41 interesting vise patents - drawings

[Jon]

Some vise patent pickins using the complex but excellent advanced patent search at USPTO.gov. An example query for a search like this, entered into the advanced search box here:

CCL/269/$ AND APT/1 AND ISD/9/10/2008->9/10/2018 AND (TTL/vice OR TTL/vise)

In order:

CCL/269/$ - US patent classification class 269: Work Holders (the class most likely to contain vise patents)
APT/1 - utility patents only (this eliminates design patent results)
ISD/9/10/2008->9/10/2018 - patent issue date for the past decade (ISD limits my search to only issued patents, and not applications)
TTL/vise OR TTL/vice - two common spellings of vise

For a larger search, just expand the date range, or add queries like "clamp" or "work holding". Some curated results below; click on each for the full patent:

Multi-Functional Vise Base



Quick Release Vise



Precision Leveling Vise



Vise Pads for Accurate Work Alignment



Flexible Vise Jaw



Centric Clamping Vise



Pressure Adjusting Vise Apparatus



Torque Measuring Vise



Pocket Hole Drill Guide Fixture



Integrated Foot Vise and Wrench



Portable Dual Vise for Horseshoes



Modular Vise System



Work Table with Integrated Vise



Micro-Adjustable Parallel Bench Vise



Vise Carrying Device



Cam-Activated Bench Vise



Self-Centering Dual Direction Vise



Five Axis Machine Vise



Machine Vise Quick Locking System



Quick Release Moveable Jaw Apparatus



Pipe Vise Stand



Double Clamp Vise



Bandsaw Vise



Multiple Vise System



Pipe Bender Vise



Quick Change Vise Jaws



Quick Action Woodworking Vise



Quick Release Bench Vise



Multiple Jaw Vise



Portable Vise



High Density Fixture Vise



Locking Vise with Slide Member



Carving Vise



Power-Actuated Vise Apparatus



Sine Vise



Intensified Machinist Vise



Chain Vise Pipe Clamp



Quick Release Vise



Vise or Clamp Attachment



Combination Vise and Clamp



Self-Adjusting Locking Vise Grip

[bruce.desertrat]

I own one of those Portable Vises, basically a steel plate with appropriate cutouts to hold dimensional lumber for quick cross-cutting. It occasionally comes in handy when building stuff out in the yard, and if all you have is a circ saw to use it's definitely better than an improvised sawhorse of some sort.

[Toolmaker51]

Forgive poor Jon, and all his vises.

[PJs]

I was thinking Doug might have a field day here. Overall, interesting patents and some looked familiar.

[rossbotics]

You're right PJs
Some of those creatures look familiar don't they

Doug

[PJs]

You're right PJs
Some of those creatures look familiar don't they

Doug

Yes they do and some are quite ingenious and complex. That Locking vise with slide member although a complex and likely an expensive build seems very versatile. The fairly complex, 3 jaw conical lock/release (fig. 7) for the slider is well done and could be adapted to other systems. Adding the optional multiple lobe cams is also a cool idea, imho.

So Doug, do any strike your fancy for a "Next gen Doug build"?

There is a beauty and simplicity to Patent drawings that lights my candle! Also forgot to Thank Jon for all the links in my previous post.

PJ

[Toolmaker51]

I own one of those Portable Vises, basically a steel plate with appropriate cutouts to hold dimensional lumber for quick cross-cutting. It occasionally comes in handy when building stuff out in the yard, and if all you have is a circ saw to use it's definitely better than an improvised sawhorse of some sort.

Agreed Bruce; though I know these as plate vises. There are 2 varieties [at least what I have] sized for dimensional lumber and tube/ conduit/ pipe.
Portable Vise

Very handy when working alone. Handy enough on the ground, and worth effort hauling up scaffold, roof or mezzanine. Not a tough DIY project, piercing holes, triangles, squares & rectangles, long as profiles are somewhat smooth.
I use one most often breaking down round stock with a portable bandsaw.

[Jon]

I think I'm going to work on more posts like this. They're time-consuming to assemble, but probably more intellectually valid than most other GIF or short video style posts. On their face, that is - sometimes a cheesy GIF leads to a rewarding and technically valid conversation.

Probably best themed by decade instead of "So-and-so many interesting...". For example: "Vise patents of the 1930s". Bookending the patents like that will allow me to review them in discrete chunks. The USPTO has an API that I might be able to use for quicker image retrieval too.

Let me know if anyone has ideas, or is curious about specific types of tool patents.

[Toolmaker51]

I think I'm going to work on more posts like this. They're time-consuming to assemble, but probably more intellectually valid than most other GIF or short video style posts. On their face, that is - sometimes a cheesy GIF leads to a rewarding and technically valid conversation.

Probably best themed by decade instead of "So-and-so many interesting...". For example: "Vise patents of the 1930s". Bookending the patents like that will allow me to review them in discrete chunks. The USPTO has an API that I might be able to use for quicker image retrieval too.

Let me know if anyone has ideas, or is curious about specific types of tool patents.

I, for one enjoy patents. Especially when related to products I utilize in some manner.........So patents articles as you've generated already, are informative. For me an even greater benefit would be in the technique, maybe a 'checklist' of recommended & successful search avenues.
My brake is a good example. Very little appears, even less starting from my usual point -brand name and trademark.

So far, patent numbers and date info was not all that close to what I have. Kind of disappointing.

[PJs]

I think I'm going to work on more posts like this. They're time-consuming to assemble, but probably more intellectually valid than most other GIF or short video style posts. On their face, that is - sometimes a cheesy GIF leads to a rewarding and technically valid conversation.

Probably best themed by decade instead of "So-and-so many interesting...". For example: "Vise patents of the 1930s". Bookending the patents like that will allow me to review them in discrete chunks. The USPTO has an API that I might be able to use for quicker image retrieval too.

Let me know if anyone has ideas, or is curious about specific types of tool patents.

I agree Jon this type of post can generate discussion, but give insight to how a device evolves transforms and vectors over a period. It is a lot of work at times and have personally spent hours/days researching patent data bases. They are good for fleshing out ideas or seeing how a need can utilize a portion of design without re-inventing the wheel so to speak. Or, repair/restore an old tool which many of us here enjoy.

An example of one from a while back started with a coffee table size book on patented suppressor technology from the 20' to the 70's I was loaned. Probably 300 pages and each patent inside also had the patents referenced within each, which led (rabbit holed) to some interesting finds in searches. Most of what I was looking for was around db levels, frequencies and various schemes as to how pressures are chamber, routed and dissipated...all which stem back to a couple of your posts on Artillery suppression systems.

I have also collected all of Tesla's patents and refer to them a fair amount when kicking around new alt energy ideas or specific detail he worked out a 100+ years ago. His patents on his turbine still fascinates me for some of the detail that doesn't get translated in modern versions as well as his ground transmission system.

If I think of any specifics I'll chime in but this vise posting is a great starting point, imho and followed several of the linked rabbit holes to good depth. You are pretty darned good at finding candles to light and I'm Always grateful to lean something new or old...and look forward to whatever comes forth.

PJ