A chuck (30; figure 1) for clamping an article (32; figure 1) has a receiving portion (34) including a receiving bore (42) having a longitudinal axis (L), and a radially inwardly facing contoured clamping and receiving inner surface (44). A clamping sleeve (50) is accommodated in the receiving bore (42) and is rotatable between a releasing position (figure 9) and a securing position (figure 10). The contoured clamping and receiving surface (44) has one or more clamping segments (82, 82', 82' '; figure 7) each clamping segment (82) having a ramp (88; figure 8) between a trough (86; figure 8) and a crest (90; figure 8), a second ramp (92; figure 8) between the crest (90) and a depression (94; figure 8), and a third ramp (96; figure 8) between the depression (94) and the succeeding stop ridge (84'; figure 8). Rotating the clamping sleeve (50) within the receiving bore (42) causes one or more rollers (52) associated with each clamping segment to cooperate with the contoured clamping surface (44) to effect the releasing and the securing of the article (32).