Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vise for holding a workpiece. The vise includes a base supporting a moveable jaw, a fixed jaw, and a mechanism for moving the moveable jaw toward the fixed jaw. Each jaw includes a working surface, the working surfaces being disposed in facing relation and including at least two slots formed vertically spaced apart. Each slot is horizontally aligned with a slot in the opposing working surface. A selected pair of horizontally aligned slots each receive an insert for positioning the workpiece a distance from the base of the vise. The user&#39;s selection of the pair of horizontally aligned slots for reception of the inserts determines the position of the workpiece relative the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vises for holding workpieces, and more particularly, to a vise having adjustable jaw inserts for holding workpieces of varying dimensions. 
     Prior vise designs include replaceable jaws for accommodating different types of workpieces. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,062,772 and 4,437,654 both describe a replaceable vise jaw for accommodating a particular application, including the size and material of a particular workpiece. The vise described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,066 includes jaws releasably attached via dovetails formed on the vise for accommodating a particular workpiece for a vertical milling machine. Further, the vise of U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,782 includes accessory jaws for expanding the range of the vise. 
     In each of these vises, the replacement of the jaws themselves, or attachment of a supplemental jaw to the jaws of the vise, is considered to be a cumbersome method for accommodating a particular workpiece. 
     The vise of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art vises by providing a simple adjustment apparatus for accommodating a workpiece without replacement of the vise jaws themselves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The advantages of the present invention are accomplished by an improved vise having a series of particularly positioned apertures or slots formed in opposing faces of the respective jaws. Each series of spaced apertures or slots receives one of a pair of inserts defining the depth of the area between the jaws, the inserts generally being disposed in a horizontally opposed pair of slots such that the inserts maintain the workpiece in a horizontally aligned position. By selecting the desired apertures or slots on each jaw face and inserting therein a pair of inserts defining the desired elevation, a workpiece placed between the opposing faces of the vise jaws is blocked against movement by the inserts. Accordingly, the user can define the desired elevation for a particular workpiece, and can vary that elevation simply by replacing or moving a pair of vise jaw inserts in horizontally opposed slots or apertures. 
     Under an alternative embodiment of the present invention an improved vise having a single aperture or slot formed in each of the opposing jaw faces is disclosed. Each aperture or slot receives one of several pairs of inserts defining the depth of the area between the jaws. The inserts vary in height to define a surface for supporting a workpiece at a user-selected elevation. Accordingly, by selecting the appropriate pair of inserts, the user can define the desired height of the supporting surface for a particular workpiece, and can vary that height simply by replacing the selected pair of inserts with a different pair of inserts. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and subjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG.  1   a  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an attachment along lines  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insert for a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another insert for a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an attachment for a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial end view of a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention supporting a workpiece; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial end view of another vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention supporting a workpiece; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another insert for a vise with adjustable jaw inserts according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, and to FIGS.  1  and  1   a  in particular, a vise  10  is shown including a fixed jaw  12  and a moveable jaw  14 . The fixed and moveable jaws  12 ,  14  each include a working surface  16  having a series of spaced apertures or slots  18  formed therein. For simplicity, the term slot will be used hereinafter and should be interpreted as encompassing apertures as well. Each working surface  16  is formed integral to jaws  12  and  14  in FIG.  1   a , but are removable attachments  60  in FIG.  1 . The working surfaces  16  grip and hold a workpiece  50  held between the jaws  12 ,  14  of the vise  10 . The slots  18  removably receive inserts  20  for supporting the workpiece  50  as will be described in greater detail below. Working surfaces  16  may have scoring thereon to grip the workpiece more securely, or may have a surface finish or material composition for securing a workpiece  50  that is easily scratched or damaged. For example, working surfaces  16  can be metallic or elastomeric material, or could be a metallic body faced with elastomeric material, such as plastic or rubber, to safely retain delicate workpieces. 
     The vise  10  further includes an elongated base  22  mounting the fixed jaw  12  and moveable jaw  14 . The moveable jaw  14  is slidably mounted on top of the base  22  for movement toward and away from the fixed jaw  12  by means of a lead screw  23  mounted on a flange  25  on an end of the base  22  opposite the jaw  12 . The base  22  includes bolt lugs  26  through which the base  22  may be fastened to a workbench (not shown). 
     The slots  18  are formed in the opposed working surfaces  16  of jaws  12 ,  14 . Preferably, the slots  18 , as shown in FIGS.  1  and  1   a , are equidistantly spaced and horizontally disposed along each working surface  16 . Further the slots  18  are disposed vertically co-planar with a respective slot on each opposed working surface  16  of the fixed and moveable jaws  12 ,  14 . The slots  18  are preferably rectangular in cross-section and uniform along their respective lengths and widths, but may also be formed of other cross-sectional shapes as discussed below. Further, while the slots  18  are shown to extend the width of working surfaces  16  in FIG. 1, shorter slots extending only partially along the working surfaces  16  can be used, as shown in FIG.  1   a.    
     A variety of inserts  20  are shown in the drawings. For example, in FIGS.  1  and  1   a , insert  20 A is a substantially L-shaped member with an anchoring finger  32  received within a slot  18  and a supporting member  34  defining a supporting surface  36 . Also, an insert  20 B, as shown in FIG. 4, is a substantially T-shaped member formed of a supporting member  43  and a centrally and perpendicularly disposed anchoring finger  42 , with the anchoring finger  42  selectably received within a slot  18  and the supporting member  43  defining a horizontal supporting surface  36  at each end. Further, insert  20 C, as shown in FIG. 5, is also T-shaped, with a perpendicularly disposed anchoring finger  46  attached to a supporting member  44 , but offset centrally therefrom. The offset attachment of finger  46  to member  44  defines different length supporting arms  48 A and  48 B, as measured vertically from anchoring finger  46 , comprising the supporting member  44 . By using different length arms  48 A and  48 B, simply turning an insert  20 C upside down provides a supporting surface  36  with a different height relative anchoring finger  46 . As should be understood by those skilled in the art, various shapes and dimensions can be used, with the object being to provide a surface  36  for supporting a workpiece. Further, while the supporting surface  36  is shown having a particular width for each insert  20  described previously, the dimensions can be larger or smaller depending on the workpiece  50  to be supported. 
     Another type of insert is shown in FIG. 9, where an insert  20 G is illustrated to include a wedge-shaped face  70  and a pair of anchoring fingers  72 ,  74  spaced apart vertically from each other. The face  70  is particularly useful for holding cylindrical or tubular workpieces, and may be useful for holding other irregularly shaped workpieces. Other shapes for face  70 , such as an arcuate surface, may be used to accommodate other irregularly shaped workpieces. While a single anchoring finger can be used for insert  20 G, as demonstrated for prior versions of inserts  20 , the pair of anchoring fingers  72 ,  74  are useful where a more secure attachment to working surface  16  is needed, or where the insert supports substantial weight. For any of the inserts  20  described herein, one or more anchoring fingers can be used to attach the insert  20  to working surface  16 . 
     The slots  18  can also vary in dimension. While the preferred dimension is the generally rectangular cross-section slot as shown in FIGS.  1  and  1   a , an alternative cross-section for the slots  18  is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein slot  18 A is generally elliptical in cross-section. An insert  20 D has a supporting member  33  and an anchoring finger  30 , which has an end with a cross-section similar to that of the slot itself, whereby the insert  20 D is slid into place from an open end  31  of each slot  18 A. The L-shaped insert  20 D could similarly be T-shaped as discussed above. The anchoring finger need not be identical in cross-sectional shape, but could, for example, only include a complementary-shaped upper portion for hooking into an uppermost portion of the slot, whereby the inserts  20  need not be slid into place from an open end  31  but could be tilted and locked into place from an intermediate position along each slot  18 . 
     Additionally, the slots  18  can be in the form of a plurality of apertures  18 B arranged in a suitable matrix as best illustrated in FIG.  6 . An insert  20 E includes a block-like supporting member  56  attached to an extending tubular anchoring finger  58  shaped complementary to apertures  18 B. A user selects the horizontal and vertical position for supporting the workpiece  50  by inserting the insert  20 E in one of the matrix of apertures  18 B. 
     According to embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1,  1   a ,  7  and  8 , the anchoring finger of the insert  20  is dimensioned to be press fit into a slot  18  anywhere along its length. To accommodate the press fit, distal end of the anchoring finger is preferably tapered, as illustrated best for anchoring fingers  42 ,  46  in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. Thus, the inserts are placed into slots  18  opposing each other on opposite working surfaces  16  of the fixed jaw  12  and moveable jaw  14 . For the embodiments of FIGS. 1,  1   a  and  7 , the inserts  20 A can be positioned in any of the four horizontally opposed slots formed in the opposed working surfaces  16  of the respective jaws  12 ,  14 . Once inserted, the supporting surfaces  30  of the insert can support a workpiece  50  placed between the jaws  12 ,  14 . As mentioned above, the slots  18  in each face are aligned so that the supporting surfaces  30  of each insert  20  are aligned vertically when the inserts  20  are placed in a pair of horizontally opposed slots  18 . While a series of four slots  18  are shown horizontally aligned on each working surface  16 , as few as two and as many as ten or more slots may be provided, depending of course on the desired application. Also, opposed slots  18  need not necessarily be horizontally aligned as long as the supporting surfaces  30  are horizontally aligned to support the workpiece  50 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a workpiece  50  has been inserted between the fixed jaw  12  and moveable jaw  14  of vise  10  according to the invention. Inserts  20  are placed in opposite slots  18  in order to support the workpiece  50  between the respective jaws  12 ,  14 . As shown clamped, the jaws  12  and  14  compress the workpiece  50  by exerting a horizontal force on each side of the workpiece  50  while the inserts  20  block the workpiece from movement in the downward direction, whereby the workpiece  50  is held at the selected height. 
     To select the height in the variation of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the user of the vise  10  simply selects the pair of opposed slots  18  in the working surfaces  16  of the fixed jaw  12  and moveable jaw  14  in which to place the inserts  20 . Once selected, and aligned horizontally, the workpiece  50  can be supported on the supporting surfaces  30  of each insert  20  after the jaws  12  and  14  have been placed proximate enough to support the workpiece  50  without compressing the workpiece  50 . Once the workpiece is supported but not compressed, the moveable jaw  14  can be moved toward the fixed jaw  12  until opposed horizontal pressures are exerted on the workpiece, at which point the workpiece is held compressed at the selected height. 
     The vise  10 , in addition to its ability to provide support for a workpiece  50  at a selected height, can also function as a typical vise  10  by simply not using the inserts  20 . Then, by inserting the workpiece with the base  22  of the vise  10  blocking the workpiece against further downward movement, the moveable jaw  14  can be moved towards the fixed jaw  12  to clamp the workpiece in place. Thus, the vise  10  according to the invention provides the operator with the additional ability to support a workpiece at a desired height without eliminating the basic ability of the vise  10  to clamp a workpiece in place consistent with conventional use. 
     As should be understood from a review of the foregoing description, the present invention not only offers a vise that is selectively adjustable to support a workpiece at the desired height, but also offers a convenient way to adjust that height. Also, the vise  10  according to the invention functions as a conventional vise, whereby the use can use the vise in the typical fashion. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown as a vise  110  in FIG.  2 . Vise jaw  110  includes a fixed jaw  12  and a moveable jaw  14 , both supported on a base  22 . The fixed and moveable jaws  12 ,  14  each include a working surface  116  each having a single horizontal slot  18 A formed therein. The slot  18 A removably receives a variety of inserts for supporting a workpiece. 
     The vise  110  operates in much the same way as the vise  10 , described previously, with the exception of the working surface  116 , which has a single slot  18 A as opposed to the working surface  16 , which has a series of spaced horizontal slots  18  formed therein. Preferably, the slots  18 A are intermediately disposed horizontally along each working surface  116  and vertically co-planar to each other. Further, the slots  1   8 A are preferably rectangular in cross-section and uniform along their respective lengths and widths, as shown in FIG. 8, but may also be formed of other cross-sectional shapes, such as elliptical as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The slots  18 A are adapted to receive the insert  20 D, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As discussed previously, the insert  20 D is preferably a substantially L-shaped member with an anchoring finger  30  received within slot  18 A and connected to a generally perpendicular supporting member  33  having a supporting surface  36  at its uppermost end. Alternatively, as discussed above, the insert may be a substantially T-shaped member, such as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for vise  10 . For this embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member  33  varies in height relative the anchoring finger  30  to define the height of the supporting surface  36 . Thus, while providing only a single slot  18 A in each working surface  116 , the relative height of the supporting surface  36  for supporting the workpiece  50  is determined by selecting an insert  20 D based on the height of its supporting member  33  relative its anchoring finger  30 . 
     In use, vise  110  will be provided with several inserts  20 D with supporting members having varying heights. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, insert  20 D includes a relatively short supporting member  33 , while insert  20 F, as illustrated in FIG. 8, includes a relatively long supporting member  33 . Accordingly, when either anchoring finger  30  of each pair of inserts  20 E- 20 F is inserted into opposing slots  18 A in working surfaces  116  of the fixed and moveable jaws  12 ,  14 , the relative height of the supporting surface  36  from the base  22  varies depending on the inserted insert  20 E,  20 F. While two different pairs of inserts are illustrated, between five and ten different-sized pairs of inserts are preferred, and more than ten pairs of inserts may be provided 
     As shown in FIG. 8, as workpiece  50  has been inserted between the fixed jaw  12  and moveable  14  of the vise  110  according to the invention. An insert  20 F is placed in the opposing slots  18 A in order to support the workpiece  50  between the respective jaws  12 ,  14 . As shown clamped, the jaws  12 ,  14  compress the workpiece  50  by exerting a horizontal force on each side of the workpiece  50  while the inserts  20 F block the workpiece from movement in the downward direction, whereby the workpiece  50  is held at the selected height. 
     To select the height, the user of the vise  110  selects a pair of inserts, such as either pair  20 E or  20 F, for insertion into the opposed slots  18 A of the working surfaces  116 . Once selected and inserted, the workpiece  50  is supported on the supporting surfaces  36  of each insert  20 F after the jaws  12 ,  14  have a place proximate enough to support the workpiece  50  without compressing the workpiece. Once the workpiece  50  is supported but not compressed, the moveable jaw  14  is moved toward the fixed jaw  12  until opposed horizontal pressures are exerted on the workpiece  50 , at which point the workpiece  50  is held compressed at the selected height. 
     Similar to the vise  10 , the vise  110  is also able to provide support for a workpiece  50  in a conventional manner by simply not inserting any of the inserts  20 E,  20 F. Then, by inserting the workpiece  50  with the base of the vise  110  blocking the workpiece against further downward movement, the moveable jaw  14  can be moved towards the fixed jaw  12  to clamp the workpiece  50  in place. Thus, the vise  110  also provides the operator with the additional ability to support a workpiece  50  at a desired height without eliminating the basic ability of the vise  110  to clamp a workpiece  50  in place consistent with conventional use. 
     As described above, the vise  10 ,  110  according to the invention includes the base  22  mounting the fixed jaw  12  and moveable jaw  14 , each jaw having a working surface  16 ,  116 . While the working surface  16 ,  116  can be formed integral with each jaw, as illustrated in FIG.  1   a , the working surfaces  16 ,  116  may also be formed on attachments  60  for either replacing the conventional working surfaces of each jaw or placement over the conventional working surfaces of each jaw. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the attachments  60  are removably fastened to the moveable jaw  12  and fixed jaw  14  of the vise  10  by a pair of screws  28  received through apertures  64  in attachments  60  and engaging threaded bores  62  in the jaws  12 ,  14 . Many prior art vises include these threaded bores  62  for replacing worn out working surfaces on the jaws. Accordingly, the attachments  60  can replace those conventional vise jaw working surfaces, or can be fastened to the outer surface thereof. 
     While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the object stated, it should be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the spirit thereof.