Vise apparatus

Example implementations relating to a mechanical vise are disclosed herein. In one particular implementation, a first jaw piece includes a first slip surface a second jaw piece includes a second slip surface. The first slip surface may be moveable with respect to the second slip surface, while in slip contact with the second slip surface, to at least in part apply a force against a workpiece.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to for use in a manufacturing environment.

2. Information

Machine tools used in a machine shop typically include a vise for holding in place a workpiece. in one example, device may be used in combination with a rotating tombstone to, for example, allow for machining on three sides of a workpiece. Devices used in a machine shop two steady work pieces in place, such as in combination with a rotating tombstone, typically include many different moving parts that take up a significant amount of workspace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References throughout this specification to one implementation, an implementation, one embodiment, an embodiment and/or the like means that a particular feature, structure, and/or characteristic described in connection with a particular implementation and/or embodiment is included in at least one implementation and/or embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of such phrases, for example, in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily intended to refer to the same implementation or to any one particular implementation described. Furthermore, it is to be understood that particular features, structures, and/or characteristics described are capable of being combined in various ways in one or more implementations and, therefore, are within intended claim scope, for example. In general, of course, these and other issues vary with context. Therefore, particular context of description and/or usage provides helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn.

As pointed out above, devices to steady a workpiece in place in a machine shop environment typically include, collectively, multiple different tools and/or machining parts that take up a significant amount of workspace. Embodiments described herein include features of a vise that may be used in a machine shop, and that may replace multiple different tools to be used in holding a workpiece in place. In one particular implementation, a vise apparatus may include at least a first jaw member having a first slip surface and a second jaw member having a second slip surface that engages in slip contact with the first slip surface. The first and second slip surfaces may be movable relative to each to each other while maintaining slip contact to apply force against a workpiece to hold the workpiece in place.

According to environment, view100inFIG.1and view200inFIG.2show features of vise apparatus to secure a workpiece115. According to an embodiment, jaw piece101and jaw piece102may be moved closer together, or further apart along a dimension204by rotation of left right screw105. Jaw pieces101and102each have a slip surface that engages with associated slip surfaces of jaw piece103. As jaw pieces101and102move toward each other along dimension204, jaw piece103may be translated in a direction202to apply a clamping force to workpiece115against jaw piece103. According to an embodiment, jaw piece104may be stationary while jaw piece103moves toward jaw piece104along dimension202. In a particular implementation, a clamping feature120may be secured to jaw piece103and an opposing clamping feature122(FIGS.5A and5B) may be secured to jaw piece104. According to an embodiment, clamping feature120may be fixedly attached to a surface of jaw piece103. For example, clamping feature may be attached to jaw piece with screws or rivets502. However, clamping feature122may be positioned in any one of multiple slots130depending on a desired size of a clamping cavity to match an associated workpiece of a particular size. Here, it may be recognized that, while jaw pieces103and104may have a limited maximum range of separation, movement of clamping member122to different slots130may enable securing workpieces of many different sizes to, in effect, extend a range of vise jaws.

According to an embodiment, a torque applied to left-right screw105in one rotational direction may translate to a force applied in direction202as jaw pieces101and102, again having slip surfaces in contact with slip surfaces of jaw piece103, are moved together. Likewise, as a torque is applied to left-right screw105in an opposite rotational direction, jaw piece103may be allowed to separate from jaw piece104. As such, a force to be applied to jaw piece103is perpendicular to an axis of rotation upon which a torque is applied to left-right screw105. This may allow for space savings.

According to an embodiment, a width of a slot130may be matched with a thickness of a flange of clamping member122to allow clamping member122to be snuggly disposed in and/or removed from a slot130, while maintaining a secure position while clamping a workpiece in place. Clamping members120and122may include non smooth surfaces that are to be in contact with workpiece to secure the workpiece against the clamping surfaces with a static frictional force. Alternatively, clamping member120and or122may include small spikes capable of indenting and/or dimpling a surface in contact with the workpiece. This may not only assist in maintaining a position of the workpiece, but provide for easy realignment of the workpiece by matching the spikes with previously created dimples. This is shown, for example, in an implementation ofFIG.5Cin which a pointed spike member572is disposed and secured in a bore formed in a sidewall portion of clamping member120.

View300shown inFIG.3shows parts that may be assembled to be housed within housing110to, at least in part, form a vise apparatus. According to an embodiment, jaw pieces101,102,103and104may be formed from any suitable metal such as aluminum or steel, using one or a mixture of processes such as forging or billet machining according to dimensions and within specified tolerances. Alternatively, jaw pieces101,102,103and104may be formed from a carbon fiber composite and/or strengthened polymer. Slip surface310of jaw piece103may be adapted to engage slip surface314of jaw piece101while slip surface312of jaw piece103may be adapted for slip engagement with slip surface316of jaw piece102. Slip services310,312,314and316may be polished and/or lubricated to allow jaw pieces101and102move together and separate with minimal friction as slip surface314moves while in slip contact with slip surface310and as slip surface316moves while in slip contact with slip surface312.

Left-right screw105may be disposed through hole318of jaw piece101and hole320of job piece102. According to an embodiment, exterior threading of right hand nut106may engage similar threading provided in hole318to secure left-hand nut106in place in jaw piece101. Likewise, exterior threading of right-hand nut107may engage similar threading formed in hole320to secure left-hand nut107in place in jaw piece102. Interior threading of left-hand nut106and right-hand nut107may be adapted to engage threading at opposite ends of left-right screw105. Hex driver108may be disposed and/or fitted in right-hand nut107, and may translate an applied torque to left-right screw105. In a particular implementation, left-right screw105may be cylindrical to fit within in diameters of collars109and111to secure and may be affixed to hex driver108by a welding joint. Collars109and111may be attached to left-right screw105with a set screw (not shown) on a flat surface (not shown) or dowel pins.

According to embodiment, cavities306may be formed in jaw piece104to receive springs304and rod pieces302. In a particular implementation, springs304may be compressed as jaw piece103is moved in a direction202as jaw pieces101and102are brought closer together (e.g., from application of a torque apply to hex driver108). Likewise, springs304may expand in response to an increasing a separation between jaw pieces101and102(e.g., from application of a torque to hex driver108in an opposite rotational direction). As such, rod pieces302may be pressed against jaw piece103as springs304expand. This may allow a separation between jaw pieces103and104as the vise is opened by application of a torque to hex nut108to increase the separation between jaw pieces101and102.

According to an embodiment, parts shown in view300ofFIG.3may be disposed within a housing110that may be assembled as shown inFIG.4. Here, sides402may bracket assembled parts of a vise (e.g., as shown inFIG.3), and may be disposed in a parallel orientation as shown. In a particular implementation, jaw pieces101and102may abut a first side402while jaw piece104may abut a second side402opposing the first side402. According to embodiment, an interface between slip surfaces of the first side402and slip surfaces of jaw pieces101and102may be lubricated to allow jaw pieces101and one or two to move closer together or further apart along dimension204(e.g., responsive to a torque applied to hex driver108). Side pieces404and406may be attached so as to abut side pieces402. In an embodiment, side pieces404in406may be fixedly attached to side pieces402using screws or dowel joints, just to provide a couple of examples of how side pieces of a housing may be attached to one another. Side pieces406may include a semicircular cut out410while side pieces404may include a semicircle cut out408that, in an assembled housing110, provide a circular hole enabling left right screw105to pass therethrough. Sides404and/or406may be formed from steel, aluminum and/or other suitable metal using a forging and/or billet machining process with suitable tolerances. Alternatively, sides404and/or406may be formed from carbon fiber and/or a strengthened polymer. A surface of a side402to be in contact with jaw piece101and/or102may be polished and/or lubricated to form an additional slip surface to be in contact with corresponding slip surfaces of jaw piece101and/or102. In an alternative implementation, sides402and404in combination with a base plate (not shown) may be cast formed or billet machined as a single solid piece.

FIGS.6A,6B,6C and6Dare views of jaw members including slip surfaces that are sloped in two dimensions, according to an embodiment.FIGS.6A and6Bshow different views of an alternative implementation of jaw piece101in which a slip surface is sloped at 11.4 degrees along a direction parallel to left-right screw105and sloped at five degrees between edges602and604(perpendicular to left-right screw105). An alternative implementation of jaw piece102(not shown inFIG.6A or6B) may have a similar slip surface that is sloped in two dimensions. Likewise,FIGS.6C and6Dshow different views of an alternative implementation of jaw piece103in which a slip surface is sloped at about 11.4 degrees along a direction parallel to left-right screw105and sloped at about five degrees between edges672and674(in a direction perpendicular to left-right screw105). It should be understood that such slopes of about 11.4 degrees and about five degrees as shown inFIGS.6A and6Bare merely examples of how a slip surface may be sloped in two dimensions, and that slopes of different amounts may be used without deviating from claimed subject matter. While slopes of jaw pieces101and103along a direction parallel to left-right screw105may enable translation of an applied torque to a force on jaw piece103, slopes in a direction perpendicular to left-right screw105may enable stabilizing jaw piece103while such a force is applied to jaw piece103. For example, slope surfaces of jaw pieces101and103may engage in a slip contact such that edge602of jaw piece101meets edge672of jaw piece103and such that edge604of jaw piece101meets edge674of jaw piece103. Such an engagement of slope surfaces of jaw pieces101and103may prevent jaw piece103from rising as a force is applied.

As discussed in the particular implementation ofFIG.3, springs304and rod pieces302disposed in cavities306may return jaw piece to an open position as jaw pieces101and102are separated (e.g., responsive to a torque applied to hex driver108). In an alternative implementation as shown inFIG.7, slip surfaces of jaw piece103and either jaw piece101or102may comprise a dovetail joint that runs the length of slip surfaces that are in slip contact. For example, view700may comprise a cross-section view of a slip contact engagement of a slip surface of jaw piece101(implemented as a jaw piece702) and a slip surface of jaw piece102(implemented as a jaw piece704) forming a dovetail joint706running a length of the engaged slip surfaces. Slip surfaces of jaw piece102and103engaged in slip contact may similarly form a dovetail joint (not shown). As such, as jaw piece101is separated from jaw piece102, dovetail joints formed by slip surfaces of jaw pieces101,102and103may tend to retract jaw piece103.FIGS.8A and8Bshow an alternative embodiment in which a jaw piece801may replace jaw piece101, jaw piece802may replace jaw piece102and jaw piece808may replace jaw piece803. Here, jaw pieces801and802each include three distinct slip surfaces meeting with corresponding slip surfaces of jaw piece803. For example, jaw piece801comprises three distinct slip surfaces that engage corresponding slip surfaces of jaw piece803at interfaces824,806and808. Likewise, jaw piece802comprises three distinct slip surfaces that engage corresponding slip surfaces of jaw piece803at interfaces810,812and814. If jaw pieces801and802are moved toward one another (e.g., from application of a torque to left-right screw805), a force may be applied to jaw piece803in a direction toward jaw piece804(e.g., to secure a workpiece).

As may be observed, slip surfaces of jaw pieces801and802to be in slip contact with jaw piece803all begin and end at the same separation from a bottom side of housing810. As such, for slope surfaces of a particular slope angle, a force applied to jaw piece803(e.g., by application of a torque to left-right screw805) may be distributed over a longer dimension. In an embodiment, multiple slip surfaces on jaw piece801may move in a direction813relative to jaw piece803to apply a force in a direction811and apply a clamping force to an opposing jaw piece (not shown). In one embodiment, jaw piece801may be translated bidirectionally along dimension810responsive to a torque applied to left-right screw805.

FIGS.9A and9Bprovide a side-by-side comparison of features of a vise according toFIGS.1-7(inFIG.9A) and a vise that translates a torque applied to an axis in a direction of force910to be applied to against a workpiece to hold the workpiece in place. As may be observed, features of the particular embodiment ofFIG.9Amay enable implementation of a device (to secure a workpiece) that is more compact.

FIGS.10A through10Care views of a machine vise and workpiece secured in a rotating tombstone, according to an embodiment. A vise1006may be secured to a rotating tombstone1008. According to an embodiment, features of vise1006may be as shown inFIGS.1through8Bto, for example, enable securing workpiece1004in place. According to an embodiment, vertical drill1002may be limited to application of a drill bit only in an up-down dimension. As rotating tombstone1008is rotated to different positions by ninety-degree increments, vertical drill1002may apply a drill bit to different surfaces of workpiece1008. Here, implementing features of embodiments shown inFIGS.1through8B, vise1006may enable securing workpiece1004using minimal parts and occupying minimal space.

In the drawings and/or description, as was indicated, like parts and/or features are typically marked throughout the specification and/or drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively, if applicable. Again, the drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

The terms, “and”, “or”, “and/or” and/or similar terms, as used herein, include a variety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in part upon the particular context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” and/or similar terms is used to describe any feature, structure, and/or characteristic in the singular and/or is also used to describe a plurality and/or some other combination of features, structures and/or characteristics. Likewise, the term “based on” and/or similar terms are understood as not necessarily intending to convey an exclusive set of factors, but to allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described. Of course, for all of the foregoing, particular context of description and/or usage provides helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn. It should be noted that the following description merely provides one or more illustrative examples and claimed subject matter is not limited to these one or more examples; however, again, particular context of description and/or usage provides helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn.