Vise with axial adjustment and modular jaws

A vise including a body, a threaded shaft extending through or positioned adjacent to the body, and a block coupled to the body and spaced away from an axial end of the shaft. The vise further includes a pair of carriages carried on the shaft and configured such that rotation of the shaft about a central axis thereof causes each carriage to move axially along the shaft. The vise also includes a pair of clamps releasably coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the block on opposite sides thereof. Each clamp is adjustable axially along the shaft to enable adjustment of an axial position of the shaft relative to the block.

The present invention is directed to a vise for clamping workpieces, and more particularly, to a vise with an axial adjustment feature and/or replaceable, modular jaw inserts.

BACKGROUND

Vises are often used to clamp and secure workpieces in place for manufacturing, machining and other industrial operations. In many cases, the vise is a double-acting vise in which a pair of jaws are each moveable toward or away from the other to grip the workpiece therebetween. It may be desired that the jaws in such a double-acting vise be precisely aligned such that, in one case, the jaws are centered relative to a body of the vise to ensure proper alignment and positioning. However, adjustment/centering features for existing vises can be difficult to operate and/or access.

The jaws of a vise can also experience wear and tear over time, and therefore require removal or replacement. In addition, a single vise may be desired to be used in differing applications which require differing jaws. However, existing vises may not sufficiently provide for such removal or replacement of the jaws, or parts thereof.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present invention is a vise in which the jaws (and/or carriages upon which the jaws are carried) are adjustable to ensure precise centering and calibration. In another embodiment the present invention is a vise including a modular, replaceable insert for the jaws. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a vise including a body, a threaded shaft extending through or positioned adjacent to the body, and a block coupled to the body and spaced away from an axial end of the shaft. The vise further includes a pair of carriages carried on the shaft and configured such that rotation of the shaft about a central axis thereof causes each carriage to move axially along the shaft. The vise also includes a pair of clamps releasably coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the block on opposite sides thereof. Each clamp is adjustable axially along the shaft to enable adjustment of an axial position of the shaft relative to the block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-7, in one embodiment the present invention takes the form of a vise, generally designated10, including a body12having a rail portion12a.The body12and rail portion12acan include a central, longitudinally extending channel or groove14extending in an axial direction thereof, with the channel14including a pair of opposed outer recesses16. The vise10further includes a pair of carriages18slidably coupled to the body12via a shaft28and received in the channel14of the body12/rail portion12a.Each carriage18includes a pair of outwardly-extending flanges20, with each flange20being closely received in a corresponding recess16. The carriages18can be slidably coupled to the body12by various other arrangements. For example, in one case the position of protrusions20and recesses16can be reversed such that one or both of the protrusions20are positioned on the body12, and one or both of the recesses16are positioned on the carriages18.

Each carriage18coupled to or includes a corresponding jaw19on the upper end thereof, and each jaw19can be considered to be part of the associated carriage18. The body12can be generally fixed and non-moveable, and in one embodiment is coupled to a base22(FIGS. 2-5) via a set of fasteners24and/or pins26. The base22can, in turn, be coupled to a work table, work surface, mechanical device or the like to secure the vise10in place.

The vise10can include a threaded shaft28at least partially positioned in the channel14and extending through, or positioned adjacent to, the body12. The shaft28extends axially and has a central axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the channel14/vise10, and includes two threaded portions30,32at opposite ends thereof. The threaded portions30,32are threaded in opposite orientations (i.e., one with a left handed thread and one with a right handed thread), for purposes which will be described in greater detail below. Each carriage18is threadably coupled to differing threaded portions30,32at opposite ends of the threaded shaft28.

In the illustrated embodiment, a center portion34of the shaft28is of a reduced diameter and is also threaded. In particular, in one case the center portion34of the shaft28includes two threaded portions36,38, which can be threaded in the same or opposite directions, although the entire center/reduced diameter portion34can have a single continuous thread if desired. However, in an alternate embodiment the center/reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28is not threaded and could in one case be knurled or roughened, but need not necessarily have any particular specialized shape, treatment or configuration, and thus may not even be knurled or roughened in some cases.

The vise10can include a center block40, having an opening41formed therein and coupled to or forming part of the body12. In one embodiment the center block40is centered along a longitudinal direction of the channel14/body12. The shaft28is received through the center block40such that the center/reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28extends through the center block40. The center/reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28can in one case have a smaller diameter than the opening41of the center block40such that the shaft28passes unimpeded through the center block40, and thus does not engage or contact the center block40.

With reference toFIG. 6, in one embodiment each jaw19is attachable to the corresponding carriage18by a pair of fasteners46. Each jaw19can include a groove42which can receive an insert44therein, as shown inFIGS. 2-5. The upper set of jaws19inFIG. 6illustrate the configuration inFIGS. 1-5in which the grooves42are positioned closer to each other. However, if desired the jaws19can be reversed and arranged in the configuration shown as jaws19′ inFIG. 6, in which the grooves42are positioned further away from each other. Each carriage18and jaw19can include a set of holes48which receive pins50therein to ensure the carriages18and jaws19are properly aligned in whichever configuration is utilized. The reversible nature of the19jaws enables the vise10to accommodate a wider range of sizes and shapes of workpieces.

The shaft28can be attachable to a crank or the like (not shown) which is manually or automatically rotatable to rotate the shaft28about its center axis. Rotation of the shaft28causes each carriage18(and associated jaws19) to move either axially closer together or further apart from each other, due to the opposite threading arrangement of the end portions30,32of the shaft28. In this manner the vise10can be operated to grip or clamp workpieces between the jaws19/inserts44. For example, in one case a workpiece52can be gripped between the front faces of the jaws19or, alternately or in addition, between the front faces of the inserts44(FIGS. 2-5).

When the vise10is operated, it can be useful if the carriages18and jaws19are precisely located and positioned to ensure consistent, repeatable and predictable placement of a workpiece gripped therebetween; for example, in one case by centering the carriages18with respect to the vise10/body12. In this case, the alignment of the vise10can be ensured or detecting by moving the carriages18toward each other until the jaws19/inserts44engage each other with no gap therebetween at a contact location. In this case it may be desired that the contact location be at a center point of the vise10/body12, or some other predetermined location.

In order to ensure that the vise10has the desired alignment, a pair of clamps54can be provided and positioned on the center/reduced-diameter portion34of the shaft28. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, each clamp54is generally “O” shaped and includes a central internally-threaded opening. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, each clamp54takes the form of a shaft collar, or is a two-piece clamp having two clamp portions54a,54b, each of which has a generally “C” or semi-circular shape. In this case the clamp portions54a,54bare separable from each other, but can be closed and clamped upon the reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28by utilizing fasteners56which extend through holes in the fastener portions54a,54bin a direction perpendicular to the central axis. In this manner each clamp54can be threaded and clamped onto the center portion34of the shaft28, on opposite axial sides of the center block40.

As shown inFIG. 2-5, each clamp54can be pressed up tight against the center block40, in one case with a washer58(such as a thrust washer) positioned therebetween. As shown inFIG. 7, in one embodiment the center block40includes a shallow groove60on either side thereof to receive a washer58therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamps54are not received in or secured to the center block40, but instead are secured only to the shaft28. In particular, each clamp54is sized to be larger than the opening41of the center block40such that each clamp54is not receivable through or passable through the center opening41. When the clamps54are threadably positioned on the shaft28, the fasteners56are tightened down, and the clamps54engage the thrust washers58contained in the center block40(and/or could directly engage the center block40), the clamps54prevent the shaft28from axially moving relative to the center block40and body12. The clamps54can be tightened down on either side of the center block40during normal operating of the vise10.

When it is desired to adjust the position of the shaft28/carriages18/jaws19and/or their center or meeting point relative to the center block40and the body12, the fastener56of the clamps54can be slightly loosened until each clamp54can be threaded or otherwise axially moved along the reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28. In this manner, each clamp54can be moved axially along the reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28until the clamp54is in the desired position (in one case, where the carriages18/jaws19are centered along a length of the body12), also moving the shaft28/carriages18/jaws19relative to the body12. Once the shaft28/carriages18/jaws19are in the desired position, each clamp54is pressed tight against the center block40, and locked in place via the fasteners56. In this manner, the clamps54can be operated to adjust the axial position of the shaft28/carriages18/jaws19relative to the center block40/body12to ensure, in one case, the carriages18/jaws19meet at a center portion of the vise10for proper alignment.

Once the clamps54are tightened down, the vise10can be used and operated as desired. In operation of the vise10, since the clamps54are rotatably coupled to the shaft28, when the shaft28is rotated the clamps54are rotated with the shaft28.

To further illustrate the alignment process,FIG. 4illustrates a case where the shaft28and carriages18/jaws19may be considered out of alignment, and are not centered relative to the body12by the dimension A. In this particular illustrated case, the carriages28are out of alignment and are offset (moved to the left, in the illustrated embodiment) by dimension B, which causes the misalignment A. However, the misalignment A can be caused by a variety of other or different factors besides misalignment of the shaft28, such as variances in shape or material of the parts, etc.FIG. 5illustrates the case wherein the shaft28and carriages18have been centered relative to the body12, compared to the position inFIG. 4, by loosening the clamps54, moving them to the left along the shaft28, moving the carriages18/jaws19to the right and re-securing the clamps54in place to provide a desired axial adjustment, eliminating the offset A ofFIG. 4

The axial adjustment of the carriages18relative to the center block40/body12can be carried out by the manufacturer prior to shipping the vise10. However, if desired, the moveable nature of the clamps54enables adjustment by a user in the field. The two-piece nature of the clamps54enables the clamp portions54a,54bto be entirely separated from each other, which can provide ease of assembly and adjustment. In particular, each clamp54can be positioned directly in place on the reduced diameter portion34of the shaft28and locked in place by securing the two clamp portions54a,54btogether, without having to thread the clamp54along the entire length of the shaft28, or along with reduced-diameter portion34. The two-part, separable nature of the clamps54also enable the clamps54to be positioned in a variety of radial positions for access and tightening of the fasteners56.

However, it should be understood that the clamps54can take any of a wide variety of other forms beyond that shown herein, for example, by using a one-piece clamp54which lacks two completely separable clamp portions. In addition, the clamps54need not necessarily be threadably coupled to the shaft28; as outlined above, the shaft28can be knurled or roughened to enable the clamp54to grip the shaft and be locked in place, although the shaft28need not necessarily even be knurled or roughened. Nevertheless utilizing a threaded arrangement for the clamps54can provide for more accurate, fine adjustments.

In addition, the adjusting feature of the vise10(e.g. in one case the clamps54and center block40) is located in the center of the vise10and/or away from the ends thereof, and away from either axial end or either threaded portions30,32of the shaft28. The center block40and/or clamps54may be located closer to the center of the shaft28than either axial end thereof. This positioning ensures that the body12can be secured to the base22at the ends of the vise10, which might otherwise be blocked if the adjusting feature were to be located at an axial end of the shaft28. Spacing the adjusting feature away from the axial ends also ensures greater functionality of the vise10by ensuring that the vise10can be stood on its end and used in a vertical configuration, with the shaft28aligned vertically, on either axial end for greater versatility, or trapped between two components. In addition, when the adjusting feature is spaced away from an axial end, the adjusting feature is protected from impact and other forces.

With reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, each insert44can be removably coupled to its associated jaw19/carriage18. As also noted above, jaw19can include an inner face or clamping surface62aligned in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft28and the direction of movement of the associated carriage18. Each insert44can also include an inner face or clamping surface64oriented in one case generally parallel to the clamping surface62of the jaw19. In certain embodiments (particularly the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, in a left-to-right direction), the clamping surface64of each insert44is recessed from and not aligned with the clamping surface62of the associated jaw19. This configuration enables each workpiece to be clamped or gripped by only the jaw19if desired, or only the inserts44if desired (as shown inFIGS. 2-4). However, it is not necessarily required that the clamping surface64of the inserts44be offset from, or misaligned with, the clamping surface62of the associated jaw19. In particular, in the first embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the clamping surfaces64,62of the insert44and jaw19can be seen to be aligned/co-planar.

Each jaw19can include the groove42extending transversely across the jaw19, oriented perpendicular to the axis of the shaft28and parallel to the clamping surface62of the jaw19. Each groove42can thereby define or include a pair of side walls66defining a width of the groove42therebetween. Each groove42can also include or define a bottom wall68, which at least partially defines a depth of the groove42. In the illustrated embodiment, each side wall66is generally straight and perpendicular to the axis of the shaft28, for the entire depth of the groove42. Each groove42can be precision machined to precisely locate the insert44along the three planes defined by the two side walls66and the bottom wall68.

The inserts44can have various shapes and configurations, as shown in the various embodiments ofFIGS. 8 and 9. Each insert44can include a protrusion70on the underside which has a corresponding shape, and is configured to be closely received in, the associated groove42, while a remainder of the insert44extends outwardly and/or above therefrom in some cases. In the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments ofFIGS. 8 and 9, each insert44has the same transverse/lateral dimension (i.e., length) as the jaw19. However, the insert44can have a lesser transverse dimension than the associated jaw19, and, if desired, multiple inserts44can be coupled to the jaw19as shown in the sixth embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9. A set of insert fasteners72, which extend through the insert44and are received in the jaw19(in one embodiment are received in the bottom wall68of the groove42) can be utilized to removably secure the inserts44to the jaws19, as shown in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiment. The fasteners72can thus be oriented perpendicular to the axis of the shaft28. Alternatively, in the first embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9the fasteners72extend from an underside of the jaws19, into the inserts44.

This configuration of the insert44/protrusion70and jaws19/groove42enables each insert44to be removably receivable in the associated groove42in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft28and parallel to the clamping surfaces62,64, to thereby removably couple the insert44to the jaw19. More particularly, each protrusion70is directly insertable into the groove42in a direction parallel to the depth of the groove42, and perpendicular to the length of the groove42, such that the protrusion70does not need to slide along the length of the groove42when fully received in the groove42. The protrusion70is receivable in the groove42in a direction generally parallel to the clamping surface62,64, and also generally perpendicular to the shaft28. This arrangement allows each insert44to be easily inserted into place by simply inserting each insert44into the groove42in the depth direction and avoids having to slide the insert44along the entire length of the groove42, which can require additional clearance space, be prone to sticking or blockage due to foreign bodies, burrs, or warping, and is more difficult to utilize. For example, many dovetail-shaped protrusions/recesses require the insert44to be slid the entire length of the groove42. In one embodiment, then, the protrusion70/groove42arrangement is not dovetail-shaped and, as outlined above, includes straight sidewalls, or includes sidewalls that do not diverge in a direction moving from an outer portion of the groove42to a bottom68thereof.

However, in some cases it may be possible to utilize side walls66which are angled, so as long as the side walls66are angled toward each other such that the side walls66converge moving in a direction from the upper surface of the jaw19/groove42toward the bottom wall or surface68; that is, opposite to the diverging arrangement of a dovetail. However this configuration can in some cases make proper location of the inserts44more difficult.

As shown in the first embodiment ofFIG. 8, the vise10may further include a pin73oriented generally perpendicular to the shaft28and parallel to the fasteners72to further secure each insert44in place relative to the associated jaw19. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert44includes an opening75positioned on the bottom side of the insert44, and the jaw19includes one or a plurality of openings75in the bottom wall68of the groove42to receive the pin73therein. If desired, the pin73can be permanently coupled to one of the jaws19or insert44to help secure the insert44in place and limit lateral sliding of the insert44.

It is noted that the vise10shown inFIGS. 1-7incorporates two jaws19utilizing two inserts44which are movable toward or away from each other to grip a workpiece therebetween. However, the replaceable/modular insert/jaw concept shown inFIGS. 8 and 9can be utilized in nearly any vise or clamp arrangement, including vises or clamps which include only a single moveable carriage, or two or more carriages, etc. In addition, it should be understood that the position of the protrusion70and groove42can be reversed; that is, the jaws19can include the protrusion70and the insert44can include the groove42, while providing the same functionality and benefits described therein. However, it may be more useful to have the groove42on the jaws19and the protrusion70on the insert44, as positioning the groove42on the insert44may require additional material to be positioned on the insert44to increase the strength thereof, in some cases making the insert44bulkier, heaver, and more difficult to handle.

The replaceable/modular nature of the insert44enables various insert44to be swapped in or out as desired such that the vise10can have differing operating characteristics when differing insert44and clamping features are desired. In addition, the modular insert44arrangement enables insert44to be quickly and easily replaced should an insert44become damaged, worn, etc. without having to replace or repair an entire jaw19.

Thus, it can be seen that the vise10described and shown herein provides an axial adjustment feature which enables quick, accurate and easy-to-implement axial adjustment of the carriages18to ensure precise alignment. The vise10also allows inserts44to be easily and quickly replaced as desired to provide differing clamping features to the vise10.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.