Abstract: An improved clamping assembly especially suited for use in a bench vise for allowing a user to choose between conventional fine-screw-reduction closure and/or opening of the jaws for clamping, or quick-set sliding adjustment of the jaws. The clamping assembly relies on a toothed rack and pawl. The pawl is selectively engaged with the toothed rack to allow conventional reduction gear closure or opening. Alternatively, a user can more quickly open and close the jaws by disengaging the pawl from the rack and simply sliding the jaws relative to one another. The clamping assembly provides a quick-set clamping action which allows a user to initially to preset the jaws by sliding them together in one quick motion, followed by conventional fine-screw-adjustment for high-force clamping.

Abstract: An improved clamping assembly especially suited for use in a bench vise for allowing a user to choose between conventional fine-screw-reduction closure and/or opening of the jaws for clamping, or quick-set sliding adjustment of the jaws. The clamping assembly relies on a toothed rack and pawl. The pawl is selectively engaged with the toothed rack to allow conventional reduction gear closure or opening. Alternatively, a user can more quickly open and close the jaws by disengaging the pawl from the rack and simply sliding the jaws relative to one another. The clamping assembly provides a quick-set clamping action which allows a user to initially to preset the jaws by sliding them together in one quick motion, followed by conventional fine-screw-adjustment for high-force clamping.