GB2509733A

GB2509733A - Portable hand-held vice

Info

Publication number: GB2509733A
Application number: GB201300477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Stepniak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-10
Filing date: 2013-01-10
Publication date: 2014-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-10
Also published as: GB2509733B; GB201300477D0

Abstract

The vice includes first and second grip members and connecting means to connect the first and second grip members to each other. A workpiece can be disposed between the first and second grip members. A user can manipulate one of the first and second grip members to press the first and second grip members against each other to clamp the work piece there between. The vice may include a stabilizing means to stabilize the vice on a work surface. The stabilizing means may include a force applying means. The connecting means may be a hinge which extends along the sides of the grip members. The vice may be provided on a sidewall of a container such as a toolbox.

Description

I

HANDHELD PORTABLE VICE

Brief Descriptior of the Several Views of the Drawing [1] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [2] Figure 1 shows DetailedDescriDtion of the Pictured Embodiment [3] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4 a device for securing a workpiece is disclosed, comprising at least a vertical member; a lower grip member; a depressible member and a hinge pivotably connecting said members.

[4] In the following: the term work surface' will be used to mean any substantially flat and preferably but not necessarily substantially horizontal surface upon which the device of the present : invention is to be placed for use. The term workpiece' will be used to denote any object to be held in the device, which may for example be a piece of wood or metal upon which work such as sawing or sanding is to be carried out. 0ø

* * [5] An advantage of the device is that it can be used on any substantially flat surface to secure a workpiece with one hand, for working on with a saw, sander, or other one-handed tool or the like with the other hand, thereby enabling users to work on a workpiece while holding it securely with one hand, without the need for a traditional vice.

[6] The lower grip member is a substantially flat member, which, in use, lies below the depressible member enabling the workpiece to be gripped therebetween. The lower grip member can be rested upon any substantially flat, substantially horizontal surface (with or without the use of legs as will be described below). The lower grip member may comprise any shape but is most preferably substantially rectangular as shown in the figures, and may be hinged at any side but most preferably is hinged along its longer side. An advantage of this is that the device is stronger and more able to hold elongate workpieces such as rods, sticks, planks or the like at such an angle to the user as to facilitate sawing therethrough.

[71 The depressible member is connected to the lower grip member via the hinge. The depressible member is preferably substantially the same shape and size as the lower grip member, such that when fully depressed and in contact with the lower grip member, the two overlap fully. An advantage of this is that it provides maximal area able to grip a workpiece with minimal materials used. However, the depressible member may also be larger, smaller, or otherwise a different shape or size than the lower grip member. The depressible member lies above the lower grip member in use, as shown in the figures, such that when a workpiece is placed between the lower grip member and depressible members, a hand of a user can easily depress the depressible member from above, to bring it into contact with the workpiece. The workpiece is then securely held in place between the depressible and lower grip members by the pressure of the user's hand.

[8] The vertical member is preferably connected to the lower grip member and depressible member via the hinge, although alternatively it may be connected to the lower grip member via a second hinge or other joining mechanism. The vertical member, in use, is substantially at right angles to the lower grip member (if legs are not used) or the lower surface of the legs (if legs are used) such that, when the device is placed on a substantially horizontal work surface having a substantially vertical edge, such as a cupboard or the like, the vertical member lies flush with the vertical edge of the work surface, thereby stabilizing the device and the workpiece within. If legs (described below) are used, a right angle is created between the legs and the vertical member, thus accommodating a right-angled work surface. If legs are not used, a right angle is created between the lower grip member and the vertical member, thus accommodating a right-angled work surface.

(9] The hinge is preferably a continuous hinge running along the entire length of the sides of the members, on one side of the device, although it may be only along part of the length.

Furthermore, the hinge may be any type of hinge known in the art. The hinge may enable movement through any angle, but most preferably the hinge is arranged such that the largest angle that can exist between the vertical member and the legs (described below) mounted to the lower grip member is 900. An advantage of this is that when the lower grip member is placed on a work surface, and the legs are erected, the vertical member will be at right angles to that work surface. This often coincides with a vertical edge of the work surface, which further increases the stability of the device.

(10] It should be noted that the vertical member is named after its plane in the preferred mode of use, but that, since the device is portable, any member can equally be used while the device lies in another plane.

[11] Either of both of the upper surface of the lower grip member and the lower surface of the depressible member (those surfaces which contact the workpiece) are preferably covered with a guard surface being at least somewhat compressible, for example rubber, silicon, or the like. An advantage of this is that the workpiece is protected. A further advantage is that it provides friction to further secure the workpiece. Most preferably the guard surfaces are contoured rubber fascias as shown, an advantage of this design being that their shape thickness provide the ability to depress slightly, making them well adapted to hold and protect a workpiece. Furthermore, any or all of the lower surface of the lower grip member, any outer surfaces of the leg or legs, and the inner surface of the vertical member may also be covered with a guard surface being at least somewhat compressible, for example rubber, silicon, or the like. An advantage of this is that the work surface is protected. A further advantage is that it provides friction to further secure the device on the work surface.

[12] The device may further comprise at least one leg disposed beneath the lower grip member.

* Most preferably, two legs are disposed beneath the lower grip member, one being disposed at each end of the lower grip member as shown in the figures. The leg or legs are hinged to the lower surface of the lower grip member and can be folded flat against the lower surface of the lower grip member when not in use, and folded out to become perpendicular to the lower grip member when in use. In * use1 the leg or legs support the lower grip member at an angle to the work surface. The legs may be any shape but are preferably triangular as shown in the figures for maximal strength while maintaining simplicity of design and stability of the device in use. Where legs are present, it may be possible to use the device with or without the legs, or the device may be usable only with the legs.

The legs may be of fixed or variable length. An advantage of having legs is that the angle of the lower grip surface can be raised with respect to the work surface, thus raising the workpiece and changing its angle, which, depending on the work being carried out, may facilitate working on the workpiece.

[13] The vertical, depressible, and lower grip members, and legs, if present, preferably comprise a lightweight, durable, heavy duty plastic, although other materials may also be used as known in the art. In one arrangement, the depressible member measures approximately 200mmxTOmm, the vertical member measures approximately 200mmx3Omm, and the two shortest sides of the triangular legs measure approximately 70mm and 80mm, although these measurements are for example only and are in no way intended to be limiting.

[14] In a second embodiment of the invention, the depressible member comprises an at least partially hollow compartment therein. The compartment may be inside the depressible member or may be attached thereto, and may have a lid, door, or other opening means as known in the art. A tool may be provided with the compartment. Preferably, a saw is provided therewith, and most preferably a selection of blades is provided therewith. An advantage of this is that the device then contains everything required to saw a workpiece. Alternatively, another tool or tools may be provided therewith, or the compartment may be provided empty for the user to store their own tools or other implements. Furthermore, the compartment may be disposed in any other member of the device. An advantage of disposing the compartment in the depressible member is that the compartment is most accessible when using the device. All other features of the device are as in the first embodiment.

[15] In a third embodiment of the invention, the device is provided as an intrinsic part of a toolbox. The vertical member may be attached permanently to a vertical or substantially vertical side of the toolbox, such that the hinge coincides with the top of the vertical side of the toolbox and therefore the device sits on the top of the toolbox. Alternatively the substantially vertical side of the toolbox may itself comprise the vertical member, with the hinge being disposed at the top of it, along the side of the top of the toolbox. The depressible and lower grip members are hinged to the vertical member as described previously with respect to the first embodiment. When the lower grip member and depressible member are pushed down, and the legs, if present, are folded flat, the device sits approximately flat on the upper surface of the toolbox. A well may be provided in the upper surface of the toolbox to further accommodate the device and ensure the flattest fold when not in use. An advantage of the third embodiment is that the device turns a toolbox into a work surface.

Claims

Claims 1. A vice comprising first and second grip members and connecting means to connect the first and second.grip members to each other, wherein a workpiece can be disposed between the first and second grip members, thereby allowing a user to manipulate one of the first and second grip members and press the first and second grip members against each other to clamp the workpiece therebetween.
2. A vice according to claim 1, wherein the first grip member comprises a lower grip member and the second grip member comprises a depressible member, which can be pressed downwardly onto the lower grip member..
3. A vice according to claim 1, comprising stabilising means to stabilise the vice on a work surface.
4. A vice according to claim 3, wherein the stabilising means comprises a force applying member, which can engage an edge of the work surface and apply a force thereto during use of the vice.S.....

*
5. A vice according to claim 4, wherein the force applying member extends from the first and second grip members. *.
6. A vice according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the force applying member extends vertically in use and is attached to the first and second grip members.
7. A vice according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means comprises a hinge, thereby allowing the first and second gripping members to be pivoted relative to each other.
8. A hand operated vice according to claim 7 when dependent upon claim 6, wherein the hinge extends along one of the sides of each of the first and second grip members.
9. A vice according to any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the force applying member is connected to the first and second grip members via the hinge.
10. A vice according to any of claims 7 or 8, comprising a joining mechanism to connect to the first grip member to the force applying member.
11. A vice according to claim 10, wherein the force applying member comprises a second hinge.
12. A vice according to any preceding claim, wherein the first grip member has a substantially rectangular configuration, and the second grip member has a correspondingly substantially rectangular configuration.
13. A vice according to any preceding claim, wherein the first grip member has a first gripping surface which, in use, lies below the second grip member thereby allowing the workpiece to be gripped therebetween.
14. A vice according to claim 13, wherein the second grip member has a second gripping surface facing the first gripping surface, and at least one of the first and second gripping surfaces has a cushioning arrangement, for cushioning the
15. A vice according to any preceding claim, comprising support means for supporting the first and second grip members, the support means being disposed beneath the first grip member. S..
16. A vice according to claim 15, wherein the support means comprises at least one leg disposed beneath the first grip member.
17. A vice according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the support means comprises two legs are disposed beneath the first grip member, each being disposed at a respective end of the first grip member.
18. A vice according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the or each leg is substantially triangular
19. A vice according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the support means is pivotally mounted on the first grip member, the support means being pivotally movable between support and folded positions.
20. A vice according to claim 19, wherein the first grip member has a lower surface, and the support means is folded against the lower surface in the folded position, and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the lower surface.
21. A vice according to any preceding claim, wherein the second grip member defines a compartment therein.
22. A vice according to any preceding claim, wherein a holding member defining a cavity is provided on the second grip member.
23. A container arrangement comprising a container and a vice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a sidewall and the vice is provided on the sidewall.
24. A container arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the container comprises a toolbox.
25. A container arrangement according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the vice comprises stabilising means to stabilise the vice on a work surface, the stabilising * means being attached to the sidewall of the toolbox, and the connecting means * being provided at the top of the sidewalL ** * * * . *
26. A container arrangement according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the connecting means is attached to the sidewall toolbox may itself comprise the vertical member, : ... with the hinge being disposed at the top of it, along the side of the top of the toolbox.
27. A container arrangement according to any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the vice comprises support means pivotally mounted on the first grip member, the support means being pivotally movable between support and folded positions, and wherein the container defines a well in which the vice can be received when the support means is in the folded position.
28. A vice substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings
29. A container arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.