Abstract: The invention concerns locking and unlocking of gripper devices 10 raising and lowering construction components (T), large parts and the like which can be clamped between mutually displaceable gripper jaws 15, 45 of an overall ∩-shaped carrying frame 12 by means of rocker levers 20 elastically supported on said frame, said invention also comprising a latch 30, for instance a rod to selectively lock and release the rocker lever 20. The articulation 32 of the rod 30 is situated at the free end 25 of the rocker lever 20 near a reversal pin 28 for a traction element which applies clamping forces to the gripper jaws 15, 45. A grip 34 of the rod 30 may snap into a notch 40 at the periphery of the carrying frame 12 which is fitted in its upper region with a stop 38 acting as a rocker articulation when the disengaged rod 30 is pivoted upward. A mating stop 36 catches the disengaged rod 30 near a reversal pin 28 of the rope system Z.