Chick Machine Tool Inc.

Chick Workholding Solutions, Inc.

Other

Chick Workholding Systems, Inc.

George R Swann

Eric R Moore

Edward S Paris

James L Hartman

James B Krebs

Jeffrey M Warth

James G Alward, Ii

James D Moore

A modular workpiece holding apparatus comprising a first portion including a first base and a first jaw member supported by the first base and, additionally, a second portion including a second base positionable relative to the first base at a selected distance relative to the first base, wherein the selected distance is selected by the operator of the modular apparatus. The modular apparatus can further include a movable second jaw member and a drive member extending between the first base and the second base, wherein the second jaw member comprises a connector movable between an engaged position in which the second jaw member is operably engaged with the drive member and a disengaged position in which the second jaw member is operably disengaged from the drive member. The drive member extends between the first and second portions when the portions are positioned on a foundation plate at the selected distance.

Workholding apparatus

A method for attaching a jaw to a vise-like workholding apparatus. The method includes placing the jaw member onto a support member of the workholding apparatus in a first direction that is perpendicular to a worksurface of the workholding apparatus. The jaw member is placed such that at least a portion of the support member is received within a cavity in the jaw member in a first released position. The method also includes applying a first axial force in a first axial direction to the jaw member to cause the jaw member to move axially in the first axial direction to a second position wherein it is retained on the support member.

Method for attaching a jaw to a vise-like workholding apparatus

A removable jaw assembly for a workholding apparatus having a base that defines a worksurface and a first longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an tower portion provided on the workholding apparatus that protrudes above the worksurface and defines a second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The assembly also includes a removable jaw member that has a cavity that is sized to receive the tower portion therein such that the jaw member may be selectively longitudinally moved on the tower portion between a released position and an attached position. The tower portion includes at least one spring-biased latch member adapted to engage an engagement area formed in a wall of the cavity at right angles to the second longitudinal axis to selectively retain the removable jaw on the tower portion. In addition, an angled retaining surface is provided in the tower portion transverse to the second longitudinal axis and is adapted to selectively engage a corresponding groove in the removable jaw member when it is in the attached position.

Detachable jaw for vise-like workholding apparatus

A shield for use in connection with a workholding apparatus that has a base and at least two jaw members operably supported on the base for selectively clamping a workpiece therebetween. The shield comprises a plate member adapted to be removably received on the base and configured to permit at least one jaw member to move relative thereto. The plate member may be sized to provide the workholding apparatus with a worksurface that is wider than the base.

Apparatus for expanding the worksurface of a vise-like workholding

An indexing apparatus for indexing an article about an axis. The indexing apparatus is adapted to be removably attached to the article and is constructed to axially displace the article along the axis to a disengaged position upon the initial application of a rotary force to an indexing assembly housed within the indexing apparatus. When in the disengaged position, the article can be selectively rotated about the axis by the further application of rotary force to the indexing assembly so that the article may be positioned in a predetermined angular position. The indexing apparatus further includes locking pins for locking the article in a plurality of predetermined angular positions when the application of rotational force to the indexing assembly is discontinued.

Indexing apparatus

A removable jaw assembly for a workholding apparatus having a base member with a longitudinal slot therein. The assembly includes a movable support member that has a lower portion operably supportable in the longitudinal slot such that it can be selectively axially moved therein. The movable support member has an upper portion that protrudes from the slot for supporting a jaw member thereon. A jaw retaining member is attached to the upper portion of the movable support member such that it is selectively movable between a first position wherein the jaw member is nonremovably attached to the upper portion of the movable support member and a second position wherein the jaw member can be removed from the upper portion of the movable support member. An actuation member is provided on the base member for biasing the jaw retaining member to the second position when the movable support member is moved to a disengaged position.

Removable jaw for vise-like workholding apparatus

Apparatus for attaching a member onto a planar surface of an object within a predetermined degree of positioning accuracy relative to a reference axis on the planar surface. The apparatus comprises first and second bores in the object that are spaced a predetermined distance apart on the reference axis such that their respective centers extend substantially perpendicularly through the reference axis. First and second hollow protrusions are formed on a mating surface of the member and are spaced apart on the mating surface a second predetermined distance and are shaped such that the second predetermined distance can vary a predetermined amount relative to the first predetermined distance without affecting the ability to simultaneously insert the first and second protrusions into the first and second bores, respectively, while maintaining the degree of positioning accuracy of the member relative to the reference axis on the planar surface on the object.

Apparatus for positioning an element on a surface

A shield for use in connection with a workholding apparatus that has a base having a longitudinal slot and at least two jaw members operably supported on the base for selectively clamping a workpiece therebetween. The shield comprises a plate member adapted to be removably received on the base and configured to permit at least one jaw member to move relative thereto. The plate member may be sized to provide the workholding apparatus with a worksurface that is wider than the base, the plate member having an opening to permit movement of the jaw members such that it is completely covered by the cooperation of the jaw members and the plate to prevent debris from entering the longitudinal slot of the base. Alternately, the opening is provided with grooves for slidably guiding a telescoping cover plate which is attached to movable support members and is cooperated with the cover plate to completely cover the longitudinal slot during the clamping operation.

Apparatus for separating a member that is attached to an object within a predetermined degree of positioning accuracy by fasteners that can selectively engage and disengage the object. The apparatus comprises at least one biasing member positioned between at least one portion of the member and the object to bias the member away from the object when the fasteners are disengaged from the object.

Apparatus for facilitating the detachment of an element from an object

A workholding system comprising dissimilar support members, each adapted to interchangeably operably support at least one vise-like clamping assembly in a plurality of workholding orientations relative to a support member. One support member arrangement can non-movably support a plurality of vise-like clamping assemblies relative to the support member. Another support member can indexably support a plurality of vise-like clamping assemblies such that they can be selectively indexed about a common axis.

Modular vise-like workholding system

An adaptor member for mounting a column that operably supports at least two vise-like clamping assemblies in a predetermined orientation on a support surface of a milling table. The vise-like clamping assemblies include movable support members that protrude from a corresponding surface of the column and have removable jaw members attached thereto. The adaptor member is equipped with cavities adapted to receive therein the movable support members of a clamping assembly to enable the column to be supported on the adaptor member. Locating members are provided to locate a surface of the column member relative to the adaptor member in a predetermined confronting orientation. The column member is removably attached to the adaptor member using pins that are also used to removably attach the jaw members to their corresponding movable support members.

Apparatus for supporting multiple vise-like workholding devices

An indexable workholding apparatus. The apparatus has a column member with at least one pair of workholding jaws operably attached thereto. The column member is rotatably and axially supported on a shaft member that is operably attached to an indexing assembly. The indexing assembly is constructed to axially displace the column along a longitudinal axis to a disengaged position upon the initial application of a rotary force to the shaft member. When in the disengaged position, the column can be selectively rotated about the axis by the further application of rotary force to the shaft member so that the column may be positioned in a predetermined angular position. A damping apparatus is attached to the shaft member and column for damping the return axial and rotary motion of the column and shaft member when the application of rotary force is discontinued. The indexing apparatus further includes a device for locking the article in a plurality of predetermined angular positions when the application of rotational force to the indexing assembly is discontinued.

Indexible workholding apparatus

An indexing apparatus for indexing an article about an axis. The indexing apparatus is adapted to be removably attached to the article and is constructed to axially displace the article along the axis to a disengaged position upon the initial application of a rotary force to an indexing assembly housed within the indexing apparatus. When in the disengaged position, the article can be selectively rotated about the axis by the further application of rotary force to the indexing assembly so that the article may be positioned in a predetermined angular position. The indexing apparatus further includes a device for locking the article in a plurality of predetermined angular positions when the application of rotational force to the indexing assembly is discontinued.

A plate member adapted to be received on the base of a machine vise having a longitudinal slot or cavity therein is provided to prevent the entry of foreign material into the slot or cavity. The plate member may also be provided with slots therein to limit the longitudinal travel of the vise's clamping members.

Apparatus for protecting internal elements of a workholding apparatus

A precision machine vise is provided with quick-change head members or means to facilitate the changeover from making one kind of part to another, preferably in equipment provided with computer numerical control. The precision machine vise is of the kind having obliquely oriented surfaces as an anti-cocking measure. One first part of the equipment supported by the base of the precision machine vise has an upstanding boss, and a second part of the equipment containing jaw plates in contact with the work has a vertical bore in which said boss fits, and there is a horizontal bore through the boss of the first part and through the second part, into and through which a locking-in means fits. The first part is provided with means to minimize play between the first part and the second. The second part mentioned above may be a disposable item. For use with a precision machine vise of the two-place type, there is also provided a changeable 'fixed' central member, securable to the base via bolts accessible from above.

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Gibsonia, PA, United States of America

George R Swann