Patent ID: 6212978
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A self-adjusting pliers, comprising:an upper arm includingan upper jaw at a first end thereof,an upper handle at a second end thereof,a support extending downwardly from an intermediate location thereof,a first downwardly extending slot in the support, anda second downwardly extending slot in the support, the second downwardly extending slot being parallel to the first downwardly extending slot and closer to the upper handle than the first downwardly extending slot, the second downwardly extending slot having a plurality of second-slot teeth on a side thereof adjacent to the first downwardly extending slot;a lower arm includinga first end thereof, anda lower handle at a second end thereof;a control arm pivotably connected at a first end to the upper arm and at a second end to the lower arm at an intermediate location between said first end of said lower arm and said lower handle;a spring affixed at a first end to the upper arm at a location adjacent to said first end of said upper arm, and affixed at a second end to the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm;a lower jaw member includinga lower jaw at a first end thereof, the lower jaw being in a facing relationship to the upper jaw, anda slider extending from a side of the lower jaw member, the slider being slidably engaged to the first downwardly extending slot;a pawl disposed within the second downwardly extending slot, the pawl having a set of pawl teeth in facing relationship to the second slot teeth; anda shifter having three pivot points arranged in a triangular pattern, the three pivot points being respectively connected to the lower jaw member, to the pawl, and to the first end of the lower arm.