Patent Publication Number: US-11383354-B1

Title: Vise

Description:
This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/727,852 filed on Sep. 6, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The invention of this application relates to vises and, more particularly, to multiple jaw vises and, even more particularly, to self-centering vises, even more particularly to 5-axis machining and multi axis machining vises. It has also been found that the invention of this application can be used for multi-station vises. Yet even further, the invention of this application is well adapted for use with other tooling equipment, such as Applicant&#39;s FIXTURE PRO® line of products. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The invention of this application relates to vises and, more particularly, to multiple jaw vises that are self-centering. Multiple jaw vises and self-centering vises are known in the art. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,694 to Buck discloses a multiple jaw vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,704 to Buck discloses a multiple jaw vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,001 to Buck discloses a multiple jaw vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,551 to Cousins et al. discloses a multiple jaw vise with machinable jaws and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,073 to Lenz discloses a multiple jaw vise with a double threaded screw and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,527 to Klingenberg et al. discloses a multi-jaw vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,958 to Schmidt discloses a self-centering dual direction clamping vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,296,089 to Schweigert et al. discloses a centric clamping vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,144 to Gordon et al. discloses a self-centering vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,937 to Taylor et al. discloses a centric clamping vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 2,564,138 to Walker discloses a machine vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,472 to Schmidt discloses a five axis machine vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,877 to Lang discloses a self-centering chuck and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,753 to Teo discloses a vise that prevents jaw lift and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. German Publication No. DE 202 11 275 (copy submitted herewith) discloses a self-centering vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. German Publication No. DE 10 2015 014 664 (copy submitted herewith) discloses a self-centering vise and is incorporated by reference herein for showing the same. Also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety is JERGENS Production Vise Catalog which is submitted herewith and forms part of this specification as does the above incorporation by reference documents. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vises are well known in the art and have evolved over the years. Further, multiple jaw vises and self-centering vises are also known in the art and have been well received. In particular, the vises shown in many of the patents listed above, and incorporated by reference in this application as background material, have been well received in the marketplace. These patents disclose two jaw and self-centering vises that are effective and which have been used in industry for many years. However, many of these vises are costly to manufacture, are costly and difficult to maintain in the field, and can require many adjustments to function properly. 
     A self-centering vise is a vise that moves the workpiece being held to the center of the vise. This can improve accuracy and precision in the machining process wherein these vises are very popular. In that these vises center the workpiece, both jaws must move relative to the base and relative to one another to either provide an inwardly or an outwardly directed clamping force that is centered within the vise base. In that both jaws must move, there must be sufficient clearance between the jaws and the guides of the vise body. However, this “clearance” can produce jaw lift that reduces machining accuracies, which will be discussed more below. In order to move the jaws relative to one another, most prior art self-centering vises have a threaded rod or lead screw that is rotatable about a screw axis and that can rotate relative to the vise body. The lead screw has a center point and includes a right-handed external thread on one side of the center point and a left-handed external thread at the other side of the center point. The jaws include a first jaw that has a right-handed internal thread and a second jaw that has a left-handed internal thread wherein the jaws rotationally engage the threaded rod on either side of the center point. As a result, rotation of the rod in a first rotational direction about the rod or screw axis moves the jaws toward one another and toward the center. And, rotation of the rod in the other rotational direction moves the jaws away from one another and away from the center point. Thus, rotation of the threaded rod causes the jaws to move towards or away from each other. 
     In that the accuracy of the self-centering vise depends on the vise accurately centering and locating the workpiece each time, some self-centering vises include an adjustable center point. 
     One issue with multi-jaw vises is the “jaw lift” noted above. In greater detail, precision machining requires the workpieces to be maintained and repeatably located within strict tolerances. Jaw lift in a vise makes it difficult to maintain strict tolerances in the workpieces. Jaw lift is when the movable jaws of the vise lift as the jaws compress the workpiece relative to one another. Such ‘jaw-lift’ may result in, for example, a workpiece being slightly out of position relative to a known coordinate location of the milling machine. Moreover, jaw lift can also occur during machining. As referenced above, there needs to be enough clearance between the jaws and the guides of the vise body to allow the jaws to move and this clearance can produce the jaw lift. 
     In view of the importance of preventing jaw lift, some prior art vises have incorporated elaborate structures to control the clearances between the jaws and the guides to prevent jaw lift. In one particular vise, which has been well received in the industry, the vise incorporates an array of set screws and strategically placed pad arrangements to prevent the unwanted jaw lift. While this design can reduce jaw lift, it is time consuming, it requires the use of an additional tool and it adds another parameter into workholding geometry. In this respect, this system requires two set screw and two pad arrangements per moveable jaw. Thus, these vises include four set screws that must be tightened and loosened each time a workpiece is clamped in the vise. Moreover, these four set screws must be manually loosened and then manually and accurately tightened each time the vise is used. 
     In greater detail, the four set screws engage four respective pads that are positioned below the jaws. When the set screws are tightened, they engage the pads and urge the jaw upwardly in the vise body guides. Each set screw urges one side of one of the jaws upwardly into one of the two vise body guides. The tightening of these two set screws removes the clearance between the vise body guides and one of the jaws in a known direction such that the jaw is forced against the upper guide surfaces of the vise body guides. Then, the same must be done to the other jaw since self-centering vises have two moveable jaws. This set screw tightening procedure must be done each time the jaws are adjusted or moved along the vise body guides. Then, before the jaws can be loosened or moved, all four set screws must be loosened to bring back the clearances that are needed to allow the jaws to move relative to the vise body guides. 
     As can be appreciated, this can be time consuming. And, it also requires a separate tool. Yet even further, the threads of the screws and/or threaded holes can become stripped if they are over tightened, which can make this feature inoperable and/or require expensive repairs. Moreover, in view of the time associated with tightening and then loosening the plurality of set screws, there is also the risk that this feature is not properly utilized by shop personnel. 
     Another issue is the centering of the jaws of the vise. In this respect, it is also important to set the center of the vise. Prior art vises includes means to make this adjustment, but it has been found that these systems can be ineffective, inaccurate, overly complicated and/or require special tools. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of this application relates to vises and more particularly to multiple moveable jaw vises that overcome many of the shortcomings in the prior art. Even more particularly, the invention of this application relates to vise structures that have been found to work particularly well in connection with self-centering vises wherein the invention of this application will be discussed with specific reference to self-centering vises even though this application is not to be limited to a particular style of vise. 
     According to one aspect of the invention of this application, the vise includes one or more vise components configured to prevent jaw lift. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention of this application, the vise includes vise trucks that move along a vise axis and vise jaws fixed relative to the vise trucks and wherein the vise jaws can automatically move relative to the vise trucks to urge the jaws toward the trucks when the vise is tightened and to allow the jaws to automatically move away from the trucks when the jaw is loosened. 
     According to yet other embodiments of the invention of this application, the vise includes a vise lead screw having a center point that rotates about a screw axis that is parallel to the vise axis wherein the vise trucks are on either side of the center point and move relative to the vise base when the lead screw is rotated about the screw axis. The lead screw being transversely displaceable relative to the screw axis to help facilitate the movement of the trucks relative to the vise jaws. 
     According to another aspect of the invention of this application, the vise includes one or more vise components configured to produce an efficient centering feature to center the moveable jaws within the jaw body. 
     According to certain embodiments of the invention of this application, the vise includes an axially displaceable pillow block assembly to provide selective unified displacement of the vise jaws, the vise trucks and the lead screw relative to the vise base along the vise axis. 
     These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the Detailed Description of the invention set forth below taken together with the drawings which will be described in the next section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing, and more, will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with a written description of preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vise according to certain aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a vise body for the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the vise body shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first truck for the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the first truck shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second truck for the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the second truck shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom side perspective view of a jaw for the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the jaw shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevational view of the jaw shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded sectional view of a pillow block for the vise shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an elevational view of a lead screw for the vise shown in  FIG. 1  with a sectional view of the pillow block; 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial sectional view of the vise shown in  FIG. 1  showing the jaws, trucks, pillow block and lead screw in a non-engagement position; 
         FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a partial sectional view of the vise shown in  FIG. 1  showing the jaws, trucks, pillow block and lead screw in an engagement position; and, 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken along line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,  FIG. 1 —show a two jaw vise  10  which generally includes a vise body or base  12 , a central pillow block assembly  14 , a first truck  20 , a second truck  22 , a first jaw  30 , a second jaw  32  and a lead screw  40 . The vise can further include a vise handle assembly  42   
     As is known in the art, jaws  30  and  32  are configured to move relative to vise base  12  toward and away from one another and function to clamp a workpiece WP between the vise jaws. Again, while a specific vise configuration and vise base is shown, the invention of this application can be utilized in a wide range of vise configurations without detracting from the invention of this application including, but not limited to, a wide range of jaw configurations, single jaw vises, multiple jaw vises, multiple station vises, self-centering vises, 5-axis machining vises, multi axis machining vises and multi-station vises. Moreover, reference to directions and/or positions in this specification are in reference to the drawings only and are not to limit the invention of this application, including, but not limited to, top, bottom, upper, lower, middle, left, right. 
     Base  12  has a length  50  extending in a longitudinal direction  52  and a width  54  transverse to the longitudinal direction. Base  12  can be produced by any method known in the art including, but not limited to, a machined solid block, an extrusion and/or an assembly of separate parts without detracting from the invention. As is shown, base  12  is a machined solid block. Base  12  can include any mounting arrangement known in the art to secure the vise, which includes those found in the prior art. 
     Base  12  includes a base bottom  60  that can include the mounting arrangements reference above. Base  12  has a longitudinally extending guide channel  70  that can extend from a first vise end  72  to a second vise end  74 . Guide channel  70  is parallel to longitudinal direction  52  and can have a wide range of configurations without detracting from the invention of this application. As is shown, guide channel includes a bottom surface  80 , a first side surface  82  extending upwardly from one side of bottom surface  80  and a second side surface  84  extending upwardly from the other side of bottom surface  80 . Guide channel  70  further includes a first inwardly extending flange  90  above first side surface  82  and a second inwardly extending flange  92  above second side surface  84 . First flange  90  includes a first inwardly facing edge or surface  100  and a first downwardly facing edge or surface  102  and second flange  92  includes a second inwardly facing edge or surface  110  and a second downward edge or surface  112  wherein edges  100  and  110  face one another and wherein edges  102  and  112  are generally parallel to one another and face bottom surface  80 . In combination, first downward edge  102 , first side surface  82  and a first portion  120  of bottom surface  80  form a first truck channel  122 . Similarly, second downward edge  112 , second side surface  84  and a second portion  130  of bottom surface  80  form a second truck channel  132 . Moreover, the first and second flanges can include one or more chip flanges  140  and  142 , respectively, that can be used to maintain needed clearances when the vise is being used in a machining operation. Vise base  12  further includes a first base upper guide surface  134  on one side of guide channel  70  and a second base upper guide surface  136  on the other side of channel  70  that both extend longitudinally. As is shown, surfaces  134  and  136  are upwardly facing surfaces, which will be discussed more below. 
     First truck  20  has a first outside face  141  and a first inside face  143  longitudinally spaced from the first outside face when in an assembled condition as is shown in the illustrated embodiment. First truck  20  includes a bottom edge or surface  150  and oppositely extending first truck flanges  152  and  154  on either end of bottom edge  150 . Truck flange  152  includes an outer edge or surface  160  and an upper surface  162  and truck flange  154  includes an outer edge or surface  164  and an upper surface  166 . Extending upwardly from truck flange  152  is a guide surface  170  and extending upwardly from truck flange  154  is a guide surface  172  wherein guides surfaces  170  and  172  are generally parallel to one another. First truck  20  further includes a first jaw mount  180  that includes opposite side surfaces  182  and  184 . Below first jaw mount  180  is a first threaded lead screw opening  190  having a first truck lead screw thread  192 , which can be either a right hand or a left hand thread and which extends about first truck thread axis  194 . When in an assembled condition as is shown in  FIG. 1 , first truck thread axis  194  is coaxial with a lead screw axis  196  of lead screw  40 , which will be discussed more below. First jaw mount  180  includes a first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200 , which will be discussed more below. 
     Jaw lift control projection  200  includes an upper control surface  202 , a middle control surface  203  and a lower control surface  204  that are angled relative to one another as is shown. Middle control surface  203  is at a control angle  206  relative to first truck thread axis  194 . Control angle  206  can be between 20 degrees and 70 degrees. More particularly, control angle  206  is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. More particularly, control angle  206  is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In one embodiment, control angle  206  is about 45 degrees. Upper control surface  202  can also be parallel to lower control surface  204  and/or perpendicular to middle control surface  203 . 
     First truck  20  further includes a first spring plunger assembly  210  extending from outside face  141  and that extends from a spring plunger opening  212 . First spring plunger  210  can be any spring plunger (or the like) without detracting from the invention of this application and can be used in connection with surfaces  202 - 204  to secure the jaw relative to the truck while allowing controlled movement between the jaw and the truck. In addition, first truck  20  can include one or more first bottom ribs  220 . It has been found that first bottom rib  220  can be used to help first truck  20  work in the harsh environments associated with machining operations to prevent chips, which are produced from machining, from preventing movement or causing jamming of the truck within the guide channel. Moreover, it has been found that first rib  220  can also reduce lead screw flex during clamping and improve clamp load. 
     Second truck  22  can be like first truck  20 , but this is not required. In this respect and as is shown, second truck  22  has a second outside face  230  and a second inside face  232  longitudinally spaced from the second outside face when in the assembled condition. Second truck  22  includes a bottom edge or surface  240  and oppositely extending second truck flanges  242  and  244  on either end of bottom edge  240 . Truck flange  242  includes an outer edge or surface  250  and an upper surface  252  and truck flange  244  includes an outer edge or surface  254  and an upper surface  256 . Extending upwardly from truck flange  242  is a guide surface  260  and extending upwardly from truck flange  244  is a guide surface  262  wherein guides surfaces  260  and  262  are generally parallel to one another. Second truck  22  further includes a second jaw mount  270  that includes opposite side surfaces  272  and  274 . Below second jaw mount  270  is a second threaded lead screw opening  280  having a second truck lead screw thread  282 , which is coaxial with a second screw thread axis  284 . Truck thread  282  can be either a right hand or a left hand thread, but is preferably the opposite of first truck lead screw thread  192 . When in an assembled condition as is shown in  FIG. 1 , second screw truck thread axis  284  is also coaxial with lead screw axis  196  of lead screw  40 , which will be discussed more below. Second jaw mount  270  includes a second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290 , which will be discussed more below. 
     Jaw lift projection  290  includes an upper control surface  292 , a middle control surface  293  and a lower control surface  294  that are angled relative to one another. Middle control surface  293  is at a control angle  296  relative to second screw truck thread axis  284 . Control angle  296  can be between 20 degrees and 70 degrees. More particularly, control angle  296  is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. More particularly, control angle  296  is between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In one embodiment, control angle  296  is about 45 degrees. Upper control surface  292  can also be parallel to lower control surface  294  and/or perpendicular to middle control surface  293 . 
     Second truck  22  further includes a second spring plunger assembly  300  extending from outside face  230  and that extends from a spring plunger opening  302 . Second spring plunger assembly  300  can be any spring plunger (or the like) and can be the same as spring plunger assembly  210  without detracting from the invention of this application. Second spring plunger assembly  300  can be used in connection with surfaces  292 - 294  to secure the jaw relative to the truck while allowing controlled movement between the jaw and the truck, which will be discussed in greater detail below. In addition, second truck  22  can include one or more second bottom ribs  310 . Again, it has been found that second bottom rib  310  can be used to help second jaw  22  work in the harsh environments associated with machining operations to prevent jamming of the truck within the guide channel. Moreover, the second rib  310  can reduce lead screw flex and improve clamp load. 
     First and second jaws  30  and  32  can have any known jaw configuration without detracting from the invention of this application wherein the jaws shown are for example only. Moreover, jaws  30  and  32  can be made from a wide range of materials without detracting from the invention of this application including, but not limited to, materials having different hardnesses. 
     In greater detail, first and second jaws  30  and  32  as are shown in the illustrated embodiments are identical; however, this is not required. In the interest of brevity, part of jaws  30  and  32  will be described together. includes a first jaw clamping surface or face  350  and a back face  352 . While clamping surface or face  350  is shown to be an inwardly facing surface, this is not required. First jaw  30  further includes first side jaw edges  356  and  357  that can be parallel to one another. First jaw  30  further includes a first jaw top  360  and a first jaw bottom  362 . First jaw  30  further includes a first truck mount  366  that is shaped to receive first jaw mount  180  discussed above. As is shown, first truck mount can be positioned relative to first jaw bottom  362 . First jaw  30  further includes two jaw guide surfaces  370  and  372 , which can be on either side of first truck mount  366 . Jaw guide surfaces  370  and  372  can include relief portions. 
     First truck mount  366  includes a first truck pocket  390  having a configuration to receive at least a portion of first jaw mount  180  and first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200 . First truck pocket  390  includes at least one lifting surface wherein the at least one lifting surface in the embodiments shown includes a front lower surface  400 , a front middle surface  402 , a front upper surface  404 , a rear lower surface  410 , a rear middle surface  412  and a rear upper surface  414 . First pocket  390  can further include a top surface  420  and one or more reliefs. As is shown, top surface  420  can join front upper surface  404  and rear upper surface  414 , but this is not required. Moreover, while many surfaces of this application are shown as planar surfaces, this is not required wherein they should not be limited to planar surfaces. While not required, front surfaces  400 ,  402  and  404  can have the same or similar configuration as rear surfaces  410 ,  412  and  414 . First truck mount  366  can extend from first jaw bottom  362  forming truck mount side surfaces, which can be configured to extend into guide channel  70  when in the assembled condition. 
     Again, the first and second jaws can be the same configuration as is shown in the drawings, but this is not required. As is shown, second jaw  32  includes a second jaw clamping surface or face  450  and a back face  452 . Again, while clamping surface or face  450  is shown to be an inwardly facing surface, this is not required. Second jaw  32  further includes second side jaw edges  456  and  457  that can be parallel to one another. Second jaw  32  further includes a second jaw top  460  and a second jaw bottom  462 . Second jaw  32  further includes a second truck mount  466  that is shaped to receive second jaw mount  270  discussed above. As is shown, second truck mount  466  can be positioned relative to second jaw bottom  462 . Second jaw  32  further includes two jaw guide surfaces  470  and  472 , which can be on either side of second truck mount  466 . Jaw guide surfaces  470  and  472  can include relief portions  480  and  482 , respectively. 
     Second truck mount  466  includes a second truck pocket  490  having a configuration to receive at least a portion of second jaw mount  270  and second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290 . Second truck pocket  490  includes at least one lifting surface wherein the at least one lifting surface in the embodiments shown includes the same surfaces as jaw  30 . As with jaw  30 , jaw  32  includes a front lower surface  400 , a front middle surface  402 , a front upper surface  404 , a rear lower surface  410 , a rear middle surface  412  and a rear upper surface  414 . Second pocket  490  can further include a top surface  420  and one or more reliefs. As is shown, top surface  420  can join front upper surface  404  and rear upper surface  414 , but this is not required. While not required, front surfaces  400 ,  402  and  404  can have the same or similar configuration as rear surfaces  410 ,  412  and  414 . Second truck mount  466  can extend from bottom second jaw bottom  462  forming truck mount side surfaces, which can be configured to extend within guide channel  70  when in the assembled condition. 
     Again, jaws  30  and  32  can have a wide range of configurations without detracting from the invention of this application wherein the drawings of this application merely show one of the many possible configurations. 
     Pillow block assembly  14  can have a wide range of configurations without detracting from the invention of this application as is the case for other structures of this application. As is shown in the illustrated embodiments, pillow block  14  has a two piece design having a top pillow block portion  550 , a bottom pillow block portion  552  and pillow block fasteners  554 . Top pillow block  550  includes a top pillow block upper edge  560 , a top block lower edge  562  and top block side edges  564  &amp;  566 . Top pillow block  550  further includes top block fastener openings  570  and  572 . Top pillow block further includes a top block opening portion  580  of a lead screw opening  582 . Top block opening portion  580  extends inwardly from top block lower edge  562  and top block opening portion  580  is preferably centered in lower edge  562 , but this is not required. Top pillow block  550  has a top block thickness  590  at least near lead screw opening  582 . 
     Bottom pillow block  552  includes a bottom block upper edge  600 , a bottom block lower edge  602  and bottom block side edges  604  &amp;  606 . Bottom pillow block  552  further includes bottom block fastener openings  610  and  612 . Bottom pillow block further includes a bottom block opening portion  620  of lead screw opening  582 . Bottom block opening portion  620  extends inwardly from bottom block upper edge  600  and bottom block opening portion  620  is preferably centered in upper edge  600 , but this is not required. Bottom pillow block  552  has a bottom block thickness  622  at least near lead screw opening  582 . 
     Top pillow block  550  and bottom pillow block  552  are configured to be securable relative to one another to form pillow block assembly  14  and are sized to allow pillow block assembly  14  to fit within guide channel  70 . This can include a pillow block assembly width  624  that allows the assembly to fit within guide channel  70  and selectively move within the channel as will be discussed more below. Moreover, top block fastener openings  570  and  572  and/or bottom block fastener openings  610  and  612  can be slotted openings in longitudinal direction  52  (when in the assembled condition shown in  FIG. 1 ) to allow selective and controlled longitudinal movement or adjustment of pillow block assembly  14  relative to vise base  12  in longitudinal direction  52  within guide channel  70 , which will also be discussed more below. Fastener openings  570  and  572  can further include a countersink  614 . 
     Yet even further, pillow block assembly  14  and/or vise  10  can include a center jaw  625  that can create a two workpiece vise design. In this set of embodiments, center jaw can include a first center jaw clamping surface or face  626  facing first jaw clamping surface or face  350  and a second center jaw clamping surface or face  627  facing second jaw clamping surface or face  450 . According, vise  10  can have two operable work stations wherein the first work station is between faces  626  and  350  and the second one is between faces  627  and  450 . Center jaw  625  can be a fixed jaw and can be centered in the same way as the pillow block assembly, which will be discussed more below. Center jaw  625  can come in a wide range of variations without detracting from the invention of this application. Moreover, center jaw  625  can be part of and/or extension of the central pillow block assembly and/or an attachment to the pillow block assembly. As is shown, center jaw  625  can be a modification of top pillow block  550  wherein the jaws and pillow blocks can be centered simultaneously as will be discussed more below. 
     Lead screw opening  582 , which is formed by top and bottom block opening portions  580  and  620 , can also be slotted to allow transverse movement of lead screw  40  relative to pillow block assembly  14  and longitudinal direction  52 . In greater detail, lead screw opening  582  includes a slotted configuration transverse to longitudinal direction  52 . Lead screw opening  582  includes a top screw arcuate portion  630  and a bottom screw arcuate portion  632  and upwardly extending opening screw side edges  634  &amp;  636 , which extend between top screw arcuate portion  630  and bottom screw arcuate portion  632 . Top screw arcuate portion  630 , bottom screw arcuate portion  632  and screw side edges  634  &amp;  636  define a lead screw opening height  640  and a lead screw opening width  642  wherein lead screw opening height  640  is greater than lead screw opening width  642 . In that opening side edges  634  &amp;  636  are transverse to longitudinal direction  52  and lead screw opening height  640  is greater than lead screw opening width  642 , lead screw opening  582  is configured to allow selective transverse movement of lead screw  40  toward and away from base upper guide surfaces  134  and  136  to allow for controlled and limited transverse movement of the trucks and the jaws to prevent jaw lift, which will be discussed more below. 
     As is shown, fastener openings  570 ,  572 ,  610  and  612  include a slotted configuration parallel to longitudinal direction  52  when in the assembled condition. In greater detail, fastener openings  570 ,  572   610  and  612  include a first fastener arcuate portion  650  and a second fastener arcuate portion  652  and longitudinally extending opening fastener side edges  654  &amp;  656 , which extend between first fastener arcuate portion  650  and second fastener arcuate portion  652 . In that side edges  654  &amp;  656  are parallel to longitudinal direction  52 , they allow selective movement of pillow block assembly  14  in the longitudinal direction and, thus, lead screw  40  in longitudinal direction  52  when pillow block fasteners  554  are loosened. This in turn produces selective and unified movement of the trucks and the jaws with the pillow block and the lead screw in the longitudinal direction. This unified longitudinal movement of the pillow block assembly, lead screw, trucks and jaws can be used to adjust or calibrate the center point of the lead screw relative to the vise base, which will be discussed more below. 
     Lead screw  40  extends in longitudinal direction  52  wherein lead screw axis  196  is at least generally parallel to longitudinal direction  52  and forms a vise axis. However, as will be discussed more below, the controlled transverse movement of the jaws and/or trucks to prevent jaw lift could result in the lead screw axis being at least slightly unparalleled to longitudinal direction  52 . Lead screw  40  extends between a first lead screw end  710  to a second lead screw end  712 . First lead screw end  710  can include a first tool engaging configuration  720  and second lead screw end can include a second tool engaging configuration  722 . First and second tool engaging configurations  720  and  722  can be the same configuration and/or can include different configurations as is shown in the drawings. As is shown, first tool engaging configuration is a hex socket head and second tool engaging configuration is a hex head. Vise handle assembly  42  can be configured to engage first and/or second tool engaging configurations and can be any handle assembly known in the art without detracting from the invention of this application. 
     Lead screw  40  further includes a center point  730  between first and second ends  710  and  712 . Center point  730  can be an adjustable center point based on the adjustability of pillow block assembly  14 , which will be discussed more below. Lead screw  40  further includes a longitudinally extending central groove  740 , which is preferably cylindrical. Groove  740  is shaped to be received within lead screw opening  582  wherein the slotted configuration of lead screw opening  582  allows for the transverse movement of lead screw  40  as referenced above and which will be discussed more below. Central groove  740  is coaxial with lead screw axis  196  and includes a first groove wall  750  and a second groove wall  752  that is axially spaced from first groove wall  750  by a groove spacing  754 . Groove spacing  754  is larger than pillow block assembly width  590 ,  622  to allow pillow block assembly  14  to capture and secure lead screw  40  longitudinally within central groove  740 , but allow relative rotation of lead screw  40  about lead screw axis  196 . Preferably, groove spacing  754  is only slightly larger than pillow block assembly  14  width  590 ,  622  to limit unwanted longitudinal movement of lead screw  40 . Central groove  740  can further include a cylindrical groove bearing surface  760  having a groove diameter  762  between the groove walls. Groove diameter  762  can be closely sized to lead screw opening width  642  to allow controlled rotation of the lead screw about the lead screw axis, but less than lead screw opening height  640  to allow for the transverse movement of lead screw  40  relative to block  14  and base  12 . Lead screw  40  includes a first screw thread  800  on a first screw side  802  and a second screw thread  810  on a second screw side  812 . First screw thread  800  is configured to threadingly engage with first truck lead screw thread  192  of first threaded lead screw opening  190  of first truck  20 . Similarly, second screw thread  810  is configured to threadingly engage with second truck lead screw thread  282  of second threaded lead screw opening  280  of second truck  22 . These threaded engagements produce longitudinal movement of the first and second trucks toward one another when lead screw  40  is rotated about lead screw axis  196  in a first rotational direction  820  and away from one another when rotated in a second rotational direction  822 . Movement of the trucks in turn produces movement of the first and second jaws. Similarly, movement of the jaws can produce movement of the trucks. 
     In operation, vise  10  is positioned on a work surface WS. As noted above, any mounting feature and/or configuration known in the art can be used to secure vise base  12  of vise  10  relative to the work surface. Once secured to the work surface, pillow block fasteners  554  can be loosened to allow pillow block assembly  14  to be selectively moved in longitudinal direction  52 . This movement can be used to adjust center point  730  of lead screw  40  and the vise as is desired to center the vise on the work surface. In that lead screw is held relative to the pillow block assembly longitudinally, longitudinal movement of the pillow block moves lead screw  40  longitudinally. Moreover, the longitudinal movement of lead screw  40  also moves trucks  20  &amp;  22  and jaws  30  &amp;  32  together in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, when pillow block fasteners  554  are loose, movement of jaws  30  &amp;  32  can move trucks  20  &amp;  22 , which in turn will move lead screw  40 , which will move pillow block assembly  14 . According to one set of embodiments, vise base  12  can further include center alignments openings  850  and  852 . Center alignments openings  850  and  852  can be shaped to receive alignment dowels or pins  860 . In this embodiment, the vise can be quickly and accurately centered with the use of pins  860 . In this respect, once vise  10  is positioned on the work surface, pins  860  are positioned into alignments openings  850  and  852  and pillow block fasteners  554  are loosened. Then, lead screw  40  can be rotated to move jaws  30  &amp;  32  toward the center point and toward pins  860  in openings  850  and  852 . As jaws  30  &amp;  32  approach pins  860 , one of the jaws will engage pins  860  first if the jaws are not centered. In that pillow block fasteners  554  are loose, the engagement between the one jaw and pin  860  will stop the inward movement of the one jaw and urge the other jaw toward the pins, which will move pillow block  14  toward the center of the vise. Continued tightening of the lead screw until both jaws are firmly engaged against either side of pins  860  will automatically center the pillow block assembly, the lead screw, the trucks, and the jaws. Once in the centered position, pillow block fasteners  554  can be tightened to maintain the pillow block assembly, lead screw, trucks and jaws in the centered position. Therefore, this movement can be used to center the jaws relative to the vise and; therefore, the work surface being used. Yet even further, it has been found that accuracy is further improved if pins  860  are cylindrical. In this respect, by utilizing cylindrical pins, each jaw/pin engagement point is in point contact wherein each jaw has two repeatable points of contact with the two pins. 
     Once vise  10  is in the desired operating position and centered, a workpiece WP can be positioned relative to the vise, which is shown in  FIGS. 19 &amp; 20 . Once in position, lead screw  40  is rotated (based on the drawings of this application) in first rotational direction  820  to urge the jaws toward one another to “tighten” the jaws on the workpiece toward the position shown in  FIGS. 21 &amp; 22 . As the jaws engage the work piece, first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200  engages first truck pocket  390  of first jaw  30  to create controlled truck lift  900  in first truck  20 . Similarly, second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290  engages second truck pocket  490  to create controlled truck lift  900  in second truck  22 . Continued tightening of the jaws then produces controlled and repeatable truck lift  900  for both trucks as is shown in  FIGS. 21 &amp; 22 . In this respect, inward movement of the trucks urges the trucks toward one another in guide channel  70  even after jaws  30  and  32  engage the workpiece thereby causing movement of the trucks relative to the jaws in the longitudinal direction. This causes engagement between at least one front surfaces ( 400 ,  402 ,  404 ) of first truck pocket  390  of the first jaw and at least one control surfaces  202 - 204  of first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200  of the first truck. The angled surfaces cause first truck  20  to lift within guide channel  70  in direction  900  until upper surfaces  162  and  166  of the truck flanges engage downward edges or surfaces  112  and  102  of guide channel  70 , respectively. Continued tightening of the trucks will seat upper surfaces  162  and  166  against the downward surfaces  112  and  102  thereby preventing any lift of the first truck during machining of the work piece. Similarly, inward movement of the second jaw causes engagement between at least one front surfaces ( 400 ,  402 ,  404 ) of second truck pocket  490  of the second jaw and at least one control surfaces  292 - 294  of second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290  of the second truck. The angled surfaces cause second truck  22  to lift within guide channel  70  in direction  900  until upper surfaces  252  and  256  of the truck flanges engage downward edges or surfaces  102  and  112  of guide channel  70 , respectively. Continued tightening of the trucks will seat upper surfaces  252  and  256  against the downward surfaces  102  and  112  thereby preventing any lift of second truck during machining of the work piece. 
     In addition, the jaws can be configured to also take advantage of the lift control projections. In this respect, the engagement of first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200  against first truck pocket  390  of first jaw  30  can also create jaw pull down  902  in first jaw  20 . Similarly, the engagement of second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290  against second truck pocket  490  can create jaw pull down  902  in second jaw  22 . Continued tightening of the jaws then produces controlled and repeatable pull down  902  of the jaws. Again, inward movement of the trucks urges the trucks toward one another in guide channel  70  even after jaws  30  and  32  engage the workpiece thereby causing movement of the trucks relative to the jaws in the longitudinal direction. This causes the engagement between at least one front surfaces ( 400 ,  402 ,  404 ) of first truck pocket  390  of the first jaw and at least one control surfaces  202 - 204  of first inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  200  of the first truck. The angled surfaces can also cause first jaw  30  to be pulled down toward guide channel  70  until jaw guide surfaces  370  and  372  of first jaw  30  engage first and second base upper guide surfaces  136  and  134 , respectively. Continued tightening of the trucks will seat the jaw guide surfaces against the upper guide surfaces of the base. Similarly, inward movement of the second jaw causes engagement between at least one of front surfaces ( 400 ,  402 ,  404 ) of second truck pocket  490  of the second jaw and at least one of control surfaces  292 - 294  of second inwardly extending jaw lift control projection  290  of the second truck. The angled surfaces cause second jaw  32  to be pulled down toward guide channel  70  until jaw guide surfaces  470  and  472  of second jaw  32  engage first and second base upper guide surfaces  134  and  136 . Continued tightening of the trucks will seat the jaw guide surfaces against the upper guide surfaces of the vise base. 
     The truck lift and the jaw pull down can also work together to securely pinch the first and second inwardly extending flanges  90  and  92  between the jaws and the trucks. Moreover, the slotted shape of lead screw opening  582  helps facilitate this pinching action between the jaws, the trucks and the guide channel and prevents bending of the lead screw by allowing it to float and allows greater tightening forces to be applied to the workpiece. In this respect, the truck lift produced during jaw tightening produces upward movement of the trucks relative to the base that is transverse to direction  52 , which in turn moves first truck screw thread axis  194  of first truck  20  and second truck screw thread axis  284  of second truck away from guide surface  80  of guide channel  70 . By having a slotted lead screw opening  582 , lead screw  40  can freely move with the trucks thereby reducing bending in the lead screw thereby increasing the pinching effect of the jaws and trucks and increasing the holding force of the vise in view of the reduced friction. Moreover, the pinching effect of the components significantly reduces jaw lift in the vise and does so automatically when the vise is tightened. 
     Again, rotation of the lead screw in the first rotational direction moves the jaw(s) and the truck(s) from a non-engagement position shown in  FIGS. 19 &amp; 20  wherein the jaw clamping surface(s) is spaced from the workpiece, an engaging position wherein the jaw clamping surface(s) is engaging the associated workpiece and a fully engaged position shown in  FIGS. 21 &amp; 22  wherein the jaw clamping surface(s) is tightened against the associated workpiece. When in the non-engagement position, the jaw(s) being movable relative to the truck(s) and the vise having a movement clearance between the upper truck surfaces and the base flange bottom surface allowing longitudinal movement of the truck(s) relative to the vise base. When in the engaging position, engagement between the jaw clamping surface(s) of the jaw(s) and the workpiece urging the at least one lifting surface of the jaw(s) against the lift control projection thereby urging the upper truck surface toward the base flange bottom surface(s) and wherein the jaw(s) moves relative to the truck(s) transversely to the longitudinal direction. When in the fully engaged position, the upper truck surface(s) engaging the base flange bottom surface(s) and the jaw(s) being fixed relative to the truck(s). 
     While not shown, the vise according to the present invention can be used for any known application, and even newly found applications, for these styles of vises. This includes, but is not limited to, powered versions of these vises wherein hand crank  42  is replaced with a powered crank (not shown). Further, the vise according to the present invention could be incorporated as a component of a clamping system without detracting from the invention of this application. 
     While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments, and equivalences thereof, can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be combined to form yet other embodiments of the invention of this application. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.