GB2036613A

GB2036613A - Vices

Info

Publication number: GB2036613A
Application number: GB7939317A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WARDE L
Current assignee: WARDE L
Priority date: 1978-08-21
Filing date: 1979-11-13
Publication date: 1980-07-02
Also published as: GB2036613B; IE48666B1; IE781688L

Abstract

A vice has jaws in the form of a pair of blocks (7, 8), each of which has a number of gripping surfaces (10, 12). Each block is detachably mounted on the vice and may be replaced by another block and/or turned on the vice to enable two of a plurality of gripping surfaces to be brought into mutual opposition. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to vices The present invention relates to vices. Conventional vices have a pair of gripping surfaces between which a workpiece may be clamped.

One disadvantage of conventional vices is that the two gripping surfaces are of standard size and shape.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vice in which at least one of the pair of gripping surfaces can be replaceable by some other gripping surface.

Advantageously, the replaceable gripping surface is formed on a block which is adapted to be mounted on the vice. The block may have a plurality of different gripping surfaces, and may be turned to bring one of the plurality of gripping surfaces into opposition with the other of the pair of gripping surfaces.

Advantageously, each of the gripping surfaces of the pair of gripping surfaces may be provided on one of a pair of blocks, each of which contains a plurality of gripping surfaces, and each block is adapted to be detachably mounted on a support provided on the vice.

In the construction in which both jaw blocks are replaceable, each jaw block may have gripping surfaces which are identical with or which corres pond to gripping surfaces on the other jaw block, so that the two jaw blocks are adapted to be rotated or orientated to bring identical or corresponding grip ping surfaces into face-to-face confrontation as in a conventional vice. Each jaw block may be removable from the vice or other device and may be replaceable by another jaw block which may have dimensions and gripping surfaces different from the replaced jaw block.

The invention will hereinafter be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vice constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the vice, Figure 3 is a plan view, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a jaw block to which has been attached a gripping surface, Figure 5 is a plan view, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jaw block.

Referring to the drawings, the vice comprises a stock 1 in which is movable a slide 2. The stock 1 contains a screw threaded housing 3 integral with a base 4 shaped to fit into a prepared recess in the stock 1. The recess is wholly occupied by the base 4, which is thereby secured in position in the recess.

Extending through and supporting the slide 2 is a rod 5. The rod 5 has a screw threaded section which is located in the screw threaded housing 3. Upon rotation of the handle 6, the rod 5 moves axially within the housing 3, and in consequence also moves the slide 2. When the vice is in use, the stock 1 is bolted to a support (not shown) by means of boits (not shown) which pass through bolt apertures 27 in a flange 28.

Supporting columns 1a and 2a are provided (respectively) on the stock 1 and slide 2 and on the columns 1a and 2a are supported jaw blocks 7 and 8 respectively.

The jaw blocks 7 and 8 each have four jaws 9, 10, 11 and 12 of different construction. Each of the jaw blocks 7 and 8 has a recess 13 into which the top of the column 1 a and 2a is adapted to fit snugly. When in position on the top of the column 1 a or 2a, the jaw block 7 or 8 is held in position thereon by a single retaining pin 14, the shank of which passes through an aperture 15 in the jaw block 7 or 8 and into a socket in the column 1a or 2a.Thus the jaw block 7 or 8 may easily be turned to any one of four orientations and then maintained in that orientation, simply by removing the retaining pin 14, raising the jaw block7 or 8 off the top of the column 1 a or 2a, turning the jaw block 7 or 8, replacing the jaw block 7 or 8 on the top of the column 1a or 2a, and inserting the retaining pin 14through the jaw block 7 or 8 and into the column la or 2a.

Each of the jaw blocks 7 and 8 has in one gripping surface a pair oF screws 17. When not in use, the screws 17 are screwed into the jaw block 7 so that the heads of the screws are below the level of the gripping surface 10, and do not obstruct the gripping surface 10. The screws 17 may also be located so that the heads and shank portions (which are not threaded), lie outside the gripping surface 12.

The shank portions may then by utilised to support a gripping plate 18 which has keyhole shape apertures 19 by means of which the gripping plate 18 may be supported against the gripping surface 10.

1. Avice, having a pair of gripping surfaces between which a workpiece may be clamped, characterised in that at least one of the pair of gripping surfaces is replaceable by some other gripping surface.

2. A vice as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the replaceable gripping surface is formed on a gripping block adapted to be mounted on the vice.

3. A vice as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the gripping block has a plurality of gripping surfaces, and may be orientated to bring any one of the plurality of gripping surfaces into opposition with the other of the pair of gripping surfaces on the vice.

4. A vice as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that each of the gripping surfaces of the pair of gripping surfaces may be provided on one of a pair of blocks, each of which contains a plurality of gripping surfaces.

5. A vice as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that each of the blocks is adapted to be detachably mounted, on a support provided on the vice.

6. A vice as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that each jaw block has a gripping surface in which are provided screwthreaded housings for screw threaded shanks which can be screwed home to lie beneath the plane of the gripping surface, and which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to vices The present invention relates to vices. Conventional vices have a pair of gripping surfaces between which a workpiece may be clamped. One disadvantage of conventional vices is that the two gripping surfaces are of standard size and shape. According to the present invention, there is provided a vice in which at least one of the pair of gripping surfaces can be replaceable by some other gripping surface. Advantageously, the replaceable gripping surface is formed on a block which is adapted to be mounted on the vice. The block may have a plurality of different gripping surfaces, and may be turned to bring one of the plurality of gripping surfaces into opposition with the other of the pair of gripping surfaces. Advantageously, each of the gripping surfaces of the pair of gripping surfaces may be provided on one of a pair of blocks, each of which contains a plurality of gripping surfaces, and each block is adapted to be detachably mounted on a support provided on the vice. In the construction in which both jaw blocks are replaceable, each jaw block may have gripping surfaces which are identical with or which corres pond to gripping surfaces on the other jaw block, so that the two jaw blocks are adapted to be rotated or orientated to bring identical or corresponding grip ping surfaces into face-to-face confrontation as in a conventional vice. Each jaw block may be removable from the vice or other device and may be replaceable by another jaw block which may have dimensions and gripping surfaces different from the replaced jaw block. The invention will hereinafter be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vice constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the vice, Figure 3 is a plan view, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a jaw block to which has been attached a gripping surface, Figure 5 is a plan view, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jaw block. Referring to the drawings, the vice comprises a stock 1 in which is movable a slide 2. The stock 1 contains a screw threaded housing 3 integral with a base 4 shaped to fit into a prepared recess in the stock 1. The recess is wholly occupied by the base 4, which is thereby secured in position in the recess. Extending through and supporting the slide 2 is a rod 5. The rod 5 has a screw threaded section which is located in the screw threaded housing 3. Upon rotation of the handle 6, the rod 5 moves axially within the housing 3, and in consequence also moves the slide 2. When the vice is in use, the stock 1 is bolted to a support (not shown) by means of boits (not shown) which pass through bolt apertures 27 in a flange 28. Supporting columns 1a and 2a are provided (respectively) on the stock 1 and slide 2 and on the columns 1a and 2a are supported jaw blocks 7 and 8 respectively. The jaw blocks 7 and 8 each have four jaws 9, 10, 11 and 12 of different construction. Each of the jaw blocks 7 and 8 has a recess 13 into which the top of the column 1 a and 2a is adapted to fit snugly. When in position on the top of the column 1 a or 2a, the jaw block 7 or 8 is held in position thereon by a single retaining pin 14, the shank of which passes through an aperture 15 in the jaw block 7 or 8 and into a socket in the column 1a or 2a.Thus the jaw block 7 or 8 may easily be turned to any one of four orientations and then maintained in that orientation, simply by removing the retaining pin 14, raising the jaw block7 or 8 off the top of the column 1 a or 2a, turning the jaw block 7 or 8, replacing the jaw block 7 or 8 on the top of the column 1a or 2a, and inserting the retaining pin 14through the jaw block 7 or 8 and into the column la or 2a. Each of the jaw blocks 7 and 8 has in one gripping surface a pair oF screws 17. When not in use, the screws 17 are screwed into the jaw block 7 so that the heads of the screws are below the level of the gripping surface 10, and do not obstruct the gripping surface 10. The screws 17 may also be located so that the heads and shank portions (which are not threaded), lie outside the gripping surface 12. The shank portions may then by utilised to support a gripping plate 18 which has keyhole shape apertures 19 by means of which the gripping plate 18 may be supported against the gripping surface 10. CLAIMS

6. A vice as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that each jaw block has a gripping surface in which are provided screwthreaded housings for screw threaded shanks which can be screwed home to lie beneath the plane of the gripping surface, and which can be screwed outwardly relative to the block to protrude from the plane of the gripping surface and thereby to provide supports for a further gripping surface which can be suspended from the supports.

7. A vice as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims 4 to 6 inclusive, characterised in that one of the jaw blocks is adapted to be detachably mounted upon a support column on the vice stock, and the other of the jaw blocks is adapted to be detachably mounted upon a support column on the vice slide.

8. A vice as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that each jaw block has a recess which enables the jaw block to fit snugly, and securely against rotation, on the top of the support column, additional means being provided detachably to secure the jaw block on the support column.

9. A vice as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that the additional means is a pin which is adapted to be passed through an aperture in the jaw block, and into a pin socket in the support column.

10. Avice substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

11. A jaw block as defined in any one of Claims 4 to 8 inclusive, for use on a vice as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 inclusive.