Flexible element vise attachment
First Claim
1. A vise attachment for use on a vise assembly for holding objects having irregularly-shaped surfaces, comprising:
- a compact housing having an elongated opening on one side;
a plurality of holding elements slidably mounted adjacent to each other within said opening, each element having opposing front and back faces, said elements being movable between a retracted position with said front face adjacent to said housing and an extended position with said front face positioned away from said housing;
stop means coupled between said elements and said housing for interacting with said housing and setting a predetermined limit for extension of said front face from said housing when in the extended position;
a self distributing substantially non-resilient medium positioned within said housing adjacent said back faces of said elements having a predetermined volume for filling said housing when said elements are in a retracted position; and
reset and distribution means for automatically exerting a force on said elements and said medium and for causing said front face of said elements to move through said opening until prevented from moving further by said stop means or an object, comprising;
a pressure plate disposed between a back side of said housing and said medium, said back side being opposite said elongated opening; and
spring means disposed between said pressure plate and said housing back side for urging said plate towards said element back faces.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vise attachment for use on a vise assembly for holding objects having irregularly-shaped surfaces, comprising a small compact housing having a plurality of blade elements disposed adjacent to each other and slidably mounted within a rectangular opening on one side of the housing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each element preferably comprises a plate member having smooth planar surfaces and a concave curved back edge and stop means disposed on upper and lower edges for setting a limit for extension of the blade from the housing. A self-distributing non-resilient medium is positioned within the housing and has a predetermined volume for filling the housing when the blades are in a retracted position. A distribution and reset means causes the blades to reposition themselves to extend fully through the rectangular opening when not holding an object.
35 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vise attachment for use on a vise assembly for holding objects having irregularly-shaped surfaces, comprising:
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a compact housing having an elongated opening on one side; a plurality of holding elements slidably mounted adjacent to each other within said opening, each element having opposing front and back faces, said elements being movable between a retracted position with said front face adjacent to said housing and an extended position with said front face positioned away from said housing; stop means coupled between said elements and said housing for interacting with said housing and setting a predetermined limit for extension of said front face from said housing when in the extended position; a self distributing substantially non-resilient medium positioned within said housing adjacent said back faces of said elements having a predetermined volume for filling said housing when said elements are in a retracted position; and reset and distribution means for automatically exerting a force on said elements and said medium and for causing said front face of said elements to move through said opening until prevented from moving further by said stop means or an object, comprising; a pressure plate disposed between a back side of said housing and said medium, said back side being opposite said elongated opening; and spring means disposed between said pressure plate and said housing back side for urging said plate towards said element back faces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. The vise assembly for holding objects from more than one direction, comprising:
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at least two compact housings each having a rectangular opening on one side; a plurality of blades disposed adjacent to each other and slidably mounted within said rectangular opening and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, each blade comprising; a generally rectangular plate member having two substantially parallel sides and front, back, upper, and lower faces, said sides and front face being smooth planar surfaces, said back face configured in the form of a concave arc extending between said upper and lower faces; and stop means disposed on said upper and lower faces for interacting with said housing and setting a predetermined limit for extension of said front face from said housing when in the extended position; a plurality of self distributing non-resilient spheres positioned within said housing adjacent said back faces of said blades having a predetermined volume for filling said housing when said blades are in a retracted position; and reset means for causing said front face of said blades to move through said rectangular opening until prevented from moving further by said stop means or an object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A vise attachment for use on a vise assembly for holding objects having irregularly-shaped surfaces, comprising:
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a compact housing having an elongated opening on one side; a plurality of holding elements slidably mounted adjacent to each other within said opening, each element having opposing front and back faces, and substantially planar side faces disposed therebetween, said elements being movable between a retracted position with said front face adjacent to said housing and an extended position with said front face positioned away from said housing; stop means coupled between said elements and said housing for interacting with said housing and setting a predetermined limit for extension of said front face from said housing when in the extended position; a self distributing substantially non-resilient medium positioned within said housing adjacent said back faces of said elements having a predetermined volume for filling said housing when said elements are in a retracted position; reset and distribution means for automatically exerting a force on said elements and said medium and for causing said front face of said elements to move through said opening until prevented from moving further by said stop means or an object; and focusing means for focusing forces exerted by and between said back faces and said medium due to interaction with objects against said front faces, to a central portion of said back faces. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification