideably supported on the actuator rod rearwardly of the claw fingers and has a cylindrical collar portion which slides over the claw fingers to retain them in a knob clamping position. A second piston is secured to the inner end portion of the actuator rod and slideably supported in the compartment to define a closed chamber with the inner closed end of the compartment. A first set of belleville spring washers is mounted on the actuator rod between the first and second pistons to bias the first piston to the knob holding position, and a second set of belleville washers is coaxially disposed relative to the first set of belleville washers between an annular shoulder formed in the compartment and the second piston to effect a large force on the actuator rod in a direction towards the closed end of the compartment. A fluid control means is provided for selectively driving the second piston a slight distance to overcome the force exerted by the outer set of belleville washers and to simultaneously drive the first piston inwardly of the compartment and move the cylindrical collar portion inwardly of the claw fingers to free them to open.