Abstract: A gripping device with a precision ratcheting mechanism includes an upper and a lower arm, each terminating in a U-shaped receiver, connected by a pair of pivotal joints. A pawl device is pivotally connected to the U-shaped receiver of the upper arm, while a post, passing through the pawl device, is pivotally connected to the lower arm. The post contains a plurality of teeth on one surface and a teeth-engaging member in the pawl device contains a plurality of corresponding teeth which engage the teeth on the post. The teeth are disengaged by pressing a release surface, which compresses a spring and physically moves the teeth-engaging structure away from the post, allowing the post to move freely within the pawl device.

Abstract: Instrument handles isolate the functions of supporting the instrument and actuating controls on the instrument. An instrument handle may be grasped and supported by the less dexterous digits and palm of a human hand, and controls mounted on the instrument handle may be actuated by the more dexterous digits. The instrument handle may couple to an end effector so that the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain in a comfortable position when the end effector is positioned to act effectively on a selected portion of a workpiece, such as a surgical site.

Abstract: A gripping device comprising a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm. The arms form a gripping area. A linkage mechanism is used for adjusting the inwardly and outwardly movement of the gripping area, with the linkage mechanism pivotally connected to the first arm and second arm. The linkage mechanism is formed of a first linkage laterally and pivotally connected to a second linkage.

Abstract: A clamping device includes two clamping members pivotally connected with each other and each having a first end and a second end, and a braking mechanism mounted between the second ends of the two clamping members to provide a stepless braking effect to the two clamping members. Thus, the braking mechanism provides a stepless braking effect to the two clamping members, so that the two clamping members are movable toward each other freely so as to shorten and adjust the open angle of the holding portion successively to hold a workpiece and are not movable outward relative each other to stop an outward movement of the two clamping members instantaneously so as to fix the holding portion to clamp the workpiece.

Abstract: A pair of locking pliers includes a first handle having a holed wall; a second handle pivotably secured to the first handle; a multi-sided link pivotably secured to a jaw of the second handle and including a shank passed through the wall; an L-shaped lever pivotably secured to the first handle and including a first portion disposed rearward of the wall, a projected second portion between the handles, and a multi sided aperture through the first portion with a rear end of the link passed through; and a spring put on the link and biased between the wall and the first portion. The link is locked in the aperture by disposing the first portion obliquely about the link. Pivoting the lever will compress the spring, unlock the pliers by disposing the link perpendicularly to the first portion, and pivotably push the first and second handles away from each other.

Abstract: A compact clamp design includes an upper and a lower arm fitted with gripping pads at respective front ends and hinged together at respective back ends. The rearward positioned hinge enables the clamp to open very wide since the hinge and the gripping pads are relatively very far apart. An operating handle integrated as part of an upper arm. When the clamp is closed there are no protruding members. The clamp is very compact and minimally obtrusive.

Abstract: A spring chuck having a locking mechanism provided between two handles of the spring chuck. The locking mechanism includes a sleeve connected at an end to one handle of the chuck, a shaft having an end connected to another handle of the chuck and another end movably located in the sleeve via a lower open end thereof, a brake handle having a ring-shaped head put around the shaft and pivotally connected the lower open end of the sleeve, and a compression spring mounted around the shaft between the sleeve and the ring-shaped head of the brake. The compression spring normally pushes the ring-shaped head to pivotally turn away from the sleeve to frictionally contact with the shaft, preventing the shaft from moving in the sleeve and thereby lock the handles of the chuck to a fixed position. Pushing the brake handle toward the sleeve causes the ring-shaped head to align with the sleeve without frictionally contacting with the shaft and therefore allows the handles of the chuck to move freely.

Abstract: A pipe clamping device, viz., pipe tongs, is shown which is particularly adapted to securing pipe as it is lowered into a pipe casing in the earth. The pipe tongs consist of a fixed handle with a removable pipe clamp at one end thereof and an adjustment screw at the other end, and a movable jaw member with a removable pipe clamp at one end thereof, a movable handle connected to the movable jaw member at one end and having a latch with an operating lever at the other end. A linkage is connected between the movable handle and the adjustment screw to provide an adjustable toggle or locking mechanism for the handles and movable jaw member of the tongs. A catch on the fixed handle is engaged by the latch to secure the movable handle in a locked, closed position. The removable pipe clamps are provided in a variety of sizes and shaped for accommodating different pipes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for holding a suture needle is provided. The instrument includes handle portions shaped to accommodate the human hand, jaws formed to securely grasp a suture needle and a latching mechanism to hold the device closed so that the physician can concentrate on manipulation of the needle. The contoured shape of the handle portions improves the ability of the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the instrument under the adverse conditions encountered during surgery.

Abstract: A tool with two elongated handles and two jaws operatively connected to the handles is provided with a mechanism for preventing premature opening of the handles and jaws. The mechanism comprises a pawl operating as a bistable rocker and engaging, with one or with two engagement means, an engagement member defined by two projections delimitating an operational area, or by at least one row of teeth with which each of the two engagement means is alternately engageable, so as to prevent premature interruption of the closing movement and preferably also of the reverse opening movement of the handles and of the jaws.

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing premature opening of a tool having two elongate handles comprising a carrier having a row of teeth at one edge and a spring-affected, pivotable pawl co-operating with the row of teeth. The pawl operates as a bistable rocker swingable by end stops at both ends of the row of teeth from a first lateral position for engagement with the row through an instable middle position into a second engagement-free lateral position. The two ends of the spring affecting the pawl and a pivot pin on which the pawl is mounted lie along one straight line when the pawl passes through the instable middle position.

Abstract: A lockable plier-type tool having the lockable features selectively engageable and including handle flexibility and locking element positioning that enhances its gripping capabilities. The locking elements are also arranged and constructed so that the plier may conveniently be used in the conventional manner (i.e. without the locking feature) and may exhibit any desired jaw configuration.

Abstract: Tongs, in particular for mounting ear-buttons on animals, comprising a first lever and a second lever each constituting a handle and pivoted together, a first jaw and a second jaw actuated by the levers and each provided with a device for maintaining a part of the ear-button and a return spring for biasing the jaws to the open position. The first and second jaws are connected to the first and second levers by a mechanism for maintaining the jaws always parallel. It further comprises a rapidly actuated device for opening the jaws when the first and second levers are moved toward each other.