Multiple segmented chuck jaw

A multiple segmented chuck jaw for a workpiece, the chuck jaw being capable of being secured to a chuck, said jaw comprising:

• an insert including a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being at least partly contoured to conform to a surface of a workpiece, and said second surface having dovetail means formed thereon;
• a master including a first face having a dovetail means formed therein cooperable with said dovetail means of said insert for joining said master and insert together in secured relation to each other;
• a slot formed in the base of said dovetail means of said master and extending longitudinally of said master for a distance sufficient to permit said dovetail means to be flexed to exert a gripping force on the insert;
• and
• means for simultaneously securing said master to a chuck and flexing the dovetail means of said master to exert the gripping force on said insert.

A multiple segmented chuck jaw for a workpiece comprising:

• an insert including a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being at least partly contoured to conform to a surface of a workpiece to be engaged thereby, and said second surface having dovetail means formed thereon;
• a master including a first face having dovetail means formed thereon cooperable with said dovetail means of said insert for joining said master and said insert together in secured relation relative to each other, said master further including flex means for increasing the gripping force exerted on said insert by said master when said master and said insert are joined together;
• and
• stop means mounted on said master adjacent to said dovetail means, said stop means contacting said insert for determining the location of said insert relative to said master when said dovetail means are engaged, said stop means including a flat-headed screw threadably engaged in a threaded hole provided in said master, said flat-headed screw having an enlarged head portion which contacts said insert.

A master for a multiple segmented chuck jaw comprising:

• a body having a first face;
• dovetail means formed in said first face adapted for cooperation with a dovetail means for an insert for joining said master and an insert together in secured relation to each other;
• flex means formed in said body, said flex means being operable to increase the gripping force exerted on an insert by said master when said master and said insert are joined together;
• and
• said master further including stop means adjacent to said dovetail means of said master, said stop means being engagable with said insert for determining the location of said insert relative to said master when said master and said insert are in joined relation relative to each other, and said stop means including a flat headed screw threadably engagable in a threaded hole provided in said master, said flat headed screw having an enlarged head portion engagable with said insert when said insert is mounted to said master.

A multiple segmented chuck jaw comprising:

• an insert including a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being at least in part contoured to conform to a surface of a workpiece to be engaged thereby, said second surface having dovetail means formed thereon;
• a master including a first face having dovetail means formed thereon, the dovetail means on said master being complementary in shape to said dovetail means of said insert whereby said master and said insert may be joined together in secured relation, said master further including flex means for exerting gripping force on said insert when said dovetail means of said master and said insert are engaged;
• and
• stop means, said stop means being defined by a surface on said insert and a surface on said master, the stop means surface of said master contacting the stop means surface of said insert to determine the location of said insert relative to said master when said dovetail means of said master and said insert are engaged, said stop means including a flat headed screw threadably engageable in a threaded hole provided in said master, said flat headed screw having an enlarged head portion which defines the stop means surface of said master, said screw head portion engaging the stop means surface of said insert.

A segmented jaw for a workpiece holding chuck comprising:

• a replaceable insert, said insert having a first surface at least partly contoured to conform to a surface of a workpiece to be supported in the chuck, said insert further having a second surface disposed oppositely to said first surface, said second surface having dovetail means formed thereon;
• a jaw master, said master comprising a body including a first face having dovetail means formed thereon which engage said dovetail means of said insert for securing said insert to said master, said master body being flexible in a region adjoining said first face whereby the gripping force exerted on said insert by said master when said dovetail means are engaged may be selectively increased;
• a threaded hole in the body of said master;
• and
• a threaded fastener, said fastener having a thread complementary to the thread of the hole in said body of said master, said fastener having an enlarged end portion with a flat surface thereon, said flat surface contacting said insert and defining an adjustable stop located adjacent to said dovetail means of said body to thereby determine the location of said insert relative to said master.