Modular locking system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to a locking assembly and to machine tools formed from corresponding components locked together by the present locking assembly.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a locking assembly which creates both axial tension and compression on the respective components of the tool in multiple regions of contact.
The locking assembly is also advantageous because it is located in the tail region of the machine tool and is therefore less susceptible to damage from machining operations and significantly less likely to be adversely affected by internal coolant flow systems which may be provided therein.
Furthermore, the locking assembly of the present invention is especially strong and stable because all of the locking forces are directed toward the center of the locked machine tool, to thereby provide a denser center area.
The locking assembly includes a bar having means mounted hereon for preventing all but rotation movement of the bar.
The bar is rotatable about its axis but is prevented from non-rotational movement by, for example, set screws which are located at opposite ends of the bar and secured to one of the tool components.
The bar has on its opposed ends right and left hand threads or projection engaging grooves which move toward or away from each other depending on whether the bar is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.
Mounted on the bar are a pair of diametrically opposed tool component engaging means which serve to lock the tool components together.
In a preferred form of the invention, the tool component engaging means comprise wedges having at least one tool component engaging face, and preferably multiple faces for providing maximum full face contact with the tool components.
Each wedge of the pair is a mirror image of the other and the wedges are movable on the bar toward each other and away from each other at precisely the same rate.
The wedges have axial holes through which the bar is inserted and the holes are provided with grooves or a projection which are matable with the threads or grooves on the bar so that the wedges move in concert with each other and the rotational movement of the bar toward and away from each other to achieve the same rate of movement