Abstract: A plier tool having first and second jaws independently and rotatably disposed about a pivot. A pair of handles are rotatably disposed about the same pivot. The handles are attached on opposite sides of the jaws by a bolt that passes through openings in the handles and through the center of the jaws. The handles are capable of being alternately engaged with the jaws by a pair of pivoting members such that the tool is changeable between a first position where the first jaw is engaged with the first handle and the second jaw is engaged with the second handle and a second position where the first jaw is engaged with the second handle and the second jaw is engaged with the first handle. In this manner, the tool can be switched from an internal retaining ring plier to an external retaining ring plier.

Abstract: A plier tool having first and second jaws independently and rotatably disposed about a pivot. A pair of handles are rotatably disposed about the same pivot. The handles are attached on opposite sides of the jaws by a bolt that passes through openings in the handles and through the center of the jaws. The handles are capable of being alternately engaged with the jaws by a pair of pivoting members such that the tool is changeable between a first position where the first jaw is engaged with the first handle and the second jaw is engaged with the second handle and a second position where the first jaw is engaged with the second handle and the second jaw is engaged with the first handle. In this manner, the tool can be switched from an internal retaining ring plier to an external retaining ring plier.

Abstract: An improved pliers having a first and second member. The first member includes a jaw operatively connected to a first handle, and the second member includes a second jaw operatively connected to a second handle. A slot is located in one of the members between the jaw and the handle. A pin in the other member extends into the slot and is secured therein to hold the members together while permitting relative motion between them. The slot may have different shapes but must be long and wide enough to allow the pin unrestricted motion. A projection extends from one of the members and engages a pivot area which may be a surface or a notch on the other member. In two embodiments of this invention, two pivot notches are used to give two different ranges of motion to the jaws. Different shapes of jaws may be used for specialized purposes, such as, opening pipe clamps or removing oil filters.