Clamping mechanism in a vise jaw accessory system for attaching and releasing vise accessories while maintaining positional accuracy of the accessories

摘要

A vise jaw system for a vise having a horizontal datum surface at least one removable jaw for selective attachment to the vise, the removable jaw having a bottom surface held in fixed relation to the horizontal datum surface and a front surface perpendicular to the horizontal datum surface. The removable jaw also includes a recess formed in at least the bottom surface of the removable jaw. At least one positioning plate is selectively attached to the removable jaw, the positioning plate having a bottom face contacting the horizontal datum surface and a rear face perpendicular to the horizontal datum surface. The positioning plate further includes a cleat fixed to the positioning plate adjacent to the bottom face of the positioning plate, the cleat having a shape sized for reception in the recess. Pressure devices are located in one of the removable jaw and the cleat for engaging the cleat when received in the recess to urge the bottom face of the positioning plate against the horizontal datum surface. The pressure devices include, in a single mechanism, and arrangement for applying a biasing force to the cleat and an arrangement for disabling the biasing force and locking the cleat in position. In one embodiment of the invention, the recess has a lateral length less than the lateral length of the bottom surface of the removable jaw, such that the cleat of the positioning plate enters the recess in a longitudinal direction. The system also has a lateral alignment mechanism for laterally aligning the positioning plate relative to the vertical datum surface upon longitudinal insertion of the cleat within the recess.