Abstract: A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, a power triangle link, at least one tie link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips, but other parts may also be used. A second embodiment of the locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a fixed handle, an adjusting screw, a biasing spring, a toggle link, two power links, at least one tie link, a release link and a movable handle. The fixed jaw, the movable jaw, the fixed handle, the adjusting screw and the biasing spring are preferably taken from an Irwin item no. 502L3 vise grips.

Abstract: A one handed locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a moveable jaw, a fixed handle, a toggle link, a power link and a moveable handle. The fixed jaw is retained in a first end of the fixed handle. The moveable jaw is pivotally retained in substantially the one end of the fixed handle. An adjustment screw is retained in a second end of the fixed handle. An end of the adjustment screw engages a first end of the toggle link. The moveable handle includes a lengthwise portion and an upper portion, which extends from an end of the handle portion. The moveable jaw is pivotally engaged with a first corner of the power link. A second corner of the power link is pivotally engaged with a second end of the toggle link. A third corner of the power link is pivotally engaged with the moveable handle.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable locking pliers or tool includes a jaw fixed to a first handle and a jaw that pivots about the first handle. The pivoting jaw is connected to a lower tightening handle. A lever connects the tightening handle and first handle. A self-adjusting sizing and locking mechanism includes a thumb jaw sizing piece located near the jaws and movable to open the jaws so that they can be sized around a workpiece. When the thumb jaw sizing piece is released, the jaws automatically size and clamp lightly around the workpiece. The locking mechanism uses balls between a locking rod and a tapered surface. Locking occurs when the balls wedge between the rod and the tapered surface. A release cylinder is connected to a release paddle movable to unlock the mechanism. The sizing piece and locking mechanism are operable to automatically size and lock the pliers or tool.

Abstract: A self adjusting closure mechanism for a locking plier or similar device. Central to the invention is a set of one or more friction pawls which slide along a support rod, moved by a push link working against a spring. The push link is free to rotate between two positions relative to the rod as it slides. In the first position, and in between the positions, the push link bears against the center of the friction pawls and they remain free to slide along the rod. When the push link rotates to the second position, it presses on the edge of the pawls, causing them to tilt, coupling to the rod and preventing movement along the rod. In a typical locking plier, the support rod is mounted to the frame and the opposite end of the push link connects to the handle. As the handle closes, the push link rotates towards its second position and optionally slides along the support rod. When the friction pawls lock, the plier begins to grip and lock on to the work piece.

Abstract: A utility pliers includes a first handle member with a fixed jaw secured to an end thereof, a second handle member, and a movable jaw. A connecting block includes a first part pivoted to the end of the first handle member and a second part pivoted to the second handle member. The connecting block further includes a slot defined therein. Two follower blocks are mounted to both sides of the connecting block. A pin is extended through the follower blocks and the slot of the connecting block to guide sliding movements of the follower blocks along the slot relative to the connecting block. The movable jaw is connected to the follower blocks to move therewith.

Abstract: A crimping tool includes first and second jaws (1, 2) which are journalled at a first pivot point (5) for pivotal movement relative to one another. A forward end of a first handle (6) is rigidly connected to the first jaw (1), while a forward end of a second handle (7) is pivotally connected to the second jaw (2) at a second pivot point (8). A linkage construction (9) extends obliquely rearwards from a third pivot point (10) located on the second handle (7) rearwardly of the second pivot point (8), up to a fourth pivot point (11) on the first handle (6). The distance (D) between the first and the second pivot points (5, 8) is 0.30-0.35 times the distance (A) between the first and the fourth pivot points (5, 11), the distance (C) between the second and the third pivot points (8, 10) is 0.20-0.25 times the distance (A) between the first and the fourth pivot points (5, 11), and the distance (B) between the third and the fourth pivot points (10, 11) is 0.62-0.

Abstract: A quick release for a conventional plier-type, toggle-locking hand tool comprises a compound toggle link. The new link is pivotably mounted between the movable handle and the conventional toggle member. Four pivot points rather than the usual three form the "power line" of the tool. Locking the tool involves pushing the two internal pivot points inwardly across the power line. Release involves opening the handles which moves the internal pivot points back across the power line. Depending on the dimensions of the actual hand tool, the mechanical advantage of the novel compound link is between 4 to 16.

Abstract: Improved locking wrenches are provided with adjustment screws having a head portion which defines at least one opening registerable with an aperture defined in an extension member rearwardly extending from the lower handle of the wrench. In this manner, a restraining element may be placed through the registered opening/aperture to positionally restrain (immobilize) the upper and lower wrench handles relative to one another. The head of the adjustment screw and/or the extension member according to the present invention may be embodied in a number of alternative arrangements to provide the necessary cooperative relationship as between the opening and aperture respectively defined thereby.

Abstract: The pliers comprising a principal lever which is integral with a first fixed jaw, a second jaw being mounted pivotably on the principal lever, and being linked at a second point to the principal lever by an elbow joint, including a link and a portion of said elbow joint functioning to hold the two jaws in gripping position, said pliers being characterized by the ends of the jaws being adapted to form a prehensory or gripping means for hollow elements, said means being capable of gripping the interior of a hollow article, in addition to gripping the exterior of an element between its jaws, wherein the ends of the jaws are adapted to have notches.

Abstract: A wrench includes an upper jaw integral with a handle and a force multiplying cam member pivotally mounted on the handle. A lower jaw has a pivot point for pivoting relative to the cam member and the upper jaw. A sliding bar is mounted inside the handle to slide with respect thereto. A free end of a first toggle linkage member is pivotally connected to an ear of the lower jaw and a free end of a second toggle linkage member is pivotally connected to the sliding bar so that the pivot point can move relative to the handle. A tension spring extends between the ear and the lower jaw to urge it away from the upper jaw. An extension integral with the first toggle member forms a second handle coextensive with the first handle and cooperates therewith to move the jaws toward each other as the handles are squeezed together. Such movement continues until the jaws contact an associated object. Continued squeezing of the handles causes the second toggle member to move the sliding bar back from the upper jaw.

Abstract: A wrench includes an upper jaw integral with a handle and a force multiplying cam member pivotally mounted on the handle. A lower jaw has a pivot point for pivoting relative to the cam member and the upper jaw. A sliding bar is mounted inside the handle to slide with respect thereto. A free end of a first toggle linkage member is pivotally connected to an ear of the lower jaw and a free end of a second toggle linkage member is pivotally connected to the sliding bar so that the pivot point can move relative to the handle. A tension spring extends between the ear and the lower jaw to urge it away from the upper jaw. An extension integral with the first toggle member forms a second handle coextensive with the first handle and cooperates therewith to move the jaws toward each other as the handles are squeezed together. Such movement continues until the jaws contact an associated object. Continued squeezing of the handles causes the second toggle member to move the sliding bar back from the upper jaw.