Abstract: A gripping appliance is disclosed. A head assembly is releasably attached to, and extends distal from, a base member. A plunger actuator moves a plunger along a proximal-distal axis of the gripping appliance. The head assembly includes a carrier with a through opening which receives the plunger and at least two gripping legs. Each of the gripping legs include a tip portion distal of a fixation portion, an actuation portion adjacent to and proximal of the tip portion, and a flex portion between the actuation and fixation portions. The actuation portions contact the plunger when the plunger is in an extended, distal position. The fixation portions are rigidly mounted to the carrier. The actuation and tip portions are distal from the carrier. When no force is transferred from the plunger to the gripping legs, the tip portions converge in a proximal-distal direction of the gripping appliance.