Abstract:
A vise having a pair of vise jaws for clamping a workpiece. A rotatable protractor is provided in one of the vise jaws. A platform is carried by the protractor which extends beyond the vise jaw to support a workpiece. Worm drive gearing between the protractor and a manually-manipulable worm provides for rotating the protractor and the platform to a desired rotational position. A removable member may be connected to the platform. An adapter may be received on the platform to support the workpiece.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vise jaw for clamping a workpiece and, more particularly to vise jaws for clamping the workpiece at a selected angle by manually manipulable means. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Vises to hold workpieces are well known. With most of these known vises, in order to hold the workpiece at a desired angle with respect to a cutting tool, the operator must loosen the workpiece in the jaws of the vise and adjust the workpiece at a desired angle using an angle measurement device. This is a time consuming procedure and frequently does not provide the desired angle because of slippage or difficulty in using the measurement device with the vise. In U.S. Pat. No. 814,366, Fertig et al disclose a micrometer mechanism with a worm and screw to adjust a work holding plate. Rodess, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,284,449 discloses a vise jaw attachment. Derry, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,676,414 discloses an angle computer for use by machinists. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,667, Ebert discloses a universal vise having indexing means. Arnold et al in U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,335 disclose an example of an angle setting mechanism for vises mounted on the table of a machine tool. The device is set to a preselected angle with respect to the table and the vise is then aligned with respect to the angle setting mechanism. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,373, Lenz discloses a machine vise protractor installed on the base of the vise to permit rotating the vise while the vise is mounted on a table. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,682 Feinberg discloses a vise jaw assembly for holding a workpiece in relation to a cutting tool such as in a milling machine. It includes a rotatable or inclinable platform for supporting the workpiece at a selected angle precisely controlled by an indexed rotator protruding through a window on the top surface of the jaw and connected to the platform by means of a shaft extending beyond the base of the jaw toward the opposing jaw. Justesen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,151 discloses a vise jig tool having a jaw face to which is attached a graduated scale to permit an operator to set the angle of the work guide and fastener for securing said work guide at the proper angle on the elongated jaw member. Nishimura in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,840 discloses a work-holding vise jig to be attached to the jaw of a vise and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,637 discloses a holder body attached removably to a fixed jaw of a vise. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,664, Calaio discloses an alignment tool for a machine vise to orient a workpiece for machining. It uses a protractor to support a workpiece when the workpiece is between the jaws. Teafatiller in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,540 discloses a workpiece support for use in a machine tool vise. A multiple series of arcuately-spaced bores are in blocks attached to a jaw of the vise and multiple pins in the bores support a workpiece support member. 
     Despite all of the effort in this field indicative of the need, none of the devices provide a simple and easily used device to accurately position and hold a workpiece in a vise. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool in which a workpiece is positioned quickly, easily and accurately in the jaws of a vise. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool which positions a workpiece at a desired angular position and which is reproducible within minutes of a degree. 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is disclosed a vise having a pair of vise jaws for clamping a workpiece therebetween. At least one of the vise jaws is provided with a rotatable protractor. The one vise jaw has an external surface. A platform is carried by the protractor and extends beyond the one vise jaw for supporting the workpiece thereon at a desired angle between the vise jaws. A manually-manipulable means is accessible through an opening in the external surface of the one vise jaw. Gearing means are provided within the one vise jaw and connected between the manually-manipulable means and the protractor, such that the protractor may be conveniently rotated to a desired angular position. 
     In further accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is disclosed a vise having a pair of vise jaws movable relative to each other for clamping a workpiece therebetween. A protractor is carried by one of the vise jaws and rotatably journaled therein. A platform is carried by the protractor and extends beyond the one vise jaw for supporting the workpiece thereon at a desired angular position. A worm wheel is disposed within the one vise jaw and is connected to the protractor for rotation in unison. A worm engages the worm wheel. The worm is rotatably mounted within the one vise jaw and externally accessible through an opening formed on a top surface of the one vise jaw for rotating the protractor to the desired angular position. 
     Still further in accordance with the teachings of the present invention there is disclosed a vise having a pair of vise jaws, at least one of which is movable for clamping a workpiece therebetween. A protractor is carried by the one movable vise jaw and is rotatably journaled therein. A platform is carried by the protractor and extends beyond the one movable vise jaw for supporting the workpiece thereon at a desired angular position. A worm wheel within the one movable vise jaw is connected to the protractor for rotation in unison. A worm engages the worm wheel, the worm being rotatably mounted within the one movable vise jaw and externally accessible through an opening formed on a top surface of the one movable vise jaw for rotating the protractor to the desired angular position. Circumferentially-spaced graduations are disposed around the opening in the top surface of the one movable vise jaw. Means are provided for locking the protractor in the desired angular position. Means are provided to preclude movement of the worm out of the opening in the top surface of the one movable vise jaw. 
     In yet another aspect, there is disclosed a vise having a pair of vise jaws movable relative to each other for clamping a workpiece therebetween. A protractor is carried by one of the vise jaws and is rotatably journaled therein. A platform is carried by the protractor and extends beyond the one vise jaw for supporting the workpiece thereon at a desired angular position. An adapter has a first end and an opposite second end, each end having a respective stop extending outwardly perpendicular to the adapter. The stops extend at opposite directions from one another. When the adapter is disposed on the platform, one stop engages the platform and retains the adapter on the platform as the platform is rotated with the protractor to the desired angular position. The other stop engages the workpiece which is disposed on the adapter, thereby supporting the workpiece as the workpiece is rotated with the protractor to the desired angular position. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the enclosed drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vise of the present invention with the jaws closed. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the one vise jaw showing the protractor. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the protractor, worm wheel and worm gear removed from the one vise jaw. 
     FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view taken across the lines  7 — 7  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the top of the one vise jaw showing the graduation around the manually manipulable means. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken across the lines  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a removable member which is received on the platform. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the removable member. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom planar view of the removable member. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the removable member. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the movable member being placed on the platform on the protractor. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the bolts on the protractor received in the slotted openings in the removable member and the removable member moved to engage the bolts. 
     FIG. 16 is a section view along the lines  16 — 16  of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the adapter. 
     FIG. 18 is an end view of the adapter. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the adapter disposed on the removable member on the platform being adjusted to a desired angular position. 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken across the lines  20 — 20  of FIG.  19 . 
     FIGS. 21-28 are a sequence of perspective views showing operation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21 shows the two jaws of the vise abutting one another. 
     FIG. 22 shows the jaws separated revealing the protractor and platform on the first jaw. 
     FIG. 23 shows the mounting of the removable member on the platform. 
     FIG. 24 shows the adjusting of the platform with the removable member to the desired angular position. 
     FIG. 25 shows the locking of the worm. 
     FIG. 26 shows the adapter disposed on the removable member. 
     FIG. 27 shows the workpiece disposed on the adapter abutting the stop. 
     FIG. 28 shows the jaws of the vise holding the workpiece at the desired angular position. 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the face of the second jaw showing a recess formed therein. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a vise  10  which clamps and holds a workpiece at a desired angle. The invention has a first jaw  12  and a second jaw  14  which are movable with respect to one another. It is preferred that the first jaw  12  be fixed and the second jaw  14  be movable. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, a rotatable protractor  16  is received in a well  18  in the first jaw  12 . The face of the protractor  16  has marked thereon indices for indicating the degree of rotation of the protractor. Preferably, the indices have a center marked 0 and have markings for each degree up to 100° on either side of the 0 mark. At least one reference indicator is marked on the face of the first jaw for alignment with the markings on the protractor. Opposite the face of the protractor  16 , a worm wheel  20  is formed integral with the protractor, the worm wheel  20  being received in the well  18  in the first jaw  12 . The worm wheel  20  moves in unison with the protractor. 
     A bore  22  is formed in the first jaw  12 , the bore  22  communicating with the opening  18  in the first jaw  12  as shown in FIGS. 7-9. Preferably, the bore is formed in the top surface of the first jaw  12 . The bore  22  is threaded and a worm gear  24  is disposed in the bore  22 . The worm gear  24  engages the worm wheel  20  on the protractor  16  such that rotation of the worm gear  24  produces concomitant rotation of the protractor  16  as will be explained. Preferably, the head of the worm gear has a manually-manipulable drive means formed therein. The drive means may be a hexagonal socket opening, a slot, or a cross slot but is not so limited. In this manner, the worm gear  24  may be driven by a hex wrench or screwdriver while the head of the worm gear  24  does not protrude above the top surface of the first jaw. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced graduations  26  are formed around the bore  22  on the external surface of the first jaw  12 . It is preferred that each graduation represents one-half of a degree of rotation of the protractor  16  when the worm gear  24  drives the protractor  16  (FIG.  8 ). In this manner, fine adjustment of the workpiece may be achieved as will be explained. A second bore  28  is formed in the first vise jaw  12  which is approximately perpendicular to the bore  22  in which the worm gear  24  is disposed. The second bore  28  is threaded to receive therein a first threaded bolt  30  which is inserted to contact the worm gear  24  and to preclude movement of the worm gear  24  out of the surface of the first vise jaw  12 . 
     A threaded opening  32  is formed in the protractor  16 , preferably centrally thereof and a cooperating threaded opening  34  is formed in the first vise jaw centrally in the well  18  in which the protractor  16  is received. The threaded openings  32 ,  34  are aligned and a second threaded bolt  36  is disposed in the threaded openings  32 ,  34  to lock the protractor  16  in the desired angular position. 
     A platform  38  is formed on the face of the protractor  16 . Preferably, the platform  38  is a chordal section formed below the indices marked on the face of the protractor  16  and projecting outwardly from the face of the protractor  16  (FIGS.  2 - 5 ). The workpiece is supported on the platform. If the workpiece is large, it may be desirable to enlarge the platform  38  by disposing a removable member  40  on the platform  38 . The removable member  40  may be of any desired shape and may be retained on the platform  38  by any desired means. In a preferred embodiment (FIGS.  10 - 12 ), the removable member  40  has a flat top surface  42  and at least two slotted openings  44  are formed in the lower portion of the removable member  40 . Two spaced-apart threaded bores  46  are formed in the face of the protractor  16  between the top of the platform  38  and the indices on the face of the protractor  16 . A pair of cooperating threaded bolts  48  are disposed in the slotted openings  44  in the removable member  40  and received in the threaded bores  46  in the face of the protractor such that the removable member  40  rests on the platform  38 . The heads of the bolts  48  are tightened against the removable member  40  after the removable member  40  is adjusted in the slotted opening to a desired position. The larger workpiece may then be supported on the top surface  42  of the removable member  40 . The size and shape of the removable member is not critical but may be formed to accommodate the workpiece (FIG.  13 ). 
     As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the threaded bolts  48  are backed out to insert the heads of the bolts  48  into the slotted openings  44  in the removable member  40 . The removable member  40  is moved sideways to secure the heads of the bolts  48  and the bolts  48  are tightened to retain the removable member  40  abutting the platform  38  on the protractor  16 . 
     It is further preferred that an adapter  50  (FIGS. 17-18) be disposed on the platform  38  or on the removable member  40  (FIGS.  19 - 20 ). The adapter  50  is a parallelepiped having a first end and an opposite second end. A respective stop  52  is formed on each end projecting outwardly perpendicular to the adapter  50 . The stops  52  extend in opposite directions from one another. In this manner, when the adapter  50  is disposed on the platform  38  (or on the removable member  40 ), one stop engages the platform  38  and retains the adapter  50  on the platform  38  as the platform  38  is rotated to the desired angular position. The workpiece is placed on the adapter  50  and the other stop  52  engages the workpiece and supports the workpiece as the workpiece is rotated with the protractor  16  to the desired angular position. 
     FIGS. 21-28 show the sequence of operation of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 shows the jaws  12 ,  14  moved apart a sufficient distance so that the removable member  40 , the adapter  50  and the workpiece W can be mounted. In FIG. 23 the removable member  40  is attached to the platform by tightening the bolts  48  as discussed above. The desired angular position of the platform is finely adjusted to the desired one-half degree of rotation by turning of the worm gear  24  as shown in FIG.  24 . The worm gear  24  is locked in place as shown in FIG. 25 by turning the first threaded bolt  30 . In FIG. 26 the adapter  50  is disposed on the removable member  40  with one of the stops  52  engaging the removable member  40  so the adapter does not slide off of the removable member  40 . The workpiece W is placed on the adapter  50  such that the workpiece W rests against, and is supported by, the other stop  52  on the adapter as shown in FIG.  27 . The second jaw  14  is then moved to clamp the workpiece W between the two jaws  12 ,  14  at the desired angular position as in FIG.  28 . 
     A recess  54  in the face of a removable third jaw  56  is shown in FIG.  29 . The recess  54  receives therein the protractor  16  with the projecting platform  28  and the heads of the threaded bolts  48  without damage. The third jaw also has two spaced-apart threaded openings therein such that the third jaw  56  can be connected to the first jaw  12  which has two corresponding threaded openings in which bolts may be threadingly inserted. This locks the two jaws  12 ,  56  together so that the two jaws  12 ,  56  may act as a single jaw. In this manner, the vise  10  serves as a conventional vise which can clamp a workpiece between the second jaw  14  and the reverse face of the third jaw  56  which has been connected to the first jaw  12  (FIG.  1 ). 
     It is preferred that the jaws  12 ,  14 ,  56  be formed from case-hardened steel. 
     In summary, the present invention is a tool for machining angles, drilling angular holes and machining of compound angles, built right into the vise jaw. The workpiece is positioned quickly, easily and accurately. The tool is accurate and reproducible to within minutes of a degree. The tool can be used as a standard vise jaw providing even more convenience. 
     Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described herein.