US2679177A - Precision vise of the double-acting type - Google Patents

Description

May 25, 1954 F. G. GEPFERT PRECISION vIsE 0E THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1953 d d a .E .d n u E z 7 .m/ lien.' 7 M M L w 5 Ill. 5 7 n |||s Z l 1.. 1 1 74 E E... 4 9 r/. 8 6. r3 7 [I \e. 8 8 wald-I7 2 3 xl 7 B 9 G a a E u May 25, 1954 F. G. GEPFERT 2,679,177

PRECISION VISE OF THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE Filed May 13, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9a 13K a4 4a 1 zaL z 4a 4c, 318415 7 6.

31 11. Qa -ra 69 zo 3Q, 24 51 49 z8 zv s4 sa s4 sa, 3a 21 -n May 25, 1954 F. G. GEPFERT 2,679,177

PRECISION VISE OF THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE Filed May 13, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR. PANA/nv Gf GEFA-5er /0' 12x/@Mi unw'm ,l

MMIMW Patented May 25,v 195.4

UNITED STATES PTENT QFFICE PRECISION visE oF THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE Franklin Gah! Gepfert, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 13, 1953, Serial No. 354,849

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a precision vise of the double-acting type and, in particular, to a vise of this kind in which the jaws are moved 'oy iiuid pressure motors.

It has been known heretofore that under sorne circumstances one or both of the jaws of a vise may be moved by means off iiuid pressure, but prior vises of these types have not so fear as known aiorded the advantages that result from having two `fluid pressure motors in alignment with the jaws of .the vise, particularly with the jaws vso arranged as to act in synchronisrn with each other. According to the present invention, a pressure fluid from e common .Source is supplied simultaneously to two fluid pressure motors of the nature of power cylinders provided with pis.- tons and piston rods on which the JaWs of the vise are mounted. By aligning the jaws with the power cylinders in this manner, unnecessary power losses and leakage of pressure fluid can be precluded. At the saine time, the synchronizing mechanism, which forms part of the preferred embodiment `of the present invention, lserves to maintain the jaws in the desired relation to .each other and to the base of the vise regardless of Whether the jaws are in open position, in closed position, or in any intermediate position.

One Aof the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide a vise of the type described in which two aligned uid pressure motors koperate directly on the jaws of the vise with the intervention of only Lsuch indispensible connecting elements as pistonrods, couplings, etc. Another object of the invention is to provide a vise of this kind in which the .work piece may be located in the vise within a tolerance, plus or minus, of about .001 inch of the intended center. Another object of the invention is to provide a precision vise of this kind in which either or both of the jaws may be adjusted to accommodate unsymrnetrical work pieces, this without sacrifices ci the advantages that inure from the direct application voi the motive `force to the jaws ofthe vise. Still another object vof the invention is to provide a precision vise of .this kind in which relatively high clamp.- ing forces may be obtained, as, yfor example, clamping forces up to and above 2000 pounds. Still antherobject-of the invention is Ito provide novel `ways and means for guiding the j aws over the platform and along the sides of the hase forming part ofthe vise.

Other objects and advantages of the .invention will .be apparent tramite description which r fellows and from the -ecempanyine drawings ,1n

which Figure l is a side elevation of the vise in open position, the pressure fluid lines being omitted in the interests of clarity.

Figure 2 isa corresponding central vertical section through the longitudinal axis of the vise, the false jaws shown in Figure 1 being omitted'.

Figure 3 is a top plan corresponding'generally to Figure 1 but showing the jaws in closed position.

Figure 4 is a top plan corresponding generally to Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan corresponding to Figures 2 and li but showing the pressure fluid lines.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section on lines -Gof Figures -2 and 4. A

Figure '7 is a transverse vertical section on line 1-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a front elevation showing the forward face of the inner cylinder head.

Figure 9 is a corresponding side elevation.

Figure 10 is an elevation of the outer cylinder head and hase as seen yfrom the rear of the vise; i. e., from line IIJ-i0 of Figures. v A 'Y Figure 11 is a fragmentary section through part of the outer cylinder yhead on line H-H lof Figure 5.

Figures i to '7 are on a much reduced scale; Figures 8 to 11, on a somewhat llarger' scale 'out less than iull scale. l Y 'Y 4 The vise shown in the drawings includes an obiong ylease l best seen in Figures l, 2 and 5. it incorporates a slotted platform 2 at the ends of which are mounted two fluid pressure motors@ and k4, the same taking the forrn oi Dpower cylinders. Within the power cylinders are the pistons ii and (i, to which lare respectively connected piston gods 'l and ii. At the forward end s'of'the piston rods 1 land y8 lare the master jaws Si and l0, on which rnay be rnounted false jaws I l and l2 respectively. Connected to master jaws e and l!) are two raeksi and i4 (Figure 5*), one on each side of the vise. Located between racks it and lli and co-.operating with them is a stepped gear ri5 mounted for rotation on a cap screw the cap I7 of .winch hears against the narrow lower face l5@ of the gear l5 and the threaded upper end I8 of .which is screwed into platforin A2. `See Figures 2 and 6. A set screw i9 tapped access opening lila y(Figure) voperates on threaded portion I B to holdcap screw it in plage.

As yappears from Figure 5, base i lis characterized .by the two symmetricalend portions 2t and 2| from .which .longitudinally extending lcentral webs `222 and 2 5, respectively, `project toward centero the vise. Each of the two central webs 3 22 and 23 is anked by a short web on one side and a long web on the other, the short webs being designated 24 and 25 and the long webs being designated 2S and 2l. As further shown by Figure 5, short web 2li is in alignment with long web 2i; short web 25, with long web 2B. Between them on opposite sides of the vise are formed the open areas indicated at 2S and 2S in Figures 4 and 5, such open areas being provided to accommodate hereinafter described portions of master iaws s and lil. As previously mentioned, platform 2 is Slotted; as shown in Figure li, it has two longitudinally extending machine-nished slots 3G and iii, one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the vise.

Along the long edges of slots 36 and Si the lower face of platform 2 is machined to provide recessed guideways (Figure 5) which guideways parallel slots 3l] and 3l throughout the lengths of the slots. As indicated in Figure 7, slot t is flanged by recessed guideways 32 and 33; slot Si by recessed guideways E6 and 35. Co-operating with guideways 32 and and guideways 3e and '55, respectively, are slideable keys 31 and 36, best seen in Figure '7, which keys are machined to nt accurately into the slots and guideways. Screws 38 and 39 hold the keys to master jaw S, while similar screws hold two like keys to master jaw le. The keys are T-shaped in transverse crosssection, their Shanks projecting upward through the slots and their heads bearing against the re cessed guideways that flank the slots. The threaded ends of screws iid and 39 are received in tapped openings in overlying portions of master jaws l and le.

As appears from Figures l, 4 and '7, master jaws 9 and le are respectively characterized by horizontally extending portions d5 and lle, such horizontally extending portions l5 and l projecting rearwardly from vertically extending portions 41 and de to which false jaws Il and i2 are applied as shown in Figure 3. The lower surfaces of longitudinally extending portions 45 and 46 and vertically extending portions 47 and 48 are machined to facilitate smooth movement of master jaws Si and le across the machined upper face of platform 2. Master jaws 9 and il! are further characterized by dependingportions i9 and E0, seen in Figures l and 6, which lportions, depend below the level of platform 2 into the open areas 23 and E@ along the sides of the vise. Depending I -portion t9, seen in Figure l, is integral with horizontally extending portion d5 and vertically extending portion el of master jaw 9; similarly, depending portion 59, seen at the left in Figure 6, is integral with horizontally extending portion iii and vertically extending portion 128 or" rmaster jaw it. Depending portion le is on the near side and depending portion 5e on the far side of the vise as seen in Figure l.

Rack it is held in horizontal relation to depending portion 4S of master jaw 9 by screws 5l (Figure 5) similarly, rack lll is held in horizontal relation to depending portion 5i) or" master jaw lli by screws 52. The projecting portions of racks i3 and lli are machined and extend forwardly into contact with machined inner surfaces i and 53 on long webs 2l and 2S, respectively, such inner surfaces acting as guides for the racks in the manner indicated in Figure 6. As in the case o1c the upper face of the platform and the contacting portions of the master jaws, the webs and racks are preferably machined to close tolerances to facilitate smooth movement of racks i3 and lli toward and from Webs 2l and 26.

The vertical portions il and i8 of master jaws 9 and i@ are provided as shown in Figures l and 2 with horizontally extending slots and, as shown in Figure 3, with vertically extending slots 56. The horizontally and vertically extending slots intersect as shown in Figure 6. To the rear of horizontally extending slots 55, master jaws le and il are drilled as indicated at 57a in Figures i and 6 to provide passages to accommodate the cap screws 5l that are employed to hold false jaws il and l2 in place. Cap screws 5l appear in Figures 1 and 3. They extend from openings Sib at the rear of vertically extending` portions il and i8 into passages Ela and thence into tapped openings in false jaws il and i2. rl'he relationship between cap screws 5l, master jaws 9 and lli and false jaws li and i2 is best seen in Figure 3.

Extending rearwardly from vertically extending portions il and iS of master jaws 9 and i@ are the integral hub-like projections 58 and Si) which are provided to accommodate the threaded portions @il and el of piston rods l and 8. Lock nuts 52 and metal washers t3 (Figure 2) are provided to keep master jaws 9 and lil from working loose from piston rods 'i and 8. A stop collar ed taking the form of a clamping ring is mounted on piston rod 8 as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Stop collar 515.- is held in place by a clamping screw 55. If such a stop collar is provided. on either of the two piston rods, it is unnecessary to provide a similar stop collar on the other piston rod if, as in the preferred embodiment oi the invention, the jaws are synchronized with each other.

Fluid pressure motor 3 at the left hand end of the vise as seen in Figure l is made up of an inner cylinder head (il, an outer cylinder head 53, and a cylinder wall Sie, the latter being mounted in circular grooves on the inside faces of cylinder heads 6l' and 68. Fluid pressure motor li at the opposite end of the vise is similarly constructed of an inner cylinder head il), an outer cylinder head il and a cylinder wall l2. Stay bolts 'i3 are provided to hold the parts together and are so arranged that their heads Illia are accessible from the ends of the vise. If desired, they may take the form of studs mounted on inner cylinder heads 5i and "iii, in which vase heads i1-ia will take the form of nuts threaded onto the outer ends of the studs. By these or similar means, fluid pressure motors 3 and e can be held together in a manner minimizing the possibility of leakage of the pressure fluid. Where piston rods l and S pass through inner cylinder heads 6l and le, suitable seals of resilient material are provided as indicated at lila and lea in Figure 2. Where pistons 5 and e come into contact with cylinder walls S9 and l2, the pistons are provided with conventional O-ring seals held in suitably formed grooves, this construction or" the pistons being illustrated in Figure 2.

As indicated in Figure 10, the rear face of outer cylinder head 'il has a tapped central bore 14a for receiving the threaded portion of a conventional metal coupling 'M through which a pressure rluid such as compressed air or oil under pressure may be supplied from an external source (not shown) including a connecting fluid line, a four-way valve, and a tank of the nature of a reservoir. As appears from Figure 8, in-y ner cylinder head 'lll is similarly provided with a radially mounted coupling 'i5 threaded into a tapped opening it communicating with a radial passage 'il extending to a point located interiorly of cylinder wall 12 and there it self communicat-V ing with a 'port l in open communication with the space between piston'G and the inner face of 'inner cylinder head l0. By means of port 118, passage 1l, opening 'i6 and coupling "a5, the pressure fluid may be exhausted from the space between piston 6 and cylinder head 10 during the time when pressure fluid is being supplied to the space on the opposite side of piston 6, thus forcing piston il from right to left as seen in'Figure 2.

When the four-way Valve is reversed, pressure fluid is admitted to fluid pressure motor d through coupling l5 and exhausted from uid pressure motor 4 through coupling lll, thus forcing piston 6 from left to right as seen in Figure 2. It this movement of piston 5 that is limited by contact between stop collar E4 and the forward face of inner cylinder head lll. Thus the introduction and withdrawal of pressure fluid from opposite sides of piston @determines the position ofthe piston 5, piston rod t, and master jaw it.

Similar means, including lcouplings similar to couplings 'M and l5, may be used in the case of uid pressure motor 3, Abut in the preferred embodiment oi the invention such are not necessary `and therefore are not shown in the drawings.

VWhereas outer cylinder head 'EI is circular as seen in end elevation, as in Figure 10, inner cylinder head lil has the shape shown in Figures 8 and 9. in addition to a central bore 'ES for piston rod '8, cylinder head le is provided with bores 8i! and 8| for cap screws 82 which, as shown in Figure l, help hold inner cylinder head lll to hase El. The forward face of inner lcylinder head 'l0 has two forwardly extending brackets formed integrally with the cylinder head itself, such brackets being seen in each of Figures 8 and 9. 'Ihey consist of the horizontal projections 83 and 8G and reinforcing webs S5 `and 8%. As shown in Figures l, 3 and 4, hold-down screws 81 serve 'to locate inner cylinder head it and hold it firmly in place on base l, to which end forwardly extending projections 83 and ll are provided With openings accommodating hold-down screws IS?. Similar hold-down screws t8 are ernployed for inner lcylinder head 1671' of fluid pressure motor '3.

Referring again to Figure 8, which shows the forward face of inner cylinder head 10, it will be noted that a port 9| extends inwardly from the forward face of cylinder head lil. lort "Qi does not pass completely through inner cylinder head .lil but terminates approximately midway between the forward and rear faces thereof. It is in communication with a radial passage s2, plugged Aas at 93 at its outer end, which is itself in communication with a port 94 that extends rearwardly from radial passage S2. .Port 9d is in open communication with the Aspace between piston t and the rear or inner face of inner cylinder head '(l. Port SI is tapped as indicated at Sla to accommodate the threaded vportion of the external metal coupling 95 shown in Figure 5.

Attached to coupling 95 is a line 96 of copper, brass or the like which extends longitudinally toward the central Zone of the vise, then curves around the edge of the narrow portion l5a of gear i5, and continues longitudinally toward the Aopposite end of the vise, where vit is received in a similar coupling ill at the base of 4inner cylinder head .Sl of fluid pressure motor v3. Cylinder head 6l is provided with a ...threaded opening, an .externally plugged vradially extending passage and a port that are respectively similar to opening 9i, passage 92 and port YSill in cylinder head lil. Thus the two fluid pressure motors are in constant communication with each other by means of line Qt, such line equalizing the pressures obtaining in the spacesbe tween `the pistons and the inner cylinder heads.

A similar line 99 extends as shown in Figure 5 from a coupling it@ mounted at the base of the inner face of outer cylinder head ll to a like coupling I0! mounted at the base cf the inner face of outer cylinder head '38. As in the case of line 95, line S9 circles part way around gear I5. It crosses line 55 in the manner shown in Figure 5. Line 99 is used after the fashion of line B to equalize the pressures which obtain in the two fluid pressure motors in the spaces between the pistons and the inner faces of the outer cylinder heads. Where line F' is coupled to the outer cylinder head, the latter has a threaded opening H32 extending part way through the cylinder head which threaded opening |02 is in communication with a radial passage ill that is plugged as at itil: see Figures if) and ll.

The construction shown in dotted lines i-n Figure '-16 lin the ease of outer cylinder head 'i i `of fluid pressure motor l is duplicated in outer cylinder head 63 of iiu'id pressure motor 3. Where line S9 passes through inner cylinder head l0, `the latter is provided with an opening its (Figure 8). There is a counterpart opening for lne "lig in inner cylinder head Immediately to the rear oi such openings for ine 99, base AI is provided with similar openings (not shown).

It is the construction just described, making use of crossed lines and d, that maires it possible to dispense with couplings on fluid pressure motor 3 analagous to couplings 'le and l5 on fluid pressure motor fl. While external con nections to couplings ll and l5 are necessary, the need for like external connections to fluid pressure motor 3 is obviated. ln lieu thereof, the two fluid pressure motors are interconnected by lines El and di), the former of which presents less of a problem than the latter in View of vthe fact that it extends from coupling 95 to coupling Sl without having to pass through the base or any of the various cylinder heads. Line 99 of course requires that the end portions of the base and the two inner cylinder heads be provided with aligned openings at each end of the vise through which line t9 can pass from coupling it to coupling mi.

With the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, either a gaseous or a liquid pressure fluid may be employed, although preferably it is compressed ail1 under a pressure of from about 5 to about 100 lbs. per square inch. By suitably varying the pressure within these or other limits, a force of varying magnitude can be developed in the zone where the work piece is grasped by false jaws l l and i2. In a typical case, the piston has a diameter of 31/2 inches exclusive of the O-ring seal, so that clamping forces of magnitudes up to about 200e lbs. may be obtained without difculty. These forces are exerted in such a way that the resultants of all forces acting on the two jaws are not only in opposition to but also in perfect alignment with each other.

The incorporation in the assembly as a whole of `gear l5 and racks i3 and lll introduces a synchronizing mechanism into the vise. Although preferably present, such synchronizing 'mechanism may be omitted if desired. At no time is any clamping pressure transmitted through the synchronizing mechanism. Its function is to provide uniformity of travel between the two extreme positions of the jaws illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, in the former of which the jaws are fully open and in the latter of which the jaws are closed together.

Where, as in the described embodiment of the invention, the parts experiencing relative movement are machined to close tolerances, the center of the work piece may be located within plus or minus .001 inch of the established center lines, both horizontally and vertically. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, each jaw is independently adjustable with relation to such center line, as by means of lock nuts 62 and washers 63 on threaded portions 60 and 6I of piston rods 'l and B. Thus the jaws can be readily moved as needed to accommodate unsymmetrical work pieces. if desired, the same result may be obtained by using non-identical false jaws in place of the identical false jaws I l and l2.

Thus the vise of the present invention is a precision tool adapted to locate centers or other predetermined points regardless of the shape orv varying` size of the work. As a result of the construction of the base and the manner of mounting the fluid pressure motors, the vise is strong and sturdy. By virtue of the manner in which the jaws are guided on the platform. lost motion is virtually an absent factor. rlhe close limits of accuracy required for fine work are met; in consequence, the vise may be used for such .precision operations as chamiering, countersinking, counterboring, end milling, drilling, tapping, reaming, etc., as well as for various unrelated operations such as tube spinning and tube expanding. In ordinary circumstances not more than about two square feet of bench space are required and, unless otherwise desired, only four bolts art the foulv corners of the base are necessary to hold in position.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by summarization in appended claims, all of the various features of patentable novelty that reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A precision vise oi' the double-acting type comprising an elongated base; two opposed fluid pressure motors on said base, one at each end thereof, with their axes of reciprocation disposed above the top portion of the base, parallel to the axis of the base, and in alignment with each other; opposed jaws mechanically connected to the two motors, one to each thereof, in suoli manner that simultaneous movement of the motors simultaneously urges the jaws toward or from each other; depending portions on said jaws formed integrally with the jaws themselves, said depending portions projecting downward below the bottom of the top portion of the base; and, between the depending portions of the jaws, means for synchronizing movement of the jaws, said means comprising two oppositely projecting racks carried by the depending portions of the jaws the ends of which racks are guided by rackguiding surfaces on the base and an intervening gear on the bottom face of the top portion of the base which gear cooperates with the racks to synchronize the movement of the jaws.

2. A precision vise oi the double-acting type comprising an elongated base that is slotted lengthwise of the base on each side of its longitudinal axis; two opposed reciprocatory motors Lil) on said base, one at each end thereof, with their axes of reciprocation disposed above the top portion of the base, parallel to the axis of the base, and in alignment with each other, opposed jaws mechanically connected to the two motors, one to each thereof, in such manner that simultaneous movement of the motors simultaneously urges the jaws toward or from each other; depending portions on the jaws projecting downward below the bottom of the top portion of the base, said depending portions carrying oppositely projecting racks parts of which are in contact .with rack-guiding surfaces on the base; a gear intervening between and cooperating with the racks to synchronize the movement of the jaws, said gear being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis below the bottom of the top portion of the base; guideways on the bottom of the top portion of the base; and, projecting downward from the two jaws through the slots in the base, a plurality of guide members each of which coacts with at least one of the guideways.

3. A precision vise as in claim 2 in which the motors are fluide pressure motors.

4.-. A precision vise as in claim 3 in which the fluid pressure motors take the form of power cylinders.

5. A precision vise of the double-acting type comprising an elongated base; two opposed fluid pressure motors on said base, one at each end thereof, with their axes of reciprocation disposed above the top portion of the base, parallel to the axis of the base, and in alignment with each other; opposed jaws mechanically connected to the two fluid pressure motors, one to each thereof, in such manner that simultaneous movement of the motors simultaneously urges the jaws toward or from each other; depending portions on the jaws projecting downward below the bottom of the top portion of the base, said depending portions carrying oppositely projecting racks parts of which are in contact with rack-guiding surfaces on the base; a gear intervening between and cooperating with the racks to synohronize the movement of the jaws, said gear being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis below the bottom of the top portion of the base; fluid pressure lines connecting the near ends of the motors with each other and connecting the far ends of the motors with each other; and, at opposite ends of one of the motors, connections for admitting and exhausting pressure fluid,

6. A precision vise as in claim 5 in which the fluid pressure lines are located within the base itself below the bottom of the top portion of the base.

7. A precision vise as in claim 6 in which the fluid pressure lines crossimmediately below the gear in the central zone of the vise.

8. A precision vise of the double-acting type comprising an elongated base; two opposed fluid pressure motors on said base, one at each end thereof, with their axes of reciprocation disposed above the top portion of the base, parallel to the axis of the base, and in alignment with each other; opposed jaws mechanically connected to the two motors, one to each thereof, in such manner that reciprocatory movement of the motors urges the jaws toward or from each other; depending portions on the jaws projecting downward below the bottom of the top portion of the base, said depending portions carrying oppositely projecting racks parts of which are in contact with rack-guiding surfaces on the base; a gear intervening between and cooperating with the racks to synchronize the movement of the jaws, said gear being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis below the bottom of the top portion of the base; guideways on the bottom of the top portion of the base; and, coacting with said guideways, guide means projecting downward from the two jaws into proximity to said guideways.

9. A precision vise of the double-acting type comprising an elongated base that is slotted lengthwise of the base on each side of its longitudinal axis; two opposed fluid pressure motors on said base, one at each end thereof, with their axes of reciprocation disposed above the top portion of the base, parallel to the axis of the base, and in alignment with each other; opposed jaws mechanically connected to the two motors, one to each thereof, in such manner that simultaneous movement of vthe motors simultaneously urges the jaws toward or from each other; depending portions on the jaws projecting downward below the bottom of the top portion of the base, said depending portions carrying oppositely projecting racks parts of which are in Contact with rack-guiding surfaces on the base; a gear intervening between and cooperating with the racks to synchronize the movement of the jaws, said gear being mounted for rotation about a Vertical aXis below the bottom of the top portion of the base; double guideways anking the slots on the bottom of the top portion of the base; and, projecting downward from each of the two jaws through the slots in the base, a plurality of inverted T-shaped guide members, each of which fao-acts with one of the double guideways.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,253,713 Lancaster Aug. 26, 1941 2,289,597 Seat July 14, 1942 2,308,099 Obecny Jan. 12, 1943 2,448,478 White Aug. 31, 1948

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