Tools – Watchmakers'
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-18
2003-11-04
Nguyen, George (Department: 3723)
Tools
Watchmakers'
C269S283000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06640666
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the general field of holding tools, and specifically to a vise for engaging watch movements, fine jewelry and the like. This application thus discloses a portable vise system with component engaging jaw accessories used, for example for holding articles during repair and/or work thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common for vises, tools, vise adapters and the like to be employed for holding watch movements, fine jewelry or small mechanical parts for purposes of maintenance and/or repair. These vises are useful for firmly restraining the article on which work is being performed as well as freeing the hands of the individual performing the work. In order to be particularly useful, such vises must not damage the article being held, yet hold it firmly enough that a significant amount of force may be used when necessary to effect the job.
Various watch repair and maintenance functions are commonly performed on watches and many of these functions require the use of or may be greatly assisted by the use of a multitude of holding devices. For example, various catalogs describe watch holding devices commonly known as case openers, case presses, case wrenches and the like. However, excessive clamping between rigid clamp jaw faces may damage the article. Accordingly, a need exists for a unitary tool of vise construction that may be utilized to firmly support all types of watch cases, other watch components or various articles without imparting damage thereto. Also, a need exists for a vise construction with which various repair and maintenance function supporting adapters may be conveniently used to assist in the maintenance and repair of such small and delicate articles.
This invention relates to a vise with engaging jaw accessories specifically adapted for use with watch movements, fine jewelry, small mechanical parts, ceramic or composite circuit boards and/or other delicate articles that may have irregular shapes without causing damage thereto. With the vise disclosed herein, the user may properly position, easily and firmly hold the article upon which work is to be performed, thereby facilitating complete and efficient access to the article. Additionally, engaging jaw accessories may be easily interchanged for use therewith.
The prior art disclosed several different types of watchmaker's tools and movement holders/vises. U.S. Pat. No. 87,868 to Murray, entitled IMPROVED WATCHMAKER'S TOOL, discloses a tool for straightening the pivots to the wheels of a watch-movement, for trimming off, to finish the ends or heads to the pivots and for finishing the wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,292 to Mongelli, entitled WATCH REPAIRMAN'S WORK HOLDER, disclosed a movement holder and support having an adjustable clamp.
A clamping device designed for use with wrist watch movements regardless of size or shape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,296 to Argo, entitled WRISTWATCH MOVEMENT HOLDER.
Dulaney (U.S. Pat. No. 2,261,055) discloses a portable adjustable vise for supporting a watch movement that has been removed from its case in WATCH MOVEMENT HOLDER.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,333,114 to Meyer, entitled VISE, disclosed a vise having jaws adapted for holding “small articles, such as the movements of time pieces.”
A WATCH AND JEWELER'S VISE is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,366,519 to Greenberg, wherein a vise having slidably mounted jaws and chucks with shaped section for gripping watch parts is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,464,375 to Clark, entitled HOLDER FOR WATCH MOVEMENTS, discloses an adjustable holder adapted for standard sized movements.
A WATCH MOVEMENT HOLDER is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,471,103 to Franks et al., said holder accommodating various sizes and shapes of watch movements. Another WATCH MOVEMENT HOLDER is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,176, said holder positively engaging and locking a watch movement in place with engaging arms that are rotably attached to laterally adjustable supports. Yet another WATCH MOVEMENT HOLDER is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,484, said holder comprising a universal holder adaptable to mechanical, electric or electronic watch movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,775 to Koski, entitled WATCHMAKER'S VISE, discloses a vise adapted in particular for removing roller tables from balance wheel staffs.
A JIG FOR WORKING ON WATCHBANDS is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 689,056 to Wiltgen.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,427 to Addor discloses an APPARATUS FOR SCREWING AND UNSCREWING THE BOTTOMS OF WATCH CASINGS.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,082 to Chou, entitled WATCHCASE BACK OPENER, discloses an opener incorporating vise apparatus.
Possibly the most relevant prior art relating to the instant invention is U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,144 to Applicant Pliley, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in which the precursor to the instant invention is described and claimed.
Shortcomings found in the prior art include, for example, adaptation to a specific size or shape of article, lack of sufficient grip strength, causing damage to the article being held and positional instability of the vise. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by integral incorporation of portability, adjustability, stability and superior gripping ability without causing damage. The vise of the instant invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by combining numerous component engaging jaw accessories tools into a single portable vise that is optionally mounted in a stable base portion having a non-slip bottom. The assembly of the instant invention is highly suitable for the above-stated purposes. While prior art devices may be suitable for gripping, e.g., watch cases and movements, the prior art falls short in the areas of causing damage, adapting to infinite sizes and/or shapes of articles to be held, portability, stability and ease and efficiency of use. The present invention provides a portable vise having sufficient gripping strength to hold various article without causing damage thereto, the vise being adapted for use with conventional and unconventional watches, watch cases and movements of various sizes and shapes and adapted to receive accessories useful in the maintenance, repair, adjustment and other procedures typically performed on watches and/or watch movements, in addition to numerous other articles of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a vise construction that is effectively designed for supporting and clamping watches and watch movements, regardless of the size and shape thereof, in a manner whereby the clamping engagement is affected with sufficient pressure against the movement without causing damage thereto. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable and adjustable vise comprising a vise portion and, optionally, a stable, non-slipping base portion that readily rests on any flat surface and is capable of accommodating various component-engaging jaw accessories.
Another object of this invention is to provide a maintenance and repair function supportive vise for use in conjunction with watches and which conforms to conventional forms of manufacture, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and extremely efficient in use, operation and service so as to provide a device that is economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.
This invention is based on a novel concept for the holding and manipulating of watch movements, fine jewelry, including various gemstones; ceramic or composite circuit boards, small mechanical parts and the like. The vise system of the instant invention comprises two portions: a vise portion and an optional base portion; the former comprising a pair of opposing planar jaw faces relatively movable along a path extending therebetween and normal thereto, and the latter comprising a rigid, stabilizing base into which the vise portion contiguously fits. Various jaw accessories may be employed with the vise portion. For example, the jaw f
Crabtree Edwin H.
Margolis Donald W.
Nguyen George
Pizzaro Ramon L.
Shakeri Hadi
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