Importance

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Abstract

A quick-release vise utilizing one or more clamp shafts that can be easily re-configured to clamp with CW or CCW rotation of a clamp handle. The clamp shaft is received in a housing secured to the underside of a workbench, and is free to slide in and out. The clamp shaft passes through aligned holes in a pair of opposing jaws, at least one of which is moveable. A pinion freely slides on the clamp shaft within the housing and converts rotational movement from the clamp shaft into linear movement via a meshing rack gear. The linear motion actuates a bridge which slides against a laterally fixed wedge causing the bridge to displace a locking element which clutches and moves the clamp shaft to affect clamping between the jaws. The wedge and bridge pair can be inverted to allow clamping to occur with a either CW or CCW rotation of the clamp handle and/or re-oriented to cause a spreading motion between the jaws rather than a clamping motion. The linear motion from the clamp shaft may be transferred to a second, parallel clamp shaft through a transfer bar in certain twin-shaft embodiments. In certain twin-shaft applications, one of the housings may be rotated 180° relative to the other to provide outward clamping force on one clamp shaft and inward clamping force on the other clamp shaft.

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First Claim