Patent ID: 6279431
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A self-adjusting pliers, comprising:an upper arm includingan upper jaw at a first end thereof,an upper handle adjacent to a second end thereof,a support extending downwardly from an intermediate location thereof between the first end and the second end,a downwardly extending guide on the support, anda downwardly extending slot on the support, the downwardly extending slot being parallel to the downwardly extending guide;a lower arm includinga first end, anda lower handle at a second end thereof;a control arm pivotably connected at a first end to the upper arm at an upper control arm pivot pin located adjacent to the second end of the upper arm, and at a second end to the lower arm at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end thereof;a spring affixed between the upper arm and 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 slidable on the guide of the support;a locking engagement disposed to controllably engage the downwardly extending slot upon pivoting movement of the lower handle to an overcenter position; 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 locking engagement, and to the first end of the lower arm.