Stackable jaw system for automated manufacturing

Abstract

A stackable jaw system is described. The system comprises a low profile base jaw that increases the available workspace in the milling machine while maintaining the registration and grip on a work piece. A Second or top jaw can be attached atop the base jaw and provides a second means to grip and register a work piece. The stackable jaw system can include a wide variety of second or top jaws so long as they include a cutout that matches the profile of the base jaw and have dimensions to match the base jaw. The stackable jaw system can be used on a variety of vises. The stackable jaw system can be customized in that the base jaw can be designed to attach to a variety of trucks on a variety of vises.

Description

[0001] STACKABLE JAW SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 568,889, titled: STACKABLE JAW SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING, filed March 22, 2024, by the same inventors and currently pending.

[0003] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] Not Applicable.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0007] The invention relates to a jaw system used with vises in automated manufacturing.

[0008] RELATED BACKGROUND ART

[0009] A tooling fixture is used to hold a workpiece during intricate machining such as 5 axis machining. The fixture system requires that the workpiece be held securely and precisely and provides access to a machine tool to all facets of the workpiece. Preferably it is possible to prepare the raw stock and easily and removably mount the stock in the fixture to present to a machine to create a part. Here, machine refers to any computer aided machining that includes a need for precisely and solidly holding a work piece. There are a variety of vises known in the art that provide this needed functionality. US patent 9364937, Taylor et al, describes a self-centering vise. US patent 10179392, also Taylor et al, describes a multi-station vise. Common to these and almost all other vises are some form of jaw system that attaches to the vise and that includes means, usually a serrated edge or teeth, to grip the work piece such that it is held firmly and is accurately referenced relative to the machine. Typical jaw systems are described with particular attributes in mind. US patent 11383354, Darel Taylor et al, describes a jaw system that includes a base that mates to the vise truck and the base and the jaw have mating surfaces angled so as to direct forces so as to reduce jaw lift. The machines with which these vises and vise jaw systems are used are significant capital investments. Anything that can be done to improve utilization of these machines is important. A short change-over time from a first setup to make a part to a second setup for a second process step or to make a different part completely is valuable. The prior art vise systems themselves take up a volume of space within the working area of the machines. That volume therefore excludes space that could hold more or larger workpieces. Any time spent on cleanup of the machines is down time.

[0010] There is a need for a vise jaw system that can be changed from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration providing a different vise jaw, and the change can be done quickly and reversibly. There is a need for a default first configuration that takes up minimal volume within the working area of the machine. There is a need for a vise jaw system that includes shielding to minimize contamination of the base vise. There is a need for such a vise jaw system that can be used on a wide variety of vises and tooling bases, including, for example, self-centering vises, multistation vises, and, automated and manual vises. There is a need for such a vise jaw system that does not compromise precision in holding work pieces in relation to the coordinates of the machine.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invented solution to address the needs described above is a stackable jaw system. The system includes a first base jaw that has a minimal vertical profile and includes tooled reference features to register the base jaw to the coordinate system of the machine and attaches directly to the truck. No further base structure that takes up valuable machine workspace is required. The base jaw can be attached to a wide variety of vises as discussed above. The system further includes covers and integrated felt wipers to prevent debris from building up in between the jaw and the base guide rails, thereby significantly decreasing any down time for cleanup. The base jaw is further designed to act as a base for a second jaw that stacks atop the base jaw and leverages the registration system of the base jaw to register within the coordinates of the machine. Further advantages and features are as described in the details that follow.

[0013] The specific examples are not intended to limit the inventive concept to the example application. The specific examples can be used interchangeably, even in cases where the specific combinations are not shown but are described sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to make such a combination of features. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 shows a prior art vise jaw system.

[0016] Figure 2 shows a base jaw as attached to a vise.

[0017] Figure 3 A shows a different view of Figure 2.

[0018] Figure 3B shows an overlapping comparison of the prior art vise jaw system of Figure 1 and the base jaw system of Figure 2.

[0019] Figure 4 shows addition of a debris cover to the base jaw system of Figure 2.

[0020] Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of the debris cover.

[0021] Figure 6 shows a profile close-up view of the debris cover.

[0022] Figure 7 shows a second jaw attached atop the base jaw of Figure 2 thereby showing a stackable jaw system.

[0023] Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the stackable jaw system atop the base jaw of Figure 7.

[0024] Figure 9 shows an exploded view and further details of just the stackable jaw system.

[0025] Figure 10 shows the stackable jaw system using the same base jaw of Figure 2 and a soft jaw type second jaw.

[0026] Figure 11 shows a bottom perspective exploded view of the stackable jaw system of Figure 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Figure 1 shows a prior art vise jaw system. The system includes a base 104 with attached jaw and teeth 105, attached to the base 104 with screws 106. The base and jaw 105 are used to grip a workpiece, shown in later Figures. The base 104 in turn attaches to and is precisely registered to the truck 102 and the vise base 101 using registration pin 107 and screws 108, only one of four of which are labeled. The same structure is used to register and hold both of the bases 104 in place. In the example vise 101 both trucks 102 and jaws have a travel direction towards and away 110 from each other sliding atop the guide rails 109 when operating the drive screw actuator 103. The vise 101 of Figure 1 is a selfcentering vise with both bases 104 and jaws 105 moving simultaneously towards or away from each other 110 on actuation of the drive screw 103. The invented stackable jaw system is not limited to the example vise 101 of Figure 1. The vise 101 can be any of many vises known in the art such as single side vises where one of the jaws is fixed, and, multiple station vises where there are a plurality of bases and jaws 104, 105 attached to the same base and automatically actuated vises that include, but are not limited to, electric or pneumatic systems to move the trucks.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a base jaw 201 that is a first part of the invented stackable jaw system, the base jaw 201 attaches to the truck 102 of a vise 101. In the embodiment shown the base jaw 201 is bolted to the truck 102 using the same bolts 108 and registration 107 as shown in the prior art of Figure 1. In another embodiment the base jaw and truck 102 are fabricated to be a single piece. The base jaw 201 is a rectangular solid having first sides or edges 202 that include teeth 203 for gripping a work piece. In one embodiment shown in Figure 2, the base jaw includes teeth along both sides 202. In another embodiment, not shown, only the inner edges that would grip a workpiece include teeth 203. The base jaws 201 have ends 204 that are parallel to the direction of travel 110 of the truck 102 when operating the drive screw actuator 103. Each base jaw has a vertical dimension 206. The base jaw is attached to the truck 102 of a vise 101 using the bolts 107 and the registration pin 108 (labeled in Figure 1) such that the base jaw is aligned and registered to the vise 101 and truck 102. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the two base jaws are identical and symmetric; as are the mounting bolts on the truck. There is no particular orientation required to install the base jaw. It can be flipped end for end and jaw for jaw. Both long edges of the base jaw include teeth 202 that grip a workpiece for machining. In another embodiment, not shown, the base jaw includes teeth only along one of the edges 202 that, in use, are oriented towards one another to grip a workpiece shown in Figures below. The base jaws, as a rectangular solid, inherently have a top surface 207 and a bottom surface 208. In the embodiment shown the length of the first edge is greater than the length of the second edge 204. In other embodiments, the length of the second edge 204 is equal to or greater than the length of the first edge 202. In the embodiment shown, the base jaw further includes machined grooves 301 on the underside 208, seen in figure 3 into which fit felt wipers 209 that keep debris from building up in between the jaw and the base guide rails 109. In the embodiment shown, There are V-shaped grooves 207 on both of the long sides 205 of the base jaw and located immediately below the teeth 202. These grooves are used to secure a second jaw atop the base jaw that includes a complementary shaped projection in its base that mates with the grooves 207. Details of the stacking are discussed below and shown in Figures 7 - 11.

[0029] Figure 3A shows a bottom perspective view of the base jaw 201 and the machining. The grooves 301 and felt wipers 203 have already been discussed. The machining further includes holes and slots 303 that match with the bolts 108 and alignment pin 107 on the truck 102. The design further includes a lip 302 that is shown in Figures 4 - 6 used to secure a dust cover 402 over the inner workings of the vise 101. The machining on the bottom surface of the base jaw can take a variety of forms to accommodate different registration systems used on different trucks and vises.

[0030] Figure 3B shows a side view of the base jaw 201 attached to the vise 101. The view further includes a side view of the prior art jaw 104 shown to the same scale. The dashed box shows the cross-section of the volume within a milling machine that is newly opened to use by the low profile base jaw 201. Referring now to Figures 4 - 6 a dust cover 402 that fits between the base jaws 201 and below the work piece 401 is shown added to the stackable jaw system. The dust cover is a thin rectangular sheet made of plastic or metal and is held in place by the lip 302. The lip 302 is the underside of the edge 202 of the base jaw 201. The edge of the base jaw overlaps the edge of the dust cover 402 and when the base jaw is attached to the truck holds the dust cover in place. Figures 5 and 6 show a close-up view of the region where the edge of the dust cover 402 abuts the edge of the truck 102. When the base jaw 201 is screwed down to the truck the lip 302 on the bottom of the base jaw overlaps 601 and contacts the top surface of the dust cover 402 and holds it in place.

[0031] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a second jaw 701 attached atop the base jaw 201. The second jaw embodiment shown 701 includes teeth 703 attached with screws 704 that are used to clamp the work piece 401 in place. The base of the second jaw includes a cutout 702 that has a complementary shape to the cross sectional shape 305 of the base jaw such that the second jaw 701 can be slid over the top of the base jaw and held in place with screws 705. The cross-sectional shape of the base jaw shown here as including a v- groove and the shape of the second jaw including a projection to fit into this groove are varied in other embodiments. In another embodiment the base jaw includes a double V- groove and the base of the second jaw includes a shape complementary to the double groove of the base jaw. Other cross-sectional shapes of the base jaw and complementary shapes of the base of the second jaw are possible so long as the second jaw mates with the base jaw. The second jaw further includes threaded holes 706 in the ends of the second jaw that, with flat head screws 705, engage both the flat end surfaces of the base jaw 204 and the flat end surfaces of the second jaw 701 ensuring accurate location of the second jaw in the direction 111 with respect to both the base jaw 201 and the truck 102 and vise 101. The process is easily reversed to return to just the base jaw system or to select and install a different second jaw. Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the second jaw as it would mount upon the base jaw 201 and the vise 101 and including the dust cover 402. Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the invented stackable jaw system without vise 101. As noted previously the vise 101 and truck can take a variety of forms as are known in the art. The items shown in Figure 9 with the addition of the dust cover are a first embodiment of the stackable jaw system.

[0032] The second jaw can take on a variety of forms. Figures 7 - 9 show a second jaw that includes a hard, fixed jaw with teeth. Figures 10 and 11 show a second version of the top or second jaw of the stackable jaw system. The requirements for the second jaw are that it includes a complementary cutout 702 that matches the profile and dimensions of the base jaw 201. Figures 10 and 11 show a soft jaw 1001 attached atop the base jaw 201 using the same components as already discussed. The soft jaw does not include the jaw teeth of the previous version. The work piece is clamped between the two soft jaws 1001. Figures 7 - 9 show a first embodiment of the second or top jaw of the stackable jaw system and Figures 10 and 11 show a second version of the top / second jaw as it stacks atop the base jaw 201. Top jaws other than those shown 701, 1001 thus far can be used so long as the top jaw includes the complementary cutout 702, the attachment screws 705, 709, corresponding holes 707 711, and, the dimensions match those of the base jaw.

[0033] SUMMARY

[0034] A stackable jaw system is described. The system comprises a low profile base jaw that increases the available workspace in the milling machine while maintaining the registration and grip on a work piece. A second or top jaw can be attached atop the base jaw and provides a second means to grip and register a work piece. The stackable jaw system can include a wide variety of second or top jaws so long as they include a cutout that matches the profile of the base jaw and have dimensions to match the base jaw. The stackable jaw system can be used on a variety of vises. The stackable jaw system can be customized in that the base jaw can be designed to attach to a variety of trucks on a variety of vises.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMSI Claim:

1. A stackable jaw system for a vise, the vise having a truck for attachment of jaws, and the stackable jaw system comprising: a. a first base j aw and a second base j aw, the first base j aw and the second base jaw are each a rectangular solid having a top face, a bottom face, two first edges parallel to one another, and, two second edges parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first edges, and, a height, the first base jaw oriented such that the first edges are perpendicular to a travel direction of the base jaw when the vise is actuated to clamp or unclamp a workpiece and at least one of the first edges include teeth to grip the workpiece, and, b. the first and second base jaws have a V-groove in the first edges located below the set of teeth, forming a cross-sectional profile, and, c. a first and a second stacking jaw, having a bottom surface that includes a cutout that has a cross-sectional profile that is the complement of the cross-sectional profile of the first and second base jaws, such that the second jaw may be slid onto the base jaw and when secured to the first and second base jaws are registered and aligned to the base jaw and therefore to the truck and the vise.

2. The stackable jaw system of claim 1 where the second jaws are hard jaws and include teeth for gripping the workpiece.

3. The stackable jaw system of claim 1 where the second jaws are soft jaws.

4. The stackable jaw system of claim 1 further including a groove machined in the bottom face of the at least one of the first base jaw and the second base jaw, the groove sized and shaped to receive a wiper that seals against a top surface of the vise and cleans debris from the top surface of the vise when the truck of the vise is moved to attach or remove a workpiece.The stackable jaw system of claim 1 further including a flat sheet that fits between the first base jaw and the second base jaw and thereby prevents debris from falling into the vise.

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