Importance

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Abstract

A vise with first and second movable jaws slidable on elongate ways on a base. An actuator shaft extends longitudinally of the base and has first and second reversely threaded portions threadably engaged with the respective first and second movable jaws. A releasable retraining device cooperates between the base and the second jaw to restrain slidable movement thereof. The actuator shaft is axially floatable supported relative to the base and when rotated in one direction causes the first jaw to move in a first direction along the ways. The restraining device prevents slidable movement of the second jaw so that rotation of the actuator shaft causes the shaft to be axially displaced due to its threaded engagement with the second jaw, and this increases the movement rate of the first jaw due to its threadable engagement with the actuator shaft. When the first jaw encounters an obstruction preventing further movement, such as a workpiece, the restraining device releases so that continued rotation of the shaft causes the second jaw to move until it also encounters an obstruction such as a workpiece, and thereafter continued rotation causes both moving jaws to uniformly grippingly engage the workpiece or workpieces.

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First Claim