Patent Grant
11964364
The present invention pertains generally to the field of machine vises, and more particularly to an adjunct cooperative therewith to facilitate proper functioning while simplifying cleaning.
Machine vises are commonly used to clamp and thereby fixedly support work pieces firmly into a position, such as on a machining table of a machine tool. These machine vises typically include a base or body which supports a fixed jaw, and a screw spindle that drives a slide carrying a clamping jaw into or away from the fixed jaw. Other types of vises are known as well that move both opposed jaws, and the present invention pertains equally well thereto. Vises and related clamping and gripping devices are commonly adjusted manually by turning a handle to drive the screw, or alternatively by an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or like drive.
When machining a workpiece constrained within the vise, large quantities of small chips, cuttings, or shavings that are removed from the workpiece drop into the gap between the vise jaws. Unfortunately, this gap is the same region where the screw spindle and bearings or bushings are most commonly located. This means that the chips and other cuttings, any machine oil or coolant, and other machining waste accumulate on the screw spindle, jaws, bearings or bushings and the like. Operating the screw spindle without removing the cuttings and other machining waste can lead to inconsistent operation and jamming, and will prematurely wear the vise. Consequently, when a machining operation is completed, the machine vise must be diligently cleaned to remove the machining waste.
In an effort to avoid this need to repeatedly and carefully clean the vise structure, one approach heretofore has been to provide wipers or seals that are designed to prevent the ingress of machining waste into critical vise components. Unfortunately, these seals and wipers generally tend to trap and collect the very particles that they are designed to prevent from ingressing into the vise components. In the case of elastomeric or resilient seals, the machine waste can become imbedded in the seal. With movement of the vise components, the embedded machine waste actually accelerates wear of the vise, rather than providing the intended protection. Further, such seals are generally very hard to clean. As a result, the industry has instead generally opened up access so that a machinist can completely clean critical components after each machining operation.
While a rag could be used to wipe exposed surfaces, the rag will quickly become laden with machining particles and debris. Further, a rag does not facilitate removal of debris from interior angles and pockets within the vise such as those formed by the vise screw thread and bushing. Instead, most commonly, compressed air is used to blow machining waste out of the vise's screw spindle and from around the jaws to prevent binding of the screw or other mechanisms. Many vises are designed with this intent, to allow the compressed air to flow through openings and carry away machining waste. Unfortunately, owing in part to the complex geometry of the screw spindle, jaws, and other vise structure, blowing off the vise very unpleasantly sprays metal cuttings and oil all over the work area, all too commonly including into the face of the machine operator, while consuming substantial time with each and every readjustment of the vise. In addition, and depending upon the vise geometry and degree of care taken by the machinist during cleaning, the compressed air can in some instances drive the machining waste deeper into smaller openings or voids in the vise structure, again eventually leading to jamming or other failure.
Recognizing the limitations of wipers and seals, and the hazards and time consumed using compressed air to clean a vise, some artisans have proposed telescopic pipe sleeves to shield the vise. Exemplary US and Foreign patents and published patent applications, the teachings which are incorporated herein by references, include: U.S. Pat. No. 53,821 by Henworth, entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 78,565 by Backus, entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 91,068 by Backus, entitled “Vise”; DE336930C by F. Aeschbach A G, entitled “Parallel vice”; FR675976A by Trouillas, entitled “Clamping system for various vice jaws”; and FR947469A by Guillaix, entitled “Bench or wall vise”. These telescopic sleeves have a pipe or similar tubular structure that surrounds and thereby encloses the screw that moves the vise jaw back and forth. The benefit of a telescopic pipe is that it allows for a full range of jaw travel, and protects the screw and bushings from oil and metal shards. However, the telescopic pipe sleeves are subject to possible damage from either heavy work pieces falling on them, or from tool impacts cutting into the sleeve. If the telescopic pipe sleeve is damaged, the only way to replace the damaged sleeve is to disassemble the vise, replace the telescopic sleeve, and then reassemble the vise.
Other artisans have proposed the addition of a sliding plate protector that is located below the work piece and above the vise screw. Exemplary US and Foreign patents and published patent applications, the teachings which are incorporated herein by references, include: U.S. Pat. No. 104,541 by Beck, entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 849,904 by Kovacs, entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 1,811,299 by Brockhaus, Jr., entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,499,124 by Zipp et al, entitled “Apparatus for protecting operating parts of vises from chips or other refuse incidental to machine work”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,844 by Swann, entitled “Apparatus for protecting internal elements of a workholding apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,184 by Wurthele, entitled “Clamping device, especially a machine vice”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,076 by Goldin, entitled “Telescopically extending and retracting device for the protection of moving machine parts”; 2010/0164159 by Wurthele, entitled “Clamping device”; DE102012208720B4 by Schraeder et al, entitled “Clamping and gripping device”; EP1688219A1 by Gernand et al, entitled “Clamping device with cover element for its spindle recess”; and, WO2006133755A1 by Gernand et al, entitled “Clamping device”. These plates create a barrier to the entry of machining waste into the screw, and provide a smooth surface that is much easier to blow off than the vise screw, both which are of much benefit. As beneficial as the plates are, unfortunately the sliding plate protectors require a vise that has been manufactured to hold one or more of these sliding plates. This limitation both increases the complexity of the vise and eliminates any ability to retrofit an existing machining vise. In addition, while the plate protects the screw, the plate must also slide relative to a fixed portion of the vise, meaning the addition of the plate creates a new contact area between the sliding plate and the fixed portion of the vise that is unprotected. This means that metal shavings and other machining waste can still get lodged in this difficult to access sliding contact area, and as a result the accumulated waste can lead to premature wear or potentially cause a jam. The plate also creates a large and rigid shelf that serves as a dangerous hazard in the event of contact with a machining tool. Finally, if damaged or jammed, in many of the designs the plate can be very difficult to remove and replace, again requiring significant disassembly and reassembly.
In an effort to avoid any exposed bushings or other sliding surfaces that can be hard to clean and which can ultimately jam, other artisans have proposed the addition of a protective bellows that is located below the work piece and encompasses the vise screw. Exemplary US and Foreign patents and published patent applications, the teachings which are incorporated herein by references, include: U.S. Pat. No. 2,384,512 by Wiken et al, entitled “Machine protective apparatus”: U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,840 by Teupel et al, entitled “Arrangement for protecting guiding members against dust and the like”: DE830445C by Arno, entitled “Harmonica-shaped bellows as guideway protector on machine tools or the like”; and FR2446695A1 by Duloir, entitled “Perfected vice for machining in polluted environments”. The benefit of the bellows protectors is they do not have any sliding components, so they are not subject to jamming due to deforming impacts or material accumulating within the bushings or other points of sliding contact. Furthermore, they protect the drive screw and associated bushing from metal shavings and other machining waste. However, the bellows are generally made from a soft and pliable materials, such as cloth or rubber, which will wear quickly during use and which may in fact collect machining waste as the metal shavings and the like impinge upon and penetrate into the bellows. Furthermore, soft and resilient bellows material will immediately fail in the case of a tool coming into contact with it, and so provides no protection to the screw from an accidental impact from either work piece or machining tool. Also, like the telescopic pipe sleeves and sliding plate protectors, substantial disassembly is required to replace a damaged bellows protector.
In addition to the desire to improve the reliability of a vise and simplify the cleaning thereof, machinists have also recognized that efficiency can in some cases also be improved by stacking multiple work pieces into a vise in a single vise opening and closing procedure. Each of the work pieces are then machined, without requiring the vise to be opened or closed until all of the work pieces have been appropriately machined. As a result, there is a single vise closing to capture the plurality of work pieces, a single vise opening to remove the stacked work pieces, and a single vise cleaning. Similarly, where multiple tools will be used to machine the work pieces, each tool will only need to be changed once to machine all of the stacked work pieces. One way to accomplish this is to provide a plurality of machinist's parallels between the vise jaws. These parallels can be used not only for stacking of parts, but also to assist in holding a workpiece at a specific position within the vise. Exemplary US patents and published patent applications, the teachings which are incorporated herein by references, include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,406 by Viollet, entitled “Machinist's parallels”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,869 by Christeson, entitled “Retaining parallels”; and, 2008/0054542 by Gelbart, entitled “Machine Vice with retractable parallels”.
Two additional U.S. patents, the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 2,429,801 by Butler, entitled “Vise with auxiliary support”; and U.S. Pat. No. 416,959 by Sheppard, entitled “Vise”. The Butler patent has a retractable shelf which underlies a work piece, allowing single handed operation of the vise for staging work. The shelf protects the screw from the work piece landing on it and the shelf is readily retractable, allowing for normal operation of the vise. The Sheppard patent, of similar construction, uses a similar spring driven plate to instead hold a work piece in place from the sides, to prevent over driving the clamping force and thereby damaging the workpiece. In both of these Butler and Sheppard patents, the shelf is extended via spring, but does not protect the screw from machining waste such as metal shavings. In addition, the retractable shelf creates additional sliding surfaces into which machining waste will penetrate, making cleaning more difficult and potentially disabling proper operation of the vise. Both of these Butler and Sheppard patents require a vise which has an opening in the jaws designed to accommodate the retractable shelf, and so cannot be used to readily retrofit an existing vise.
Additional patents of varying relevance, the relevant teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, include: U.S. Pat. No. 419,072 by Richards, entitled “Milling machine vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,349,291 by Meister, entitled “Vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,662 by Bernstein, entitled “Multi-purpose machine vise”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,997 by Montgomery, entitled “Parallel holder device”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,253 by Swann, entitled “Apparatus for expanding the worksurface of a vise-like workholding apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,352 by Albrecht, entitled “Machine vise”; and EP2143526A1 by Mosig, entitled “Mounting device with purging means”.
In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein.
As may be apparent, in spite of the enormous advancements and substantial research and development that has been conducted, there still remains a need for a simply inserted and removable screw and bushing protector that: can be placed into any vise; will prevent metal shavings, oil, and other machining waste from sticking to the vise screw and damaging or otherwise interfering with the operation of the bushing or other part of the vise; and which will provide a work-underlying shelf that is sacrificial in the event of accidental impact or contact with a machining tool or other mishap. Further, such a device that works cooperatively with machinist's parallels to facilitate the stacking or positioning of work pieces within a vise is also desired.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid having the general geometry of a variable width parallelepiped block that is configured to be inserted within a vise or similar clamping apparatus between a pair of opposed vise jaws. The spring-loaded variable width block is preferably of length approximating the maximum width of the opposed vise jaws, thickness substantially less than the height of the vise jaws, and width somewhat greater than the width required to allow a workpiece to be inserted and removed from between the jaws of the vise in a space above the block. The spring-loaded variable width block most preferably has a generally smooth and planar top surface.
In a first manifestation, the invention is, in combination, a machine vise and a vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid. The machine vise has a pair of opposed jaws that each define a contact face in a vertical plane, and a linear actuator reciprocating at least a first one of the pair of opposed jaws relative to a second one of the pair of opposed jaws. The vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid has a fixed block defining a vertical planar first surface engaging the contact face of the first one of the pair of opposed jaws, and a horizontal planar second surface extending from the fixed block first surface. The fixed block second surface defines a covering over the machine vise actuator that is configured to support work pieces during a machining operation and to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste generated during the machining operation. A moving block defines a vertical planar first surface engaging the contact face of the second one of the pair of opposed jaws, and a horizontal planar second surface extending from the moving block first surface that defines a covering over the machine vise actuator that is configured to support work pieces during the machining operation and configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste generated during the machining operation. A linear bearing couples the moving block to the fixed block and defines a first axis of reciprocation of the moving block relative to the fixed block. A variable-width gap extends between the fixed block and the moving block along the first axis of reciprocation. A spring applies a spring force along the first axis of reciprocation to each of the fixed block and the moving block. The spring force is configured to secure the fixed block first surface to the contact face of the first one of the pair of opposed jaws through a range of reciprocating motion by at least the first one of the pair of opposed jaws relative to the second one of the pair of opposed jaws. The spring force is also configured to secure the moving block first surface to the contact face of the second one of the pair of opposed jaws through the range of reciprocating motion. The spring force is further configured to tend to separate the fixed block from the moving block. A blocking flange is unitary with and extends from the fixed block and covers the variable-width gap between the fixed block and the moving block and is thereby configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste.
In a second manifestation, the invention is, in combination, a machine vise and a vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid. The machine vise has a pair of opposed jaws, and an actuator moving at least a first one of the pair of opposed jaws relative to a second one of the pair of opposed jaws. The vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid has a fixed block defining a fixed block first surface facing the first one of the pair of opposed jaws, and a fixed block second surface extending from the fixed block first surface. The fixed block second surface defines a covering over the machine vise actuator and is configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste. A moving block defines a moving block first surface facing the second one of the pair of opposed jaws, and a moving block second surface extending from the moving block first surface. The moving block second surface defines a covering over the machine vise actuator and is configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste. A linear bearing couples the moving block to the fixed block and defines a first axis of reciprocation of the moving block relative to the fixed block. A variable-width gap extends between the fixed block and the moving block along the first axis of reciprocation. A spring applies a force along the first axis of reciprocation that secures the fixed block first surface to the first one of the pair of opposed jaws, secures the moving block first surface to the second one of the pair of opposed jaws, and tends to separate the fixed block from the moving block. A blocking flange covers the variable-width gap between the fixed block and the moving block and is thereby configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste.
In a third manifestation, the invention is a vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid. The vise jaw insert has a generally rectangular parallelepiped fixed block defining a vertical planar first surface configured to engage with a contact face of a first one of a pair of opposed vise jaws, and a horizontal planar second surface extending from the fixed block first surface. The fixed block second surface is configured to define a covering over and thereby shield a machine vise actuator from machining waste generated during a machining operation. A generally rectangular parallelepiped moving block defines a vertical planar first surface configured to engage with a contact face of a second one of the pair of opposed jaws, and a horizontal planar second surface extending from the moving block first surface. The moving block second surface is configured to define a covering over and thereby shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste generated during the machining operation. A linear bearing couples the moving block to the fixed block and defines a first axis of reciprocation of the moving block relative to the fixed block. A variable-width gap extends between the fixed block and the moving block along the first axis of reciprocation. A spring applies a spring force along the first axis of reciprocation to each of the fixed block and the moving block. The spring force is configured to secure the fixed block first surface to the contact face of the first one of the pair of opposed jaws through a range of reciprocating motion by at least the first one of the pair of opposed jaws relative to the second one of the pair of opposed jaws. The spring force is also configured to secure the moving block first surface to the contact face of the second one of the pair of opposed jaws through the range of reciprocating motion. The spring force is further configured to tend to separate the fixed block from the moving block. A plate-shaped blocking flange is unitary with and extends from a one of the fixed block and the moving block, and covers the variable-width gap between the fixed block and the moving block and is thereby configured to shield the machine vise actuator from machining waste generated during the machining operation.
The present invention and the preferred and alternative embodiments have been developed with a number of objectives in mind. While not all of these objectives are found in every embodiment, these objectives nevertheless provide a sense of the general intent and the many possible benefits that are available from embodiments of the present invention.
A first object of the invention is to provide a spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid that can be simply inserted between and removed from the jaws of many different types of prior art vises. As a corollary thereto, an object of the invention is to provide an elastically biased friction fitting plate that, when inserted between the jaws of a vise, will compress and expand between those vise jaws preferably such that a work piece can be clamped in the vise or removed without the plate falling out or exposing the vulnerable and non-planar vise components beneath. A second object of the invention is to shield function-critical vise components such as spindles, bushings, bearings, sliding plates, levers, and the like from metal shavings, oil, and other machining waste, to thereby preserve or extend operation of the vise. Another object of the present invention is to provide a generally smooth and planar work-underlying shelf that: can be used to support and position a work piece; which will catch small parts, tools, or the like that may be accidentally dropped onto the shelf for easy retrieval; which can be readily and thoroughly cleaned; and which is sacrificial in the event of accidental impact or contact with a machining tool or other mishap. A further object of the invention is to provide such a device that works cooperatively with machinist's parallels to facilitate the positioning of work pieces within a vise or the stacking of work pieces so multiple work pieces can be cut, milled, or drilled without readjustment of the vise jaws.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid that can be simply inserted between and removed from the jaws of many different types of prior art vises. In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In accord with the teachings of the present invention, inserted into and used in combination with vise 1 is preferred embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid 10. Preferred embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid 10 has four major parts: a generally parallelepiped moving block 20; a generally parallelepiped fixed block 30 including a unitary plate-shaped blocking flange 32; a pair of springs 40; and a pair of socket head shoulder bolts 50. In combination, these major parts provide a variable width vise jaw insert that can be compressed or expanded. This ability to compress and expand allows preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 to friction fit between jaws 2, 3 through a limited range of opening and closing movements of vise 1.
A machinist will select a preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 that can be compressed through a range of travel that allows the insert to be compressed between jaws 2, 3 to a space smaller than an intended work piece such as work piece 6 will fit in, and which can expand through a range of travel that allows the insert to be under at least mild compression between jaws 2, 3 in a space large enough to easily insert and remove the work piece 6 from between jaws 2, 3. Once selected, the machinist will insert preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 between jaws 2, 3, prior to securing a work piece 6 therebetween. As evident from
Owing to helical compression springs 40 being in slight compression when preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 is properly placed, there will be a force pressing moving block 20 against moving jaw 2, and an equal and opposite force pressing fixed block 30 against fixed jaw 3. This force keeps preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 in place through a friction fit, even when jaws 2, 3 are opened or closed sufficiently to allow work piece 6 to be inserted, clamped, released, and removed from jaws 2, 3. In consideration thereof, and appropriate only for some work pieces, it is also known in the industry to use machinist's parallels to support work pieces above the base of the vise, for various purposes. In some instances, preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 will provide support for machinist's parallels.
With a properly sized preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 held in place through a friction fit, the machinist will next open jaws 2, 3 sufficiently to allow work piece 6 to fit between, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose by rotating handle 4 in a first counter-clockwise direction. The machinist then inserts work piece 6 between vise jaws 2, 3, and subsequently closes vise jaws 2, 3 securely about work piece 6. Using the vise illustrated, again for exemplary purposes, this can be done by rotating handle 4 clockwise. The machinist will then machine work piece 6, with vise 1 holding work piece 6 securely in a fixed position.
As can be expected, during the machining process material such as small chips, cuttings, or shavings removed from work piece 6 will drop into the gap between the vise jaws 2, 3. However, rather than contaminating screw spindle 5 and associated bearings or bushings or other mechanisms of vise 1, the chips and other cuttings, machine oil, and other machining waste will instead accumulate on the major planar top surface 38 of preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10, or at least be redirected by top surface 38 away from the moving components of vise 1.
As a result, when the machinist is finished with the desired machining, the machinist may decide whether or not to use compressed air to blow off work piece 6 and the smooth top surface 38 to remove this accumulated waste. If the machinist decides to blow off the surfaces, the flat top of preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 is extremely easy to clean, and the machinist will not have to endure the prior art occasional spray of machining waste over their person.
The machinist will next open vise jaws 2, 3 sufficiently to allow work piece 6 to be removed from between jaws 2, 3. While work piece 6 is being removed, preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 will remain friction fit in place. If the machinist has additional work pieces of geometry similar to or of like dimension to work piece 6, the machinist will then insert the next work piece and repeat the process, without having to readjust preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 or clean the lower portions of vise 1. This means that screw spindle 5 and associated bearings or bushings remain clean and continue to function properly.
As may be appreciated, for repetitive machining of many parts of like or similar dimension, a significant amount of the machinist's time is normally spent clearing machining waste from vise 1 rather than machining the parts. This time is saved by preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10, and any cleaning required or preferred is much less unpleasant.
From the illustrations in
Nevertheless, there may some work pieces that must hang or extend down, for exemplary purposes even lower than screw spindle 5. In such instances, and where possible and practical, the machinist may select a preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 that has a length less than the width of vise jaws 2, 3, but which is still sufficient to shield screw spindle 5 or other lower portions of vise 1 from machining waste.
While the thickness of preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 is not critical, it will be apparent that a relatively thinner insert will take up less vertical space within vise 1, thereby leaving more space available for a work piece. Nevertheless, if preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 is too thin, then it may be too susceptible to damage such as might occur when a work piece is accidentally dropped within the vise either during insertion or removal therefrom.
To provide a large planar top surface 38 that is easily cleaned, fixed block 30 will preferably be dimensioned to be of much larger width (left to right in
Both socket head 52 and shoulder 54 are illustrated with three-dimensional shade lines, and helical compression spring 40 is drawn fully around shoulder 54 in both
As an exemplary and non-limiting example, presume a workpiece 6 has a dimension of one inch in a direction parallel to arrow 49. Most preferably, a preferred embodiment vise jaw insert spring-biased waste collector and cleaning aid 10 will be selected that has a compressive limit in a direction parallel to arrow 49, such as illustrated in
In alternative embodiments, instead of smooth and planar surfaces formed on moving block 20 and fixed block 30, a protrusion is formed on or protruding member added to at least one of the two opposed faces. When the compressive limit of travel of moving block 20 toward fixed block 30 is reached, one or more protrusions engage and thereby transmit a force component applied by screw spindle 5 or other linear actuator along the axis of reciprocation of moving block 20 that is greater than said force applied opposite thereto by said spring from moving block 20 to fixed block 30, thereby circumventing the spring. As a result, forces greater than the spring constant, which could damage the spring, are diverted through the protrusion(s). While such diversion protects the spring, it is noteworthy that in the embodiment of
As should now be better appreciated, when preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 is properly placed, vise contacting face 22 will contact one of the vise jaws 2, 3, while the distal vertical face of fixed block 30 will contact the other of vise jaws 2, 3. Helical compression springs 40 will spring load preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 into contact with both jaws through a range of motion between the limits of position illustrated by
If the preferred embodiment illustrated in
In some alternative embodiments, either movable jaw 2, an intermediate jaw, or a machinist's parallel may be provided that is either smooth or otherwise configured to engage with vise contacting face 22 to create a suitable seal therebetween. In further alternative embodiments, a partial or complete seal is achieved by appropriate selection of mating geometries, particular materials, insertion of gaskets, and other features or combination of features that are known in the mechanical arts to partially or completely prevent the ingress of machining fluid and waste into countersink 24. Nevertheless, for most purposes a simple planar contacting face 22 that mates with a planar portion of moveable jaw 2 will provide adequate resistance to the ingress of machining waste. This in most instances will also be sufficient to facilitate easy cleaning of the combined vise 1 and preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 subsequent to a machining operation.
As already noted herein above, the width of moving block 20, depth of countersink 24, and height of socket head 52 will determine the amount of jaw movement that can be accommodated while still maintaining adequate spring load to retain preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10 between jaws 2, 3. Nevertheless, increasing the width of moving block 20 and depth of countersink 24 cannot be achieved without also factoring in the increased span of already relatively thin blocking flange 32 and the amount of torque or twisting that could be applied to bolt 50 tending to misalign the longitudinal axis of bolt 50 from the longitudinal axis of threaded hole 36. Severe misalignment of the longitudinal axis of bolt 50 from the longitudinal axis of threaded hole 36 will lead to damage. This means there are reasonable limits within the design of preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10. To provide an apparatus that can span widely varying dimensions of different work pieces, a plurality of preferred embodiment vise jaw inserts 10 are preferably provided, each with a different optimum width. For exemplary and non-limiting purpose, this may be accomplished by providing wider and narrower fixed blocks 30, while otherwise generally preserving the dimension and operation of the remaining components of preferred embodiment vise jaw insert 10.
While socket head shoulder bolt 50 is preferred, since it inherently provides a number of functional features desired and required for proper operation of the preferred embodiment in a commercially available component, those skilled in the mechanical arts will recognize that other linear bearings are known that in alternative embodiments will be substituted therefore. Nevertheless, if a linear bearing is selected that does not inherently provide a maximum limit of expansive travel or spring bias or other force in such direction, such features will preferably be provided through other means known in the mechanical arts.
Top surface 38 is illustrated and described herein as being generally planar, which simplifies construction, facilitates cleaning thereof, and provides a shelf that is used in some machining applications to support one or more work pieces 6. Each of these benefits are preferred. Nevertheless, consideration solely for shielding function-critical components of vise 1 has fewer requirements. Consequently, in some alternative embodiments, top surface 38 will be shaped to improve the shedding of liquids. In some of these alternative embodiments top surface 38 is domed, in others of these alternative embodiments top surface 38 comprises two surfaces that rise from the edges to a peak or crest therebetween, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose such as in the manner of a pitched roof or the like, and in yet others of these alternative embodiments one or more drainage grooves, ditches, or channels are provided in an otherwise generally planar top surface 38.
Various embodiments of vise jaw inserts designed in accord with the present invention have been illustrated in the various figures. The embodiments are distinguished by the hundreds digit, and various components within each embodiment designated by the ones and tens digits. However, many of the components are alike or similar between embodiments, so numbering of the ones and tens digits have been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones and tens digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description.
An alternative embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aid 110 is illustrated in
From the sectional view of
In normal operation, vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 are placed into a vise 1. When vise 1 is closed to hold a work piece 6, moving block 20, 120 moves with movable jaw 2 of the vise and does not extend beyond blocking flange 32, 132, thereby preventing debris from falling down an opening into the lower portion of vise 1 at the same time. This intimate contact between vise contacting face 22, 122 and either one of vise jaws 2, 3 helps to keep machining waste out of countersinks 24, 124.
From the foregoing figures and description, several additional features and options become more apparent. First of all, while the preferred material used to fabricate vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 is anodized aluminum, other materials may be used with associated advantages and disadvantages. Hard plastics or stiff rubber may embed machining chips, and so may also have a short useful life. Nevertheless, in some circumstances a more resilient vise insert may be important. Resilient materials and other somewhat softer materials can lead to premature destruction if impacted with tools. Once again, in some circumstances such failures can protect the hard tool or operator.
In addition, while fixed block 30 has been described as a single unitary block, in some alternative embodiments a segmented larger fixed block with multiple parts where each segment is fixed to the prior segment(s) using a clamping screw or other suitable fastener, will allow a single block to have multiple useable sizes.
While a single pair of opposed vise jaws 2, 3 are illustrated and described, sometimes during machining one or more additional jaws or machinist's parallels may be inserted between outermost jaws, in the manner of a multi-layer sandwich. It will be recognized that preferred and alternative embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 may be inserted between intermediate jaws or machinist's parallels as well, potentially resulting in a plurality of vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 arranged in a stack between two outer jaws and one or more intermediate jaws or machinist's parallels. This capability of preferred and alternative embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 to work cooperatively with intermediate jaws or machinist's parallels is used to facilitate the positioning of work pieces within a vise or the stacking of a plurality of work pieces so that multiple work pieces can be cut, milled, or drilled without requiring any readjustment or movement of vise jaws 2, 3.
As may be apparent, preferred and alternative embodiment vise jaw insert spring-loaded waste shield and cleaning aids 10, 110 offer much utility in manufacturing where machining operations are consistently repeated on similar or like work pieces, both by reducing the time spent setting up each operation and by eliminating or substantially reducing the time required for cleaning the vise, including screw and bushing, subsequent to machining There is no additional handling of the present inventive vise jaw inserts 10, 110 required between work piece replacements, and a single vise opening and closing cycle can be used to capture and position multiple work pieces.
The vise jaw inserts 10, 110 most preferably have a generally smooth and planar top surface that shields the vise screw spindle, bearings, or bushings, and other mechanisms of the vise from machining debris and oil, and which is readily cleaned when desired or required. In addition, embodiments of the present invention offer benefit in catching small parts, tools, or the like that may be accidentally dropped onto the flat top surface of the insert for easy retrieval. Further, the substantially smooth top surface may be wiped with a cleaning rag, or can instead be blown off in the ordinary manner. Either way, the cleaning operation is greatly facilitated and required less frequently. In the event a substantial impact with a work piece or machining tool occurs, or vise jaw insert 10, 110 binds, rendering the insert permanently or temporarily unuseable, then the vise jaw insert 10, 110 can be removed easily and replaced.
Blocking flanges 32, 132 in preferred and alternative embodiment vise jaw inserts 10, 110 are illustrates as being formed unitarily with fixed blocks 30, 130. In some alternative embodiments, blocking flanges 32, 132 will be formed unitarily with and extend from moving blocks 20, 120. Either of these unitarily formed configurations are preferred, owing to the ease of fabrication and inherent strength and stability. Nevertheless, in some other alternative embodiments blocking flanges 32, 132 are separately fabricated and subsequently adhered or affixed to an associated block. In yet other alternative embodiments, blocking flanges 32, 132 are wholly separate members that have travel limited by a travel limiting member so as to ensure coverage of the variable-width gap between fixed blocks 30, 130 and moving blocks 20, 120. A travel limiting member will be understood herein to be a member that secures a blocking flange to at least one or both of fixed and moving blocks in such as manner as to ensure that the variable-width gap remains covered. For exemplary and non-limiting purpose, a travel limiting member may comprise an elastic or resilient member such as a spring or elastomeric sheet, a travel-limited slide, or other feature or member as will be recognized in the mechanical arts.
While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims hereinbelow.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63/144,464 filed Feb. 1, 2021 of like title and inventorship, the teachings and entire contents which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 109333100 | Feb 2019 | CN |
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| Entry |
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| CN-109333100-A translation (Year: 2019). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63144464 | Feb 2021 | US |
