US2485641A

US2485641A - Screw operated vise having a toothed nut and displaceable ratchet for quick opening

Info

Publication number: US2485641A
Application number: US590762A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray M Nelson
Original assignee: BIRTMAN ELECTRIC CO
Current assignee: BIRTMAN ELECTRIC Co
Priority date: 1945-04-28
Filing date: 1945-04-28
Publication date: 1949-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 1966-10-25

Description

Oct. 25, 1949; I NELSON 2,485,641 SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHED NUT AND DISPLACEABLE RATCHET FOR QUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 25, 1949. R. M. NELSON 2,435,641

SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHED NUT AND DISPLACEABLE RAICHET FOR QUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I R. M. NELSON ,485,641 SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHED NUT AND v DISPLACEABLE RATCHET FOR QUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 25, 1949.-

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATE FATENT OFFICE Ray M. Nelson, Rock Island, 111., assignor to Birtman Electric Company Application April 28, 1945, Serial N0. 590,762

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a quick-opening vise in which the movable jaw structure of the vise can readily be moved to desired position relative to the fixed jaw structure, and relates also to an automatic lock for looking a Vise in any desired position on its base.

The ordinary machinists vise has two clamping jaws, one fixed in position and the other movable relative thereto. These Vises include a threaded bolt extending from the movable jaw to the fixed jaw, employed for tightening and loosening the jaws. In such a vise it is necessary to unscrew the bolt when it is desired to open the vise for a larger piece of work. The opening of the j ws by unscrewing the bolt is slow and laborious.

I have invented a quick acting vise wherein the movable jaw structure may be readily disengaged from the fixed jaw structure and moved to any desired position without requiring the unscrewing of the bolt necessary in opening the old vises. In my new vise the movable jaw may be positioned wherever desired relative to the fixed jaw structure, the work placed within the jaws, and the jaws then tightened by turning the bolt, as in the old vises. I have also invented an automatically locking base for the vise in which the body portion of the vise is locked to the base in any desired position relative thereto by merely tightening the bolt to clamp the jaws together. The vise which is the subject of this invention is of simple and sturdy construction, and permits the worker to do his work more emciently than he was able to with the prior vises.

The invention will be described as related to a typical embodiment of the same set out in the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vise embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the vise of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a Vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken along line ii6 of Fig. 3; Fig. '7 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3 but showing the vise in open position; and Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

The vise shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a base H], a fixed jaw structure H, rotatably mounted by means of screw I2 on the base, and a movable jaw structure [3. The movable jaw structure has a horizontal elongated section l4 inserted in an opening in the fixed jaw structure. This elongated section It carries a threaded screw [5 in its interior, which engages an elongated nut l6, also within the horizontal section M. The bolt and nut are both capable of movement with the movable jaw structure. The bolt i5 is rotatably held within the elongated section [4 by means of a mounted plate H at the rear of the vise and a collar l8 engaging a downward projecting portion I 9 that is located at the front of the vise. This collar is held in place by means of a headless screw l9 bearing upon the bolt l5. At the front of the bolt, and pressing against the downward projecting portion w there is located the usual enlarged head 2| that serves as a mounting for a lever 22. This lever is used for turning the threaded bolt [5.

The elongated nut I6 is provided on its bottom with serrations 23 forming a rack, with each serration having a rear portion substantially vertical, and a front portion sloping downward. Mounted beneath the elongated nut and within the bottom of the fixed jaw structure is a ratchet 24 having serrations on its top surface normally engaging those of the elongated nut 16. The serrations on the ratchet 24 are similar in shape to those on the nut l6, but are positioned opposite thereto so that the ratchet 24 and nut 16 are normally in closely engaged relationship. In order to provide this close engagement the ratchet is normally urged upward by means of the spring 25. The ratchet 24 and sprin 25 are both mounted in a depression 26 in the base of the fixed jaw structure.

In order to provide for disengaging the ratchet 24 from the elongated nut [6 there is provided a horizontal opening 2! near the top of the ratchet. Through this hole there extends a horizontal bar 28 arranged beneath the nut I6 and substantially parallel thereto. The bar has raised portions 29 at each end. At each end of the elongated nut Hi there are positioned downwardly extending studs 30 adjacent the raised portions 29 on the bar 28. These studs have sloping surfaces corresponding to sloping surfaces on the raised portions 29. As shown in Fig. 3, the studs are located in front of the raised portions so that when the bolt I5 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, which is opposite that used for clamping the jaws, the nut will move backward so that the studs push the horizontal bar. 23 down. This serves to disengage the ratchet 24 from the nut I5. In order to guide the horizontal bar 28 in its movement, there is provided near the rear of the elongated section M a horizontal pin 35, extending at right angles to the bar through a vertical slot 32.

Grooves

33 and 34 are provided in the vise beneath the bar 28 to permit movement of the bar.

The quick opening vise operates as follows: When the vise is in clamping position as shown in Fig. 3, the bolt I5 is turned in a counterclockwise direction looking from the front of the vise, in order to release the movable jaw structure I3. The turning of the vise in the counterclockwise direction for about one-half a turn causes the elongated nut IE to move backward along the bolt. The backward movement pushes the horizontal bar 28 down when the studs 30%10 press against the raised portion 29 of the bar.. This also pushes the ratchet. 24 downagainst the action of ratchet spring 25', and disengages the serrated portion of the ratchet from the serrated portion of the nut Hi. In this positionthe movable jaw structure can be moved to anydesired position relative to the fixed jaw structure. The work can then be placed between the jaws 35 and the vise tightened by turning the.

bolt 15 in clockwise direction. The clockwise turning serves to pull thenut forward and permitthe bar 28 and ratchet 24- to move back to its normal position under the. influence of ratchet spring 25. In this position the serrations on the ratchet engagethe serrations 0n the nut. the particular shape of the serrations, further tightening ofthe bolt l6 servesto draw the jaws 35 tightly together, thereby binding the work be tween. the hardened steel surfaces 36 of the jaws 3.5.

The vise illustrated in the. accompanying drawings also includes an automatic lock for. locking the rotatable portion of. the. vise to itsbase. This locking mechanism works automatically as the vise jawsare tightened. around Work heldtherebetween.

In the base It. of the vise there is provided a.

that portion of the fixed jaw structure which holds the ratchet 2'4. Thisportion 42 has a top surrounding the elongated nut" [5, which is'slidably mounted therein; The ratchet holding portion 62 is loosely mounted within the bottom-of the fixed jaw structure so that it isfree to move horizontally from front to back of the vise. In order to permit this movement to be unrestrained, the bolt 38 extending from the base tothe rotatable portion of the vise extends througha hole 93 in the wedge shaped portion; and this hole is considerably larger than the bolt. The

ratchet holding portion $2 is normally held to-- ward the rear of the vise by means ofa spring 44.

.Che automatic locking device operates as follows: When the vise is in open position as shown in Fig. '7 the spring M pushes the ratchet holding portion 62 toward the rear ofthe-Vise. This permits the two wedge shaped portions 39, 4+ to fit loosely against each other and thus permiteasy rotation of the vise. As soon as workis placed between the jaws 35, and the bolt l5 tightened in engagement with ratchet M, the pull on the ratchet forces the holding portion- 42-'"toward the front of" the vi'se, and locks the two wedges 39, 4! together. wedges locks thevise firmly on itsbase;

Having described my invention' in considerable Due to- This locking of' the 4 detail as related to a typical embodiment of the same, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of these details unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Attention is directed to my co-pending application, Serial No. 591,548,. filed May 2, 1945, now Patent No; 2,471,444, dated May 31, 1949, wherein other features of the vise are claimed.

I claim:

1. A. quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping: jaw; structure, a fixed clamping jaw structure;. a: threaded bolt mounted in the movable jaw structure, a nut having at least one side serrated engaging said bolt, said bolt and nut being" capable of movement with the movable jawstructure, a-ratchet mounted in the fixed jaw structure engaging said serrations for holding the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jaws together, a displaceable member mounted in the movable;jawzstructure .andslidably engaging said ratchet. and stud mounted on said: nut for'dis-' ablejaw structure; anut having at least one side serrated. engaging said bolt, said bolt. and nut being capable of movement with the movable jaw structure, a. ratchet mounted in the fixed. jaw' structure engaging said: serrations for holding.

the nut fixed. preparatory to clamping the jaws the nut preparatory to moving the movable jaw structure.- relative to the fixed jaw structure;

3; A. quick opening; vise; comprising a movable clamping. jaw: structure, at fixed clamping: jaw structure, a threaded. bolt. mounted in; the: mov able jawv structure, a. nut having at least oneside serrated engaging said; bolt, said: bolt and nut being capable of movement with the movablejaw structure; a. ratchet. mounted in' the fixed jaw structure engaging said serrations for holding the. nut fixed; preparatoryto clampingthejaws together, a spring urging. the ratchet into nut engaging position, a; rod member mounted in the movablejaw structure'and slidably engaging; said. ratchet, and; means mounted. on' the nut for'ens gaging said: rodmember. to displace. the rod member bodily away from the nut,v thereby disengaging the: ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving: the movable j aw' structurerelative tov the fixed jaw structure, said means being operable when. the bolt. is: moved in. a. direction opposite that employed. in clamping the jaws;

4. A quickopening vise comprising. a. movable clamping. jaws structure, a: fixed clamping ja-w structure, a. threaded bolt: mounted in: the; movable jaw structure; a nut havingat least one side serrated engaging. said bolt, said! bolt and nut: being capable ofmovement with the movable. jaw

structure, a ratchet mounted in the hired jawstructure engaging said serrations for holding. the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jaws together, a spring urging the ratchet into nut engaging position, a rodmember mountedthe movable 'j aw-st'ructureand slidably engaging said ratchet, said rod member being mounted substantially parallel to said nut and having at least one beveled raised portion extending toward the nut, and at least one stud extending from the nut in contact with the bar member adjacent the front of the raised portion, so that movement of the bolt in a direction opposite that employed in clamping the jaws causes the stud to move onto the raised portion of the rod member and displace it, thereby disengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving the movable jaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

5. A quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping jaw structure, a fixed clamping jaw structure, a threaded bolt mounted in the movable jaw structure and capable of being rotated about its major axis, an elongated nut having a flat side with serrations therein and engaging said bolt but held against .rotation therewith, said bolt and nut being capable of movement with the movable jaw structure, a ratchet mounted in the fixed jaw structure having serrations normally engaging those of the elongated nut for holding the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jaws together, a spring urging the ratchet into nut engaging position, a rod member mounted in the movable jaw structure substantially parallel to the elongated nut and slidably engaging said ratchet, a beveled raised portion on said rod member extending toward the nut, a stud extending from the nut and in contact with the rod member adjacent the front of said raised portion, so that movement of the bolt in a direction opposite that employed in clamping the jaws causes the stud to move onto the raised portion of the rod member and displace it away from the nut, thereby disengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving the movable jaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

6. A quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping jaw structure, a fixed clamping jaw structure, a threaded bolt mounted in the movable jaw structure and capable of being rotated about its major axis, an elongated nut having a fiat side with serrations therein and engaging said bolt but held against rotation therewith, said bolt and nut being capable of movement with the movable jaw structure and said serrations extending along the nut a distance greater than the distance of movement of the movable jaw structure, a ratchet mounted in the fixed jaw structure having serrations along one side normally engaging a portion of those of the elongated nut for holding the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jaws together, said ratchet serrations extending a shorter distance than those of the nut and the difierence between the two distances being substantially equal to the distance of permissible movement of the movable jaw structure, a spring urging the ratchet into nut engaging position, a rod member mounted in the movable jaw structure substantially parallel to the elongated nut and slidably engaging said ratchet, a beveled raised portion on each end of said rod member extending toward the nut with each raised portion being beyond the end of the nut serrations, a pair of studs extending from the rod member with one stud being in contact with the rod member adjacent the front of one raised portion and the other stud adjacent the front of the other raised portion, so that movement of the bolt in a direction opposite that employed in clamping the jaws causes the studs to move onto the raised portions and displace the rod member away from the nut, thereby disengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving the movable jaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

RAY M. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,260 Lewis June 12, 1883 286,345 Thorp Oct. 9, 1883 340,930 Wyman Apr. 27, 1886 380,734 Tobey Apr. 10, 1888 496,498 Walker May 2, 1893 587,749 McKenzie Aug. 10, 1897 710,482 Long Oct. 7, 1902 791,741 Williamson June 6, 1905 962,983 Schlosser June 28, 1910 969,401 Peterson Sept. 6, 1910 1,411,578 Munger Apr. 4, 1922 1,749,491 Kokay Mar. 4, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,056 Great Britain May 24, 1894 2,630 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1904 75,797 Switzerland Feb. 1. 1918