Patent ID: 6014917
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
Self-adjusting pliers for grasping a workpiece comprising:first and second plier members each including a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween;a first pivot on said intermediate portions permiting said jaw portions to converge on the workpiece and grasp the workpiece in response to initial pivotal movement of said handle portions toward each other;said first pivot includes a first pivot pin attached to said intermediate portion of said second plier member and a positionig slot formed in said intermediate portion of said first plier mnember, said positioning slot having a generally arcuate portion and a shifting slot portion in comunication therewith;said first pivot pin being slidably received in said positioning slot;said first pivot pin is positioned in said shifting slot portion of said positioning slot during the initial pivotal movement of said handle portions toward each other to grasp the workpiece;a second pivot on said intermediate portions permitting a further grasping force to be applied to the workpiece in response to continued pivotal movement of said handle portions toward each other;said second pivot being closer to said jaw portions than said first pivot; andbiasing means structured (a) for acting in cooperation with said first pivot to maintain said first pivot pin positioned in said shifting slot during the initial pivotal movement of said handle portions and (b) for biasing said handle portions away from each other and said jaw portions away from each other.