Patent ID: 6175998
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A hand tool for use in gripping and joining together adjacent duct sections each including an outer surface and a peripheral hook shaped end portion defining a drive edge including a tab, said hand tool comprising:first and second handles;first and second arms operably associated at one end thereof with said first and second handles respectively;first and second jaws operably associated with, and extending inwardly from the opposite end of, said first and second arms respectively, said jaws being movable and positionable towards and away from each other in response to the movement of one or both of said first and second handles, said first and second arms having a length which allows the placement of said first and second jaws in an open relationship wherein the distance between said first and second jaws is greater than the combined width of the tabs of the drive edges of the adjacent duct sections for gripping the drive edge of said respective duct sections between the outer surface and the tab of the respective drive edge thereof; andeach of said first and second jaws including a top surface having a generally straight back portion extending generally transversely outwardly from said first and second handles respectively and a sloped distal end portion converging outwardly from said back portion, said top surface of said respective first and second jaws contiguously engaging the outer surface of said respective duct sections to facilitate the wedging of said respective jaws between the outer surface and the tab of the drive edge of the respective duct sections.