Patent ID: 6079704
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A workholding apparatus for grippingly supporting a workpiece to enable machining operations to be carried out thereon, comprising:a base member defining a horizontally elongate guide channel which opens upwardly through a top surface; the guide channel forming a guide passage;at least first and second jaw assemblies disposed in longitudinally spaced relation along the respective guide passage, said first and second jaw assemblies each including a bottom jaw element which is slidably positioned for longitudinal displacement within the guide passage, and a top jaw member extending transversely across the guide passage and being slidably mounted on said base member, said top jaw member being releasably mounted on said bottom jaw element;an actuator assembly for effecting movement of said movable jaw assemblies longitudinally along a path formed by the guide passage;said bottom jaw elements each including a push plate element mounted in the guide passage on the inner side thereof; anda rotating member mounted to said base member below said push plate elements, said rotating member including a means for controlling the relative positions of said first and second push plate elements such that said movable jaw members close on a workpiece in a self-centering location.