US3915443A

US3915443A - Vise

Info

Publication number: US3915443A
Application number: US453429A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raoul Pascal Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-23
Filing date: 1974-03-21
Publication date: 1975-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-28
Also published as: GB1406209A; BE812759A; FR2222175B1; FR2222175A1; ES201600Y; CH578915A5; ES201600U; DE2412247A1

Abstract

A vise having a fixed base upon which is mounted a framework which is capable of being locked in any angular position relative to the base. The framework includes a fixed jaw and carries a slide and a turret rotatable upon the slide. The turret is capable of being locked in a plurality of positions corresponding to the successive alignment of movable jaw faces with the fixed jaw. A screw equipped with a conical head is rotated by a locking lever to successively tighten and loosen the turret relative to the slide. The locking lever simultaneously acts upon a cam carried by a spring biased locking finger to engage the locking finger within a recess in the turret when the screw is tightened and to disengage the locking finger from a recess when the screw is loosened.

Description

Lambert Oct. 28, 1975 VISE [76] Inventor: Raoul Pascal Lambert, 30, avenue Jean Jaures, 91480 Quincy-sous-Senart, France 22 Filed: Mar. 21, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 453,429

[30] I Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 23, 1973 France 73.10681 [52] US. Cl 269/76; 74/813 L; 269/82; 269/279 [51] Int. Cl. B23B 29/28; B25B 1/24 [58] Field of Search 269/70, 76, 82-85, 269/203, 279; 82/36 A; 74/826, 813 L [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 999,978 8/1911 Fisher 269/82 X 1,227,486 5/1917 Newman et al.... 82/31 2,107,635 2/1938 Junkermann 269/76 2,474,675 6/1949 .lankowski r. 74/826 X 3,136,030 6/1964 Jarrett 82/36 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 294,798 2/1954 Switzerland 269/279 Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-Neil Abrams Attorney, Agent, or FirmWeiser, Stapler & Spivak 57 ABSTRACT A vise having a fixed base upon which is mounted a framework which is capable of being locked in any angular position relative to the base. The framework includes a fixed jaw and carries a slide and a turret rotatable upon the slide. The turret is capable of being locked in a plurality of positions corresponding to the successive alignment of movable jaw faces with the fixed jaw. A screw equipped with a conical head is rotated by a locking lever to successively tighten and loosen the turret relative to the slide. The locking lever simultaneously acts upon a cam carried by a spring biased locking finger to engage the locking finger within a recess in the turret when the screw is tightened and to, disengage the locking finger from a recess when thescrew is loosened.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,915,443

US. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet2of3 3,915,443

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,915,443 I 13 e 12 ju 11 VISE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of machine tools, and more particularly, is directed to. a novel vise including a plurality of clamping faces.

Vises are already known which basically consist of a base, fixed in rotation, on which is mounted, movable in rotation, an orientable framework which can be immobilized in all relative positions by means of a locking member. This framework comprises a fixed jaw and is provided with a slide-block on which is displaced in translation a slide controlled by a longitudinal screw. The slide is fitted with a turret, of polygonal form, mounted rotatively with respect to said slide, so that any one of its faces can be brought selectively into a plane parallel to the fixed jaw. The turret is immobilized with respect to the slide, in any position, by means of a locking finger subjected to the action of a resilient member. The upper end of the locking finger penetrates into any one of a number of blind holes with which the turret is provided, the position of these holes corresponding to the alignment of one of the faces of the turret with the fixed jaw of the framework.

The member for locking'and unlocking the turret with respect to the slide generally consists, on one hand, of a lever located on the right hand side of the vise, and on the other hand, of a second lever, located on the left hand side of this same vise, which serves to retract the locking finger. These two levers, which project on both sides of the vise, constitute a considerable hindrance, particularly during sawing operations. For these levers are often damaged by the saw, since they project with respect to the lateral faces of the vise. In addition, the member for locking the orientable framework with respect to the base, fixed in rotation, is generally constituted by a threaded rod screwing into a blind hole of the base after having passed through the framework. This member is generally inaccessible and undoubtedly hinders the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the field of vises and more particularly is directed to a vise having a fixed jaw and a rotary jaw and wherein the rotary jaw is provided with a plurality of clamping faces.

This invention relates to a vise of the above type characterized in that the turret is connected to the slide by means of a screw with a conical head which is integral with an angularly displacablelocking lever. The lever acts on a cam which is provided with a locking finger which is subject to the action of a resilient member. The finger, when in the locked position of the turret, is engaged in a recess. The displacement of the locking lever simultaneously causes either the locking finger to retract and the screw with the conical head to unscrew to allow the turret to rotate freely, or to tighten the screw and raise the locking finger to lock the turret with respect to the slide.

According to a characteristic feature of the invention, the turret is provided with a conicalrecess which acts as a seat for the head of the locking screw. The lower end of the locking screw is screwed into a threaded, blind hole of the slide. The body of the screw is provided with a radial orifice which-engages the end of the locking lever. The locking lever is immobilized in this orifice by a needle screw. vThe lever acts on the inclined ramp of a cam which is capable of retracting under the compressive force of a spring, and pulling the locking finger, integral with the cam, into the high position.

According to another characteristic feature of the invention, the slide is provided with a blind orifice in which the locking finger engages and is mounted resiliently. The upper end of the finger, in its high position, protrudes at the level of the slide and penetrates into any one of the orifices with which the turret is provided. The respective position of these orifices corresponds to the alignment of one of the faces of the turret with the fixed jaw of the framework.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vise of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a'novel vise which includes a-fixed jaw and a movable' jaw, the movable jaw being equipped with a rotatable turret to present any one of a plurality of faces in parallel juxtaposition to the fixed jaw.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel vise including a fixed jaw, a movable jaw equipped with a rotatable turret and means to lock the turret in any one of a plurality of angularly offset positions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel vise that is rugged in construction, inexpensive in manufacture and trouble free when in operation. 1

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the vise, partly in elevation and partly in section.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line AA of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device, looking from. the left of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the vise consists of a base 1 provided with a plate 2 in which are pierced holes 3 for the passage of securing members for immobilizing the base. The base 1 includes a cylindrical socket 4 on which the orientable framework 5 of the vise turns. The framework 5 is provided with a fixed jaw 6 which is equipped with a jaw face 7 fastened by the screw 8. The upper part of the base 1 is provided with a trapezoidal groove 9 (FIG. 3) which serves to lock the framework in all the relative positions with respect to the base. This locking is obtained, according to the invention, by means of a screw 10 provided with a control knob 11. The end 12 of the screw 10 cooperates with the side 13 of the groove 9 of the base, so that by tightening the screw and moving it in the direction of the arrow F the screw tends to clamp very tightly the annular shoulder 14 against the front face 15 of the framework. This force is exerted in the direction of the arrow Fl (FIG. 3).

The framework 5 additionally is provided with a slide-block with a dovetail 16 on which the slide 17 of the base 18 (FIG. 2) is movable. The base 18 is provided with an additional dovetail 19 and ,moves in translatory motion, the translatory movement of the slide being obtained by means of the control screw 20. The screw 20 connects to the head 21 which bears on the front face 22 of .the orientable framework 5, the screw being rotated by a grip 23 engaged in thishead. The screw .20 is fixed in translation with respect to the framework 5 by a ring 24 which is integral with the screw by means of a pin 25. V

The slide 17 is provided with a bronze sleeve 26 embedded in the recess 27, made in the slide, the sleeve being provided with a bore 28, into which the control screw 20 penetrates. The slide 17 is provided at its upper part witha rounded boss 29 on which the turret 30 turns, preferably through 360. The turret 30 has a polygonal form, for example square, and comprises on at least one of its four faces 31, a movable jaw 32. All of the other faces 31 may have different profiles to enable parts of various shapes to be clamped. According to the invention, the turret 30 is locked in one of its four (or more) positions corresponding to the alignment of one of its faces 31 with the fixed jaw 6 of the framework, by means, of a screw 33 and by a locking projection 35. The screw 33 includes a conical head 34 which is preferably masked by a cover 33.

In more detail, the turret is provided with a conical orifice 36 which serves as a seat for the head 34 of the locking screw 33. The end 37 of the locking screw 33 is screwed into a threaded, blind hole 38 of the slide 17. The body of the screw 33 is provided with a radial orifice 39, in which engages the end 40 of the locking lever 41. The locking lever 41 is made integral with the screw 33 by a needle screw 42 which passes through the head of the screw 33 and penetrates into the recess 43 with which the end of thelo'cking lever is provided. The slide 17 includes a blind orifice 44, slightly inclined, in which lodges a locking finger 45. The locking finger 45 is subjected to the action of a compression spring 46 which exerts a compressive force on the finger 45. The locking finger 45 (FIG. 2) is integral with the locking projection and with a cam 47 which has an inclined ramp 48. The cam serves to retract the locking finger 45 by cooperating with the lever 41 which is displaceable angularly.

In the locked position of the turret, the finger 45 is in the high position, as shown in FIG. 2, so that its locking projection 35 engages in one of the angularly offset blind orifices 49 of the turret 30, to immobilize the turret to prevent rotation. Likewise, in this position the conical screw 33 is locked in the orifice 38 of the slide, so that the turret is forced against the slide by interaction ofthe conical surfaces 34, 36.

When the lever 41, integral with the screw 33, is displaced angularly, the screw unlocks partially, and at the same time retracts the locking lever 45 which, in retracting, compresses the spring 46. This retraction is effected by means of the lever 41 which slides (Arrow G) (FIG. 2) on the inclined ramp 48 of the cam 47 and thus forces the locking finger to disengage from a blind orifice 49 of the turret.

Under these conditions, the turret is no longer integral with the slide, and can turn freely, so that the operator can bring any one of its front faces 31 opposite the fixed jaw 6 of the orientable, framework. When the lever 41 is displaced toward the right (arrow G1) the locking finger 45 is freed, so that the spring 46 in expanding returns the finger to its high position until the locking projection 35 penetrates into one of the blind holes 49 of the turret 30. Simultaneously, the displacement of the lever 41 drives in its angular course the screw 33, which is integral with it, so that it screws into the threaded orifice of the slide, thus immobilizing the turret with respect to the latter.

The design of the assembly enables the turret to be locked or unlocked with respect to the slide in a simple and convenient manner, without any lever protruding with respect to the two lateral facesof the vise, since the locking lever 41 in all cases is substantially in alignment with the vise, its angular course not allowing it to protrude on either side of this vise.

It will also be observed that the construction of the present invention permits the turret 30 to be clamped in any rotative position relative to the base 1, and the invention is not limited to aligning one of the turret jaws 32 in parallel relation to the fixed jaw face 7. It is equally possible to stop the turret 30 in any desired rotative position by means of the lever 41 and the screw 33. By turning the lever in the direction of the arrow G1 with the turret 30 in an. intermediate position, the screw 33 can be turned to clamp the turret with the jaws 6 and 32 out of parallel alignment so as to permit the clamping of non-rectilinear pieces. In such an angularly offset position, it will be noted that the locking projection 35 will not align with and seat within a blind orifice and that the locking finger will ride downwardly in the blind orifice 44 to compress the spring 46.

Of course, the invention relates to only one preferred mode of embodiment, on the basis of which other forms-and means of embodiment can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a vise including a fixed base and a framework affixed to the base wherein the framework carries a fixed jaw, the combination of A. a slide movable over the framework relative to the fixed jaw,

B. a turret rotatably mounted on the slide,

1. said turret including 'a plurality of movable jaws,

2. said movable jaws being angularly offset one from the other,

3. said turret having at least one blind orifice;

C. screw means to clamp the turret to the slide in any angularly oriented position;

D. lever means associated with the screw means to rotate the screw means in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for turret clamping and unclamping actions, respectively, said lever means being rotatable in either direction relative to the slide; and

E. locking finger means movable into and out of the blind orifice to lock the turret in a rotated position, said locking finger means being movable out of the blind orifice by contact with the lever means when the lever means is moved in the direction for turret unclamping.

2. The vise of claim 1 wherein the screw means include a screw having a conical head and wherein the turret is provided with a cooperating conical surface, the conical head bearing against the conical surface to lock the turret to the slide when the lever means is rotated in one of the said directions.

3. The vise of claim 1 wherein the locking finger means is continuously urged in a direction to contact the turret for locking purposes.

4. The vise of claim 1 wherein the locking, finger means includes a cam having an inclined ramp, the said operating lever being in contact with the inclined ramp to urge the locking finger out of the turret blind orifice when the lever is turned in the turret unclamping direction.

5. The vise of claim 1 wherein the turret is provided with a plurality of blind orifices and wherein the locking finger means seats within one said recess to lock the turret against rotative movement when the lever is turned in the turret clamping direction.

6. The vise of claim 1 wherein the locking finger means is continuously urged into the blind orifice of the turret by a spring, said spring biasing between a portion of the slide and the locking finger means.

7. The vise of claim 6 wherein the locking finger means compresses the spring when the operating lever is turned in the turret unclamping direction.

8. The vise of claim 5 wherein the blind orifices are positioned respectively to align a movable jaw in parallel relationship to the fixed jaw.

9. The vise of claim 8 wherein the locking finger means is seated within one of said orifices when the operatinng lever is rotated in the turret clamping direction to lock the turret to the slide.

10. The vise of claim 1 wherein the locking finger means contacts the turret outwardly of a said blind orifice when the operating lever is rotated in the turret clamping direction to lock the turret to the slide wherein the movable jaw is locked in non-parallel relationship to the fixed jaw.

11. The vise of claim 1 wherein the base is provided with an annular groove and the framework is provided with an opening in radial alignment with the groove and locking means movable within the opening and into contact with the groove to lock the framework to the base in a selected angularly oriented position.

12. The vise of claim 11 wherein the opening is threaded and the locking means are threadedly engaged within the opening.

13. The vise of claim 11 wherein the groove includes an inclined side, a portion of the locking means being in contact with the side for locking purposes.

14. The vise of claim 11 wherein the groove is trapezoidal in cross sectional configuration, and wherein the locking means is in angular contact with the groove to force the framework downwardly relative to the base.

15. The vise of claim 1 wherein the slide includes a longitudinal axis, a right side spaced to the right of the axis and a left side spaced to the left of the axis and wherein the lever means is positioned within the space defined between the right and left sides in all positions as the lever means is rotated in the said clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Claims

1. In a vise including a fixed base and a framework affixed to the base wherein the framework carries a fixed jaw, the combination of A. a slide movable over the framework relative to the fixed jaw, B. a turret rotatably mounted on the slide, 1. said turret including a plurality of movable jaws, 2. said movable jaws being angularly offset one from the other, 3. said turret having at least one blind orifice; C. screw means to clamp the turret to the slide in any angularly oriented position; D. lever means associated with the screw means to rotate the screw means in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for turret clamping and unclamping actions, respectively, said lever means being rotatable in either direction relative to the slide; and E. locking finger means movable into and out of the blind orifice to lock the turret in a rotated position, said locking finger means being movable out of the blind orifice by contact with the lever means when the lever means is moved in the direction for turret unclamping.

2. said movable jaws being angularly offset one from the other,

3. said turret having at least one blind orifice; C. screw means to clamp the turret to the slide in any angularly oriented position; D. lever means associated with the screw means to rotate the screw means in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for turret clamping and unclamping actions, respectively, said lever means being rotatable in either direction relative to the slide; and E. locking finger means movable into and out of the blind orifice to lock the turret in a rotated position, said locking finger means being movable out of the blind orifice by contact with the lever means when the lever means is moved in the direction for turret unclamping.

4. The vise of claim 1 wherein the locking finger means includes a cam having an inclined ramp, the said operating lever being in contact with the inclined ramp to urge the locking finger out of the turret blind orifice when the lever is turned in the turret unclamping direction.