Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE VERTICAL WORK HOLDER DEVICE
(Attorney Docket No.HWE-109A)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to supporting workpieces, such as
table tops, doors, framed windows, etc., that require work, e.g. cutting,
planing, screwing, gluing. It involves a unique work holder device that
utilizes a single base that is arcuate in its rest position, i.e. arced, so as
to
perform dual functions as a spring and as a workpiece rest. It eliminates
complex devices and devices that require separate spring members.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following patents represent various devices that are utilized
as work holders, clamps or vises:
United States Design patent No. 297,502 illustrates a support
clamp for holding door panels on edge that has a single flat base and two
stationary uprights.
United States Patent No. 1,715,722 describes a door supporting
vise comprising a pair of hinged strips, a vise jaw fixed on one of the
strips adjacent the hinge connection of the strips, a vise jaw mounted on
the other strip adjacent the hinge connection of the strips and adjustable
toward and away from the first jaw, and a leaf spring pivotally connected
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to one of the said strips to swing out laterally thereof, at times, or in line
therewith, at times, to extend across the hinge connection and said other
strip and normally exerting an upward force on the hinged ends of the
strips whereby to hold the vise jaws apart to facilitate the introduction of
the edge of a door between said jaws. This patent requires a base of at
least three pieces to accomplish similar results that the present invention
achieves with a single base element. The present invention eliminates
the pair of hinged strips and the separate leaf spring and pivot, all
required by this prior art.
United States Patent No. 2,503,388 describes a door supporting
device comprising: a horizontal bed; vertical door-supporting members
carried by the bed; clamping members adapted to secure the door against
the vertical supporting members; a framework carried by the horizontal
bed carrying the clamps; horizontally extending arms supporting the bed;
the vertical supporting members; and the clamps; roller means adjustably
carried by the horizontally extending arms, the roller means being
adjustable to vary the elevation of and tilt the door; and levels
perpendicularly disposed adjacent the horizontal bed.
United States Patent No. 3,736,629 describes a clamping device
that includes two, preferably curved, arms which are pivotally connected
together at an apex and which may be shifted inwardly and outwardly by
means of a force applying threaded sleeve and screw member which are
pivotally connected to the respective arm portions. The sleeve member
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is mounted on a block which is pivoted to one of the arms and a threaded
spindle or screw member is passed through a block which is pivoted to
the other arm and engages within the sleeve member. The outer ends of
each arm includes clamping jaws which are shifted witli the arms
inwardly or outwardly in order to provide a clamping action by rotation
of the screw relative to the sleeve member. At least one of the arms may
pivot not only about the pivotal connection at the apex of the two arms
but also about the pivot of either of the threaded sleeve or the threaded
spindle block supports which are arranged intermediate in length of the
respective arm. A final tightening clamping action may be obtained by
means of an eccentric portion of the pivot for the apex if the two anns
which has. the effect of shifting one end of one arm at the location at the
apex in a direction outwardly so that it pivots about its intermediate
connection to the force applying sleeve or spindle member.
United States Patent No. 4,138,099 describes a material handling
device for handling sheets of plywood, sheet rock, plate glass or other
flat materials. The device has a padded channel base, which supports the
material, over a substantial length, thus eliminating problem of dents,
and breakage in the material. At approximately the mid-point of the
length of the channel base is affixed a padded broad clamp, which
secures the material in the base channel. The-securing of the material in
the device, along the length of the base channel utilizes tlie inherent
rigidity of the material to add to the rigidity of the device. The broad
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clamp is affixed to the base channel in such a manner that the broad
clamp is high enough above the base channel to provide superior
stability, minimizing tipping. At one end of the base channel is affixed a
cross member, supporting floor engaging wheels, of sufficient width to
insure stability. At the other end of the base channel is affixed, a handle
to facilitate moving from one location to another. The device with the
sheets of material therein can be easily move by picking up one end of
the material and rolling. The rigidity and stability of the device are
sufficient to permit a carpenter to plane, saw, or otherwise on the upper
edge of the material while the material is supported by the device.
United States Patent No. 4,270,741 describes a vise for thin
objects such as doors has improved features that allows the door to be
transported on the vise and also accommodates various thicknesses of
doors. The vise has a pair of jaws hinged together by a spring loaded
hinge. The spring urges the jaws apart. The weight of the door
overcomes the spring, drawing the jaws into contact with the door for
support. Each jaw is mounted on a wheel for transporting. Each jaw
also has an adjustable plate mounted on its inner side for varying the
effective opening of the jaws.
United States Patent No. 4,733,842 describes a multi-purpose
clamp for clamping an attachment to a support structure. This clamp
consists of a first rigid panel with two edges, a second rigid panel
hingedly attached to the first edge of the first rigid panel, a third rigid
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panel hingedly attached to the second edge of the first rigid panel, a
threaded sleeve and rod for changing the angular orientation of the
second rigid panel with respect to the third rigid panel and opposing
groups located on the faces of both second and third rigid panels.
5 United States Patent No. 5,192,046 describes a provided
computer,processor. support or vertical stand including a pair of opposed,
coupled support members, each having a vertically extending end portion
and a horizontally extending foot portion with an integral rack. A pawl
member extends parallel to the foot portion and includes a hook. The
pawl member is hingedly connected to the support member and includes
an actuator which is actuatable to pivotally move the hook. A pair of the
devices can be positioned in opposing relationship about a computer
placed on edge so that the pair can be convergingly clamped onto the
computer with the hook positively but releasably engaging the rack.
United States Patent No. 6,024,351 describes a door or window
floor clamp providing opposing compression legs pivotally mounted
onto opposing base legs and supported in upright attitudes by opposing
telescoping braces. The braces are adjustable and extensible with latches
provided for positioning the braces on the base legs and for loclcing the
compression legs in place. The clamp folds so that the base legs, the
compression legs and the braces are all in parallel adjacency for compact
handling and storing.
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United States Patent No. 6,439,528 B1 describes a stand
comprising a pair of stand members. Each of the stand members is
integrally formed with a casting support section and a connecting
section. Projections are provided on the connecting section. The
projections are used to connect the stand members top one another, and
they are used to attach the stand members to the casing.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither
taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a portable, adjustable vertical
work holder device. The device includes a base support having an
arcuate front view profile and a flat bottom view, and has a top and a
bottom. There is a pair of opposing jaws connected to the base support,
and at least one of the pair of jaws being slideably mounted to the base
support and having a locking means located thereon to render the
slideably mounted jaw lockable and unlockable in plurality of positions
along the base support. One critical and unique feature is that the base
support is yielding (semi-flexible) and will flatten under load.
In some preferred embodiments, there is a slideable jaw and a
fixed jaw. Thus, the fixed jaw is the one of the pair ofjaws that is
permanently and fixedly attached to the base support.
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In some preferred embodiments, the pair of jaws are substantially
flat jaws facing one another with a gap therebetween, and when the
device is in a rest position without a workpiece, there is a first gap width
closest the base support that is less then a gap width fcu-thest from the
base support. When a load is applied to the base support by placement of
a workpiece between said pair of jaws and on the base support, the base
support is flattened to a substantially horizontal side profile in a stressed
position, and the pair of jaws become substantially parallel to one
another to hold the workpiece.
The present invention device is made of material selected from
the group consisting of metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Plastic
is preferred. Any known plastic material strong enough to hold a
workpiece and flexible enough to repeatedly flatten without weakening
or breaking may be used. Preferred plastics are selected from the group
consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyethylene polypropylene blends, acrylonitile butadiene styrene, and
polystyrene-containing material.
In some embodiments of the present invention device, at least
one of the opposing jaws includes a horizontal member connected to a
vertical member, and the locking means is located on the horizontal
member. The horizontal member may be slideably moveable on the
base, e.g. along a track or via a straddle yoke.
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The locking means may be any locking means that worlcs.
Preferred loclcuig means are selected from the group consisting of a
locking bolt, a swing lever lock, a ratchet, and a pin and hole lock.
In some embodiments of the present invention device, each of the
pair of jaws includes a vertical member and a non-vertical support
extending outwardly therefrom. Further, optionally, each of the pair of
jaws may include a vertical element with at least one step. That is, an
offset may be included to effectively create two distinct widths between
the jaws for any given position. This will enable the user to hold a
workpiece at base support level or above it to work under it. Also,
optionally, a half pipe support or gripping element may be included with
the jaws. These could be semi-circles, right angles at 45 , or other
shapes that would accommodate piping, tubing and other cylindrical
objects.
In any of the above embodiments, each of the pair ofjaws may
include non-slip surface area. Any known non-slip surface may be used,
including grit-plastic, rubber, or pads adhesively attached, or
embossment or other indentations, such as grooves or cross-hatches, may
be employed.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention should be more fully understood when the
specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended
hereto wherein:
Figure 1 shows a front simplified view showing a "stick form"
version of a present invention device in a rest position, and Figure 2
shows the same device in a stressed, loaded position;
Figure 3 shows a front view of one preferred embodiment of the
present invention device in its rest position, and Figure 4 shows a front
view thereof in its loaded, locked, stressed position;
Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various alternative locking
mechanisms utilized in the devices of the present invention; and,
Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate various j aw arrangements that are'
used in present invention devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a front simplified view showing a "stick form"
version of a present invention device in a rest position, and Figure 2
shows the same device in a stressed, loaded position. Thus, Figures - 1
and 2 show a present invention portable, adjustable vertical work holder
device 1. It inch.ides a base support 3 and a pair of jaws 5 and 7.
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(Adjustment and locking features are not included to simply illustrate a
concept of the invention in stick form).
Figure 1 shows base support 3 in its rest position with an arcuate
front view as shown. The gap between jaw 5 and jaw 7 closest to the
5 base support 3 is shown as G 1 in Figure 1 and the gap between jaws 5
and 7 fiuthest from base support 3 is shown as G2. By design, when the
device is in its rest (full arc) position, the jaws extend outwardly and
further apart from one another traveling away from the base support.
Further, the jaws 5 and 7are substantially at 90 angles with base support
10 3. Hence, in the Figure 1 rest position, Gl is much less than G2.
However, when a load 9 is placed between the jaws 5 and 7, base support
3 flattens, jaws 5 and 7 become parallel to one another and the gap
between them is essentially the same everywhere along their heights. In
practice, at least one of the jaws would be slideable along base support 3
so as to accommodate different thickness loads, that is, the gap would be
adjustable. Further, slideable jaws would be lockable in a number of
positions to prevent undesired separation of the jaws while holding a
vertical work would be prevented. These features are emphasized in the
following discussions.
Figure 3 shows a front view of a present invention device 10 in
its rest position. There is a semi-flexible arcuate base support 11. It has
a bottom 13 and a track 17 shown on its front with an identical track on
its back (not shown). There is a fixed jaw 21 with a triangular support
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27, both permanently and immovably attached to base support 11. Jaw
31 has a horizontal element 39 with straddling rack yokes 41 and 43, as
shown, and additional straddling track yokes on the baclc (not shown).
A locking mechanism, in this case bolt 45 is uses to lock and unlock jaw
31 along track 17 (and its obverse track). Jaw 31 also has a triangular
support 37 but it is attached to horizontal element 39. Jaws 21 and 31
have facing surfaces 23 and 33, respectively. These facing surfaces 23
and 33 include optional rubber gripping pads 25 and 35, as shown.
Figure 4 also shows present invention device 10 described above,
but with door pane150 inserted therein. A user positioned door pane150
contiguous to base support 11 and against pad 25. Without door panel
50 pushing downward, the user slid jaw 31 over to the bottom 51 of door
pane150 and locked it in position with bolt 45. Releasing door pane150
causes a downward load against base support 11 and this load flattens
base support 11 as shown in Figure 4. It also renders jaws 21 and 31
parallel to one another with a firm, vertical grip to support door panel so
for subsequent work, such as attaching door hinges.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate various alternative locking
mechanisms utilized in the devices of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a front partial view of another present invention
vertical holder'device 60. (A left jaw is omitted in this Figure, as well as
in Figures 6 and 7. The left jaw may be a permanently attached, fixed
jaw, such as jaw 21 of Figures 3 and 4. Also, the base supports in
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Figures 8 th.rough 10 are shown as flat. All are accurate in their rest
positions.)
Present invention device 60 of Figure 5 includes a base support
61 with an inside sliding track 63. Slideable jaw 71 includes an angled
support 73 and a horizontal tracking element 75 with a hole
therethrough. Base support 61 includes a plurality of holes, such as
holes 65 and 67, that are in horizontal alignment with the hole of element
75. Pin 69 may be removed, jaw 71 moved left or right to accommodate
a workpiece, and then pin 69 is inserted into the closest available hole
and into element 75 to lock jaw 71 into position.
In Figure 6, present invention device 80 includes moveable jaw
85 and base support 81. The base support 81 has an inside track 83 and
horizontal elernental 87 of jaw 85 slides thereon. Swivel latch 91 may be
pushed down to lock and lifted to unlock. Bar 89 adds extra support to
maintain the jaw's grip and stiffness.
Figure 7 illustrates a front, partial view of present invention
device 100. Jaw 111 includes a horizontal element 113 and a locking
ratchet tooth 115, as well as an angle support 117. Base support 101 has
a track 103 with a plurality of biased ratchet teeth, such as teeth 105 and
107. The jaw 111 may be lifted and moved to a desired position. The
teeth in this embodiment (as well as the holes in Figure 5) might be more
plentiful and closer together to present more positions per inch. Thus,
jaw, 111 is moveable, slideable to the left, and is self-locking under load.
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Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate various jaw arrangements that are
used in present invention devices.
Figure 8 shows a present invention device 120, with the locking
mechanism not shown. This partial front view illustrates a step
arrangement wherein opposing jaws 123 and 133 have two different
inside vertical surfaces creating two different gaps between them for a
given position. Thus, at the lower level are walls 129 and 139 of jaws
123 and 133, respectively. Above these are steps 127 and 137, and then
walls 125 and 135. The lower walls are for bottom support
arrangements, e.g., doors, panels, etc. The upper walls 125 and 135 are
for holding pieces higher up off the ground, e.g., fence post 130, for
drilling through it or other function requiring bottom clearance.
Figure 9 shows a partial front view of present invention device
140. It includes base support 141, fixed jaw 143 and slideable jaw 145..
There is a track (not shown) for moving jaw 145 left and right, and a
lock 153 in the cut-out of the triangle support 151. hi this embodiment,
jaws 143 and 145 are useful not only for vertical workpiece clamping but
also has cut-outs 147 and 149, respectively, to accommodate odd shapes,
ovals and circles, such as angle irons, pipes, etc.
Figure 10 shows another present invention partial front view
device 160, with base support 161, and jaws -163 and 165. The loclcing
mechanism is not shown and could be any known locking means,
including, but not limited to, those described above. In this embodiment,
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each jaw has a plurality of opposing cut-outs 167 and 169, 171 and 173,
and 175 and 177, to accommodate different shapes and sizes of
workpieces.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention
may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
