March 28, 1944. E. B.

PHILLIPS 2,345,069
COLLET CHUCK
Filed May l5, 1942

?ipentor
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Patented Mar. 28, 1944 2,345,069

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.345,069

COLLE CHIUCK
Ellsworth S. Phillips, Los Angeles, Calif.
Application May 15, 1942, Serial No. 443,118
6 Claims. (6Cl. 279—52)
My invention relates to collet chucks, and The spindle S of a conventional laithe is pro
among the objects of my invention are: vided with a bore S and its operating end forms
First, to provide a collet chuck which is par a nose S2 which is externally threaded. My col
ticularly adapted for mounting on the Spindle let chuck includes a tubular Spindle extension
of a lathe, but may be used with milling machines or mandrel f having a bore 2 one end of which
and other machine tools. is Counterbored and internally threaded as in- .
Second, to provide a collet chuck which en dicated by 3. The normal portion of the bore.
ables the full diameter of the bore in the drive 2 is slightly larger than the bore S2 of the spindle
Spindle of a lathe to be utilized; that is, the and its outer or extended end is tapered as in
collet chuck is adapted to receive collets equal to 0 dicated by 4.
Fitted over the extended end of the spindle
the diameter of the spindle bore so that any extension is a sleeve or collet constrictor 5
Work piece which is capable of passing through
the spindle bore may be held by the collet chuck, Which projects beyond the Spindle extension and
thereby increasing the capacity of a given size 5 is provided with an internal flange 6 having a
laithe. tapered bore 7. The sleeve element 5 is support
Third, to provide a collet chuck which may be ed on the spindle extension to turn freely
operated to loosen or tighten the work piece thereon. When in the collet release position. It
Without Stopping the lathe spindle, thereby lend will be understood, of course, that when the
ing itself particularly to quantity production 20 sleeve 5 is in operative engagement with the col
Operations. let, i. e., With the collet constricted, it rotates
Fourth, to provide a collet chuck which in therewith, being frictionally driven by the col
corporates a collet of particularly simple and in let which latter in turn is frictionally driven by
expensive construction and which may be readi the Spindle extension . The principal virtue of
ly interchanged. mounting the sleeve for rotation on the spindle
Fifth, to provide a collet chuck having a dual resides in the facility with which it may be
collet compression means tending to distribute removed therefrom and Without stopping the ma
the pressure of the gripping portions of the col chine, whenever it is necessary to substitute a
let uniformly against the Work piece. collet of different size. This sleeve is removable
With the above and other objects in view as 30 from the Spindle extension by axial displacement
therealong, in which operation the outer shell
may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to or housing member is first to be unscrewed from
the accompanying drawing in Which:
Figure 1 is a side view of my collet chuck, shown the Sheil member 8. The tapered bores 6 and
on a lathe; of the Spindle extension and sleeve diverge
Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof; 35 bore T iseach
toward other and the degree of taper of the
greater than that of the bore 4.
Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional The Spindle extension receives a collet 8
view of the collet chuck taken through 3-3 of which may have a bore equal to the bore S2 of
Fig. 2; the Spindle S. The collet comprises a short stem
Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional portion 9 fitting the normal bore 2, and has a
view similar to Fig. 3 showing the collet and 40 tapered outer portion conforming to the
construction elements and indicating in exager tapered bore 7. The collet is provided with longi
ation by dotted lines the manner in which the tudinal slots 2 extending from its forward end
collet is compreSSed;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal view through a almost to its rear extremity and between these
collet for small diametered Work; and, 45 other longitudinal slots 2d. extending forwardly
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the collet from the rear end of the stem so that the Seg
used in my collet chuck. ments thus formed may be pressed radially in
My collet chuck is shown mounted on the Wardly. The Outer portion of the collet bore
spindle S of a lathe, but may be mounted on the may be provided with a constriction 3 of pre
spindle of other machine tools or in the index 50 determined diameter as ShoWn in Fig. 5 to ac
head of a shaper or milling machine; however, commodate work pieces smaller than the spindle
bore S2. *
certain features of my invention as will be The relative tapers of the bores 4 and 7 and ,
brought out hereinafter lend themselves particu the corresponding portions of the collet are such...
larly for use on a rotating member such as the that the gripping portion of the collet forwardly
lathe spindle. .'
 2. 2,345,069
of its stem 9 moves radially inwardly parallel ture may be utilized whether the work is fed for
to the Surface of the work piece and in a man wardly through the spindle, or separate pieces
ner to exert uniform presSuure on the Work piece are inserted into the front end of the collet, and
from the forward to the rear extreimity of the materially speeds up the Work done on the lathe,
gripping portion. The taper of the outer portion 5 particularly in those operations requiring only
is greater than the taper of the inner portion a few minutes on each piece and the time re
0 for the reason that less force is required on quired to Stop and start the lathe becomes a fac
the Outer end of the collet than is required on tOr.
the mid-portion in order to exert the same pres Though I have shown and described a certain
S?T6.
The extension and sleeve 5 are provided with embodiment of...my invention, I do not wish to be
confronting external flanges 4 and 5, and in limited thereto, but desire to include all novelty
inherent in the appended claims.
Wardly of the flange 4 the extension f carries: I claim:
a thrust bearing fB while outwardly of the flange l. A collet Chuck comprising: a collet mandrel
5 the sleeve 5 carries a thrust bearing 7. The: lij adapted to mount on and extend from a rotat
thrust bearings are adapted to be urged toward. able-element of a machine tool, said collet man
each other So as to draw the flanges 4 and 5 drel having a tapered bore diverging toward its
together and thereby compress the collet between extended end; . . a collet including segmental ta
the tapered portions 4 and 7. pered portions fitting said bore and yieldable
The thrust bearings 6 and 7 are covered by 20 means connecting and tending to spread said
shell members i8 and t9 respectively Thie shiel Segmental portions; a collet constrictor rotat
member: 8. has an internal fange 20 adapted to ably and telescopically mounted on said collet
bear against the side of the thrust bearing 6'ad. mandrel and Overhanging the outer end of said
jacent the lathie headstock, and an externally. bore to bear against the outer or larger end of:
threaded cylindrical portion 2. Similarly, the 25, Said. Collet and urge: the collet into: said bore;
shell member. Í9.has an internal flange 22: which a pair of complementary shell members includ
Overhangs the outer side of the thrust, bearing ingº coacting means : for moving · said shelle mem
and a cylindrical: portion 23 covering the berS axially. With respect to each other upon
thrust bearing. The cylindrical portion 23 pro relative rotation of Said shell; members; anti
jects rearwardly beyond the bearing 73 and is 30 friction, bearings, mounting: said shell members:
counterbored and internally threaded to fit, the upon Said collet mandreland constrictor respec
cylindrical portion 2.
The shell member 8 is provided with a pin, 24. bearings andShell
tively, Said
collet
members operable through said,
constrictor to urge: said collet
adapted to be: anchored to the lathe headstock
in any suitable' manner. A bracket 25 suitably 35. into Said bore: to thereby constrict. said collet.
Segments; and means for restraining said shell.
Secured to the headstock may be employed. The inenbers against rotation under, urge of said ro
shell member 9...is provided with a radially ex * tatable element.
tending handle 26. -
Split, retainer rings. 27 hold the thrust bear 2. In a collet chuck adapted to be mounted on
ings 6 and in their respective.shells. 40. the threaded end of a lathe. spindle: a spindle:
The threaded connection between the shells. 8. extension Screw-threaded onto said lathe spindle
and 9 causes the tapered portions. 4 and 7 to be
and having a bore extending coaxially, there
drawn toward: each other and compress...the cols,
from; a sleeve rotatably mounted on and axially,
slidable over said spindle extension and having:
let upon the work: piece when the shell 9, is an internal flange at its extended end overhang
turned one direction and to release the collet ing the extremity thereof, the confronting por
when the shell 9 is turned the other direction. tions of Said, bore and flange being tapered and
By reason of the thrust-bearings, the shells, 8i diverging toward each other; a collet fitting
and 9 do not rotate. with the lathe spindle, the Said bore and having, complementary tapered
pin 24 preventing any slight.tendency. to rotate portions engageable by the-tapered portions of
that might exist. The direction of the pitch. Of Said bore, and internal flange, said internal.
the thread between the shells is such in relation flange defining, an opening of greater diameter:
to the direction of rotation of the Spindle that: than Said bore and less in width than the corre
any friction, between the parts tends to tighten Sponding tapered portion of said collet, whereby.
rather than loosen the collet. . Said collet protrudes outwardly, beyond said, in
Yieldable disks 28 of rubberi or similar mate 5 5 * ternal flange;. said spindle extension; and sleeve
rial may be interposed between the thrust bear having confronting external flanges, at the mid
ings 6 and 7: and the corresponding end flanges, portion of Said Spindle extension and axially.in
20, and 22 of the shells to cushion the operation. ner extremity of Said sleeve, respectively; a pair
Collets... may be readily. interchanged by... un
60.
of housing members including a screw-threaded
screwing the shell 9 from the shell 8 and slid connection therebetween, and internal flanges at
ing the sleeve. from the spindle: extension; To the axial extremities of said housing members
axially overlapping said external flanges; and
facilitate. Working close, to collet chuck, the col
let projects, slightly, from the sleeve 5 and the thrust bearings positioned between said external
sleeve, projects from the shell, 9. and internal flanges.
By reason. Of the fact that the entire collet. 3. A collet chuck comprising in combination;
chuck is mounted on the forward; end or nose a hollow Spindle member having a tapered socket
of the lathe spindle and no parts need extend. at one end, a sleeve rotatably supported on said
through the Spindle, the full diameter of the member in telescopic relation therewith and
Spindle bore may be utilized to feed work, into. 0. formed with a reversely tapered flange which
the collet. Furthermore, by reason of the fact overhangs the said one end of the spindle mem
that the housings or shells do not rotate, the ber, a contractible spring-jaw collet having op
positely tapered zones adapted to coact with
collet may be released, tightened, or removed tapered portions of Said member and of said:
for replacement: by a collet of differentsize. With-.
sleeve: flange, a. longitudinally contractiblês actu--
out stopping rotation of the Spindle. This fea-- 75 ator swiveled on said member and said sleeve...to
 2,345,069 3
constitute a housing, opposed anti-friction thrust having a collet-engaging flange; a two-part
bearings interposed between the actuator and said actuator having a first part SWiveled on the
member and sleeve respectively, and means in spindle and a second part separable therefrom
different to relative rotation between the actua Swiveled on the sleeve; means for holding the
tor on the one hand and the member and sleeve first part of the actuator against rotation; and
on the other hand for contracting Said actuator manually operable means for connecting the two
longitudinally to contract the collet upon the parts of the actuator and for drawing them to
work. gether in the direction of the Spindle axis to cause
4. A collet chuck comprising in combination; the flange on the sleeve to force the collet into
a hollow rotary spindle having a tapered socket 0 the spindle Socket,
at one end of its bore, a sleeve rotatably sup 6. A collet chuck comprising in combination;
ported on said spindle in telescopic relation there a hollow rotary Spindle having a tapered Socket
with, the said sleeve being formed with a reverse at one end; a sleeve in telescopic relation with
ly tapered flange which Overhangs the tapered said spindle, rotatably Supported thereon and
socket of said Spindle; a contractible spring-jaw 5 formed with a reversely tapered flange which
collet having Oppositely tapered Zones adapted to Overhangs said one end of the Spindle; a con
coact with the tapered socket of said spindle and tractible spring-jaw collet having oppositely
with the tapered portion of Said sleeve flange; a tapered zones adapted to coact with the tapered
longitudinally contractible actuator swiveled on socket of said Spindle and With the tapered por
said member and sleeve; opposed anti-friction 20 tion of Said flange; a first actuator member
thrust bearings interposed between the actuator SWiveled on said Spindle and including means to
on the one hand and said member and sleeve restrain the member against rotation; an anti
respectively; means to restrain said actuator friction thrust bearing between said first actuator
against rotation, and means Operable to contract member and said Spindle; a Second actuator
member Swiveled on said sleeve and normally in
said actuator longitudinally in order to contract 25 threaded
the jaWS of the collet. engagement With the first actuator
5. A collet chuck for use on rotary spindles and member; and an anti-friction thrust bearing be
adapted to permit interchange of collets as well tween the Second actuator member and Said
as collet engagement and release of Work while sleeve; the parts being SO Constructed and ar
the spindle rotates, said chuck comprising in 30 ranged that the Second actuator may be un
combination; a rotary spindle having a tapered screwed from the first actuator whereby said
collet receiving Socket; a tapered spring-jaw collet sleeve and collet are readily removable from the
fitting therein; a sleeve in telescopic relation. With Spindle While the latter rotates.
said spindle, rotatably supported thereon, and ELLSWORTH. B. PHILIPS.