This application claims priority upon Indian patent application Ser. No. 1720/MUM/2012 filed on Jun. 13, 2012.
The present disclosure relates to a vise apparatus for holding or clamping a workpiece.
A vise apparatus having a base portion is typically used to hold a workpiece which is to be machined or otherwise operated upon. There are various types of vises such as for example, a machinist's bench vise, a bench and pipe vise, a clamp base bench vise, a bench chain vise, and a bench yoke vise. The vise apparatus is typically fixed to a workbench to enable an operator to hold the workpiece firmly and perform a variety of machining operations such as drilling, cutting, and threading.
Generally, a vise apparatus consists of a holding arrangement to hold the workpiece at one end and support the workpiece at the other end. Usually, the holding arrangement in the vise apparatus, particularly in a bench yoke vise, consists of a clamping arrangement in order to clamp the workpiece by a pair of jaws. Typically, in such clamping arrangements, one of the jaws is fixed and the other jaw is displaceable so as to enable a workpiece with varied sizes and shapes to be operated on while clamped by the vise apparatus.
Usually, a workpiece with a regular and defined surface can readily be held in between the jaws of a vise apparatus. However, for a workpiece having an irregular or an undefined surface, a chain like structure is typically used for clamping the workpiece in the vise apparatus.
Once the workplace is firmly positioned and retained within a vise apparatus, various machining processes like cutting, threading, etc., can be performed on the workpiece. Additionally, in certain applications, bending operations are required to be performed on the workpiece. Bending operations typically performed on the workpiece generally involve incremental bending. However, it is not feasible to perform bending operations on the workpiece while in a clamped position. Hence, a separate arrangement or device is required for performing bending operations on the workpiece.
However, shifting the workpiece from one work bench or device to another for performing the bending operations and the machining operations on the workpiece is time consuming because such shifting involves multiple clamping and removing operations of the workpiece.
Bending fixtures provided on a vise apparatus are known so as to enable multiple operations at a single workbench and on the same vise apparatus. However, a conventional vise apparatus with a bending fixture is typically limited in the range of positions and orientations in which the workpiece can be placed prior to and during the bending operations.
Accordingly, a need exists for a vise apparatus that includes a bending fixture which addresses the drawbacks of conventional vise apparatuses with bending fixtures.
Some of the objects of the present disclosure aimed to address one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative are described herein below.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a multifunctional vise apparatus.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus which enables bending operations that are easy to perform by an operator.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus which enables easy insertion of a workpiece for bending operations.
Further, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise arrangement that involves a reduced number of steps in positioning the workpiece for bending operations.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus that is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus that enables reducing unproductive man hours.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vise apparatus is provided which includes a base portion and a holding arrangement for holding an elongated workpiece to be operated thereon. The vise apparatus comprises a bending fixture having at least one projection. The bending fixture supports and enables gravity assisted bending of the elongated workpiece.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a vise apparatus and bending fixture is provided which comprises a base portion, and a jaw arrangement including a recessed receiving region and one or more toothed jaws. At least one of the base portion and the jaw arrangement provides a substantially vertical front face. And, at least one projection extends from the front face. The at least one projection is adapted for contact with a workpiece during bending of the workpiece.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a vise apparatus and bending fixture is provided which comprises a base portion, a jaw arrangement disposed on or adjacent to the base portion, the jaw arrangement including at least one jaw member, and a support disposed on or adjacent to the base portion and spaced from the at least one jaw member by the base portion extending therebetween. At least one of the base portion, the jaw arrangement, and the support provide a substantially vertical front face. And the apparatus and bending fixture also comprises a first projection extending from the front face and a second projection extending from the front face. The first projection and the second projection constitute the bending fixture for receiving a workpiece and bending the workpiece upon application of a force to the workpiece.
Typically, the bending fixture is located on an operative and substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement.
Typically, the at least one projection has a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of a spool shape, a bobbin shape, a hemi-capstan shape and an arcuate shape.
Alternatively, the at least one projection is an element with a through hole. Typically, the through hole has a predetermined profile for bending the workpiece.
Alternatively, the at least one projection is an element with an arcuate shaped member extending from a neck portion. The arcuate shaped member is substantially orthogonal to the neck portion. The neck portion extends from a plane substantially perpendicular to the front face of the holding arrangement.
Typically, the bending fixture is integral with the operative and substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement.
Alternatively, at least one of the projections is displaceable.
Alternatively, the operative and substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement is provided with locational holes for fitting the bending fixture.
Alternatively, the bending fixture has a front bending portion and a threaded stem. The threaded stem is adapted to be threadably fitted to the locational hole.
Typically, the bending fixture is provided on the operative front face of the holding arrangement by a method selected from the group consisting of casting, threading, fastening, welding and press fitting.
As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.
Preferred embodiments of the vise apparatus with a bending fixture of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
a and
a and
a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bending fixture accordance with the present subject matter.
b illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the bending fixture shown in
Preferred embodiments of the vise apparatus with a bending fixture of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
In this specification, the following terms have the following definitions as given alongside. These are additions to the usual definitions expressed in the art.
The expression “workpiece” used in the specification refers to an elongated structure, such as, a rod, a tube, a pipe etc. upon which clamping and bending operations are to be performed.
The vise apparatus 20 includes a base portion 401 provided with a plurality of apertures 407 and at least one bending fixture. The vise apparatus 20 is fitted to a workbench by fixing arrangements such as threaded fasteners through apertures 407. The bending fixture comprises a plurality of projections 404 at the operative and substantially vertical front face 450 of the vise apparatus 20. The projections 404 serve to support a workpiece 412 such as shown in
a and
a and
The projections 404 and the displaceable projections 404a have a predetermined shape. Typically, the shape is selected from the group consisting of a spool shape, a bobbin shape, a hemi-capstan shape and an arcuate shape as shown in
a illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the bending fixture is an element 404d with a through hole 240, as shown in
The vise apparatus as described herein facilitates ease in bending a workpiece. Also, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure provides ease in inserting and pulling the workpiece. Additionally, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure provides a wide angle of operation while inserting and puffing of the workpiece. Further, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure further enables the workpiece to be inserted from any side of the operator. Again, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure is cost effective. A conventional bending fixture requires the workpiece to be bent in a horizontal plane and hence is required to be pulled or pushed by the operator. However, performing bending operations using the bending fixture provided on the vise apparatus of the present subject matter, the operator is able to apply his or her own body weight to bend the workpiece and is further assisted by the force of gravity.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantifies fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology.
All patents, applications, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
As described hereinabove, the present subject matter overcomes many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1720/MUM/2012 | Jun 2012 | IN | national |