Patent ID: 7216570
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. A hand tool operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw, comprising: first and second arms operably linked to cause relative motion of said upper and lower jaws upon motion of said arms; a control arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the control arm being pivotable relative to the first arm, and the second end of the control arm being pivotably connected to the second arm; and a release arm pivotally coupled to the second arm and selectively movable between a first automatically retained position in which the release arm allows pivoting movement of the second arm relative to the control arm to allow said hand tool to reach an overcenter lock position, and a second automatically retained position in which the release arm prevents pivoting movement of the second arm relative to the control arm to prevent said hand tool from reaching the overcenter lock position, the release arm also being operable from said first position to manually release said hand tool from the overcenter lock position once said hand tool has been placed in the overcenter lock position by engaging said control arm and forcing said second arm away from said control arm.