US 11,667,012 B1
Self-centering dual direction clamping vise with adjustable center support
David L. Schmidt, Zimmerman, MN (US); and Kelly Staples, Ham Lake, MN (US)
Assigned to KURT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed by Kurt Manufacturing Company, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/827,207.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/821,769, filed on Mar. 21, 2019.
Int. Cl. B25B 1/18 (2006.01); B25B 1/12 (2006.01); B25B 1/10 (2006.01); B25B 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 1/18 (2013.01) [B25B 1/106 (2013.01); B25B 1/125 (2013.01); B25B 1/2405 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vise assembly comprising:
a base;
a pair of side walls extending from the base having guideways;
a first jaw and a second jaw, each jaw configured for guided movement by the guideways;
an actuator having a longitudinal axis and coupled to the first jaw and the second jaw to cause selective movement of the first jaw and the second jaw toward and away from each other, the actuator having a fixed annular collar;
a support secured to the base between the first jaw and the second jaw, the support having a single annular flange configured to engage the annular collar on one side;
a retainer configured to move axially with respect to the longitudinal axis and engage the annular collar on a side opposite the single annular flange of the support; and
a spring having a first end joined to the retainer and a second end joined to base or the support, the spring configured to urge the retainer axially toward the single annular flange of the support.