Patent ID: 6178855
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
Self adjusting pliers for grasping a work piece comprising:first and second plier members each including a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween,first pivot means on said intermediate portions permitting said jaw portions to converge on the workpiece and grasp the workpiece in response to initial movement of said handle portions toward each other,second pivot means on said intermediate portions permitting a further grasping force to be applied to the workpiece in response to continued movement of said handle portions toward each other,said second pivot means being closer to said jaw portions than are said first pivot means,biasing means for biasing said handle portions away from each other and said jaw portions away from each other,said first pivot means includes shifting means to terminate pivoting about said first pivot means and initiate pivoting about said second pivot means when said jaw portions grasp the workpiece,said first pivot means includes a first pivot pin attached to said intermediate portion of said second plier member and a positioning slot formed in said intermediate portion of said first plier member, said positioning slot having a generally arcuate portion and a shifting slot portion in communication 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 movement of said handle portions toward each other to grasp the workpiece, andSelf-locking means for automatically locking said jaw portions.