Patent Publication Number: US-11383355-B2

Title: Ski tuning vise

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage (371) entry claiming priority to Patent Cooperation Treat Application No. PCT/US2018/016933, entitled “Ski Tuning Vise”, having an international filing date of Feb. 5, 2018. PCT/US2018/016933 has a priority date of Feb. 3, 2017 corresponding to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/454,388, entitled “Ski Tuning Vise”. The entire disclosures of the PCT and U.S. Provisional applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of bench vises, and more specifically to bench vises designed to retain skis and snowboards. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Vises and clamps have been in use for centuries to allow items to be retained while being worked on by craftsmen from a variety of skilled backgrounds. Clamping a work piece not only provides securement, but safety as well. Attempting to work on an item, which is able to move, can be both frustrating and dangerous for the user or craftsman. 
     Proper securement of a work piece can be provided with a plurality of clamps, however setting up multiple clamps can be time consuming in most instances. This is especially true if the work being done requires the work piece to be repositioned multiple times. A vise provides a solution to this problem, provided one large clamping mechanism to secure a work piece. However, when the work piece is of a considerable length, a traditional vise may not be able to properly retain the work piece. 
     For longer work pieces, a very large vise may be provided for proper securement. However larger vises are usually very bulky, expensive, and extremely heavy. If the vise is not large enough, then the work piece may still be able to move. This is especially true if the work piece is comprised of a flexible material. For flexible work pieces, the middle portion may be properly secured, but the tips may be subject to large movements and wobbling due to flex. Proper securement of a long, flexible, work piece could require multiple large, heavy vises. 
     Another problem is that vises are long in the direction of the axis of motion of the jaw movement. This is because the drive screw and the support rods (guide rails), on currently configured vises, are of fixed dimension and are as long or longer that the effective vice opening dimension. Even with the jaws in the closed state, the spindle and guide exist in the maximum dimension and are not compact in that state. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a compact vise system adapted to retain work pieces of significant lengths. What may be further desired is a vise system which is configured to retain workpieces with significant length and flex, such that the undesired movements can be suppressed for safe and efficient work. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vise system is provided having one or more center vises and one or more end vises. In an embodiment, the center vises are comprised of a center block. A center table clamp attached to and positioned below the center block. The center table clamp provides a means to attach a center vise to a table or work bench. 
     The center vises are further comprised of a front spindle and rear spindle, which are extensible from the center block. A front jaw is positioned on the end of the front spindle and a rear jaw is positioned on the end of the rear spindle. A main crank handle is provided to retract the jaws towards the center vice and clamp the center of the work piece. 
     The end vises are further comprised of a body with a table clamp. The table clamp provides a means to an end vise to a table or work bench. Each end vise is further provided with a workpiece clamp. 
     In an embodiment, the vise system is provided such that the center vises and end vises are attached to a table or work bench. The center vises clamp and retain the center of the workpiece, while the end vises retain the ends of the workpiece. 
     The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of various embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the main vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an end vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the main vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a main vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the main vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the main vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the end vise of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the ski tuning vise system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2 , the main vise  1  component of the ski tuning vise is shown. In an embodiment, vise is further comprised of a front clamping jaw  5  and a rear clamping jaw  10 . The front jaw and rear jaw are movable via the main crank handle  15 , which rotates the front spindle  20 . In the embodiment, the front spindle  20  is threaded externally and internally. The external threads of the front spindle  20  are engaged with the center block  30 , such that the front jaw  5  moves away from or towards the center block  30  when the main crank handle  15  is rotated. In the embodiment, the internal threads of the front spindle  20  engage with the external threads of the rear spindle  25 , such that the rear spindle rotates and the rear jaw  10  is also move when main crank handle  15  is rotated. 
     In reference to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the invention is shown in a cross-sectional view, wherein the inside of the larger, front spindle  20  is not threaded. Instead, the spindle has a threaded and attached nut  22  at the open end. The hollow, front spindle  20  is able to accept the rear spindle  25  that is engaged with the nut  22 . This can be a more cost-effective alternative tapping the front spindle to create internal threading throughout its length. 
     In an embodiment, the internal threading of the front spindle  20 , or the threaded nut  22 , and external threading of the rear spindle  25  are set at half the pitch of the external threads of the front spindle, such that the front and rear jaws move at the same rate towards each other when the crank handle is rotated. Importantly, the threads of the rear spindle, and the front spindle&#39;s internal thread or the front spindle&#39;s attached nut&#39;s internal thread that are engaged to the rear spindle, are reversed threads to the threads of the external front spindle. The reverse thread arrangement causes the rear jaw to move in the opposite direction as the front jaw. In this configuration, the half pitch arrangement causes the rear jaw to both offset and overcome the direction of motion of the large spindle, ultimately with its jaw moving at the same rate as the front jaw but in the opposite direction. As an example, as the handle is turned to close the front jaw, the front jaw and spindle move towards the rear of the vise. The rear jaw does not move with the front jaw, despite it being engaged with the front jaw via the front spindle, because of the reverse thread relationship, the rear jaw travels in the opposite direction with the rear spindle moving into the large spindle. 
     In another embodiment, a different pitch ratio may be used, allowing the jaws to move at different rates. Centering the spindles during the initial setup is important to ensure both jaws close on the center at the same time. It should be noted that in another embodiment, the system could be set up such that the handle and the large spindle is configured to the rear of the vise and the smaller spindle and its attached jaw is at the front. In another embodiment, a not centering vise can be desired, where the rear spindle and the external front spindle have the same pitch. Upon turning the handle, the rear jaw would remain stationary relative to the center block  30  and the front jaw would travel. This could be advantageous in allowing for a fixed jaw, and a moving jaw using this collapsed drive mechanism. 
     In an embodiment, the front jaw  5  and rear jaw  10  are each provided with two hooks  80  to engage with the hooks of the end vises. The arrangement allows for the vise system to be connected for transportation and storage. 
     In an alternate embodiment (not shown in the figures), a first spiral bevel gear will be provided to engage a helical gear to drive one rack that has a jaw attached to the end. A second bevel gear will also be provided to engage with the first bevel gear and a second rack with another jaw attached to the end. The arrangement is provided, such that turning the first bevel gear will cause the two racks to move in opposite directions. The drive system in this alternate embodiment is compact in its most closed state since the two racks overlap in the direction of the axis of the jaw motion. 
     In an embodiment, the front and rear jaw are further provided with support rods  35  to prevent bending and warping of the configuration when placed under high loads. In the embodiment, each jaw is provided with two support rods, however it can be appreciated that additional or fewer support rods may be used to obtain the desired effect. These support rods guide the motion of the jaws. It is conceived that the support rods can be made of a range of materials including, polymer, plastic, steel, aluminum or wood. They can be formed using a range of processes including casting, machining, CNC machining, turning, extruded extrusions (hollow), RP additive material. The cross-sectional shape of the support rod/rails can be circular, rectangular, square or other shapes are conceived. The support rods of a single vise could be of differing shapes. 
     In reference to  FIG. 5-6 , an embodiment is shown, wherein each jaw has two support rods. Furthermore, the center block  30  is provided with four through-holes to allow the support rods  35  to pass through. In an embodiment, the through-holes of the center block may contain guide sleeves to smooth motion and reduce play. 
     In an embodiment, each jaw is also provided with two through-holes  36  to allow the support rods  35  to pass through. In reference to  FIG. 5 , the main vise  1  is depicted in an open state, wherein the support rods  35  are provided through the through-holes of the center block  30 , but do not pass through the through-holes  36  of the jaws. In reference to  FIG. 6 , the main vise  1  is depicted in a closed state, wherein the support rods  35  are provided through the through-holes  36 . In the embodiment, the support rods pass through the center block side by side and at equal distance intervals from one another. Each support rod has a shorter length that the full open travel of the vice. This allows for a compact closed state. In another embodiment, the support rods could be arranged at irregular intervals, they could also be higher and lower than each other while still by passing each other and allow the jaw travel to be guided and the jaw position to be controlled. It is conceived that a vise configuration with the described compact rail supports could be used with a traditional fixed length drive spindle configuration. Inversely, it is conceived that the compact drive system described herein could be used in conjunction to with traditional long fixed length rail support differing from those described herewith. 
     In an embodiment, depending on the size and capacity of the vise fewer support rods or a greater number of support rods may be selected. In reference to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment is shown in a top plan view wherein the vise is provided with four support rods  35 , and shown in a collapsed state. In the embodiment, the support rods  35  are arranged, such that they will bypass each other, allowing the vise to assume a compact form. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, the center block  30  is attached to a center table clamp  40 . In an embodiment, the center table clamp  40  is fixed to the center block  30 . In another embodiment, the center block and table clamp may have a rotationally adjustable connection to allow for reorientation of the main vise  1  to the center table clamp  40 . This could be planar with the table or tilted. In another embodiment, the center block  30  and the center table clamp  40  are formed integrally. 
     In an embodiment, the center table clamp is provided with a spindle  41  (threaded through an aperture), handle  42 , and shoe  43  to allow the center vise  1  to be secured to a table. In the embodiment shown, the handle  42  is a captured sliding pin, however in another embodiment it may be a hinged handle, which can allow for a linear arrangement for faster rotation. 
     In an embodiment, the main vise  1  is further comprised of two vertical load supports  45 , provided on both the front jaw  5  and the rear jaw  10 . The vertical load supports  45  provide support for the weight of the work, reducing the amount of clamping force required to hold the work in place. In an embodiment, the vertical load supports  45  are retractable, such that a user may move them towards the jaw which they are attached to and out of the way. In the embodiment, the supports will slide into their desired position and could be configured with a detent or lock to stay in either the storage or the use position. In other embodiments, the vertical load supports may rotate into position or retain their position via a detents or pressure locking spring sets. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , an end vise  2  of the ski tuning vise is shown. In an embodiment, the end vise is comprised of a vertical support  55 . The vertical support  55  is adjustable in height, wherein the support slides on a track provided on the body  50  of the end vise. The support is assisted by a compression spring (not shown), and may be locked into to place by tightening the support lock  60 . It can be understood that a tension spring could also be arranged to assist with raising the vertical support. 
     The end vise is further provided with a top clamping assembly  65 , wherein a spindle, shoe, and handle are provided on one side of the vertical support  55 . The arrangement is provided such that a work piece may be placed between the shoe and side wall and clamped in position by rotating the handle. In the embodiment shown, the handle is a captured sliding pin, however in another embodiment it may be a hinged handle, which can allow for a linear arrangement for faster rotation. 
     In the embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , the clamping assembly is provided on the front portion of the vertical support. However, it may be appreciated that if the clamping assembly is provided on the rear portion of the vertical support, then the work piece will be retained closer to the user. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the end vise has another top clamping assembly arrangement on the vertical support. There is no moving shoe, instead a spindle  66  is connect to and driven by a front handle  67 . The drive is rotatably engaged with a rear traveling clamping member  68 . This clamping member is slidably engaged with the vertical support and moves from the rear to the front of the block to clamp the workpiece to a fixed front wall with a mounted shoe. 
     In an embodiment, the end vice is further comprised of a table clamp  70  which extends down from the body  50  of the end vise. The table clamp is comprised of a handle, spindle, and shoe arrangement which is tightens towards the body of the end vise. In the embodiment shown, the handle is a captured sliding pin, however in another embodiment it may be a hinged handle, which can allow for a linear arrangement for faster rotation. The table clamp  70  allows the end vise to be secured to a table or work bench. In an embodiment, the body of the end vise is further provided with four hooks  81  to allow the end vise to connect with the main vise. The arrangement of four hooks allows the end vise to be placed on either side of the main vice while having the table clamp features oriented in the same direction and the user can slide the three vises together while on the table and lock them together by closing the main jaws and engaging the hooks.  FIG. 9  shows the clamp in a compact state, wherein the main vise is closed such that end vise hooks are engaged with the main vise hooks. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1 , the main vise  1  is shown to be interconnected with two end vises  2 . The end vises  2  and main vise  1  may be interconnected via the hooks provided on the components. The combination of the main vise and end vises allows a user to position the end vises away from the main vise to be clamped on a table or work bench. This allows the system of vises to appropriately accommodate work pieces of various lengths. 
     In an embodiment, both the front jaw  5  and rear jaw  10  of the main vise  1  are provided with two eyelets  85  to allow a string or cord to be inserted and wedged into the narrow end of the eyelet. Moving the vises outward will create tension on the cord or string to provide a downward force on a work piece help retain it in the vise. This method may be especially useful for fragile work pieces, wherein the jaws of the vise may damage the work piece, or for irregularly shaped workpieces which are difficult to clamp into the jaws of the vise. 
     In an embodiment, the ski tuning vise system is configured to retain a ski or snowboard. Wherein, the main vise  1  retains the middle of the skis or snowboard, and the end vises  2  retain the tips of the skis or snowboard to prevent them from flexing while being worked on. However, it can be appreciated that the vise system may also be used on other work pieces of significant length or prone to flexing, such as: guns, piping, wooden boards, musical instruments, etc. It can also be appreciated that certain items that are not particularly long could benefit from the use of this center vise only. This maybe because of the centered motion of this vise, because of its compactness or its versatile ability to clamp may types of items. Areas of the vice that may contact the work being clamped, have preferred materials qualities that are integrated or applied to ensure that the work being held it not damage. These materials can include elastomers, polymer, felt, foam, low durometer plastics or other similar and known to those familiar to the art. 
     The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.