GB2114477A

GB2114477A - A vice versa hinged vice, or hinged vice support and connector

Info

Publication number: GB2114477A
Application number: GB08201233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Richard Light
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-01-18
Filing date: 1982-01-18
Publication date: 1983-08-24
Also published as: GB2114477B

Abstract

Lightweight, portable, hinged or folding vice support intended to accomodate various types of vice in vertical as well as horizontal clamping positions (in particular small junior woodwork vices) without alteration or modification of the vice used being necessary, comprises a box like unit 2, 3 with a hinged member 4 therein which lifts the vice in a backwards arc to a vertical position. The vice support can be clamped vertically or horizontally to a bench top with 'G' or 'F' clamps or used free standing, and can be rotated 360 deg. about a vertical axis relative to a base board 10 and locked in various working positions. When the vice is in the vertical position a pair of flat extension jaws with a cutting inset and straight edge can be attached between the normal vice jaws. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vice versa hinged vice, or hinged vice support and vice converter Purpose ofthe invention To provide a small vice or vice support which can be used anywhere and in addition to being portable, can clamp and grip horizontal objects (such as small flat sheet materials) vertically and also to change quickly and easily to a normal horizontal clamping and gripping vice position, or vice versa.

Also to include a model makers adapter which fits to the jaws of the vice when it is in the vertical position. The latter providing facilities for cutting small flat materials with knife, fret saw, or electric jig saw etc. and a straight edge track for guided cutting of the latter.

When in the vice support mode it is intended that normal small woodworkers vices or small metalworkers vices can be adapted to adjust to the vertical as well as the horizontal positions, thus adding a new dimension to an ordinary vice and making it more useful. In addition a special base board unit provides a facility to turn the vice throughout 360 deg.

horizontally and lock into various positions.

This invention relates to improving the usefulness of small woodworkers and small metalworkers vices by providing a hinging facility which allows a vice to move upward to a vertical position as well as retaining the normal horizontal gripping facility this being done in the form of a hinged vice support or/and as a vice designed with a hinging facility as an integral part of the vice. Either of the latter modes being of particular use to model and toy makers and other light work. Also at the same time improving a normal small vice by making it portable.

Description A vice or a support for a small vice (small woodworkers or metalworkers vices of approx 4 to 6 inches width) which can be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, fibreglass or any other flat rigid material. Having in particular a hinging or pivoting section, which when the vice is fixed to it allows the vice to be used in the horizontal or vertical clamping or gripping positions. The aforementioned hinged section held in position horizontally and vertically by hooks, latches, bolts or the like and can also be held vertically by the use of 'tapered inset side sections'.

The whole aforementioned hinged section and vice is supported within a box like ortrunked unit having a 'Back', 'Sides', 'Bottom' and 'Side Supports'. The vice support also has a base board section and when the said support is fixed to the 'Base Board Section' it can be rotated horizontally throughout 360 deg.

and locked in various positions (vertically and horizontally). When in the 'Vice Support' mode the vice can be used without the aforementioned 'Base Board Section' as a free standing unit i.e. used horizontally by clamping the support to a table top, bench top, wide shelf, step tread or the like, using 'G' type or 'F' type clamps or it can be used vertically by turning the unit over onto the back support (see Function 4) and either clamping as above or using the unit free standing on any flat surface. The aforementioned providing 4 Functions.

Although the aforementioned vice support is considered to be the best mode, alternatively a vice can be constructed so as to allow vertical hinging of the vice clamping sections as an integral part of the vice this to be held up by rods or the like it also could be constructed to include the revolving base.

The vice support unit will be particularly useful to model makers etc. when in the vertical clamping position, as small flat sections of material can be worked on e.g. it will be of particular use when cutting small sheet materials with an electric 'Jig' saw.

To maximisethe usefulness of the said vertical clamping position a special 'model makers adaptor' can be fitted to the jaws of the vice. The latter consisting basically of two flat sections containing a cut out area (to hold small materials for cutting) and a straight edge track (used with electric jigsaw). The aforementioned items included in one adaptor section the latter is fitted to the vice jaws with adjustable tabs.

Specification The vice support unit is of box like ortrunkated construction, having bottom (fig. 1.) two sides (Fig.

2.) a back (fig. 3.) and a hinged top (fig. 4). The latter being fixed to a horizontal bar (fig. 3). It can be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, fibreglass or the like.

A small vice can be bolted to the hinged top. The latter moves between the two sides and when in the vertical position rests against the back where it is held in position by inserting two tapered side inset supports (fig. 6) drawing Sheet 2.) These are wedged into a vertical aspect against the hinged top and abutting the inner side of the two sides.

When the hinged top is moved to the horizontal position it rests on two side supports (fig. 7) where it is held in position by hooks (fig. 8), latches, locks or the like. Note the two aforementioned tapered inset supports are removed by inserting the fingers underneath them in a gap provided for this purpose (fig 9 Drawing Sheet 2).

The above unit has a separate base board (fig. 10) which has a centre fixing hole and bolt (rod, pin or the like) projecting upwards and a series of holes in a semi-circle which are for the purpose of locking positions. (See Fig. 10 Drawing Sheet 4). It also has holes for bolt fixing to a bench.

The vice support unit can be fixed to the base board by allowing the upward projecting bolt in the base board (Fig. 12 Drawing Sheet 4) to pass upwards through a hole in the bottom section of the unit, a wing nut holds it in place. When the unit is fixed to the base board in this manner it can be turned horizontally throughout the 360 deg. and be locked in various positions by projecting downwards the vertical locking bolt. (this being located on one side of the unit (fig. 11) into one of the set of holes in the base board, also the centre wing nut is tightened when in the required position.

Note 1. The base board can be fixed to a bench top either by 'G' or 'F' clamping, screwing or bolting, which makes it suitable for fixing to many types of worktop or bench.

Note2 It is intended that as well as using the vice support unit in conjunction with the base board it can also be used separately as a free standing unit (See Function 3 and Function 4).

A model makers adaption section can be attached to the jaws of the vice (see Diag. 7) this consists basically of two horizontal flat clamping sections with a cut out section (Fig. 1 diag 7.), this being intended to hold small flat sheet materials when cutting with an electric jig saw. Between the two flat sections are adjustable clamp packings (Fig. 2) these can be moved from the outer edge position to align along the edges of the cut out section by rotating them (See Fig. 2 'Plan' Diag. 7). Attached to one side of the above mentioned flat section is a straight edge (Fig. 3) to facilitate straight cutting. This is attached to the adaption section with a wing nut (providing a facility for easy removal) (See Fig. 4). The adaption section is fixed to the vice with two clamping tabs and wing nuts (See Fig. 5).

The same principal of vertically hinging and turning of a vice can be applied as an integral part of a vice (as well as applied to a vice support as previously described), whereupon a vice has a hinged jaw section and turning screws, which are held in the vertical position by rods, tapered supports, bolts or the like, the vice having a swivel base which allows horizontal turning and a locking device (See Diag. 8).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A lightweight, portable hinged orfolding vice support and vice convertor characterised by the ability to accommodate and convert various types of ordinary small vice to vertical as well as horizontal clamping positions by lifting in a backwards arc and turning. The two movements being in conjunction with each other. The vices being used needing no alteration or special modification. Small 'Junior' woodwork vices (with wide jaws) in particular being suitable but also small metalwork/model work and self clamping vices. 2. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim 1, which is of box like or trunkated construction, having a 'bottom' a 'back' with a cut out angled section and two 'sides' which have angles and curves. A overhanging hinged 'lid' or top to which a vice can be fitted which moves upwards in a backwards arc between the two 'sides' and is supported vertically against the said 'back' by two 'tapered side inset supports' (or wedges). The said 'top' being supported when in the horizontal position on two 'side support blocks' and held down onto these by hooks. The aforesaid unit can be used free standing, 'G' or 'F' clamped or be used with a 'base' whereby it can then turn on the latter horizon tally 360 deg.The 'base' consisting of a flat board with a centre bolt projecting upwards onto which the said unit is fitted. In the 'base' is a semi-circle of small holes into which a vertical slideable locking bolt fits, the latter being located on one side of the unit. At each corner of the 'base' are two holes one of each set being countersunk. These are for fixing the base to a bench orsimilarworktop by either screwing or bolting alternatively the 'base' can be 'G' clamped to worktops. When the vice is in the vertical position a set of 'flat extension jaws' with cutting inset and removable straight edge can be fitted to the vice jaws, by 'turnable clamping tabs'. 3. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim 1, characterised by a hinged backwards lifting movement and turning action the two said movements being used in conjunction with each other to change the operating position of an ordinary small vice from horizontal to vertical and vice-versa within seconds. The vice being supported on a hinged top which moves upward in a backwards arc. 4. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim 1, which due to its shape of box like construction and angled sides and back make it possible to convert an ordinary small bench fixing vice (in particular junior woodwork vice) to fully portable use including a freestanding position with vertical vice gripping action achieved by turning the unit over into the 'back' section. 5. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim i, of box like construction which makes it possible to 'G' or 'F' clamp an ordinary small vice to a bench top, worktop, wide shelf, the tread of a pair of steps or any Jvide flat horizontal surface such as a table top. he v,ce i fled to the unit being clamped in a normal horizontal gripping position to the worktop or bytuning khe unit onto its back and clamping the 'back' to the work surface thus creating a vertical vice gripping position. 6. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim 1,which has an overhanging 'lid' or 'top' to which small self clamping vices can be screwed and consequently used vertically as well as horizontally. 7. A lightweight portable vice support and converter as described in Claim 1, which can attach to a baseboard, whereupon it can turn upon a central bolt, rod, pin or the like which enables the vice and vice support to move horizontally 360 deg. it being possible to lock the vice in variable working positions by the use of a vertically sliding locking bolt which protrudes downwards into any one of a semi circular arranged set of holes in the base. This said function being possible in either horizontal orvertical vice gripping positions convenient to the user and the situation. 8. A set of lightweight flat extension jaws designed for use with the aforesaid portable vice support and convertor as described in Claim 1,when the vice is in the vertical gripping position. This being fitted to the jaws of a vertically positioned small woodworkers type vice by bolt tightening turnable clamping tabs. The said flat extension jaws having a cutting inset suitable when working on small flat extension jaws having a cutting inset suitable when working on small flat sections and adjustable packing strips between the flat jaws, which can be aligned along the front outer edge of the said jaws or rotate horizontally to a position at the edges of the cutting inset.There is a straight edge bolted to one side of the said flat extension jaws which will pivot upwards and adjust in a vertical way to accommodate horizontal alignment with small sheet materials being worked on. This said straight edge being removable from the jaws. The aforementioned flat extension jaws being easily and quickly attached or removed from the vice jaws by means of the bolt tightening turnable clamping tabs. 9. A small woodworkers vice with wide jaws built into a trunkated section and having the same facilities as described in Claim 1 but in this instance the vice having an integral hinging supportwith backwards lifting arc. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 9 May 1983 Superseded claims 1 - 9 New or amended claims:

1. A portable lightweight support to which va rious types of ordinary small vice can be fixed. (In particular junior woodwork type vices) which in addition to supporting the vice in the usual horizontal position will by hinging in a backwards arc, lifting and turning, support a vice in a vertical position, which allows the vice jaws to grip horizontally flat items (the said vices need no alteration or modifica tion when used in conjunction with the said sup port).The aforementioned vice support is characte rised by a flat rectangular hinged or folding 'top' or lid housed within a box-like construction comprising a horizontal rectangular flat 'bottom' with three adjacent upright vertical flat sides, two of which are parallel to each other (hereafter described as the 'two sides'). The third side being at right angles to the other 'two sides' fitted to one long edge of the bottom and characterised by a vertically cut-out section (large enough to accommodate the turning screw and guide rods of a small vice) the third side hereafter described as 'the back'.Positioned be tween the 'two sides' and lower than the vertical height of 'the back' and the 'two sides' is the aforementioned flat rectangular 'top' or lid this is hinged to a horizontal 'bar' the said bar being adjacent to and parallel with the lower part of the above mentioned 'back' and the said 'bottom'. The ends of the 'bar' abutting within the 'two sides'. The said 'top' when in horizontal position is horizontally parallel to and overhanging the said 'bottom' at a small distance from 'the bottom' and supported in this position on the edges of two small rectangular blocks hereafter described as 'side support blocks', held onto these by two hooks one on each side edge of the said 'top'.The aforementioned 'top' (and fitted vice) lift upwrds and hinge in a backwards arc between the said 'two sides' towards the said 'back' and is held in an upright vertical position against the 'back' by inserting two flat wedge shaped sections hereafter named 'tapered inset supports' these wedge between the inner edges of the two said 'side support blocks' and the 'back' when parallel with and abutting the 'two sides'.

2. A portable vice support as described in Claim 1 which attaches horizontally to a flat base by means of a wing nut tightening bolt the said bolt passing vertically upwards through a hole in the said flat base and through a central hole in the bottom of the vice support. The head of the said bolt is housed within a countersunk hole in the underside of the said flat base and the wing nut tightens downwards onto the top of the said 'bottom', the bottom and the base being in horizontal contact. The aforementioned vice support (and fitted vice) being moveable horizontally 360 degs. upon the said base and lockable in various positions to the base by means of a vertical slideable locking bolt which protrudes downwards into any one of a semi-circular set of holes in the said flat base. The said slideable locking bolt situated on the outer side of one of the two said 'sides'.The described horizontal 360 deg. movement and locking function being possible when the vice support 'top' is horizontal or vertical in relation to the said flat base. Near each corner of the aforementioned flat base are two holes, one of each set being countersunk within the top side of the flat base, these being for the purpose of either screwing or bolting the said flat base to a worktop or the like.

Alternatively the said base can in some cases be clamped to a worktop using 'G', 'C' or 'F' type clamps.

3. A portable vice support as described in Claim 1 which is used freestanding (i.e. not attached to aforementioned flat base) which allows horizontal support for a normal small bench vice when the aforesaid 'top' is hooked down into the horizontal position onto the said 'side support blocks' or vertical vice support when the 'top' is in the same horizontal position but the vice support is tilted over onto the said 'back' section. (The vice jaws coming into contact vertically).

4. A portable vice support as described in Claim 1 which is free-standing as described in Appendant Claim 3 but in this instance is clamped to a horizontal flat worktop, bench top, wide shelf, tread of a pair of steps and the like by means of 'G', 'C', or 'F' type clamps, the clamps being attached to either the said 'bottom' of the vice support when the said 'top' and vice is in a horizontal position or by attaching two clamps, one to either side of the said 'back' this being when the vice support is laid on its back position, the vice being vertically supported.

5. Horizontal flat extension jaws which attach between the jaws of a small woodworkers type vice, when the vice support and vice are in a vertical gripping position as described in Claim 1. The said flat extension jaws having a 'V' shaped section and removeable straight edge, the said flat jaws being suitable for holding small flat sheet materials in a horizontal manner. The aforesaid 'flat extension jws' characterised by two flat horizontally parallel rectangular sections, which are held together by two vertical bolts situated towards one side of the 'flat jaws' (this side described as the rear side). The 'two flat jaws' being moveable in a vertical and parallel way between the vice jaws, which allows variable parallel distances to be possible as well as close contact between them as the vice is opened or screwed to a closed position respectively.The aforementioned 'flat extension jaws' are held in position to the vice jaws by two bolt tightening turnable 'clamping tabs' which screw into contact vertically and in a downwards manner to the outer and upper jaw section of the vice. Between the 'flat extension jaws' are 'adjustable packing strips' two of which can be aligned along the front outer edge of the said flat jaws and rotate horizontally to a position in line with the edges of the 'V' shaped cut-out section. Fixed to the top side of the upper of the said 'flat extension jaws' by means of bolts is a straight narrow bar or beam which is aligned with the edges of the 'flat jaws' for the purpose of a straight edge.

The said bar can be unbolted from the 'flat jaws' and removed or it can be pivoted upwards and bolted in a vertical position.

6. A 'hinged top' as described in Claim 1 which overhangs the aforementioned 'bottom' of the vice support at a small parallel distance from the 'bottom' this facilitates the fixing of an ordinary small vice to 'the top' (by bolting screwing or clamping) above or below the said 'top' depending upon the type of vice being used and the relative position of the vice turning screw and guide rods.

7. Avertical 'back' supportforthe said 'top' as described in Claim 1 and Appendant Claim 6 which due to the cut-out section contained within the said 'back' will allow the 'top' and vice fixed above the top to come into close vertical contact with the said 'back', the vice turning screw or guide rods being positioned within the cut-out section aforementioned.

8. Two vice support 'sides' as described in Claim 1 which form supportforthe aforementioned 'back' by abutting two opposite edges of the said 'back'.

The said 'sides' being of flat rigid material and having angled front edges formed of curves and angles (the front edge being that which faces towards the mounted vice on the front edge of the said 'top').

9. Two 'side support blocks' as described in Claim 1 one afixed to each inner side of the vice support 'sides' in a vertical manner and used to support the said 'top' in conjunction with two hooks, one to each outer side of the said 'side support blocks' and 'sides' each hook fixing around a rod, pin or the like which protrude from the two side edges of the said 'top' and thus hold the top in contact with the said 'support blocks'.

10. Two flat 'tapered inset supports' as described in Claim 1 which due to their offset and angular edges, wedge between the inner edges of the aforementioned 'side support blocks' and the inner side of the said 'back' forming a ridged support for the aforementioned 'hinged top' when the said top is in close parallel position with the said 'back'.

11. The hinged (or pivoting) backwards arc of the said 'top' as described in Claim 1 used in conjunction with horizontal turning action of the vice support on the said 'base', the two movements being in conjunction with each other used to change the operat ing position of an ordinary small vice from horizontally gripping action to vertically gripping action and vice-versa within seconds.

12. A small woodworkers vice with wide jaws built into a trunkated section and having the same facilities as described in Claim 1 but in this instance the vice having an integral hinging support with backwards lifting arc.