Toolholder connector and associated system
A toolholder connector having one threaded end and one end with a male quick change portion is threadingly engaged with a first toolholder having a threaded bore. The quick change connector also has a male quick change portion that is engaged within a side activated receiver of a second toolholder. Prior to activating the receiver, an alignment pin associated with the first toolholder is lined up with alignment slot associated with the second toolholder such that when the two are brought together, a pre-determined radial alignment will be retained.
1. A method for attaching a first toolholder having a threaded first receiving bore, wherein the threaded receiving bore is mateable with a male threaded portion at one end of a separate connector, with a second toolholder having a second receiving bore along a longitudinal axis for receiving a male quick-change portion located at the other end of the connector and wherein the first toolholder further includes a side activated receiver comprised of a rotatable actuating bolt positioned within the second toolholder along a radial axis (R 1 ) relative to the longitudinal axis and having a first end with a bolt locking segment which translates along the radial axis and contacts a lockable surface of the connector adapted to secure the connector within the second toolholder, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
a) screwing the male threaded portion of the connector partially into the threaded receiving bore of the first toolholder;
b) inserting the male quick-change portion of the connector into the bore with the side activated receiver of the second toolholder;
c) rotating the first toolholder relative to the second toolholder to a relative predetermined radial alignment; and
d) activating the quick change locking mechanism to secure first toolholder to the second toolholder in the predetermined radial alignment with the connector therebetween.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the male quick-change portion of the connector is comprised of a round shank and the bolt locking segment has a pair of lockable surfaces at circumferentially spaced locations.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the male quick change portion further includes at least one releasable segment defined by at least one angled rearwardly facing surface which may be engaged to eject the quick-change portion from the toolholder.
4. The method according to claim 3 , where the male quick-change portion has a frusto-conical shape.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the lockable surfaces of the locking segment have forwardly facing surfaces which are conical.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bolt locking segment is defined by at least one angled rearwardly facing surface which contacts the lockable surface of the connector.