The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 27, 1976
Filed:
Dec. 31, 1974
John E Griffith, Mahopac, NY (US);
David D Grossman, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
Peter M Will, Norwalk, CT (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A quasi-liquid vise is provided for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces which comprises an open-topped vessel into which a workpiece may be inserted, a particulate fluidizable material located within and, substantially filling said vessel, pressure means connected to said vessel for introducing a gas or fluid therein to fluidize said particulate material, and means for applying a vacuum to said vessel and the particulate material to substantially solidify said particulate material when it is desired to clamp a workpiece therein. The solidifying effect of said vacuum applied to said particulate material may be enhanced by utilizing alternate layers of different sized particulate material wherein smaller particles fill voids and enhance the vacuum effect and hence the rigidity of the particulate material when it is desired to solidify same. Two additional approaches to improving the vacuum solidification effect include coating relatively dense particles with a somewhat resilient deformable material whereby better sealing action will be effected. Also, uniquely shaped particles may be utilized wherein a more rigid interlocking particle effect will be obtained upon application of the vacuum.