Precision vise

• US 6,755,408 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Walter
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Walter
• Inventors: Walter, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US10/144,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 219/69.11, 219/69.12, 269/136, 269/266
• US Class Current: 269/136
• CPC Class Codes: B23H 11/003 Mounting of workpieces, e.g. working-tables
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2405 Construction of the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2484 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2489 Slideways

Abstract

A vise with the precision to match the quality expected from a wire electrical discharge machine. A quality vise is provided to locate parts with extreme repeatability from part to part enabling production of parts with exact duplication. With the range of the vise opening a variety of sizes of parts may be held, and with the low compact profile of the vise there is a decrease likelihood of run into interference with the wire electric discharge machine while in the cutting operation. Due to the exposure of water in the cutting operation on the wire electrical discharge machine the vise is made from stainless steel. The vise comprising a body comprising sidewalls and a main alignment surface, the main alignment surface having a length and for contacting a workpiece along its length, with a solid stationary jaw extending from the main alignment surface for contacting the workpiece during clamping of the vise. A movable jaw than moves in the slot in the body and wherein the slot is defined by radiused contours which provide support to the sidewalls and prevent the sidewalls from being forced outward during clamping. The movable jaw comprising an insert to assist in clamping the workpiece to the alignment surface.

Claims

1. A vise for holding a workpiece, the vise comprising:

a) a body having a length and comprising side walls and a main alignment surface, the main alignment surface for contacting the workpiece and for aligning the workpiece, the body having radiused contours that define a slot extending through the length or the body,

b) a solid stationary jaw extending from the main alignment surface for contacting the workpiece during clamping of the vise,

c) a movable jaw positioned in the slot and the slot and for guiding the movable jaw when it is moved toward or away from the stationary jaw, the radiused contours for providing support to the side walls and for preventing the side walls from being forced outward during clamping of the movable jaw, and

d) a first axis of repeatability extending along the main alignment surface and a second axis of repeatability extending through the solid stationary jaw, the first axis of repeatability and second axis of repeatability for allowing a plurality of workpieces to be precisely held one after the other between the stationary jaw and the movable jaw.

2. A vise for holding a workpiece, the vise comprising:

a) a body comprising side walls a main alignment surface and a length, the body of the vise having radiused contours defining a slot that extends the length of the body and through the body,

b) a stationary jaw extending from the main alignment surface,

c) a movable vise jaw guided and carried through the slot that is defined by the radiused contours, the radiused contours for providing support to the side walls and for preventing the side walls from being forced outward during clamping, the movable vise jaw for drawing the workpiece to the alignment surface as the workpiece is clamped between the movable vise jaw and the stationary jaw, the movable vise jaw comprising an insert positioned at an angle such that when the movable vise jaw clamps against the workpiece it moves inwardly towards the alignment surface, and

d) elastic retainers positioned between the insert and the movable vise jaw, the elastic retainers for allowing the insert to clamp against the workpiece in a direction toward the alignment surface.

3. A method of holding a workpiece with a vise comprising the steps of:

a) providing a body comprising side walls and a main alignment surface, the main alignment surface having a length and for contacting the workpiece along its length,

b) providing a solid stationary jaw extending from the main alignment surface of the body,

c) providing the body with radiused contours and defining a slot through the body with the radiused contours and wherein the radiused contours are for providing support to the side walls during clamping,

d) providing a movable jaw and positioning the movable jaw in the slot defined by the radiused contours, and

e) clamping a workpiece between the stationary jaw and the movable jaw.