Patent ID: 6139001
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A moving jaw assembly for a workholding apparatus comprising:a master jaw element which is movably slidably supported on a base member of the workholding apparatus, said master jaw element having a first keypart fixed thereto and projecting upwardly, said first keypart having a dovetail-shaped cross section on at least one side corresponding to an inward facing side of the workholding apparatus;a top jaw member removably mounted on said master jaw element, said top jaw member defining at least one workpiece-gripping surface thereon, said top jaw member including a pair of flat and coplanar bottom surfaces disposed adjacent opposite ends of said top jaw member and separated by an elongate second keypart which is disposed between said bottom surfaces and projects downwardly therefrom, said top jaw member having a connecting passage formed in and extending transversely through at least a portion of said top jaw member from one end to the other end thereof in perpendicular relation to said elongate second keypart of said top jaw member, said connecting passage having a dovetail-shaped cross-section which converges to a mouth, the dovetail-shaped cross-section corresponding to, but being slightly larger than said first dovetail-shaped cross section of said master jaw element, the connecting passage being closed on both ends to form an aperture having the dovetail-shaped cross-section such that, during set up of said jaw assembly, said top jaw member is placed over said keypart of said master jaw element and secured thereto; anda takeup member movably mounted on said first keypart and urged outwardly for engagement with one inclined side surface of said aperture for eliminating clearance adjacent the inclined side surface of said aperture and for causing said top jaw member to snug down against said base member and said master jaw element, wherein the end of said takeup member contacting the side surface of said aperture comprises an arcuate keeper element, the side surface of said aperture including a notch to enable the arcuate keeper element to reach a secured position with less resistance.