US 6,640,666 B2 · Vise system with article engaging jaw accessories

Abstract

A portable vise system is provided to assist in performing various watch repair and maintenance functions and includes a pair of jaws having generally planar and parallel opposing surfaces. The vise can be positioned in a portable nonskid base. The jaws are supported for guided relative movement toward and away from each other along a path disposed substantially normal to the opposing surfaces thereof, one jaw being fixed and the other movable via screw means. The jaws include cylindrical recesses opening outwardly of the opposing surfaces and disposed substantially normal thereto. The opposing jaw surfaces can have relatively thick panel member accessories secured thereto constructed of shape conforming, deformably resilient material and the panel members include substantially circular openings therein substantially coaxial with and of approximately the same diameter as the recesses. A watch case may be clamped between the jaws with eight spaced surface areas of diametrically opposite portions of the watch case engaged by correspondingly spaced portions of marginal portions of the deformable panel members defining the aforementioned circular openings. The relative thickness and physical properties of the panel materials permit gripping even delicate objects firmly without damage.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A portable vise for securely holding a workpiece and in particular a watch case and delicate jewelry without damage thereto, the vise comprising:

a vise base;
a first jaw having a first planar face, said first jaw attached to said vise base;
a second jaw having a second planar face, said second planar face parallel to said first planar face;
said second jaw movably attached on said vise base for moving said second planar face toward and away from said first planar face;
a first shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said first jaw panel attached to said first planar face, said first jaw panel having a first opening therein, a portion of a front side of the first opening adapted for engaging one side of the workpiece, a back side of the first opening covered by a portion of said first planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the first opening;
and
a second shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said second jaw panel attached to said second planar face, said second jaw panel having a second opening therein, the second opening coaxial with the first opening, a portion of a front side of the second opening adapted for engaging an opposite side of the workpiece, a back side of the second opening covered by a portion of said second planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpicce is compressed against the front side of the second opening.

4 more elements

A portable vise for securely holding a workpiece and in particular a watch case and delicate jewelry without damage thereto, the vise comprising:

a vise base;
a fast jaw having a first planar face, said first jaw attached to said vise base;
a second jaw having a second planar face, said second planar face parallel to said first planar face, said second jaw movably attached on said vise base for moving said second planar face toward and away from said first planar face;
a first shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said first jaw panel having an upper portion, a center portion and a lower portion, said first jaw panel attached to said first planar face;
a first circular opening in the upper portion of said first jaw panel, a portion of a front side of the first opening adapted for engaging one side of the workpiece, a back side of the first opening covered by a portion of said first planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the first opening;
a second shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said second jaw panel having an upper portion, a center portion and a lower portion, said second jaw panel attached to said second planar face;
a second circular opening in the upper portion of said second jaw panel, the second opening coaxial with the first opening, a portion of a front side of the second opening adapted for engaging an opposite side of the workpiece, a back side of the second opening covered by a portion of said second planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the second opening;
a third circular opening in the upper portion of said first jaw panel, the third opening having a different diameter than the first opening, a portion of a front side of the third opening adapted for engaging one side of the workpiece, a back side of the third opening covered by a portion of said first planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the third opening;
and
a fourth circular opening in the upper portion of said second jaw panel, the fourth opening having a different diameter than the second opening, the fourth opening coaxial with the third opening, a portion of a front side of the fourth opening adapted for engaging an opposite side of the workpiece, a back side of the third opening covered by a portion of said second planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the fourth opening.

7 more elements

A portable vise for securely holding a workpiece and in particular a watch case and delicate jewelry without damage thereto, the vise comprising:

a vise base;
a fast jaw having a first planar face, said first jaw attached to said vise base;
a second jaw having a second planar face, said second planar face parallel to said first planar face said second jaw movably attached on said vise base for moving said second planar face toward and away from said first planar face;
a first shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said first jaw panel attached to said first planar face, said first jaw panel having a first opening therein, a portion of a front side of the first opening adapted for engaging one side of the workpiece, a back side of the first opening covered by a portion of said first planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the first opening;
a second shape-conforming, deformable, relatively thick jaw panel, said second jaw panel attached to said second planar face, said second jaw panel having a second opening therein, the second opening coaxial with the first opening, a portion of a front side of the second opening adapted for engaging an opposite side of the workpiece, a back side of the second opening covered by a portion of said second planar face for providing a firm backing when the workpiece is compressed against the front side of the second opening;
a horizontal bore through said first jaw and said first planar face;
and
a first accessory opening through said first jaw panel, the first accessory opening coaxial with the horizontal bore, the horizontal bore and the first accessory opening receiving a shank of a first article engaging accessory therein.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vise system with article engaging jaw accessories

Life of this patent

Vise system with article engaging jaw accessories

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25