초록 ▼

A drive collet assembly for an internal thread producing tap. The collet includes a collar that is attached to the stem of the tap using set screws. The collar is received into a recess of the body portion of a drive collet and retained therein using a spring clip. A smaller diameter aperture extend

A drive collet assembly for an internal thread producing tap. The collet includes a collar that is attached to the stem of the tap using set screws. The collar is received into a recess of the body portion of a drive collet and retained therein using a spring clip. A smaller diameter aperture extends into the body portion above the recess, the aperture receiving a portion of the stem of the tap, the portion has a pair of opposed flats thereon. At least two laterally extending threaded apertures intersect the smaller diameter aperture and each receive a rigid button, a flexible element and a set screw. The set screw can be adjusted to provide a desired breakaway torque which will protect the tap from breakage should an over-torque condition occur. The flexible element will allow the rigid buttons to be forced outwardly so that the drive collet assembly spins freely about the jammed tap, rather than twisting it off. Reversing the direction of the drive will break off the chip or burr or clear the tip of the tap from touching the bottom of the hole and allow the tap to be rotated out of the hole.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A drive collet assembly for use with an internal-thread-producing tap, said tap having a thread-producing portion and a stem connected thereto with at least two flat surfaces, said drive collet assembly comprising:a) a collar element surrounding a substantial portion of said stem to

[ I claim:] [1.] A drive collet assembly for use with an internal-thread-producing tap, said tap having a thread-producing portion and a stem connected thereto with at least two flat surfaces, said drive collet assembly comprising:a) a collar element surrounding a substantial portion of said stem to stabilize said tap;b) a drive collet with a body portion havingi) a recess to receive said collar element;ii) a smaller diameter aperture positioned above said recess to receive a portion of said stem which extends above said collar element;iii) at least two laterally extending bores which intersect said smaller diameter aperture, said laterally extending bores being, at least partially, internally threaded;iv) at least two rigid button elements, one received in each of said at least two opposing, laterally extending apertures to engage said at least two flat surfaces on said stem of said tap;v) at least two flexible elements, one received in each of said at least two opposing, laterally extending apertures engaging an outwardly positioned surface of each of said at least two rigid button elements;vi) at least two set screws, one received in each of said two opposing, laterally extending apertures engaging an outwardly positioned surface of each of said at least two flexible elements, each of said set screws being tightened to a predetermined level of rotational torque needed to establish a level of breakaway torque at which said collet will cease to drive said tap;c) a stem portion extending from a face of said body portion opposite said recess that receives said collar element, said stem portion being received in a power tool to rotate said collet and, thereby, said tap as it internally threads an opening; reby, said at least two rigid button elements will be forced outwardly against said flexible elements when said breakaway torque is reached to prevent damage to said tap.