FORM -2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE
Specification
(See Section 10; rule 13) VISE APPARATUS WITH A BENDING FIXTURE
EMERSON ELECTRIC CO,
A U.S. Company Of 8000 West Florissant Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63136, USA
NAME OF THE INVENTORS
1. Prasad Chatursingh Patil 2. Sachin Shashikant Dakare
3. Mahesh Janardan Patil 4. Nilesh Vidyadhar PuntaMmekar
5 .Hamm James E.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a vise apparatus for holding or clamping a workpiece to be operated thereon.
DEFINITION
In this specification, the following terms have the following definitions as given alongside. These are additions to the usual definitions expressed in the art.
The expression 'workpiece' used in the specification refers to an elongated structure, such as, a rod, a tube, a pipe etc. on which clamping and bending operations are to be performed.
BACKGROUND
A vise apparatus having a base portion is used to hold a workpiece which is required to be machined or operated thereon. There are various types of vise apparatus, namely, Machinist's Bench Vise, Bench and Pipe Vise and Clamp Base Bench Vise, Bench chain vise and Bench yoke vise. The vise apparatus is fixed to a workbench to enable an operator to hold the workpiece firmly and perform a variety of machining operations such as drilling, cutting, and threading.
The vise apparatus consists of a holding arrangement to hold the workpiece at one end and support it at the other end. Usually, the holding arrangement in the vise apparatus, particularly in a bench yoke vise, consists of a clamping arrangement in order to clamp the workpiece by a pair of jaws, where one of the

jaws is fixed and the other jaw is displaceable so as to enable the workpiece with varied sizes and shapes to be operated on the vise apparatus.
Usually, a workpiece with regular and defined surface is easy to be held in between the jaws of the vise apparatus. However, in case of an irregular or an undefined surface of the workpiece, a chain like structure is required for clamping the workpiece on the vise apparatus.
Once the workpiece is firmly positioned on a vise apparatus, various machining processes like cutting, threading, etc., can be performed on it. Additionally, in certain applications, bending operations are required to be performed on the workpiece. Bending operation required to be performed on the workpiece is generally incremental bending. However, it is not feasible to perform the bending operation of the workpiece in the clamped position. Hence, a separate arrangement is required for performing the bending operation on the workpiece.
However, shifting the workpiece from one work bench to the other for performing the bending operation and the machining operations on the elongated workpiece is time consuming because it involves clamping and removing of the workpiece.
Conventionally, bending fixture is provided on the vise apparatus so as to enable multi-functioning at a single workbench and on the same vise apparatus. However, the conventional vise apparatus with bending fixture poses difficulty in positioning the workpiece in a wide range of orientations for the performing the bending operation.

Accordingly, there was felt a need for a vise apparatus that includes a bending fixture which can overcome the drawbacks of the conventional vise apparatus with bending fixture.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative are described herein below:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus in order to enable in multi-functioning.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus which is easy to perform bending operation by an operator.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus which enables in easy insertion of the workpiece for bending operation.
Further, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise arrangement that requires comparatively reduced number of steps in positioning the workpiece for bending operation.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus that is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vise apparatus that enables in minimizing unproductive man hours.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present disclosure there is a vise apparatus having a base portion and a holding arrangement for holding an elongated workpiece to be operated thereon, the vise apparatus comprising a bending fixture having at least one projection, the bending fixture supports and enables in gravity assisted bending of the elongated workpiece.
Typically, the bending fixture is located on an operative substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement.
Typically, the projection has a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of spool shape, hemi-capstan shape and arcuate shape.
Alternatively, the projection is an element with a through hole.
Typically, the through hole has a predetermined profile for bending the workpiece.
Alternatively, the projection is an element with an arcuate shaped member extending from a neck portion, the arcuate shaped member being substantially orthogonal to neck portion, the neck portion extends from a plane substantially perpendicular to the front face of the holding arrangement.
Typically, the bending fixture is integral with the operative substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement.

Alternatively, at least one of the projections is displaceable.
Alternatively, the operative substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement is provided with locational holes for fitting the bending fixture.
Alternatively, the bending fixture has a front bending portion and a threaded stem, the threaded stem being adapted to be threadably fitted to the locational hole.
Typically, the bending fixture is provided on the operative front face of the holding arrangement by a method selected from the group consisting of casting, threading, fastening, welding and press fitting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the vise apparatus with bending fixture of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art vise apparatus with a bending fixture;
Figure 2 illustrates the prior art vise apparatus with a bending fixture having a workpiece positioned therein;
Figure 3 illustrates a bending force diagram of a vise apparatus with an embodiment of a bending fixture in accordance to the prior art;

Figure 4 to figure 6 illustrate different perspective views of a vise apparatus with the bending fixture in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 8 illustrates right side view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 9 illustrates bottom view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 10 illustrates rear view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 11 illustrates left side view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 12 illustrates front view of the vise apparatus with the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 6;
Figure 13 to figure 15 illustrate different perspective views of a vise apparatus in accordance with the present invention with a chain arrangement;
Figure 16 illustrates top view of the vise apparatus shown in figure 13 to figure 15;
Figure 17 illustrates front view of the vise apparatus shown in figure 13 to figure 15;

Figure 18 illustrates right side view of the vise apparatus shown in figure 13 to figure 15;
Figure 19 illustrates rear view of the vise apparatus shown in figure 13 to figure 15;
Figure 20 illustrates bottom view of the vise apparatus shown in figure 13 to figure 15;
Figure 21 illustrates the different orientations of the workpiece on the bending fixture in accordance to present invention;
Figure 22 illustrates a schematic representation of force diagram for the vise apparatus shown in figure 21;
Figure 23a and figure 23b illustrates a vise apparatus with a plurality of bending fixture in accordance to the present invention;
Figure 24a and figure 24b illustrates a schematic representation of force diagrams for the vise apparatus shown in figure 23a and figure 24b;
Figure 25 illustrates a schematic representation of free body diagram for the vise apparatus shown in figure 23a and figure 23b;
Figure 26 and figure 27 illustrate alternate embodiments of the bending fixture in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 28a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bending fixture in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 28b illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment of the bending fixture shown in figure 28a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the "vise apparatus with a bending fixture" of the present disclosure will now be discribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The descriptin provided ispurely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and'advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or aqapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents, of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be

understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Figure 1 and figure 2 illustrates a vise apparatus (10) with a bending fixture in accordance with a prior art. The vise apparatus (10) has three apertures (101) for fixing the vise apparatus (10) on a workbench. The bending fixture includes a plurality of projections (100), removably fitted to two of the apertures (101). The plurality of projections (100) is arranged on the base portion of the vise apparatus (10) for providing a bending feature. The workpiece (412) is inserted between the projections (100), as shown in figure 2, for performing the bending operation.
Figure 2 represents the limited directions and angles available to insert and pull the workpiece (412) from side A and side C of the vise apparatus (10). This poses discomfort in inserting and pulling the workpiece (412) from side B and Side D.
Figure 3 illustrates a bending force diagram of the vise apparatus (10) with a bending fixture shown in figure 1. When the projections (100) are arranged on the top face of the base portion (401), a total force F is required to be applied by an operator. The total force F is equal to effort required for bending the workpiece (412). The vise apparatus (10) with the bending fixture of the prior art poses difficulty in inserting the workpiece (412) for the bending operation. Further the bending fixture of the prior art cannot be integrally cast with the vise apparatus (10) as the apertures (101) are required to be separately drilled and machined, thus, increasing the cost of production.

Figure 4 to figure 12 illustrate different views of a vise apparatus (20) with a bending fixture of the present disclosure. The vise apparatus (20) illustrated in the figure 4 to figure 28 is a bench chain vise. However, the bending fixture of the present disclosure is mountable on other types of vises. The vise apparatus (20) has a holding arrangement for clamping the workpiece (412). The holding arrangement of the bench chain vise illustrated in figure 4 to figure 28 comprises of a jaw arrangement including a toothed jaw (402), a rear support (403), a gooseneck (406), a chain (411), a handle (409) and an operative substantially vertical front face (450).
The vise apparatus (20) includes a base portion (401) provided with a plurality of
apertures (407) and at least one bending fixture. The vise apparatus (20) is fitted to
a workbench by fixing arrangements through apertures (407). The bending fixture
comprises a plurality of projections (404) at the operative substantially vertical
front face (450) of the vise apparatus (20). The projections (404) enables in
supporting the workpiece (412) in order to carry out bending operation on the
workpiece (412). The bending operation is carried out by inserting the workpiece
(412) in between the projections (404) provided on the operative substantially
vertical front face (450) of the base portion (401). Figure 13 to figure 15 illustrate
different perspective views of the bending fixture shown in figure 4 to figure 12,
mounted on a bench chain vise. Figure 16 to figure 20 illustrate different
views of the vise apparatus (20) shown in figure 13 to figure 15.
Figure 21 illustrates the different orientations in which the workpiece (412) is mounted on the bending fixture shown in figure 13 to figure 20. The workpiece (412) is mounted on the projections (404) such that one point of the workpiece is in contact with one of the projections (404) while another point of the workpiece

(412) is in contact with the other projection (404). The points of contact of the workpiece with the projections (404) are located to opposite each other at a distance along the length of the workpiece (412). Thus, the bending fixture with the projections (404) enables in providing extended angle for inserting the workpiece (412). This enables the bending operation to be carried out by a left handed operator as well as a right handed operator.
Figure 22 illustrates a schematic representation of force diagram for the vise apparatus (20) shown in figure 21. When the projections (404) are arranged at the operative substantially vertical front face (450) for bending operation, the operator is required to use comparatively less force (F), as bending is assisted by adding his body weight and the force of gravity (g).
Figure 23a and figure 23b illustrates a vise apparatus (20) with at least one displaceable projection (404a). At least one of the projections (404) is integrally casted or press fitted and at least one of the displaceable projections (404a) is displaceably mounted on the operative substantially vertical front face (450) of the holding arrangement. The displaceable projections (404a) of the bending fixture, shown in figure 23a and figure 23b, may be provided with a front bending portion and a threaded stem for mounting the displaceable projections (404a) on the operative substantially vertical front face (450). The operative substantially vertical front face (450) of the holding arrangement is provided with locational holes for fitting at least one of the displaceable projections (404a). The displaceable projection (404a) is mounted by threading the threaded stem of the displaceable projection (404a) on the locational holes. The displaceable projections (404a) are displaceable in horizontal or vertical direction along slots, as shown in figure 23a and figure 23b. This enables an operator to adjust the center distance D between

the projections (404) and the displaceable projections (404a) which helps in providing additional comfort to an operator in inserting the workpiece (412) having varied cross sections and lengths.
Figure 24a and figure 24b illustrates a schematic representation of force diagrams for the vise apparatus (20) shown in figure 23a and figure 23b. When the distance D between the center of the projections (404) and the displaceable projections (404a) is reduced, force (F) required to be applied by the operator to bend the workpiece (412) is reduced. This helps in reducing the effort required by the operator in bending the workpiece (412).
Figure 25 illustrates a schematic representation of a free body diagram for the vise apparatus shown in figure 24b. When the workpiece (412) to be bent is positioned between the fixed projection (404) and the displaceable projection (404a), arranged as shown in figure 24b, the reaction forces (Rl) and (R2) are exerted on the workpiece (412), as shown in the figure 25. The reaction force (Rl) is in an opposite direction to that of the reaction force (R2). A total force (F) is required to be applied by an operator in order to bend the workpiece (412) in order to overcome the reaction forces (Rl) and (R2). As shown in figure 25, the force (F) is a function of "6" and the horizontal component (FH) or "0" and the vertical component (FV). When the value of "0" value is small, the value of vertical component (FV) become close to the total force (F). Hence, the effort is reduced by adjusting the center distance D between the projections (404) and (404a), as shown in the figure 24b.
The projections (404) and the displaceable projections (404a) has a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of spool shape, bobbin shape, hemi-

capstan shape and arcuate shape as shown in figure 4 to figure 21. The spool shaped projections are illustrated in figure 23a and figure 23b.
Figure 26 illustrates at least one arcuate shaped projection, formed on the operative substantially vertical front face (450) of the holding arrangement for accommodating the workpiece (412) having a varied cross section.
Figure 27 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the bending fixture is a hickey style bending fixture, wherein the projection is an element with an arcuate shaped member (404) extending from a neck portion (261). The arcuate shaped member (404) is substantially orthogonal to the neck portion (261). The neck portion (261) extends from a plane substantially perpendicular to the front face (450) of the holding arrangement.
Figure 28a illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the bending fixture is an element with a through hole (240), shown in figure 28b. The element with the through hole (240) is mounted on the operative substantially vertical front face (450) of the holding arrangement. The through hole (240) enables the workpiece (412) to be bent. The through hole (240) has a predetermined profile, shown in figure 24b, which helps in guiding the workpiece (412) while bending it by inserting through the through hole (240).
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The vise apparatus as described herein above facilitates in ease in bending a workpiece. Also, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure provides ease in inserting and pulling the workpiece. Additionally, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure provides wide angle of operation while inserting and pulling of the

workpiece. Further, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure further enables the workpiece to be inserted from any side of the operator. Again, the vise apparatus of the present disclosure is cost effective. The conventional bending fixture requires the workpiece to be bent in the horizontal plane and hence is required to be pulled or pushed by the operator. However, performing the bending operation on the bending fixture provided on the vise apparatus of the present invention, the operator is able to apply self weight to bend the workpiece and is further assisted by the force of gravity.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values

higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A vise apparatus having a base portion and a holding arrangement for holding an elongated workpiece to be operated thereon, said vise apparatus comprising a bending fixture having at least one projection, said bending fixture adapted to support and enable gravity assisted bending of the elongated workpiece.
2. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bending fixture is located on an operative substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement.
3. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one projection has a predetermined shape, said predetermined shape being selected from the group consisting of spool shape, hemi-capstan shape and arcuate shape.
4. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection is an element with a through hole.
5. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through hole has a predetermined profile for bending the workpiece.
6. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection is an element with an arcuate shaped member extending from a neck portion, said arcuate shaped member being substantially orthogonal to said neck portion, said neck portion being adapted to extend from a plane substantially perpendicular to said front face of the holding arrangement.

7. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bending fixture
is integral with the operative front face of the holding arrangement.
8. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said projections is displaceable.
9. The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operative substantially vertical front face of the holding arrangement is provided with locational holes for fitting said bending fixture.
10.The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bending fixture has a front bending portion and a threaded stem, said threaded stem being adapted to be threadably fitted to said locational hole.
11.The vise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bending fixture are provided on the operative front face of the holding arrangement by a method selected from the group consisting of casting, threading, fastening, welding and press fitting.