Oldfan: i know of wood vises that have a lever for a quick release. Record and old Parkinson English vices have a quick release mechanism that releases with a counter clockwise turn, then pull to desired width and a turn clockwise starts tightening them.
since you started a thread on this can you maybe do a google or internet search and find us a couple pictures? by the way how long ago were you in High School and what state or country?