Abstract:
A multi-position swivel vise includes a base structure and a generally spherical vise ball which is movably and rotatably supported on the base structure. A crown is mounted on the base structure above the vise ball, and a jack device such as an hydraulic jack is mounted on the base structure below the vise ball, the jack device operative to elevate the vise ball into a contact position in contact with the crown such that the vise ball is releasably immobilized via frictional contact with the crown.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL PATENT 
     This application claims priority based on a provisional patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/356,921 filed Feb. 14, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention is directed to swivel vises in the manufacturing industry and, more particularly, to a multi-positional swivel vise having a support plate mounted to the floor, four telescoping legs, a shoulder section which supports the ball joint having a crown, ball and gripping ring, an attachment plate that securely attaches to the desired object and is mounted atop the ball via the use of a shaft that is inserted into the ball, a hydraulic jack that elevates the ball into the gripping ring in the desired orientation, and an actuating device that controls the hydraulic jack. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are numerous types of vises found in the prior art which are designed for use in many different situations. The standard type of vise is one in which a pair of jaws are moved towards or away from each other to releasably secure an object therebetween. However, to reposition the object in the vise, one must release the jaws and reset the object, which is time-consuming and may not be practical depending on the object being supported. 
     For this reason, adjustable vises were developed which permitted the repositioning of the object without releasing the vise jaws. Some of these vises included ball joints and swivels that permitted the positioning of the object in many different orientations. However, the sophisticated nature of the securement systems of these vises often resulted in an actual increase in the amount of time spent adjusting the positioning of the object. 
     There is therefore a need for a vise which will permit repositioning of the object supported thereon without requiring a major expenditure of time and effort, yet one which will safely support the object in the desired position. 
     Many ball joint-type vises include clamping mechanisms for preventing rotation and movement of the ball, but these clamping mechanisms are dependent on the strength, of the operator to tighten the clamping mechanism sufficiently to prevent movement of the ball. This is particularly evident when a heavy object is being supported on the vise, and what often occurs is that the vise “slips” and the object must be repositioned. There is therefore a need for a ball joint-type vise which does not rely on the strength of the operator to secure the supported object in a particular orientation. 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved multi-directional swivel vise for supporting objects in a particular work orientation. 
     Another objective of the present invention to provide a multi-directional swivel vise which includes a base structure on which is rotatably supported a vise ball, a crown positioned above the vise ball, and a jack device for elevating the vise ball into frictional contact with the crown to releasably secure the vise ball in a particular orientation. 
     Another objective is to provide a multi-directional swivel vise which is capable of supporting large heavy objects thereon. 
     Another objective is to provide a multi-directional swivel vise in which the orientation of the supported object may be quickly and easily changed. 
     Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional swivel vise which is relatively simple to manufacture and which is safe and durable in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a multi-position swivel vise which includes a base structure and a generally spherical vise ball movably and rotatably supported on the base structure. A crown is mounted on the base structure above the vise ball, and a jack device such as an hydraulic jack is mounted on the base structure below the vise ball, the jack device operative to elevate the vise ball into a contact position in contact with the crown such that the vise ball is releasably immobilized via frictional contact with the crown. 
     The multi-position swivel vise thus described clearly offers several advantages over those devices found in the prior art. The relatively simple design and easy use characteristics of the present invention permit the user to quickly mount objects on the vise and move them into desired position for work thereon. Also, because the vise ball is moved upwards into contact with the crown to secure the vise ball in a chosen position, there is less likelihood of slippage of the ball due to the multiple frictional contact points, thus permitting the use of the present invention with even large heavy objects. Furthermore, because the vise ball and jack are the only moving elements of the invention, there is much less likelihood of the invention breaking down and becoming non-functional. The present invention thus provides a substantial improvement over those vises found in the prior art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3 a,    3   b  and  3   c  are detail elevational views of the vise ball and mounting plate of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the crown of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The multi-directional swivel vise  10 , as best seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, includes a generally square support base  12  having dimensions of approximately ten to twenty-five inches (10″-25″) per side which is preferably mounted to the floor via a plurality of bolts that are inserted through pre-drilled holes (not shown) in the support base  12 . Although using bolts to secure the support base  12  to the floor is not critical to the inventive characteristics of the present invention, it has been found that, due to the heavy duty components and uses for which this invention is intended to be utilized, it is preferable to bolt the invention to the floor thus providing additional stability. Welded to and extending upward from the support base  12  are four telescoping legs  14   a,    14   b,    14   c  and  14   d  that, in the preferred embodiment as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, are generally square tubes in cross-sectional shape and are approximately three feet (3′) in height. The telescoping legs  14   a-d  provide support for the upper portion of the invention, which will be detailed in this disclosure, and allow the user to adjust the height of the swivel vise  10  which has been found to be useful when working with materials of various shapes and sizes that are mounted to the swivel vise  10  and to accommodate different sizes and designs of the hydraulic ram. 
     Located directly atop and welded to the telescoping legs  14  is generally flat square shoulder plate  16  that is preferably constructed of steel plate and has dimensions of approximately one inch (1″) in thickness and ten to twenty-five inches (10-25″) in length per side. The shoulder plate  16  of the current invention is designed and manufactured to withstand the substantial forces that are generated during use of the present invention although the exact dimensions and construction materials of the shoulder plate  16  are not critical so long as it retains the ability to function as will be described herein. 
     Formed in the approximate center of the shoulder plate  16  is a center hole  17  which is an approximately four to six inch (4-6″) in diameter hole. Mounted within center hole  17  is a ball support cylinder  18  which would have a height of approximately four inches (4″) and extends above the center hole  17  approximately one inch (1″) or so. Rotatably supported by ball support cylinder  18  is a vise ball  20  which, in the preferred embodiment as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a sturdily constructed sphere of urethane or metal having a diameter of approximately ten to eighteen inches (10-18″). The vise ball  20  sits within the ball support cylinder  18  and is prevented from falling through the ball support cylinder  18  as the diameter of the ball support cylinder  18  is less than the diameter of the vise ball  20 . The ball support cylinder  18  holds and centers the vise ball  20  on the shoulder plate  16  to allow the operator to rotate the vise ball  20  in place and allows the passage of a hydraulic jack  40  through the ball support cylinder  18  which elevates the vise ball  20  as will be described in detail in this disclosure. The exact shape and size of the ball support cylinder  18  and vise ball  20  are not critical so long as the ball support cylinder  18  and vise ball  20  retain the rotational and securement functions intended in the present invention. 
     Mounted on and extending outwards from the vise ball  20  is a steel shaft  22 , which, in the preferred embodiment, would have a diameter of approximately two and one-half inches (2½″) and a length of approximately three to five inches (3″-5″). In the preferred embodiment, the shaft  22  would be inserted into the vise ball  20  as can best be seen in FIGS. 3 a - 3   c.  To prevent free rotation of the shaft  22  within the vise ball  20  during use, a pin (not shown) or the like may be inserted through the vise ball  20  at an angle perpendicular to the shaft  22 , the pin engaging the shaft and securing the shaft  22  within the vise ball  20 . However, it is understood that many devices and methods may be used to secure the shaft  22  within the vise ball  20  such as the use of epoxies, cements, glues, or the shaft  22  could be manufactured with the vise ball  20  as a single unit. 
     Mounted on the shaft  22  and adapted for rotational movement in unison with the vise ball  20  is an attachment plate  24  which, in the preferred embodiment, is generally square and would have dimensions of approximately twelve inches (12″) on each side and approximately one-half inch (½″) thick. As best seen in FIG. 3 b,  the attachment plate  24  has four (4) holes  26  drilled at the approximate corners of the plate  24  through which the operator could insert screws or bolts (not shown) for securing an object to the attachment plate  24 . Of course, many different types of objects may be secured to the attachment plate  24  and the operator may manipulate the object into the desired position by simply rotating the object and the ball  20  will rotate within the ball support cylinder  18 . Although the preferred embodiment presents one method by which objects may be mounted to the attachment plate  24 , many alternative mounting methods can be utilized to accomplish the same function as the holes  26  such as using c-clamps (not shown) or certain adhesive materials (not shown). Finally, it should be noted that the vise ball  20  and attachment plate  24  are rotatable through substantially ninety degrees (90°) such that an object mounted on the attachment plate  24  can be worked on in a virtually unlimited number of orientations and positions, which is a substantial improvement over the prior art. 
     To releasably secure the vise ball  20  in a fixed orientation during use, the present invention includes a circumferential crown  30  which is mounted to and above the shoulder plate  16 . The crown  30  releasably secures the vise ball  20  in a fixed orientation during use, thus preventing the object mounted to the attachment plate  24  from moving. In the preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 , the crown  30  consists of the following elements: a generally U-shaped support strut  32  that is preferably constructed of steel and is approximately six to ten inches (6″-10″) high, approximately six to ten inches (6″-10″) wide, and approximately one inch (1″) thick; three (3) generally rectangular support struts  34   a,    34   b  and  34   c  that are six to ten inches (6-10″) high, approximately four to six (4-6″) wide, and one inch (1″) thick; and a gripping ring  36  mounted atop each of the U-shaped support strut  32  and three (3) generally rectangular support struts  34   a,    34   b  and  34   c,  the gripping ring  36  being a sectioned ring extending approximately 300°-330° in circumference, having a inner diameter of approximately five to ten inches (5″-10″) and having a gap  38  through which the shaft  22  of the vise ball  20  can be rotated downwards. The gripping ring  36  substantially encircles the vise ball  20  at a height approximately three-fourths of the height of the vise ball  20 , as best seen in FIG.  1 . Although the preferred embodiment contemplates approximately one U-shaped support strut  32  and three rectangular support struts  34   a,    34   b  and  34   c,  struts of different sizes and shapes could be used to secure the gripping ring  36  on the shoulder plate  16  which are within the scope of the present invention. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 1, the U-shaped support strut  32 , the rectangular support struts  34   a,    34   b  and  34   c  and the gripping ring  36  generally encapsulate the vise ball  20  in a segmented circumferential housing which prevents movement of the vise ball  20  except in rotation thereof. Therefore, it is clear how the vise ball  20  can be freely rotated, but it is the cessation of rotation of the vise ball  20  which is an important feature of the present invention, and the simplicity with which ball rotation is controlled renders the present invention superior to the vises found in the prior art. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 a-c,  the inner face  40  of sectional gripping ring  36  is angled and may be curved to contact the vise ball  20  on the surface thereof. After the operator has oriented the object mounted to the attachment plate  24  into the desired position, the operator uses a hydraulic jack  40  to raise the vise ball  20  out of the ball support cylinder  18  upward against the gripping ring  36 . In the preferred embodiment, a ball cradle  19  is slidably mounted within the ball support cylinder  18 , the ball cradle  19  including an upper surface constructed of a frictional material such as a plastic or rubber which frictionally secures the vise ball  20  thereon, and a lower surface constructed of metal or the like which is engaged by the hydraulic jack  40  which moves the ball cradle  19  upwards within ball support cylinder  18 . As the ball cradle  19  is moved upwards by the hydraulic jack  40 , the upper surface of the ball cradle  19  engages the underside of the vise ball  20  and moves the vise ball  20  upwards towards the gripping ring  36 . The inner face  40  of the gripping ring  36  and the surface of vise ball  20  frictionally engage one another, and due to the construction materials used and the force applied by the hydraulic jack  40 , this frictional force is very large and prevents rotation of the vise ball  20  within the crown  30 . Any object mounted on the attachment plate  24  is thus held in the desired location and the operator need not worry about the object moving without his or her consciously choosing to release the vise ball  20  and permit movement of the object. In the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic jack  40  is located underneath the vise ball  20  and is mounted on the support base  12  on a pedestal  41  between the telescoping legs  14  and has at least one actuating foot pedal  42   a  operatively connected to it. Upon the operator stepping on the actuating foot pedal  42   a,  the hydraulic jack  40  extends thus elevating the vise ball  20  into frictional engagement with the gripping ring  36  thereby securing and preventing the ball  20  from moving within the crown  30 . The operator would then engage a release pedal  42   b  to lower the hydraulic jack  40  and permit rotation of the vise ball  20  within the crown  30 . Of course, it should be noted that a pneumatic ram, mechanical jack or the like may be substituted for the hydraulic jack  40  of the present invention so long as the functional characteristics of the present invention are maintained. 
     Further, it is to be understood that numerous modifications, additions and substitutions may be made to the present invention which fall within this broad disclosure. For example, the construction materials used in, and the method for assembling, the swivel vise  10  may be modified and/or changed so long as the invention maintains the ability to correctly function and rotatably support objects mounted thereon. Additionally, the size and shape of the vise ball  20  and crown  30  may be modified so long as the functional characteristics of the present invention are maintained, specifically the ability of the present invention to rotate into a plurality of positions and be releasably secured therein. Also, the size and shape of the attachment plate  24  can be modified to accommodate a diverse range of objects, as the precise nature by which objects are supported by the vise ball  20  of the present invention is not critical and, in fact, numerous types of securement devices are known in the prior art which may be used with the vise  10  of the present invention. Finally, the size, shape and construction materials used of and with the present invention may be modified and/or changed so long as the functional characteristics are not destroyed or modified to render the invention inoperable for its intended purposes. 
     There has thus been shown and described a multi-directional swivel vise which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.