GB2523374A

GB2523374A - Vice apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2523374A
Application number: GB1403165.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavin Drummond
Original assignee: CLOCKWORK ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: CLOCKWORK ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-24
Filing date: 2014-02-24
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Also published as: GB201403165D0

Abstract

A vice apparatus for clamping a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a first jaw 20 which supports the work piece, and a second jaw 30 pivotably moveable. There can a third jaw (50, figure 8), with the jaws being a concave shape. There can be a set of rollers 40 positioned at the first jaw 20 so that when the vice is open the rollers support the work piece and are at a greater height than the first jaw 20; the rollers change height so that the first jaw 20 can support the work piece when the second jaw 30 moves to a closed position. In a different embodiment the apparatus comprises a first and a second jaw, wherein one jaw is moveable towards the other; and there is a support member for initially receiving and supporting the work piece prior to clamping.

Description

Vice Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for holding or clamping work pieces. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for clamping various sizes of work pieces without causing damage to the work piece.

A vice is commonly used for clamping a work piece to allow work to be performed on the work piece using other tools. Typically, the vice has two lateral jaws. One jaw is fixed and another, parallel, jaw is laterally movable towards or away from the fixed jaw by mechanical screw action. The work piece is gripped at two opposing side portions of the work piece.

In the oil and gas industry, for example, the work piece may be very large, such as a long tubular downhole tool. A traditional vice must apply a substantial compressive force first to overcome the work piece's own weight and then clamp the work piece. Such a level of force can deform the work piece, particularly if the work piece is a relatively thin-walled tubular component. At the least, the clamping force can damage the outer finish of the work piece. Also, complicated lifting equipment, such as chain systems and rack and pinions, are required to move the work piece into position within the vice jaws.

Furthermore, it is often necessary to rotate the work piece about its axis to allow work to be performed on another section of the work piece. With conventional vices, this involves freeing the work piece from the jaws before rotation and using lifting equipment to temporarily support the work piece. Also, effecting accurate rotation of the work piece can be difficult.

It is desirable to provide improved vice apparatus which allows easier top loading of a work piece. It is desirable to provide improved vice apparatus which reduces deformation or damage of the work piece when supporting and then clamping the work piece. It is desirable to provide improved vice apparatus which eliminates the need for complicated lifting equipment. It is desirable to provide improved vice apparatus which readily allows rotation of the work piece.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vice apparatus for clamping a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a first jaw adapted to support a work piece placed on the first jaw; and a second jaw which is pivotably movable from an open position towards the first jaw, thereby contacting and then clamping the work piece.

The first jaw may be arcuate. The first jaw may be concave with respect to a work piece placed on the first jaw. The second jaw may be arcuate. The second jaw may be concave with respect to a work piece located below the second jaw. This arrangement allows the vice to be used with a wide range of sizes of work piece.

The vice apparatus may include a set of rollers. The set of rollers may be positioned at the first jaw.

The set of rollers may be positioned such that, when the vice apparatus is in an open position, an upper surface of the set of rollers is at a greater height than the upper surface of the first jaw. Therefore, when a work piece is introduced to the vice apparatus, it will rest on the set of rollers rather than the first jaw.

The set of rollers may be movable. The set of rollers may be movable in a downwards direction such that the first jaw takes up support of the work piece. The set of rollers may be manually or automatically movable.

The set of rollers may be coupled to the second jaw. The set of rollers may be configured to move downwards when the second jaw is moved from the open position towards the first jaw.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second jaw may be pivotably connected to a side portion of the first jaw. The first jaw may include a wing portion and the second jaw may be pivotably connected to the wing portion of the first jaw.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the vice apparatus may include a third jaw.

The second and third jaws may be provided as opposing side jaws. Each of the second and third jaws may be pivotably movable from an open position towards each other and towards the first jaw. This allows the work piece to be top loaded in the vice without requiring any lateral movement to avoid the jaws.

The second and third jaws may be movable downwards relative to the first jaw. The second and third jaws may be configured to move downwards relative to the first jaw when they are moved from the open position.

The vice apparatus may include anchoring means for securing the apparatus, such as to the ground, a wall or another structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vice apparatus for clamping a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a first and a second jaw, wherein one of the jaws is movable towards the other jaw to clamp a work piece interposing the jaws; and a support member for initially receiving and supporting the work piece prior to clamping by the jaws.

The support member may comprise a plurality of rollers.

The support member may be movable from a first position in which the work piece is supported to a second position in which the work piece and the support member are separated when the work piece is held by the jaws.

The support member may be coupled to at least one of the first and second jaws such that the support member is moved towards the second position as the first and second jaws are moved towards each other.

One of the first and second jaws may be configured to support the work piece from below when the support member is moved towards the second position. Alternatively, the first and second jaws may be lateral jaws for clamping opposing side portions of the work piece.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention with the second jaw in a closed position; FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the second jaw in an intermediary position; FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the second jaw in a closed position; FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of the jaws of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the set of rollers in a lowered position; FIG. 5 is a perspective detailed view of the jaws of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the set of rollers in a raised position; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention with the second and third jaws in a closed position; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the second and third jaws in an intermediary position; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 6 with the second and third jaws in an open position; and FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 9 showing the guide tracks and coupling of the second and third jaws and rollers.

S

Figures ito 3 shows a vice apparatus 10 for clamping a work piece (not shown). The apparatus 10 comprises a stand 12 which structurally supports the jaw assembly on a base 14 and which includes the operating members of the jaw assembly. The base i4 provides means for anchoring the vice apparatus 10 to the ground.

The jaw assembly comprises a first jaw 20. The first jaw 20 has an arcuate profile with a number of teeth 22 extending upwards from the profile. The first jaw 20 is concave with respect to a work piece placed on the first jaw 20. Therefore, unlike conventional vices, the first jaw 20 supports a work piece from underneath. Therefore, the clamping force does not need to overcome the weight of the work piece, only prevent movement or rotation when work is being performed on the work piece. This eliminates or reduces any deformation or damage to the work piece.

The first jaw 20 includes a wing portion 24 which extends laterally from the body of the first jaw 20.

The jaw assembly also comprises a second jaw 30. The second jaw 30 is pivotably coupled to the wing portion 24 of the first jaw 20 and so is pivotable between an open position (Figure 3) in which the two jaws are separated and a closed position (Figure 1) in which the two jaws are together (and clamping any interposing work piece).

The second jaw 30 is coupled to a vertical piston, the rod 32 of which can be raised and lowered. This may be done hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or even manually. A first operating member 34 is provided at the stand for operating the piston to move the second jaw 30 in either direction.

The apparatus is configured so that raising of the piston rod 32 pivots the second jaw 30 away from the first jaw 20 thus opening the vice iO. The coupling arrangement and the travel of the piston rod 32 are such that the second jaw 30 pivots to nearly a vertical orientation. Since the second jaw 30 is connected to the wing portion 24 of the first jaw 20, this causes the second jaw 30 to be moved clear to a side of the first jaw 20 thus allowing top loading of the vice 10 with little or no lateral moving of the work piece. Rather the work piece can simply be lowered to the first jaw 20.

The second jaw 30 is also arcuate and concave with respect to a work piece located below the second jaw 30. This arrangement allows the vice 10 to be used with a wide range of sizes/diameters of work piece.

The vice apparatus 10 includes a set of rollers 40 positioned at the first jaw 20. As shown in Figures ito 3, an upper surface of the set of rollers 40 is at a greater height than the upper surface of the first jaw 20. Therefore, when a work piece is introduced to the vice 10, it will rest on the set of rollers 40 rather than the first jaw 20. If the introduced work piece is not at the desired orientation, it can readily be rotated in either direction about its longitudinal axis. Also, after working on the work piece while it is at a first orientation, the vice 10 can readily be opened (without having to temporarily support the work piece) and the work piece rotated to a second orientation for further work to be performed.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the set of rollers 40 are movable. The set of rollers 40 can be lowered or raised. When lowered, the first jaw 20 will take up support of the work piece to allow full clamping when the second jaw 30 is closed.

The rollers are mounted within a bracket 42 which is pivotably coupled to the stand 12. A second piston 44 is connected to the bracket 42 at a point offset from the pivot point. This provides a lever arrangement and raising or lowering of the second piston rod 46 causes raising or lowering respectively of the rollers 40. The piston is operated by a second operating member in the form of a foot pedal 36.

Figures 6 to9 show a second embodiment of the invention and like features are given like reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the vice 10 includes a third jaw 50. The second and third jaws are provided as side jaws which cooperate with the first jaw 20 to provide clamping at at least three points. This distributes the clamping force to reduce any damage to the work piece.

Also, the side jaws provide clear access for introducing the work piece to the vice 10 by top loading.

The second and third jaws are coupled to the stand 12 using a moving pivot connection. As shown in Figure 9, each of the second and third jaws are coupled to the stand 12 via a roller and a guide member 62 provided within a guide track 64.

Each of the second and third jaws pivot about the roller 60. The roller 60 rolls against a profiled guide edge 66 of the stand 12. Co-operatively, the guide edge 66 and the guide member 62 within the guide track 64 cause each jaw to pivot towards each other as they move downwards. Therefore, the second and third jaws will retract into the body of the stand 12 as they close. And a work piece provided at the first jaw 20 will be captured within the three jaws.

This arrangement again allows the vice 10 to be used with a wide range of sizes/diameters of work piece.

As with the first embodiment, the vice 10 includes a set of rollers 40 provided at the first jaw and which can be raised or lowered. However, in this embodiment, the rollers 40 are coupled to the second and third jaws so that they automatically lower when the jaws are closed.

The rollers 40 are mounted in a bracket 68 which is coupled to the pivot roller GOof each of the second and third jaws. When the second and third jaws, and thus each pivot roller 60, moves downwards, the set of rollers 40 is also moved downwards. This allows the first jaw to take up support of the work piece from the set of rollers 40 prior to full clamping of the work piece.

Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Features of the first embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in the second embodiment and vice versa. For example, in the first embodiment, the set of rollers 40 may be coupled to the second jaw so that they automatically lower when the second jaw is closed.

Claims

Claims 1. A vice apparatus for clamping a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a first jaw adapted to support a work piece placed on the first jaw; a second jaw which is pivotably movable from an open position towards the first jaw, thereby contacting and then clamping the work piece.
2. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first jaw is concave with respect to a work piece placed on the first jaw.
3. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second jaw is concave with respect to a work piece located below the second jaw.
4. A vice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a set of rollers.
5. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the set of rollers is positioned at the first jaw.
6. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the set of rollers is positioned such that, when the vice apparatus is in an open position, an upper surface of the set of rollers is at a greater height than the upper surface of the first jaw.
7. A vice apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the set of rollers is movable.
8. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the set of rollers is movable in a downwards direction such that the first jaw takes up support of the work piece.
9. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 orB, wherein the set of rollers is coupled to the second jaw.
10. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the set of rollers are configured to move downwards when the second jaw is moved from the open position towards the first jaw.
11. A vice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second jaw is pivotably connected to a side portion of the first jaw.
12. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the first jaw includes a wing portion and the second jaw is pivotably connected to the wing portion of the first jaw.
13. A vice apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a third jaw.
14. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the second and third jaws are provided as opposing side jaws.
15. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein each of the second and third jaws are pivotably movable from an open position towards each other and towards the first jaw.
16. A vice apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the second and third jaws are movable downwards relative to the first jaw.
17. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the second and third jaws are configured to move downwards relative to the first jaw when they are moved from the open position.
18. A vice apparatus for clamping a work piece, the apparatus comprising: a first and a second jaw, wherein one of the jaws is movable towards the other jaw to clamp a work piece interposing the jaws; and a support member for initially receiving and supporting the work piece prior to clamping by the jaws. :ii
19. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of rollers.
20. A vice apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 or 19, wherein the support member is movable from a first position in which the work piece is supported to a second position in which the work piece and the support member are separated when the work piece is held by the jaws.
21. A vice apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the support member is coupled to at least one of the first and second jaws such that the support member is moved towards the second position as the first and second jaws are moved towards each other.
22. A vice apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 21, wherein one of the first and second jaws is configured to support the work piece from below when the support member is moved towards the second position.