This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/061,990, filed Aug. 6, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Known vise assemblies are positioned within a base and are used to hold a piece part for machining. The vise assembly provides for one or more piece parts to be securely held while maintaining accurate registration for machining.
For these and other reasons, a need exists for the present invention.
One or more examples include a vise assembly for securely and accurately holding a piece-part or multiple piece-parts for machining. In one example, the vise assembly includes a vise body, and lead screw. A center support attaches and supports the lead screw on the body. A pusher converts torque from the lead screw to force applied to the vise jaws and piece-part. Quick change jaws are operably coupled to the vise body. The jaws contact and hold the piece-part, are reversible, and no tools are required to position the jaws on the vise body. Jaw pushers are reversible to allow inward and outward clamping. A radiused nosed jaw pusher generates constant contact with internal jaw ramps to produce correct axial force to downward force ratio to effectively clamp parts while reducing jaw lift. In some instances, pull studs extend from the vise body for engagement with a base assembly.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
One or more examples include a vise assembly for securely and accurately holding a piece-part for machining. In one example, the vise assembly includes a vise body and lead screw. A center support attaches and supports the lead screw on the vise body. A pusher converts torque from the lead screw to force applied to the vise jaws and piece-part. Quick change jaws are operably coupled to the vise body. The jaws contact and hold the piece-part or piece-parts, are reversible, and no tools are required to position the jaws onto the pushers and on the vise body. The jaw pushers are reversible to produce either inward or outward piece part clamping. The jaws and jaw pushers connections is such that both inward or outward force is generated at the same time downward force is generated to reduce unwanted jaw lifting. Pull studs extend from the bottom of vise body for engagement with a base assembly (as shown in
The vise assembly 100 includes a lead screw 102 positioned within the vise body 110. A center support 104 attaches and supports the lead screw 102 on the vise body 110.
The vise assembly 100 further includes a pair of jaw pushers, illustrated as first jaw pusher 116 and second jaw pusher 118. During operation of the vise assembly 100, the first jaw pusher 116 and the second jaw pusher 118 are operably positioned on the lead screw 102. The first jaw 112 and the second jaw 114 are movably coupled to the vise body 110 via the pair of jaw pushers. In one aspect, the first jaw 112 is removably coupled to the first jaw pusher 116 and the second jaw 114 is removably coupled to the second jaw pusher 118. The first jaw pusher 116 and the second jaw pusher 118 convert torque from operation of the lead screw 102 to a force that is applied to the first jaw 112 and the second jaw 114, and transferred to a workpiece (not shown) positioned in the vise assembly 100.
The vise assembly 100 including advantageous features of the vise body 110, the first jaw 112, the second jaw 114, the first jaw pusher 116, the second jaw pusher 118, the lead screw 102 and center support 104 is described in further detail in this specification.
In one example, first jaw pusher 116 includes a first jaw insert 120 having a first top edge 122 and a second top edge 124 that extend longitudinally across a top 126 of the first jaw pusher 116. The first top edge 122 is an outward extending radius edge. In one example, the outward extending radius edge has a bull nose design.
The first jaw 112 includes a jaw top 130, and jaw bottom 132, a primary holding surface 134 and a secondary holding surface 135. The jaw bottom 132 includes a first jaw recess 136 (inside of first jaw 112 in
Similarly, second jaw pusher 118 includes a second jaw insert 140 having a first top edge 142 and a second top edge 144 that extend longitudinally across a top 146 of the second jaw pusher 116. The first top edge 142 is an outward extending radius edge. In one example, the outward extending radius edge has a bull nose design.
The second jaw 114 includes a jaw top 150, and jaw bottom 152, a primary holding surface 154 and a secondary holding surface 155. The jaw bottom 152 includes a second jaw recess 156 (inside second jaw 114 which is identical to 112 jaw bottom opening 136) configured to receive the second jaw insert 140. The second jaw recess 156 includes a ramped surface (not shown but same as 176 and 178 on 112 jaw in
In one example, jaw top 130 and jaw top 150 each include machined edges to aid in holding a piece part. In one example, the machined edges are serrated edges. The design of jaw top 130 and jaw top 150 is described in detail later in this specification.
As best seen in
Recess 136 extends into first jaw 112 from bottom surface 164. Recess 136 includes an opening 168 in surface 164 that extends longitudinally between rail 166a and 166b. Recess 136 is sized to receive first jaw insert 120 from first jaw 112. Additionally, the design of recess 136 allows the first jaw 112 to be positioned on the first jaw pusher without the use of tools.
In cross-section, the recess 136 includes a generally flat top 170 with a first sidewall 172 and a second sidewall 174 that extend longitudinally within the first jaw 112. The first sidewall 172 includes a first angled surface 176 near the interface of the first sidewall 172 and the top 170. Second sidewall 174 includes a second angled surface 178 near the interface of the second sidewall 174 and the top 170. The first angled surface 176 and the second angled surface 178 extend longitudinally along the top, and aid in receiving and maintaining the first jaw pusher 116 jaw insert 120. In one example, the first angled surface 176 and second angled surface 178 each form a longitudinal slot the extends along top 170. By locating an angled surface on each side of the top 170, the first jaw 112 is reversible and can be positioned on the first jaw pusher 112 in either direction.
The first sidewall 172 includes a first pocket 182 and the second sidewall 174 includes a second pocket 184. In one example, the first pocket 182 is located beneath the first angled surface 176 and the second pocket 184 is located beneath the second angled surface 178. The first pocket 182 and the second pocket 184 are located and aligned on the corresponding sidewalls 172,174 to receive a maintaining mechanism when positioned on a jaw pusher. 182 and 184 represent just one such pocket in
As illustrated in
Ramps 182 and 176 on the jaws are strategically angled to produce an effective amount of downward force against the vise body along with horizontal force to greatly reduce or eliminate jaw lift created when piece parts are clamped high on the jaw. Clamping a piece part high on the jaw can produce excessive reactive forces high on the jaws at the same time the jaw pushers are producing inward forces low on the jaws. This is countered with the use of the radiused bottom edge of the first top edge 122 pushing horizontally against the ramp which then produces reactive forces downward into the vise body and horizontally to hold piece parts. The bottom radiused edge has an adjacent surface that is angled enough such that the portion of the ramp of the jaw below the radiused edge is never touched. This prevents a cross-over in surfaces which would, in effect, produce jaw lift instead of jaw pull down. Past known devices simply have a ramp on the jaw pusher contacting an internal ramp on the jaw where cross-over of force direction can occur during clamping due to high forces bending the jaw pushers or jaws.
In one example, a pusher radiused edge has a surface angle different (and mismatched) than the angled surface of the ramp that it contacts when the jaw is positioned on the pusher. The geometry of the connection of the jaw and the pusher are intentionally of mismatched angles to allow for deflection of the jaw and pusher under load while maintaining contact at a consistent point of the radiused edge (e.g., a bull nose) of the pusher (e.g., see
In one example illustrated, first jaw 112 is positioned on first jaw pusher 116 with primary holding surface 134 facing inward towards a center of the vise body 110. First jaw 112 is reversible, and can also be positioned on the first jaw pusher 116 with the primary holding surface 134 facing outward away from the center of the vise body 110 as represented by arrow 252. Similarly, second jaw 114 is positioned on second jaw pusher 118 with primary holding surface 154 facing inward towards a center of the vise body 110. Second jaw 114 is reversible, and can also be positioned on the second jaw pusher 118 with the primary holding surface 154 facing outward away from the center of the vise body 110 as represented by arrow 254.
Additionally, the jaws are reversible and interchangeable with other jaw pushers. As such, first jaw 112 can be positioned on second jaw pusher 118, and is reversible on second jaw pusher 118. Second jaw 114 can be positioned on first jaw pusher 116 and is reversible on first jaw pusher 116. This is represented by arrow 256.
Jaw pushers are reversible on their respective side of the vise assembly 100, but cannot be positioned on the other side of the vise assembly due to the required matching of right hand and left hand threads on the lead screw. In other words, the jaw pushers themselves can be reversed for inward or outward clamping but only on the same ends that match the right or left hand threads. The left hand threaded jaw pusher cannot be put onto the right hand threads of the lead screw.
In one example further illustrated in
In one example, lead screw 102 is illustrated with center support 104 positioned on the lead screw 102. The lead screw 102 and center support 104 are a matched set assembly. The lead screw 102 and center support 104 are precision ground to fit together, to offer very minimal axial lead screw movement. In one example, the lead screw 102 and center support 104 are precision ground and assembled as a matched set at the factory.
The lead screw 102 includes a center portion 280 including a first center flange 282, a second center flange 284, and a center shaft surface 286. The first center flange 282 is positioned adjacent to right hand threads 102a. The second center flange 284 is positioned adjacent to left hand threads 102b. The center shaft surface 286 extends between the first center flange 282 and the second center flange 284.
The center shaft surface 286 can be a precision turned and polished surface to offer precision locating and turning of the lead screw within the center support. In one example, the center shaft surface is lubricated. In another example, the center shaft surface can be a loose sloppy fit with the center support top and bottom inside radius. Some vertical slop allows vertical movement of the center shaft to adjust for any jaw pusher mis-alignment that can occur with the jaw pushers also needing to fit into the channel of the vise. Additionally vertical movement of the lead screw/center shaft will accommodate any warpage or lack of straightness in the lead screw. Thus, floating the center shaft/lead screw vertically reduces any binding that could occur during rotation.
The center support 104 can fit precisely on the center shaft surface 286 or can loosely fit on the center shaft surface to accommodate irregularities in the center shaft or jaw pusher positions. In one example, the center support 104 has a thickness or width that is ground to fit (e.g., precisely fit) inside of the first center flange 282 and the second center flange 284, with just enough of a gap to allow rotation of the lead screw 102 relative to the center support 104.
In one example, the lead screw 102 is made of a high alloy steel (e.g., H13), and is heat treated. The lead screw 102 includes a highly lubricious and extremely durable coating. In one example, the coating is a TiCN coating.
The center support 104 top part 290 precisely fits on the base part 292. In one example, an interface between the top part 290 and base part 292 is a matched cut. The matched cut is created by cutting a single part into two pieces. This results in a first contour 298a on the top part 290 that is matched to a second contour 298b on the base part 292. In one example, the matched contour 298a,b is a non-symmetrical contour that allows for only one-way installation when positioning the center support 104 on the lead screw 102.
Having the top part 290 locked together with the base part 292 via the matched contour 298a,b with a non-symmetrical contour prevents one piece from sliding slightly off of the other piece. Keeping the top part 290 and the base part 292 precisely attached in the thickness direction prevents an edge of one of the pieces from digging into a flange 282 or flange 284 of the lead screw 102. This could cause the lead screw 102 to no longer be able to rotate, or cause the lead screw 102 to spin with some drag.
In reference to
The vise body 110 includes redundant guiding surfaces on each side of the vise body 110 to aid in guiding a pusher located in the vise body. In one example, the vise body includes pusher guide surfaces 352a,b and pusher guide surfaces 354a,b. The pusher guide surfaces 352a and 354a are located on first side 360 and the pusher guide surfaces 352b and 354b are located on second side 362.
Referring again to
Additionally, the lead screw 102 and first jaw pusher 116 and second jaw pusher 118 have timed threads. The 0 degree location of the threads of the lead screw 102 is timed with the 0 degree location of the internal threads on the first jaw pusher 116 and the second jaw pusher 118. Since both the lead screw and jaw pushers are timed, there is no need for serialization. The jaw pushers are inserted into their corresponding channels first, and then simultaneously threaded on to the lead screw. In one example, 0 degrees on the pusher is at a top of the internal threads, and 0 degrees on the lead screw is at a top of the external threads. Additionally, the lead screw left hand threads and right hand threads are timed together.
In one example, the teeth 406 are shaped to provide maximum penetration into a piece part. In one example, the teeth are serrated. In another example, the shape of the teeth is a five sided prismatic shape that comes to a sharp on the side of the jaw, such that the teeth 406 first penetrate the material during clamping. The angle on the top side of the teeth is advantageously angled as compared to the lower angle under the vertical point of the teeth to promote downward piece-part movement as the teeth dig into the material during the clamping operation. Additionally, the advantageous geometry of the teeth in combination with a dovetail angle below the teeth allows the same jaw to be used for dovetail piece holding as well as using the teeth to grip the part.
First jaw assembly 510 includes an adapter plate 520 and a top 522. Second jaw assembly 512 includes an adapter plate 524 and a top 526. Referring also to
In one example, the top 522 and the top 526 are machinable tops. The top 522 and the top 526 can be made of a lower cost block of material (relative to adapter plates 520, 524) that is easily machinable. As such, the top 526 and top 522 can be customized and easily machined to fit the shape of a piece part being machined.
Referring also to
The center jaw 800 also operates to center the jaws on the vise. The center jaw 800 includes adjustment devices 810 for making adjustments to the vise assembly such as to accommodate different piece parts. In one example, adjustment devices 810 include lower screws that can be loosened a ¼ turn or even removed completely to allow a small amount of variation in piece parts size between the two sides of the center jaw 800. Additionally, there are slots (e.g., see
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
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