Abstract: A locking pliers includes first and second handles. The first handle includes two spaced, parallel plates and a jaw received therebetween. The plates and at least a portion of the jaw are surrounded by a molded plastic element that defines the hand engaging surface of a handle. A similar construction can be used for the second handle. The plates provide rigidity to the handle, while the molded plastic element provides an ergonomically shaped hand engaging surface. The disclosed handles can be adapted for use in other hand tools, including pliers, wire cutters, snips, and the like.

Abstract: A locking plier hand tool contains first and second jaw elements, wherein each jaw element has a forward end and a rear end. The first jaw element has a main recess formed by first and second contacting portions positioned at an angle to each other and a third contacting portion interconnecting the first and second contacting portions. Each first and second contacting portions has one end connected to the third contacting portion and a free end. The second jaw element is provided with an arc shaped protuberant extending outwardly in the direction of the main recess. A substantially flat member contains at least a rear part and extends between the free end of the second contacting portion of the main recess and the rear part. A substantially flat surface extends rearwardly from the protuberant. A wall is situated remotely to the protuberant. The wall has a free end substantially in engagement with the rear part of the substantially flat member when the hand tool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A large capacity locking pliers includes a body, a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and an over-center toggle linkage secured between the movable jaw and the body to lock the movable jaw in position with respect to the fixed jaw. The jaws define respective working surfaces, and each of the working surfaces defines an end portion, an intermediate portion, and a concave inner portion. The concave inner portion of the fixed jaw extends over an arc .alpha. of at least 45.degree. and the concave inner portion of the movable jaw extends over an arc .beta. of at least 80.degree.. These concave inner portions are concentric when the movable jaws move to a selected open position to grip a large cylindrical workpiece. The fixed and movable jaws are asymmetrical in order to facilitate fabrication and finishing of the completed pliers.

Abstract: A display package, enabling a user to manipulate a tool having a pair of tool openings that is positioned within the display package. The display package has a base and a plate having a plate opening having an edge. A first support element extends from the base to the plate where the first support element expansively engages the edge of the plate opening. A second support element is also present that extends from the base to the plate, where the first support element has a portion of a size to be inserted through the first tool opening and the second support element has a portion of a size to be inserted through the second tool opening.

Abstract: A hand screw clamp includes first and second jaws and a pair of threaded rods, each having a handle for manual rotation. Two first couplers are mounted to the first jaw and coupled to the threaded rods, and two releasable couplers are mounted to the second jaw and coupled to the threaded rods. The releasable couplers each include a threaded portion engageable with the threaded rods and a slidable portion sized to accommodate sliding movement of the threaded rods. A push plate is movably mounted to the second jaw and engaged with both of the releasable couplers. This push plate is movable between a first position, in which both of the threaded portions are engaged with the rods and manual rotation of the handles moves the second jaw along the threaded rods, and a second position, in which both of the threaded portions are disengaged from the threaded rods and the threaded rods are free to slide past the slidable portions without rotation of the threaded rods.

Abstract: A hand tool consists of a movable jaw, a slide bar wherein the movable jaw is mounted to the slide bar. A support assembly is provided for supporting the slide bar. A stationary jaw is spaced away from the support assembly and is provided with at least a front portion. A one-way drive arrangement is designed having at least a driving lever. A cam having a longitudinally extending handle is pivotally mounted at the support assembly and contacts the driving lever. The cam disengages the driving lever when the one-way drive arrangement is released from the slide bar, and the cam engages the driving lever when the one-way drive arrangement engages the slide bar.

Abstract: A hand tool which comprises a fixed handle with a fixed jaw on the front portion and a movable jaw pivotally connected to the front portion of the fixed handle. A movable handle is connected to the movable jaw. An adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the position of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw and consists of a threaded opening in the rear of the fixed handle and a screw member received within the opening. The screw member has a plurality of multiple first individual threads with the same diameter and pitch that mate with the threaded opening in the fixed handle.

Abstract: A bar clamp having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw which is radially movable over both short and long distances to clamp against a workpiece and is operable using one hand with complete control by the operator at all times. The jaws may either face one another while being mounted on the same side of a handle/grip assembly or face in opposite directions while being mounted on opposite sides of the handle/grip assembly whereby they may be incrementally advanced by the trigger handle/driving lever. The movable jaw may also be a clamp jaw affixed to a handle assembly which moves toward a substrate.

Abstract: A bar clamp having a fixed jas and a movable jaw which is radially movable over both short and long distances to clamp against a workpiece and is operable using one hand with complete control by the operator at all times. The jaws may either face one another while being mounted on the same dise of a handle/grip assembly or face in opposite directions while being mounted on opposite sides of the handle/grip assembly whereby they may be incrementally advanced by the trigger handle/driving lever. Another embodiment uses a substrate comprising a plurality of apertures to receive posts thus acting as a vise type of clamp/wrench.

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.