An apparatus for coupling a rotary tool to a chuck

Abstract

 An apparatus for the coupling of a rotary tool (1) to a chuck (2) in which the chuck (2) comprises a central body (22), suitable for allowing the said rotary tool (1) to be coupled thereon by means of a central through-hole (10) afforded thereby in such a way that a first flank (11) of the rotary tool (1) is maintained in contact with a striking surface (21) solidly constrained to the said chuck (2) or to the said central body (22). The blocking of the tool (1) on the chuck is realised by a moveable flange (3) suitable for being pressed against a second flank (12) of the rotary tool (1) opposite the first flank. A portion (23) of the central body (22) exhibits a shaped straight section on which the central through-hole (10) of the rotary tool (1) can be coupled, which central hole is also profiled. The profiling of the portion (23) of the central body (22) and of the central through-hole (10) of the rotary tool (1) are conformed such as to enable a mutual axially sliding coupling with a single-directional reciprocal angular orientation.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for coupling a rotary tool to a chuck.

[0002] The apparatus is of a type essentially comprising a chuck provided with a central body, on which the rotary tool is to be coupled; the rotary tool is provided with a central through-hole.

[0003] Specifically, though not exclusively, to rotary tool is constituted by a rotary multi-cutting tool such as, for example a grinder.

[0004] For some applications, in particular, profiling grinders are frequently used, for performing a profiling of edges of products, prevalently slab-shaped such as for example ceramic tiles.

[0005] In any case the grinder exhibits a central keying hole by means of which it is coupled to the shaft of the chuck. The grinder is axially fixed to the chuck by means of grinder-bearing flanges which tighten the opposite flanks between the respective facing abutting surfaces.

[0006] One of the main problems which are manifested during daily use of the grinders is represented by the need to have, during the working stage, a rotary system which is constantly correctly balanced.

[0007] In many work operations, in fact, it is frequently necessary to demount the grinder, in order to mount another one which is suitable for another type of work operation (profiling), then to remount it once more to return to the previous work operation.

[0008] When remounting a grinder already-used for operations on the same chuck, the situation of equilibrium of the whole rotary system has to be reset with the aim of achieving, right from the start of the new operations, the optimal working conditions. A not infrequent occurrence is that when a work cycle has ended the body of the grinder exhibits slight variations with respect to the original configuration, which are in some way related to the reciprocal position of the grinder with respect to the chuck it is mounted on.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is essentially to obviate the cited limitation in the prior art, in order to disclose an apparatus for coupling the rotary tool constituted in particular by a grinder, wherein the grinder is provided with a through-hole for coupling with at least a portion of a corresponding central body of the chuck which is characterized in that it exhibits a conformation which can enable a grinder-chuck coupling that is axially slidable, but has a single reciprocal angular orientation.

[0010] Advantages of the present invention relate to the fact that it enables a correct re-mounting of the tool, very rapidly and without any possibility of error.

[0011] These advantages and characteristics are attained by the invention as it is characterized in the claims and illustrated in the description.

[0012] Other advantages of a general nature of the present invention will more fully emerge from the detailed description that follows of a preferred though not exclusive preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, in appended figure 1, which illustrates a schematic perspective and exploded view.

[0013] With reference to the above-mentioned figure of the drawing, 1 denotes a multi-cutting rotary tool constituted by a profiled grinder having a prevalently peripheral action. In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-cutting rotary tool 1 is constituted by a profiled grinder which is used for realizing profiled edges of the bevelled type in ceramic slabs or tiles and/or stone materials.

[0014] The multi-cutting rotary tool, or grinder, 1, is coupled to a chuck 2 which comprises a central body 22, suitable for enabling the multi-cutting rotary tool to be coupled thereto. For this purpose the tool is provided with a central through-hole 10 the task of which is mainly to enable free coupling of the chuck 2 on the shaft as well as a free sliding thereof such that a first flank 11 of the multi-cutting tool 1 can be borne and then retained in contact with a striking surface 21 solidly constrained to the chuck 2 or to the central body 22 thereof.

[0015] A mobile flange 3 is provided, with the task of being pressed against a second flank 12 of the multi-cutting rotary tool 1, opposite the first flank. The blocking of the mobile flange 3 and the applying of the necessary axial blocking force are done in a way which is absolutely well known, by means of a nut screwed to the external end of the shaft of the chuck 4. At least a portion 23 of the central body 22 exhibits a straight profiled section on which the central through-hole 10 of the multi-cutting rotary tool 1 is couplable. The central hole is also profiled and the profiling of the portion 23 of the central body 22 and the central through-hole 10 are conformed such as to enable a reciprocal axially slidable coupling characterized by a single reciprocal angular orientation.

[0016] The portion 23 of the central body 22 exhibits a straight section which has a pentagonal profile, like the straight section of the hole 10 of the multi-cutting rotary tool or grinder 10 which is coupled thereon.

[0017] In particular, this straight section, both of the portion 23 and of the hole 10, has an irregular pentagonal profile, which has three sides consecutively perpendicular to one another.

[0018] Two sides, opposite to one another, of the three said consecutively perpendicular sides, are, furthermore, identical to one another.

[0019] The remaining two sides of the pentagonal profile are also preferably identical to one another and the angle formed between them is comprised between 90° and 180°.

[0020] The chuck 2 is coupled to the relative shaft 4 by means of the axial through-hole 24 in the chuck 2 itself and is provided with usual means which enable it to be fixed in a predetermined position on the shaft 4.

[0021] The axial depth of the portion 23 is smaller than the axial depth (thickness) of the multi-cutting tool or grinder 1.

[0022] The described pentagonal conformation of the portion 23 and the hole 10 enables the multi-cutting rotary tool to be remounted with great rapidity and immediacy on the chuck without requiring any special care on the part of the operator, and in a way that is entirely free of possibility of error.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling a rotary tool to a chuck, of a type comprising: - a central body (22) of the chuck (2), suitable for enabling the rotary tool (1) to be coupled thereon by means of a central through-hole (10) afforded in the rotary tool such that a first flank (11) of the rotary tool (1) itself is maintained in contact with a striking surface (21) solidly constrained to the chuck (2) or to the said central body (22), - at least a movable flange (3) suitable for being pressed against a second flank (12) of the rotary tool (1) opposite the first one, characterized in that at least a portion (23) of the central body (22) exhibits a straight profiled section on which the central through-hole (10) of the said rotary tool (1) can be coupled, which central hole is also profiled; the profiles of the portion (23) of the central body (22) and the central through-hole (10) of the said rotary tool (1) being conformed to enable a mutual axially sliding coupling and with a single reciprocal angular orientation.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the portion (23) of the central body (22) exhibits a straight section that has a pentagonal profile.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that the portion (23) of the central body (22) exhibits a straight section that has a pentagonal profile having three consecutive sides that are reciprocally perpendicular.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that at least the two sides opposite the said three consecutive orthogonal sides are identical to one another.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the remaining two sides of the pentagon-shaped profile are identical; an angle formed there-between being comprised between 90° and 180°.

6. The apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chuck (2) is coupled to the shaft (4) by means of an axial through-hole (24) afforded in the chuck (2); said chuck (2) being provided with usual means for fixing it in position onto the shaft (4).

Drawing