Machining Fixture with Quick Release Lever

Abstract

A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation is disclosed. The fixture may include a seat configured to receive the workpiece. The fixture may further include a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation, comprising:
 a seat configured to receive the workpiece; and   a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the quick release lever is pivotally mounted to the fixture. 
     
     
         3 . The fixture of  claim 2 , further comprising a spring disposed between the quick release lever and the fixture, the spring configured to maintain the quick release lever in a non-actuated position. 
     
     
         4 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the quick release lever comprises a handle disposed at a first end of the quick release lever, the handle configured for manual engagement, and a contact surface disposed at a second end of the quick release lever, the contact surface configured for contacting the workpiece. 
     
     
         5 . The fixture of  claim 4 , wherein the contact surface comprises a UHMW polyethylene. 
     
     
         6 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is a piston. 
     
     
         7 . The fixture of  claim 6 , wherein the seat receives a ring groove portion of the piston. 
     
     
         8 . The fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is interchangeable depending on the workpiece received. 
     
     
         9 . A quick release lever for mounting to a fixture for use in a machining operation, comprising:
 a handle disposed at a first end of the lever, the handle configured for manual engagement;   a contact surface disposed at a second end of the lever, the contact surface configured to contact and displace a workpiece mounted on the fixture; and   a point of attachment disposed between the handle and the contact surface, the point of attachment configured to receive a fastener for pivotally mounting the lever to the fixture.   
     
     
         10 . The quick release lever of  claim 9 , further comprising a spring configured to attach to the fixture and to maintain the quick release lever in a non-actuated position. 
     
     
         11 . The quick release lever of  claim 10 , further comprising a bracket attached to the spring, the bracket configured to attach to the fixture. 
     
     
         12 . The quick release lever of  claim 9 , wherein the contact surface comprises a UHMW polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The quick release lever of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener is a bolt with a bushing. 
     
     
         14 . The quick release lever of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is configured to fold relative to the lever when not in use. 
     
     
         15 . A method of removing a workpiece from a fixture for use in a machining operation, comprising the steps of:
 providing a fixture;   providing a workpiece received by the fixture;   providing a quick release lever mounted to the fixture, the quick release lever having a handle configured for manual engagement and contact surface configured for contacting the workpiece; and   actuating the quick release lever to displace the workpiece from the fixture.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of performing a machining operation on the workpiece prior to the actuating step. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein actuating the quick release lever places the contact surface against the workpiece and applies a displacing force on the workpiece. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the quick release lever is automatically returned to a non-actuated position after actuating. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein actuating the quick release lever comprises manually shifting the handle in a downward direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein displacing the workpiece from the fixture comprises lifting the workpiece from the fixture.