Abstract: A locking type of lifting clamp for lifting steel plates is disclosed in which there is provided the usual clamp body with a pivoted gripping cam pivotally mounted to extend across a slot into and out of engagement with a steel plate to be lifted. This cam is operated by a connecting link pivoted at one end to the cam and at the other end to a radius link which is itself pivoted to the clamp body. Pivoted to one end of the radius link is the lifting link which connects the same with the lifting shackles of a crane or the like. An operating lever is also pivoted to the clamp body and connected to the radius link by means of a combination link - spring pivoted at one end to the operating lever and at the other end to the radius link. The combination link - spring comprises a two part member made from spring steel bent into a generally double "Z" shape and in which the two parts are identical and nested together.