QUICK CHANGE CLAMPING MECHANISM.

摘要

A clamping assembly for releasably holding a tool holder having a shank includes a tool support member having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is disposed in the axial bore for securing the tool holder to the support member. The locking mechanism includes a lock rod having first and second contact surfaces mounted in the support member. The lock rod moves along the longitudinal axis between a locked position and a release position. A wedge rod is mounted in the support member for reciprocal movement along an axis angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis. The wedge rod has first and second wedge surfaces which incline in parallel fashion from opposite edges of the wedge rod. First and second force transmitting elements are interposed between the wedge surfaces of the wedge body and the contact surfaces of the lock rod. When the lock rod is moved in first direction, the first force transmitting element is moved outward with respect to the transverse axis into contact with the first support surface and pushes the lock rod towards a locked position. When the wedge rod is moved in a second direction, the second force transmitting element is moved outward with respect to the transverse axis into engagement with the second contact surface of the lock rod and moves the lock rod towards a release position.